Hat and Feathers

Went for lunch in the bar which was more lively than the restaurant upstairs. Stuck to beer for drinks which were the usual fare. Skipped starters and went straight to mains. Tempura mussels were interetsing. Batter not too crisp but certainally edible. They came in a bowl with a garlic cream dip in an equal sized bowl. Possibly could have done with a bit less sauce, more bread and something other than a deep bowl for the sauce, but the lunch was relaxed so what's the problem? Sea bass was tasty, apparently. Servce was friendly. Bill was reasonable.

All in all, decent value and would happily return, although not as good as some of the other local offerings if you are prepared to go more into Clerkenwell. Only gripe was the number of blokes who stared at lunch date as we left.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Friday, April 06, 2007

This is a great addition to the neighbourhood. Don't be fooled by the rather plain atmosphere of the bar. Upstairs, there is a lovely restaurant with an understated elegance. Our food was very good, although I like the haddock risotto more than the cannelloni. I will defeintely go back and recommend above most restaurants in the area.
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Harry
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Sunday, March 25, 2007

I agree with the last reviewer and totally disagree with the previous two who, presumably, work for a rival restaurant!

The proprieters have tastefully refurbished a lovely old London pub and had the balls to offer something away from the normal "pub grub" or "wine bar grub". It doesn't matter what you call it, be it pub, restaurant or wine bar. It's well presented, the food is excellent and the wine too. Go there!
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, March 07, 2007

I disagree with the last 2 reviews. I have been to the Hat & Feathers several times now and have eaten in both the restaurant and in the bar. I found the food (in the upstairs restaurant) to be excellent - and am impressed with their willingness to offer something different, rather than taking the safe option.

There is a good choice of wines and those whose knowledge of wine exceeds their snobbery will find, as I did, that there are some excellent choices.

The bar food is good too - and again, I think it is value for money; If I wanted cheap bangers and mash, there are many pubs that offer that, The Hat and Feathers is different, celebrate the fact that someone is giving you a CHOICE!!!!
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, January 30, 2007

I agree with the last review - the place has lost much of the character that it once had. The restaurant is overpriced - the portions are tiny, the wine very overpriced. The staff are lovely but know nothing about either the wine or food. It was also empty, which probably reflects the fact that local competition is beating this place hands down
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Richard
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, January 23, 2007

I work near here, and watched the re-furbishment with interest.

We went to the bar area for lunch. Oh dear. It doesn't know what it is, a pub? A bar? A restaurant? A cocktail bar?

£8 for a steak sandwich (which was fine); and £8 for half a fish perched on 10 "fat" chips is not good value for money at all. We looked at the wine list, Chateau Masar for £47? Madness. It's worth about £20 tops, £10 retail.

Worse than that, there is hardly any atmosphere. It clearly died when the last owners shut it down, and it hasn't come back to life at all.

Totally soulless. I won't be going back, I'd certainly never take anyone there, and work gets me in restaurants around St John St at least twice a week, most of which are excellent.

I give it a year. They've spent a bomb doing it up, hence the prices are so high.

Sorry.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Friday, January 05, 2007

I have passed the Hat & Feather for the past few years and have been waiting for them to open. Went with a friend for dinner and was pleasantly surprised. There is a busy bar downstairs and the restaurant is upstairs serving delicious food. Well worth a try and very reasonable priced.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, December 14, 2006

Fabulous food - take the leap of faith! I went to the newly refurbished Hat and Feathers upstairs restaurant and was met by courteous and attentive staff. The menu is quite adventurous, with really interesting combinations of foods like haddock risotto with saffron and venison with a touch of chocolate. I was a little sceptical, but tasting it - it was amazing - a real explosion of tastiness on my tongue. Go! Try everything! It's Fantastic! Also try the recommended wines with the courses - really compliments the food.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, December 12, 2006