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Idlewild

55 Shirland Road, London W9 2JD

Bars Maida Vale
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Square Meal Review of Idlewild ?

This Maida Vale watering-hole likes to think of itself as a premium pub, offering classy cocktails, designer fittings & a standalone dining area. It works. Diners on the ground floor tuck into a swish brasserie menu of salmon tartare & toast, poulet-frites, seared swordfish with mango salsa, & apple crumble with Calvados crème fraîche. Those after a quiet meal should think again. Decibel levels tend to rise as the evening wears on, with an animated crowd queuing up at the pewter bar to order Ruby Royales (vodka, Chambord & Champagne), blueberry margaritas & classic white Russians. Things reach fever pitch in the upstairs bar, where DJs & bands provide the weekend soundtrack. Escape to the walled garden for something a little more serene.

Overall Diner Rating

7.5
Food & Drink
7.7
Service
7.0
Atmosphere
7.8
Value
7.5

Based on 6 ratings. Rate it!

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Customer Reviews

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  1. Alex V.

    ( United Kingdom )

    Food is consistently very good, as are cocktails and ambience. Service is consistently slow, though (even if friendly).

    • Overall: 6
    • Food & Drink: 8
    • Service: 3
    • Atmosphere: 8
    • Value: 7
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  2. Gemma T.

    ( 30s, Female, United Kingdom )

    Does anyone else hear ‘2 for 1 cocktails’ and only see ‘woo-woos’ and ‘carton-based sex-on-beach’?!?! Well, I do and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the Idlewild – the staff new exactly what they were doing, they were not under-pouring the alcohol content and they were all presented to us beautifully. It is an offer that I will gladly take of advantage of!!

    • Overall: 8
    • Food & Drink: 9
    • Service: 8
    • Atmosphere: 8
    • Value: 9
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  3. Caroline O.

    ( 20s, Female, United Kingdom )

    I met a friend on the way to Idlewild who had been before and complained to me that this was not a good choice of venue for our group of friends to meet in due to unpleasant staff and bad value for money – well, had we not been happy we would not have stuck around.

    The bar service was nothing to be complained about, the bartenders were friendly and obliging.

    In fact we stayed so much later than planned that when it started to get busy the manager (I think) who had checked we were happy earlier in our visit gave us our own sectioned seating area.

    We came across something like 2 faulty glasses (dirty, chipped) on our visit and we were apologised to immediately upon receiving fresh drinks. – You can't do more than that!

    Maybe it was not so welcoming in 2008 but there has definitely been vast improvements since then.

    • Overall: 8
    • Food & Drink: 8
    • Service: 8
    • Atmosphere: 8
    • Value: 8
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  4. Anonymous A.

    ( 20s, Female, United Kingdom )

    This is such an amazing place to chill out with friends. It was so warm and welcoming, we just didn't leave! I have been in London for two years now and wouldn't necessarily recommend the younger crowd but for young professionals who want that stylish streak in the social time – this is definitely the place for it! They do food also but we didn't eat, it looked very good though – maybe next weekend!

    • Overall: 8
    • Food & Drink: 7
    • Service: 8
    • Atmosphere: 8
    • Value: 7
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
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  5. Guy H.

    ( 30s, Male )

    Idlewild has a fantastic menu. Usually when I find a favourite eating-spot with such beautiful interior and friendly staff I find myself ordering the same or similar dish on every visit.

    It is impossible to do this at Idlewild, especially if you are a big fan of traditional English food like me.

    Everytime I go I see a waiter bring out another scrumptious looking dish and before I know it I'm booking a table and planning another get-together so I can return to try it.

    I would not recommend going during peak-service hours without a reservation. I have seen people wait for over an hour at the bar for a table.

    • Overall: 8
    • Food & Drink: 7
    • Service: 8
    • Atmosphere: 8
    • Value: 7
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    Essential Details for Idlewild

    • Address: 55 Shirland Road, London W9 2JD
    • Telephone: 020 7266 9198
    • Email: idlewild@ruby.uk.com
    • Website:
    • Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 4-11pm (Fri -12M) Sat-Sun 12N-12M (Sun -10.30pm)
    • Capacities: Private room for 85 people

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    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 Idlewild

    1. Alex V.

      Alex V. ( United Kingdom )

      January 2010

      Food is consistently very good, as are cocktails and ambience. Service is consistently slow, though (even if friendly).

      • Overall: 6
      • Food & Drink: 8
      • Service: 3
      • Atmosphere: 8
      • Value: 7
      Was it helpful to you?
      Request removal
       
    2. Gemma T.

      Gemma T. ( 30s, Female, United Kingdom )

      November 2009

      Does anyone else hear ‘2 for 1 cocktails’ and only see ‘woo-woos’ and ‘carton-based sex-on-beach’?!?! Well, I do and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the Idlewild – the staff new exactly what they were doing, they were not under-pouring the alcohol content and they were all presented to us beautifully. It is an offer that… More

      • Overall: 8
      • Food & Drink: 9
      • Service: 8
      • Atmosphere: 8
      • Value: 9
      Was it helpful to you?
      Request removal
       
    3. Caroline O.

      Caroline O. ( 20s, Female, United Kingdom )

      November 2009

      I met a friend on the way to Idlewild who had been before and complained to me that this was not a good choice of venue for our group of friends to meet in due to unpleasant staff and bad value for money – well, had we not been happy we would not have stuck around.

      The bar service was nothing to be complained about, the bartenders… More

      • Overall: 8
      • Food & Drink: 8
      • Service: 8
      • Atmosphere: 8
      • Value: 8
      Was it helpful to you?
      Request removal
       
    4. Anonymous A.

      Anonymous A. ( 20s, Female, United Kingdom )

      November 2009

      This is such an amazing place to chill out with friends. It was so warm and welcoming, we just didn't leave! I have been in London for two years now and wouldn't necessarily recommend the younger crowd but for young professionals who want that stylish streak in the social time – this is definitely the place for it! They do food also… More

      • Overall: 8
      • Food & Drink: 7
      • Service: 8
      • Atmosphere: 8
      • Value: 7
      1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
      Request removal
       
    5. Guy H.

      Guy H. ( 30s, Male )

      October 2009

      Idlewild has a fantastic menu. Usually when I find a favourite eating-spot with such beautiful interior and friendly staff I find myself ordering the same or similar dish on every visit.

      It is impossible to do this at Idlewild, especially if you are a big fan of traditional English food like me.

      Everytime I go I see a waiter bring… More

      • Overall: 8
      • Food & Drink: 7
      • Service: 8
      • Atmosphere: 8
      • Value: 7
      Was it helpful to you?
      Request removal
       
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