Robert's Reviews

Despite occupying probably the worst location in North London, it’s a triumph! Went as part of a large..ish party of eight, including an Italian, so it was always going to be interesting. It’s a small room, and the decor is probably the only thing that lets it down, all the women in our party announced the colour scheme as a bit of a brown nightmare. Has the feel of a family-run business, service was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. The food was extremely good, particularly the starters, recommend the charcuterie. It’s what you would describe as “good honest, no nonsense Italian” strong flavours and rustic. Wine list is small but there is really good value to be had, particularly with the reds. We rolled out. Good for taking people who haven’t eaten in quite some time.

It serves very reliable food, the emphasis is on the quality of the ingredients rather than an imaginative use of them. Great meat and fish, the best haggis in town – try it and you will be pleasantly surprised – and a very very good wine list that provides plenty of choice from all major wine producing countries and good value. The service is patchy, like too many restaurants Boisdale seems to almost exclusively recruit staff who are ‘passing through’. The atmosphere is relaxed and very clubby, clientele by and large blokes who like meat. They also have a wonderful covered roof terrace. Good for smokers and carnivores, less than ideal for those well in touch with their feminine side.

A restaurant that offers wines no more than £10 or £15 above the retail price? The owner is clearly mad! Well worth the trip – the owner and front of house apparently used to work with Marco Pierre White, some of that madness has clearly rubbed off on him, he’s a wonderfully exuberant and passionate man. The atmosphere is lively, buzzy and very relaxed. The food, steak and chips with a bearnaise sauce, was terrific, full of flavour and barely requiring a knife. The wine list is great and offers the opportunity to drink some wines that most of us admire on a wine list before moving on to something a little less “heavy” on the pocket. Exactly the kind of local restaurant that should and deserves to succeed.

Love this place for its simple but very good food. Don't go expecting the unexpected or the unusual: it’s always been a simple short menu. The wine list is extremely good and full of unusual things as well the standards. Service is always efficient and friendly. The room can feel bare – I have never had dinner here but I suspect it would feel slightly cold. At lunchtime though, it’s always buzzy. Any restaurant that leaves allows you to help yourself from a large bowl of whipped cream to go with you chocolate pudding gets the thumbs up, plus it has a fab delicatessen next door.

Have been a couple of times and always, I’m afraid, been disappointed. One of those restaurants where it matters where you sit. If you are in the back, it’s like being in a different restaurant and not in a good way. The food is expensive and good if unremarkable. By and large at lunchtime its full of property people, although possibly less so these days. Atmosphere is lively if you are in the main room.

If you like your fish, then Bentley’s is as good as you will get. Upstairs is formal and a bit stiff, downstairs more casual and a little more lively, but not buzzy. The food is very good, oysters terrific and cod is a guilty pleasure these days but here a fat juicy one! Wine list terrific and there’s a very knowledgeable and approachable sommelier. Your fellow dinners are likely to be ‘mature’ but this is a place to enjoy what’s on your plate.

Just returned after the recent makeover. The room is pretty unchanged in layout and feel. Staff are friendly and efficient. The menu has something for most people, and is particularly good for fish lovers, with gorgeous oysters that are plump and tasty (Tabasco sauce was not offered automatically, but was delivered when requested). Wine list was disappointing, less than five rose's from memory and not much under £35 a bottle. Great coffee and tap water in a carafe. Clientele was very mixed in terms of age, felt a bit like The Wolseley.

Service is very erratic and sometimes typically French. I am not a fan of the set dinner menu, which I think is too limited and not very good value. Lunch offers a better experience.