The Northgate

Went to The Northgate with my parents last weekend. It is a gastropub you can always rely on and unlike some other places I've rarely had trouble getting a table. Had an excellent mussels in Pernod sauce to start - now I know mussels are not hard to cook but this was the best mussels I've ever eaten with an amazing sauce and I've enjoyed mussels in a number of restaurants along the Normany coast. Next we all went for the beef which was cooked perfectly and with a tasty, beefy gravy. I don't know what the previous reviewer is talking about because in my mind if you go for this place then you will never be disappointed. Try it for Sunday lunch and post a review back here.
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John
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, April 12, 2008

Oh dear. I have eaten here a couple of times and each time it doesn't improve.

Over priced and below average food.
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Monday, March 10, 2008

An amazing meal - thank you so much. The melon and feta salad was fresh and summery, the pork-belly was cooked to perfection and the chocolate souffle was heavenly. The service was friendly and efficient and the wine (we had the Agentinian Malbec) was delicious.

A very reasonably priced, first class meal.

....and I know what the previous reviewer means about the chef!!!
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Delighted diner
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, June 17, 2007

We had a fantastic meal at The Northgate on Sunday evening, no wonder they have been entered into The Michelin Guide! Everything - the service, the range of the menu, the standard of the freshly cooked food, the amosphere, the wine list and even the friendly (and good-looking) chef - surpassed our expectations.

We will go there again for another meal, without a doubt. Highly recommended.
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Happy Customer
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, May 21, 2007

We've been rather jaded about the quality of the meals we've eaten out recently, but decided on spec to wander down to our local pub on the basis of its generally good feedback. We were delighted to find that the Northgate did not disappoint in any respect, restoring our faith that great food can still be found at a good price.

We shared a starter of quail poached in red wine, which was tasty and delicately presented, though could have been slightly warmer. This was the only marginally low point in an excellent meal; the standard gastro-pub fare of steak being perfectly cooked as ordered, with an excellent pepper sauce, and superb chips. The real star of the night though was a gorgeous dish of squid tubes stuffed with basmati rice and dried fruits,served with a delicate spiced but punchy champagne sauce.

The chef clearly has a real touch with flavouring his dishes, which was further demonstrated in a delightful spicy rice pudding with boozy prunes, a delicate cinnamon and star anise flavour boosting an old favourite.

The menu small but varied and creative, and changes daily, demonstrating a skilled chef. The wine list is equally thoughtful, with a great range by the glass at good prices. To top things off, the service was cheerful, attentive but unobtrusive, and deserved the tip. We left well satisfied, and pondering when we

could next pop to the local for supper.
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Kate
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, November 05, 2006

Have to say we think it's a terrific place. Staff can be surly when it's busy, but that's no surprise as they're rushed off there feet most nights, and with no aircon in the place... well.

The food is excellent.

We have made it our local for drinking on a weekend, as it's one of the few pubs left where you can take your dog! Water bowls are available & treats too!

Have just found out that they have taken over The Junction Tavern in Fortess Rd; so we'll have to check that out too.

Alison & John

Archway
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Alison McCord
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Friday, August 11, 2006

We turned up on spec on a weekday evening and were lucky enough to get a table, although it was fairly empty anyway.

We weren't disapponted by the food - it was excellent. The split pea and ham soup was delicious, nore like a stew than a soup. The lamb shank main with cous-cous had a great flavour as well and was very tender and melt in the mouth. The only thing I would say was that the service was disappointing. It was efficient but the two staff that served us looked very miserable and were a bit frosty - I wouldn't say welcoming and friendly as the other reviewers. It didn't help when the wine I ordered tasted sour and a bit worse for wear. They tasted it themselves and opened a new bottle and that glass was lovely so I ordered another one, which unfortunately

tasted like the first. I don't like causing a fuss so just really politely explained to the guy what happened before and asked whether it might have been possible that this was from the old bottle. I ended up feeling bad and apologised! I couldn't drink it so we left it but still paid for it and the service. I am sad as I would love to go back for the food but I'm afraid the service ruined for me.
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Julie D
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Saturday, April 22, 2006

Like the above reviews, I too have yet to have a bad meal at the Northgate. I regularly have whatever pasta dishes are on the menu as they are always interesting and cooked to perfection (are there Italian chef's in the kitchen?) The other main selling point of this fantastic gastro pub is the warm welcome given to both man and beast (doggie bowls and treats!) This really is a pub worth going out of your way for!!
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Marla
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, January 01, 2006

When I lived in Islington this used to be one of my favourite places to eat. I returned three years later to find that, if anything, the food was even better than I remembered. A delicious lamb kofta to start and traditional sunday roast beef cooked to perfection. The whole meal was faultless and very reasonable at 45 pounds for two including a couple of glasses of wine. I don't know why The Northgate seems to get overlooked because for me it is up there with the best gastropubs in London. Furthermore, they have excellent guest ales.
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John
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, December 05, 2005

We love the place. The food is consistently excellent: it is always interesting without being overcomplicated. Service is attentive but unfussy. not cheap but not expensive either.
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Nicole and Tom
Thursday, September 22, 2005