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Square Meal Selections

Square Meal Review of Medcalf ?

It’s 100 years since Albert Medcalf opened his butcher’s shop on Exmouth Market, but quite what he would make of its transformation into a dimly lit, hip hangout for the Clerkenwell media set is unclear. It may be festooned with abstract artwork, but the place retains its original sign & frontage, & the menu is a serious advocate for British meat, game & poultry: a starter of duck hearts, pancetta & watercress might precede a mighty wild boar, fennel & cider pie or bavette steak with horseradish & chips. Desserts follow a similar comfort-food trajectory – maybe rhubarb & yoghurt fool with shortbread – although prices can sometimes be less than comforting. Once you’ve finished, the decking outside is a good spot for supping a pint of Adnams bitter or Meantime Helles lager.

Overall Diner Rating

5.8
Food & Drink
6.3
Service
6.2
Atmosphere
6.3
Value
6.3

Based on 6 ratings. Rate it!

Customer Reviews

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  1. James J.
    Silver Reviewer

    James J. ( 50s, Male, United Kingdom )

    11 September 2011
    Editor's pick

    Medcalf, always rammed, became a favourite local with the demise of the Quality Chop House. Occupying a former butcher's shop – long and thin with décor of the shabby-chic variety – it sits halfway along Exmouth Market's much-appreciated restaurant strip, and just a door away from Moro.
    The focus is on British cuisine – locally sourced – and it never disappoints. Service is casual but attentive (though a restaurant that advertises a decent aperitif of Carpano bitters, yet CAN'T be bothered to make a Negroni, earns a black-mark in my book).
    Starters always include a decent smoked salmon with toasted bread, an excellent terrine and Welsh rarebit. Last time I opted for a brandade of smoked haddock which was a flavoursome opener.
    Mains wave the banner of tradition – a perfectly-cooked rolled piece of belly pork with champ and cabbage, a superb bavette (very bloody – fine by me – though no request for cooking was given) with a horseradish cream that delivered a veritable upper-cut, a nice piece of sea-bream done with mussels, or a salad involving British crab. Something for everyone, in short, and offered in decent portions. (A pork chop a few weeks back was the most perfectly cooked example I've ever tasted!)
    The wine list is nicely balanced with many decent bottles in the sub-£30 bracket and there's a wide range of beers and ciders too.
    In decent weather (though Exmouth Market diners tend to flood outside in all but hurricane conditions) you can eat outside (and there's a tiny walled area at the back). Inside, the atmosphere is friendly and the clientele youngish and fashion-concious.
    Prices tend to be £5-7 for starters, mains around £16 and puds about £6 (I long to be still hungry enough to tackle a greengage millefeuille – it sounds divine). If you live in EC1, this is a useful place for all occasions – but don't expect to walk in and get a table every time…

    • Overall: 8
    • Food & Drink: 8
    • Service: 8
    • Atmosphere: 6
    • Value: 7
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  2. Shivon M.

    Shivon M. ( 30s, Female )

    December 2010

    I have been to Medcalf on several occasions and liked it, however I had a table booked for Friday evening with friends for my birthday. A friend from overseas announced she will be in London so will join us, however much to my disamay and disappointment it was not possible to change to reservation from four people to five? Really?

    In all my years I have never encountered such inflexibility and lack of goodwill. I spent a good few years working in hospitality and no matter how challenging xmas can be we would always look to accomodate our customers. It's called customer service…

    Medcalf now have five less people they need to worry about (or not) as none of them will be returning!

    • Overall: 1
    • Food & Drink: 5
    • Service: 1
    • Atmosphere: 5
    • Value: 5
    1 of 2 people found this review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
     
  3. Hilary W.

    Hilary W. ( 40s, Female, United Kingdom )

    March 2010

    I had a thoroughly enjoyable Sunday lunch with 14 friends (March 2010). The meal was fresh and tasty, with plenty of interest both on the food menu and wine list. The roast beef was rare with hat-size Yorkshire puddings. Our large table at the sunny end of the room was ideal for the group, and the staff were exceedingly considerate, smiling and unfussy (and efficient too). I had originally thought of going to Frederick's, Upper Street as it's an old favourite – but Medcalf is my new favourite.

    • Overall: 9
    • Food & Drink: 9
    • Service: 9
    • Atmosphere: 9
    • Value: 9
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  4. Justin R.

    Justin R. ( 30s, Male, United Kingdom )

    June 2009

    I last visited Medcalf in the summer 2008 when we had free range chucks from the bbq and left happy.

    Last night was another story, Moules Mariniere consisted of strong (read not that fresh) mussels swimmingin an insipid pool of water which missed both parsely and cream. Then add to that huge fat chips that had been re-heated and you get the picture. If its Moules its gotta be french fries, there's a reason they're served that way, because they work.

    It was dull and lazy and they've lost another customer. Just go to the reliable Eagle, Easton or Moro next door.

    • Overall: 2
    • Food & Drink: 1
    • Service: 5
    • Atmosphere: 3
    • Value: 2
    Was it helpful to you?
     
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Essential Details for Medcalf

  • Address: 40 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QE
  • Telephone: 020 7833 3533
  • Email: mail@medcalfbar.co.uk
  • Website: Visit Medcalf
  • Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 12N-3pm (Sat-Sun -3.30pm) Mon-Fri 6-10pm (Thurs-Fri -10.30pm)
  • Capacities: Private room for 18 people
  • Restaurant Facilities: Alfresco dining area

Medcalf is included in the following Square Meal Selections

Location of Medcalf

Customer Reviews

Been to this restaurant? Write a comment

Write Your Review
  • 1Win fab prizes with free monthly prize draws!
  • 2See your views in print.
  • 3Collect your thoughts in one place.
  • 4Be rewarded with an Editor's Pick.
  • 5Rate restaurants and share your views.

Diner reviews for Medcalf

  1. James J.
    Silver Reviewer

    James J. ( 50s, Male, United Kingdom )

    11 September 2011
    Editor's pick

    Medcalf, always rammed, became a favourite local with the demise of the Quality Chop House. Occupying a former butcher's shop – long and thin with décor of the shabby-chic variety – it sits halfway along Exmouth Market's much-appreciated restaurant strip, and just a door away from Moro.
    The focus is on British cuisine – locally sourced… More

    • Overall: 8
    • Food & Drink: 8
    • Service: 8
    • Atmosphere: 6
    • Value: 7
    Was it helpful to you?
     
  2. Shivon M.

    Shivon M. ( 30s, Female )

    December 2010

    I have been to Medcalf on several occasions and liked it, however I had a table booked for Friday evening with friends for my birthday. A friend from overseas announced she will be in London so will join us, however much to my disamay and disappointment it was not possible to change to reservation from four people to five? Really?

    In… More

    • Overall: 1
    • Food & Drink: 5
    • Service: 1
    • Atmosphere: 5
    • Value: 5
    1 of 2 people found this review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
     
  3. Hilary W.

    Hilary W. ( 40s, Female, United Kingdom )

    March 2010

    I had a thoroughly enjoyable Sunday lunch with 14 friends (March 2010). The meal was fresh and tasty, with plenty of interest both on the food menu and wine list. The roast beef was rare with hat-size Yorkshire puddings. Our large table at the sunny end of the room was ideal for the group, and the staff were exceedingly considerate… More

    • Overall: 9
    • Food & Drink: 9
    • Service: 9
    • Atmosphere: 9
    • Value: 9
    Was it helpful to you?
     
  4. Justin R.

    Justin R. ( 30s, Male, United Kingdom )

    June 2009

    I last visited Medcalf in the summer 2008 when we had free range chucks from the bbq and left happy.

    Last night was another story, Moules Mariniere consisted of strong (read not that fresh) mussels swimmingin an insipid pool of water which missed both parsely and cream. Then add to that huge fat chips that had been re-heated and you… More

    • Overall: 2
    • Food & Drink: 1
    • Service: 5
    • Atmosphere: 3
    • Value: 2
    Was it helpful to you?
     
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