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Almeida (∗)

Address:30 Almeida Street, London N1 1AD
Tel:020 7354 4777
Email:
Website: Visit Almeida website
Price: £43.00Wine: £16.00 Champagne: £45.00
Opening Hours:Tues-Sun 12N-2.30pm (Sun -3.30pm) Mon-Sat 5.30-10.30pm

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While an international cast plays across the road at the Almeida theatre, the Almeida restaurant puts on a polished performance. The simple, elegant dining room has a view into the kitchen, from where accomplished waiting staff emerge to cruise smoothly between tables. Amuse bouches are the prelude to a menu that features lighter options, such as carpaccio of tuna & scallops with marinated cucumber & citrus dressing, alongside unctuous classic French cooking – think roast belly of suckling pig with caramelised apples, baby onions & sauce aux épices. Steak tartare & ‘delectable’ roast Barbary duck with spring greens & dauphinois potatoes are favourites with readers, & desserts include a winning passion-fruit soufflé. Sommelier’s suggestions front the broadly based wine list, which has a decent selection by the glass or pot lyonnais carafe. Prices are very reasonable for such a production, & the pre-theatre cheap seats (£15.50/18.50 for two/three courses) are a steal.

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Reader reviews of Almeida:

Susan M.
Reviews: 1

Susan M. ( Female, United Kingdom )

I don't know when your reviewer went to the Almeida last but we went (four of us) this week, on Tuesday evening, and although overall it was a good experiences I do have some quibbles. For a start your reviewer mentions amuse bouches. These were not offered. Whether they had them I don't know. (Incidentally we were not on the set pre-theatre menu, which possibly might preclude amuse bouches. But I suspect they don't offer them any more at all). We have been going to the Almeida for years, right from it's heyday when it was Conran owned and made fabuous chips (huge square ‘girder’ like chips heaped up in an architectural tower shape) and when the trolley of chacuterie was interesting, well stocked and generously served. I realise they have to make a profit but we did find the portions of vegetables very mean and tiny. Ditto some of the starters. The rest was good but we ordered a bottle of Champagne which was poured once and then put to the side in an ice bucket. We waited… and waited… finally had to request refills, which we waited so long for that the starters arrived at the same time. The white wine received similar treatment. It is infuriating if the wine is removed from the table and then you are at the mercy of the staff to keep an eye out for when a refill is required.
We will continue to go, nevertheless.

11 March 2010
Overall:7
Food and Drink:7
Service:4
Atmosphere:7
Value for Money:6
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Gmbklm
Gold Reviewer

Gmbklm ( 40s, Male, United Kingdom )

This was our 2nd visit this year. As previously, it was after the theatre, and the restaurant was again very busy. It seems to attract a local special occasion crowd, plus the theatre go-ers.

The dining room decor is very pleasant, quite modern and warm, and the tables reasonably spaced.

I’m afraid we again thought the food was very OK or very average – Not actually bad, but our starters were both rather bland and tasteless, and our main course beef was tender but a bit overcooked and not that tasty.

Service was efficient and pleasant, although the waiter didn’t know how to react to the non-positive answer to the “did you enjoy your meal” standard question. I also dislike it when waiting staff insist emptying the wine bottle sediment into my wine glass without asking.

I seem to remember this restaurant being much more up market when it first opened many years ago, but its now very much a mid-range restaurant or perhaps a brasserie.

Overall, I would say it’s main or only selling point is its proximity to the Almeida theatre for post or pre play dining. I won't be rushing back for the food, and it could not be described as good value at c£100 for 2 ex wine. Compares badly to a good gastropub.

15 September 2009
Overall:5
Food and Drink:5
Service:5
Atmosphere:7
Value for Money:4
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Felicity G.

Felicity G. ( Female, United Kingdom )

Don't go at lunchtime – in fact, dont go full stop. There were 6 people (including us) in the restaurant. Service was chaotic, maitre d' surly. A simple medium rare grilled steak took 50 minutes from ordering to arrive – had obviously been sitting under lights. It was tasteless and over priced. Never again!

26 May 2009
Overall:2
Food and Drink:1
Service:1
Atmosphere:2
Value for Money:1
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Anne M.

Anne M. ( 30s, Female, United Kingdom )

We dined here three days ago, overall I thought it was OK and I would like to come back to give it another go. The day boat gratin was tasty, done to perfection and my partner enjoyed the barbary duck. Service was a little rushed for us and also took three attempts to get the bill right. Buzzy atmosphere and reasonable price.

March 2009
Overall:7
Food and Drink:7
Service:6
Atmosphere:7
Value for Money:7
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Emma D.
Reviews: 1

Emma D. ( 20s, Female )

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place – the food is amazing!! i've been about 4 times recently and every time they get it right. the roast barbary duck with spring greens is delactable served with daphinoise potatoes on the side – my favourite. i've also tried the steak tartare, which i never thought i would be a fan of, but Ameida have turned me! it comes with the perfect amount of chopped shallots, parsley and gerkins on the side with an egg yolk in the middle, honestly – i am a true convert! the passionfruit souflee with homemade vanilla icecream in the middle is just amazing – they bring it to the table and dollop in the ice cream in front of you so you can see it sink in and melt. i have taken my friends and family to this restaurant and every single one of them has come back for more! the restaurant staff are efficient, friendly and so smooth you barely even notice them! i genuinely recommend this place, delicious food, great staff and above all affordable! i will definitely be going back again and again.

November 2008
Overall:10
Food and Drink:10
Service:10
Atmosphere:10
Value for Money:10
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