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Acorn House

Address:69 Swinton Street, London WC1X 9NT
Tel:020 7812 1842
Email:
Website: Visit Acorn House website
Price: £42.00Wine: £16.50 Champagne: £53.00
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri 12N-3pm Mon-Sat 6-10pm

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‘Famous for its eco-credentials’, Acorn House strives to be ethical & environmentally sound in every aspect of its existence. The location may lack appeal – within an unattractive block on a grim four-lane highway – but any bleakness is banished in the stylish if functional dining room. The menus have a contemporary slant, opening with starters of, say, char-grilled polenta with mozzarella, parsley & lemon, ahead of vegetable curry with wholegrain puri, or gnocchi with oxtail & mint. Some of the more experimental dishes ‘don’t always pay off’, but desserts provide a splendid finale. Reports of service are mixed; staff are friendly & welcoming, but occasionally ‘scatty’. Still, a meal is reckoned to be good value, as is the wine: bottles of Chapel Down Brut at £34 a pop, & European bargains in the bin-end list (waste not, want not). Diners have been known to leave feeling they’ve had their ‘eco-sins absolved’.

Chef: Arthur Potts Dawson

Acorn House’s Chef - After almost 20 years in the industry, Arthur Potts Dawson finally attracted the attention of the dining public with the launch of the environmentally friendly restaurant Acorn House in late 2006. A nephew of rock icon Mick Jagger, he started cooking at the age of 16 & did service in the kitchens of Kensington Place & La Tante Claire before rising to the position of head chef at the River Café. Former colleague Jamie Oliver asked him to become executive chef at Fifteen, where he met Jamie Grainger-Smith. Their shared attitude to the environment proved the inspiration for Acorn House. Initial success turned to London-wide fame when it was named Restaurant of the Year by the Observer's Food Monthly magazine in 2007. A year later, the pair upped their collective eco profile even further with the launch of the Water House in Hoxton.

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Reader reviews of Acorn House:

HP
Gold Reviewer

HP ( 30s, Female, United Kingdom )

It's taken me 3 years to dine at Acorn House and after a meal there this week, I have to agree with the comments made by the other diners. We arrived at 8pm to find the restaurant full except for our table, not bad for an weekday evening. While the staff were friendly and informative, they were incredibly slow; we regretted not booking earlier (several dishes had sold out for the day, the price you pay for sustainable fresh food) and we did not receive our mains until well after 9pm.

However, the atmosphere was convivial and relaxed and what we did eat was of a very high standard and beautifully presented. The starters and desserts were particularly outstanding; it was a real shame to have to share the espresso brownie!

If you don't mind a rather laidback approach to restauranting and fancy a slighty different dining experience, then the food at Acorn House is definitely worth it. Just be sure to book a table early if you want to be able to choose from the entire menu.

26 February 2010
Overall:7
Food and Drink:8
Service:6
Atmosphere:6
Value for Money:7
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Lisa R.

Lisa R. ( Female )

Have to admit I'm surprised by the comments in the Squaremeal review for Acorn House. I'm a foodie, I eat out regularly in London at some very good restaurants and I'm a real fan of Acorn House.

I've been 4 or 5 times now and every time the food has been fabulous. I recently went to the River Cafe for the first time and easily rated the Italian dishes I've eaten at Acorn House above those I had at the River Cafe (and far better value for money). On the last occasion we took my family, including my cousin (who eats out even more often than me) and is not easily pleased – she and her partner said it was the best meal they'd had in ages.

The restaurant decor may not be plush, and the tables are a bit cramped but the atmosphere is relaxed and convivial. The staff can be a bit lax but not to the extent that it spoiled any of our visits.

For honest, hearty fare in a pleasant environment I would thoroughly Acorn House!

22 October 2009
Overall:9
Food and Drink:9
Service:7
Atmosphere:8
Value for Money:8
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Flying Foodie
Gold Reviewer

Flying Foodie ( 30s, Male, United Kingdom )

Editor's pick

I have been to Acorn House many times and always love it. The menu is highly creative with lots of unusual ingredients and a heavy helping of seasonal vegetables. On my last visit I had a fantastic ham hock terrine with pear chutney followed by pork ravioli with Vin Santo sauce and some exotic cheesey topping. Everyone was wowed by the food.

Décor is warm, inviting and modern. It’s not high-end but feels very plush and quite glamorous. Guests are never disappointed.

It is of course famous for its eco-credentials which make a good talking point and create the feeling that your eco-sins will be absolved the more you eat there. The only downside is somewhat scatty service, which has got better over the years, but on my last visit needed constant reminding to pour some water.

My top tip is the English Chapel Down champagne (although it’s naughty to call it that). It’s fantastic and saves a few food miles. With a bottle of this between four people, two bottles of wine and two courses, expect to emerge only £50 a head lighter.

March 2009
Overall:9
Food and Drink:9
Service:5
Atmosphere:8
Value for Money:8
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