Gail's Exmouth Market

SquareMeal Review of Gail's Exmouth Market

Gail’s burgeoning London branches have been keeping yummy mummies in sourdough & babyccinos since 2005. This clutch of fashionably appointed bakery/cafés – all white walls & exposed brick – pride themselves on their ‘no nasties’ approach to artisan baking & their place at the hub of the community. Counters groan with breads, cakes & pastries from all over the world, including croissants, pumpernickel & chocolate halva buns to eat in or take away. You can also get more substantial fill-ups – perhaps a full breakfast (washed down with Union coffee or JING tea) or a fairly healthy lunch of soup, salad or a sandwich. It all looks dreamy, although some readers suggest it’s a case of style over substance. ‘Confused’ & ‘slightly abrasive’ staff – not to mention elevated prices – certainly don’t do Gail’s any favours.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - Under £30
Cuisines
Food Occasions
All day dining

Location

33-35 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QL

020 7713 6550 020 7713 6550

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Fri 7am-7.30pm Sat-Sun 8am-7pm

Reviews

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3 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Mark L

27 March 2013  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 4
Great coffee
I get coffee here every day, it's one of the best in the area an consistently good. The pastries are also very good, I can't get enough of the hot cross buns! The breakfasts/lunches I've had here have also been excellent, not cheap but worth it once in a while.

Jared G

13 May 2011  
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 2.5
Atmosphere 3.5
Value 1.5
I have to agree with the sentiment of the previous review. At face value Gail's looks like it's bringing something with credibility to up the quality of bakery's in the Clerkenwell area. The pastries, sandwiches and general atmosphere are pretty good. It feels like you're in for a treat. Look a little deeper and you'll be disappointed. The bakery's visible from the eating area so you can see the chefs opening frozen packages from HQ to assemble the pastries and biscuits, Pret-a-Manger style. The coffee is missing that certain richness, fullness, that could have set it apart. Finally, the staff, whilst probably trying to be helpful end up on the slightly abrasive side of assertive. If I sound a bit food snob, that's probably because I am. Moreover at the price Gail's charge I'd expect a little more than run of the mill pre fab food served sans sentiment.

nel B

31 January 2011  
Food & Drink 2
Service 1
Atmosphere 1.5
Value 0.5
I've been a resident of Bloomsbury/ Exmouth market for most of my adult life, and I make a point of supporting new businesses whenever they spring up. But the experience that my party and I had in Gail's this past weekend made wonder why I bother. Its all so dishonest; mediocre egg and mushrooms on toast for £9 isn't ‘artisan cooking’ and it's hard to see how this ‘serves the community’ as their website promises. The confused and surly attitude of the staff reinforces the feeling that, as a customer, you've fallen for a hollow and rather expensive marketing poly. Gail's is emblematic of a nouevau riche culture in London, where people queue to pay over the odds for produce that, in other countries, would be run of the mill. A piece of ironic graffiti has sprung up just a few doors down from your store, which sums up you faux artisan branding nicely; 'Don't miss Exmouth Market's newest Middle Eastern cheese store…Cheeses Of Zazareth'.
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