Mosaica @ The Factory

We've been to Mosaica several times over the years. Tend not to go there in summer as it's quite a dark space, but as it's been so cold and grey lately we thought it would be good. We like walking in past the open kitchen and have never noticed rude or sweary chefs, just lots of people enjoying themselves and good smells coming from the grill.

The menu changes daily, the food is robust, mostly served in thick rimmed bowls, and generally full of flavour. Asparagus is often on the menu, and fat spears char-grilled with a shaving of Parmesan and a touch of balsamic, and Parma ham with a bit of salad were both fine. Meat main courses chosen were grilled lamb chops with orzo pasta, and duck with brown shrimp. I wasn't sure about the brown shrimp, but the dish was tasty with crunchy, salty, crispy shrimp as well as the duck, sautéed potatoes and samphire.

Staff are mostly very young student types, outgoing and charming, welcoming and provide prompt service. We weren't left waiting for anything but didn't feel rushed, and had a really relaxed evening after a challenging day.

This is a quirky place, industrial and shabby, unfinished but a bit gothic with mountains of candlewax, and finished off with local artwork and fairy lights. It's very casual, delivers good food, and still feels like a find even though it's been going for about 10 years.

I go to Mosaica quite regularly, either for lunchtime takeaway or dinner. I have come to expect and tolerate the rude and sweary chefs as I walk in because the food is often good. I'm just glad I don't have to work with them. Our waitress was a delight though.

We went last week for lunch in a big group, and whilst burgers, pasta and risotto were all good, they've appeared to ditch their great homemade chips and gave us chips from a bag. This is acceptable when you're popping in for a £2.50 takeaway box, but not when you're spending over £10 in the restaurant on your lunch. The homemade chips of old were so good too, which makes the decision baffling.

We also got given two types of bread before our lunch too. The first from the local supermarket and the second, a homemade and very tasty cumin seed bread.

Please don't stop doing the things you do best, Mosaica.

One word: Amazing!

I went with my mum, who has trouble climbing steps, so as this restaurant is all on the ground floor without any that's already a plus for me.

The staff were really attentive, knew what they were doing, served ladies first (an etiquette I find severely lacking in several upmarket restaurants these days), and were generally really friendly.

The place is clearly an old factory room that they've basically gutted and re-decked. Considering how many art studios are surrounding it that's no surprise. There's also a lot of art inside the room, funky lights, funky furniture – basically they've done a pretty damn good job jazzing up an otherwise plain black hollow room.

The food was divine. I had the chicken with ‘all the trimmings’ (basically the yorkshire puddings failed that day so they called it that instead, at least they have a sense of humour). My mum had the duck with goats cheese and beetroot salad. Both were equally incredibly tasty and filling. We also had the mushroom and gorgonzolla starter to share – I'd asked for it as a side, so the waiter had also asked the chef the same, so it came a lot smaller than a normal starter. He said they'd charge us half for it, but ended up just not charging us for it which was impressive, especially since they took the initiative to say all that before I had a chance to say anything. They did run out of desserts though which was a shame, but it was about to close for the day when we were offered that menu so that's fair enough.

There was a lot more on the menu, though it's a single page with starters and desserts – standard fare for most small modern restaurants.

Locating it was a bit awkward as you can see the building from far away but it's not obvious how to get to it. Drive down Western road (from either direction), turn into Coburg road, then take the first left (no through road – that's Clarendon Road).

It does get quite noisy inside there, but not too heavy that you can't hear the rest of your party. Basically it's cosy, and not a heavy bar of sorts. Also due to it's location it's not exactly the busiest location (though I suspect on special occasions it probably does get that way)

Overall I'd definitely go back, and would recommend it to anyone willing to go search it out and give it a try. It's been a long time since I've walked out of a restaurant without having any negatives about the place, and I've been to a lot of nice restaurants so far. I marked one down for atmosphere solely because it was slightly noisy (my mum's a bit deaf so I had to shout a bit) but overall I couldn't really fault my one experience of it.

Note their opening times – they're actually open till 3.30 for lunch, but they do have an odd opening schedule.

Love the location, makes a change & you feel like you are somewhere a bit special & secret. Starter of grilled sardines was very nice, but main was disappointing vegitarian afterthought of goats cheese salad – the one at “ask pizza” is much more tasty!
Service friendly & attentive, love the decor, shame there was not many other diners to add to the atmosphere (it as a saturday night too). I would go back, but the food lets them down slightly.

One word: Horrendous!

I have been here 4 times. always love it.

Went to Mosiaca on a whim before a concert at Alexandra Palace, and really glad we did. The exterior looks abit daunting, but once you go in, its lovely – candle lit and cosy, with an open kitchen area, the restuarant oozes character and ambience.

The service was very friendly and accomodating, and the food was also very good… I can vouch that the Pork Belly is indeed one of their amazing dishes… Although not particularly cheap, this is good food at a good price, and for a thursday night, the restuarant was consistantly 2 thirds full. (this place is obviously a local secret!)

Wood Green is lucky to have such a restaurant…

Difficult to find, but worth the effort. Great atmosphere, funky clientelle and staff. Quality of food was excellent, with a varied menu. Highly recommended.