The Albion

Stroll along some of Islington’s loveliest streets on a warm summer’s evening to The Albion and you’ll discover quite how popular it is. People spill out on to the pavement at the front and the huge courtyard at the back in just seething with life: the atmosphere is palpable and the place’s lure is obvious. Drinkers sit alongside diners and the whole place has the feel of a huge party – though not a party you can crash: do book! The menu is short and focused on seasonal fare (asparagus, summer salads and so forth). There’s a charcoal-grilled offering and I had a lovely Barnsley lamb chop with a mouth-watering crispy crust and a succulent pink inside – and a handful of decent Jersey Royals lubricated with chive-butter set it off perfectly. My guest had a braised duck led on summer vegetables – and lovely balance of wintery comfort food and summery bounty. A lemon cheesecake with Scottish raspberries (four of them, no less!) made a suitable close to the meal. A NZ pinot noir (£30) helped it all down nicely. Service is friendly if a little stretched by the hordes, be patient! The bill (shared starter, two mains, shared pud, one side and wine, including a couple of glasses of sticky) came to just over £100.

I find it funny that so many places are like Marimite. People either love them or hate them.

The Albion is one such place, I've been a regular now for a couple of years. Yes, this place has its short comings many of which come from the fact it's always so popular.

But, I love it like Marmite and am very happy I live close by.

This pub comes highly recommended but a word of warning: I tried my chances on a table for two on a Sunday at the beginning of August and was no less than physcially blocked from entering, asked to leave being told it is silly to think I might get a table without booking.

Today I called to make a booking for this Sunday.. for six adults and two young children for lunch. Once again I was made to feel that I had made a most ridiculous request.

I can't rate anything but the service!

Seriously – the food in this place may be good – I would have loved to have known first hand. Arrogant staff is not an attractive proposition… their attitude has a long way to go.

RG

Was really looking forward to a Bank Holiday lunch with friends after working most of the Bank Holiday myself.

After what seemed a promising start, nice location, great interior and garden, good looking menu nice enough staff things took a turn for the worse when the food arrived. I know everyone is finding current times tough but I have to say it is a long time since I have felt ripped off by a restaurant or rather PUB. My friends ordered a 2lb crab to share at £28. The crab arrived still dirty on the outside, without fingers bowls and with the entire body of meat missing, me and my partner ordered the roast beef and although tasted nice 2 bits off meat for £17 is a bit if a rip off. After commenting to a new waitress about the crab the manager returned to inform us apparently the muck on the shell is from the bad meat of the crab you cannot eat. Interesting explanation I thought.

I had really high hope for this place but have to say shall not be going back. The Drapers is reopening soon and I am sure it will run rings around this place. I truly hope it does.

Came here for Sunday dinner on one of the rare evenings in summer when it wasn't raining. The huge garden makes this place understandably very, very busy when the sun's shining, but that's no reason for the staff's graceless attitude towards customers: it's not called 'the hospitality industry' for nothing and you're supposed to be friendly and welcoming to the people who have come to your establishment looking to be fed and watered. A pity, because the wood-panelled, olde-worlde pub inside looked like somewhere lovely to hide away in winter, but I won't be going be back.