Gilgamesh

Wow, this place is taking a right kicking in the reviews!

I can’t say I agree completely; only because the sushi is still A2 and I do love the décor and the atmosphere.

Yes it is above Camden Market, but for me this makes it a little more special when you travel from the bustle below to the entrance up the escalator. The old will love the wooden carvings, the young will love the music and even the occasional dancing at weekends in the adjacent bar and dancefloor. And the decadence will suffice for all but the most discerning restaurateur. But everything else; forget about it.

Overall I am going to find it hard to return there in it’s current state. Even the Tom Yum soup was awful; that should be a staple. And that was after they sent chicken instead of prawn, and made a fuss about changing it. They actually insisted chicken was standard?!?

But the piece de resistance: Like the earlier reviewer, I too 'experienced' the Thai Fish cakes... Best put - if I’d gone back down the escalator and bought them from one of the market stalls, I'd be asking for a refund. We had a bite and very really nearly threw it up again. I think it was the salt that triggered the gagging reflex. It might have been the flavour, had it not been so bland. Or even the texture; so rubbery and yet greasy, it could have been deep fried in Lard.

Absolute disgrace, they must have had so many complaints they should have simply removed it from the menu, and / or sacked the chef and / or some QC manager. It is surely an example of how complacent they have become; they really were my favourite restaurant and it’s sad they let themselves go like this.

I give 3 stars for food only because the sushi is still very good; maybe 90% as good as it used to be and 80% as good as Zuma, Hakkasan or Nobu. The scallops are amazing provided you first wash down the fish cakes with some over-priced wine.

Also, since the sushi is also about 40% the price of the top 3, I must reflect this in the 'value' score. But I must re-iterate that everything else tasted absolutely awful.

To summarise: If you want to come here to eat sushi and enjoy the surroundings, it is still; just about, a viable option. But be warned, do NOT stray from the sushi menu.
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Noel
4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Stupidly overpriced. £15 for a curry and then they charge for the rice. £4.50 for a bottle of water! Same for a latte and so it goes on.

Tasteless food and meagre portions.

Don't be mesmerised by the overwrought over-carved Indonesian ambiance- disturbed occasionally by endlessly long freight trains going by a few yards away.

There are far better restaurants than this in Camden.
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Malve - View all reviews by this user
2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Thursday, March 31, 2011

Oh dear, yet another overpriced Asian food joint. I think you pay for the place and the name they have created for themselves. It's full of wannabies and the occasional celebrity, but you'll get much better food from Hi sushi, O's Thai cafe , waggas or Basaba Eathai at a fraction of the price.

There is absolutely no need to go to this tarted up lean to/ tent in the heart of Camden and have to walk past piles of rubbish and drunks at the end of a very average and over priced meal. Yes their sushi is good and the lamb was excellent, but the thai fish cakes were diabolical, and the over all taste in mouth was bad. In a nut shell avoid at all costs (otherwise it will cost you!).

It's not quite as bad as Asia de Cuba, but you can do so much better for a nice night out!
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Sean Smith - View all reviews by this user
1 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Saturday, March 26, 2011

Just got home from a wonderful evening at Gilgamesh.What a fabulous place.We were warmly welcomed and escorted to our table.

We ordered from the menu and when the food came WOW delicious the quality was superb,couldn't ask for more.Everything was so fresh every dish was faultless compliments to the chefs.... food fit for a king!!.

You HAVE to go there you will not be disappointed and please believe me when I say I am extremely fussy about my food My family and I are definitely going again!!!.
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sarita fernandes
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, March 25, 2011

I was very disappointed with Gilgamesh. I am not a complaining person, this is my first negative review I post but the service I received from this place made me to write one.

I booked a table online for Valentine's Day for 2 person. They were advertising a special Valentine's Menu for £50. It didn't say it was £50 per person. I had to call the restaurant the next day to confirm the time and I asked the girl on the phone if she could tell me a bit more about the special menu. She said a few things about the meals and she said it's £50 per person....me naive...I tried to cancel the table because I did not want to spend that much but I have been told if I cancel my booking I will be charged £20 per person!!!It's a bit too much so I preferred to keep the table and the Valentine's Menu.

On Valentie's Day I received a phone call from the restaurant, they wanted to confirm my booking again, and because of curiosity I asked the girl what menu we have. She said normal menu. I was very upset, I told her I asked for the Valentine's menu! She asked the Chef and managed to get us on the Valentine's menu...

I got the table by 10pm, that was the earliest time, we got there by 9.30pm to have a champagne at the lounge bar. We got seated around 10.20pm I was starving by then!

The waiter put a normal menu on the table. I asked him to get me the Valentine's one as I requested a few times before! A male Manager came to apologise, he said they ran out of that menu....he said he will ask the Chef....again???? He came back to our table, with a smile on his face, he said he managed to get 2 more portions from that menu.

The first starter was Fraugrau, a very small portion but delicious. The second starter was Oyster. We never received the oysters, they have served king prawns instead...they forgat to tell us they won't be able to deliver that meal to us, but what if I hate prawns? The same male Manager came to our table again apologising again, he said they had no oysters left...I understand that but he supposed to tell me this information before and not after!!

He also said they ran out of Sea bream but they have Sea bass as main course. I was ok with that. We got our dishes. My face dropped when I saw that Sea bass, I was expecting a nice thin fillet. That Sea bass was THICK like Cod! Taste like Cod!!!! I asked the Manager what kind of fish is this then? He said it was a 'special chilean sea bass'...well, maybe I am wrong but to me it was Cod.

After main course we wanted to get the dessert quickly because it was too late. Well, the waiter was nowhere to be found. I found some bar staff in the back cleaning and told them that we are still waiting for our dessert. 5 mins later a blond female manager came to our table with 2 glasses of champagne on the house and the dessert. She said Sorry they had a busy night and offered 50% of the final bill due to their mistakes.

The funniest thing was that my 'skinny' boyfriend was left hungry and he got 12 chicken wings on the way home...hahaha

I won't ever go back again for sure. I hope you will find my experience useful.
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Erika from London
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Went for dinner with my friend on Saturday night. Usually, Gilgamesh provides a very nice dining experience all round, from the decor to the food, however, this time the staff were very rude and the food was not fresh (one of the items had to be sent back). This was very disappointing as for £50 per head, you expect a much better service and experience. Staff really must be re-trained!!
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AK
4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Sunday, March 20, 2011

Food was rubbish, if it wasnt for the 50% discount, i wouldnt even try it. Completely rubbish oriental food.

The girls at reception should try to smile a bit more and stop acting like its some high class club. They addressed us as 'hey girls'! the way out is the other way!! We are married women with children. I think professionally, its better to address people as sir or ladies/madam.
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angela
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Saturday, March 19, 2011

Went for Valentine’s Day......... Had a great night, due to ambiance, company and service....... Food was ok.

I booked the set menu which my partner wasn’t very keen on, however I’m glad I did as the food was ok but the portions were small and pricy........ What does one expect from fine dining (.....well), I was quite content after 3 courses.

Overall I had a great night, and I would go again and be happy to pay as the atmosphere was suited to me just fine but I would not stick to the set menu as I believed it did not reflect on the restaurants better quality of dishes.

However, I believe that some of the dishes were slightly overpriced, as I have experienced similar quality of food (if not better) for a more reasonable price. Therefore you are totally paying a premium for the fantastic decor and ambiance.

When I go out to dinner or otherwise I want it all! Good quality (in this case food), a great atmosphere and at reasonable price and 2ish out of 3 is not bad.

I have to add that my partner was not happy with the quality or quantity of food, so as everything I guess it’s based on personal preference, so you should try it out for yourself. I say try everything once, as you only have one life!

Hope to be of some help as my review is slightly contradictory, lol.

Happy dining...........
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J Diva
7 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Thursday, February 17, 2011

Decor lovely, food not great, value for money at over £50 per head certainly not worth the hype. Very disappointed.
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AMT - View all reviews by this user
4 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Monday, January 31, 2011

went for our xmas party in dec2010. there were seven in our party and we arrived at 9.40pm. the service was so slow and people in our section were seated after us and consistently served before us. the same waitress was serving all the tables in our section. we only had one drinks order taken during the whole time there. we had to ask if we were getting dessert as all the other tables around us had had theirs and were told 'i dont know where it is'

After finally having dessert and asking for the bill it came with optional service charge added on @ £53.00. After asking for it to be removed, i was told its not optional for parties over eight people!

Finally got it removed and paid the bill to move into the bar/club by which time it was 12.30am due to the really poor service. the bar closes at 1am.

I have already written to this restaurant by recorded post once and by email twice and so far have not even had an acknowledgement!! very poor!!

This restaurant is very expensive and given previous reputation, we were very disappointed.
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sonia richmond
3 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Thursday, January 06, 2011