This is a great little local gastro pub.

The bar staff can be a little stand off-ish but the waiting staff are really friendly. Not sure why there is such a difference.

The quality and cost of the food is good, my only gripe is that although it gives the impression that the menu changes daily it does not and even after several weeks between visitis many items can be the same as before.

During the week and on a Sunday the atmosphere is good but at the weekend (Fri-Sat evenings) they have DJs that is great if just in for a drink, but if eating it can be a tad loud.

However overall a great little place for wonderful Crouch End

Its not cheap but it is a great venue that has bags of atmosphere.

I have been going to the Shochu Lounge since 2009 and still love to go back whether that be for a few drinks or to eat.

Why eat upstairs at Roka that lacks the same intimate atmosphere when you can have the same menu downstairs in this very sexy bar?

Its a no brainer for me both for food and drink if out in NoHO.

What a little gem!

Not the best location as there are no decent bars to go to before within walking distance but this little authentic Argentinian steak house is worth the taxi fare.

Run by an Argentian who knows his cuts and how to cook them! Puts Goucho to shame and the prices are really reasonable!

It can be a little subdued earlier in the week but Thursday to Saturday the place is normnally good.

They have the most wonderful blackpudding and chorizo as a starter and the shared platter for two (which gives you little cuts of all the steaks) is a great deal and wonderful way to try all their steak cuts; but be warned you'll not need any sides as it is BIG!

Wine list is varied and the staff helpful and pride themselves on services!

Recommended!

I love this tapas bar/restaurant… now I must say that I never treat it as a formal meal out as such and always try to sit at the bar by the kitchen than sit in the actual ‘tabled’ area as for me this provides a better atmosphere where you can enage with the brilliant bar staff, look over the kitchen and really enjoy the atmosphere.

It is not cheap but the tapa's is good and varied… the crispy pork belly is to die for and on the one occassion when I have sat at a table for a more formal meal we had the suckling pig which is rich but amazing!

I can see why people may not rate is that highly as for a ‘formal’ dinner; there are better experiences out there; but for a bottle of wine some light tapas and atmosphere sat at the bar with a date it is a great venue.

I concur with the previous review(s) about the service… awful with a abrupt rudeness that one should NEVER experience in any form of service industry.

The actual restuarnt is lovely in asthetics and atmosphere but the food is outshown by its peers and the general level of service is as I have said not just poor but rude.

The overall experience led me to actually write a letter of complaint (not something I take lightly as it meant I had to further spend time and energy with the restaurant. I did get a prompt response but they did not really pick up on the main thrust of my compaint around service preferring to pass blame on some of the minor issue that I had mentioned (various items on the menu not being available even though we had not arrived late or the restaurant being full) to their butcher.

With restaurant being highly recommended by a friend who was surprised by my experience I may give it another chance, BUT having now read several other reviews from members who also appear to have experienced the same low level of service I am not convinced that anything will improve (but would be delighted if I were proved wrong as it has so much potential as the setting/ambience are top notch).

For an establishment that has higher end prices there is no exuse not to have higher end service

The Bald Faced Stag is a million miles away from the dingy pub that it used to be and serves good quality food that is reasonably priced and for the East Finchley area brings some much needed quality in the Gastro Market.

Certainly better than the White Lion doen the road and comparable to the Clissard Arms towards Muswell Hill it is a good place for Sunday lunch or midweek meal rather than a Saturday night out.

I had been wanting to come to The Orrery for years and thought perhaps I had missed the boat as the chefs came and went and some reviews said that had affected on the overall impact of the restaurant. Well if it has I would have loved to have gone when it first opened as for me it was FANTASTIC!

My GF and I relaxed in the bar before moving to our table where we were amazed with the minimalist dining room, the superb service and amazing food and wine.

The most amazing thing was that I found it very good value for money. Yes of course you can have cheaper but for the quality of the surroundings the excellent food and wine and second to known service it makes you wonder why you bother with the average food, service etc… you can get at many restaurants that cost almost as much

A firm favourite of mine

I love the restaurant and it is esp enjoyable in the summer months when the glass dorrs are open and the sun is setting. You are nestled in the rooftops of Clerkenwell, it is very Mary Poppins with all the chimney tops! Add to this setting the great food and wine list and attentive service and you really cannot go wrong.

One slight problem is that the atmosphere can sometimes be a bit flat… but hey when you've steak this good that is a secondary factor!

I have been to Gaucho several times and never had an experience like this one.

Let’s get the good things out of the way… waiter and waitress that served us were excellent. Food was good, but not in the same league as the top floor restaurant at Smiths of Smithfield’s and the prices are comparable.

Now the things that ruined our evening (and due to work commitments we don’t get out that much together!

1) Sat outside for a drink first and one of the champagne glasses came with a crack… basic error.
2) We were sat in the basement which is not as cosy as upstairs and on the evening we went far too cold.
3) One of the knives brought for the main course had food residue left on it. Again basic error and one that turned our stomach to be honest 4) Espresso coffee came with so much coffee residue in it it was undrinkable.

Now all these thing were dealt with quickly each time we pointed them out and in isolation (apart from the knife) were not really a big deal, but when you have 4 things happening it just makes you wonder what is happening overall.

My GF who works in F&B complained to the manager who to his credit, did not charge us for our wine and gave us a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and dessert.

However to add insult to injury when the bill came it included two random drinks that we had never had. Incredible!

Would I go back, nope, I'll stick to SoS top floor restaurant