Norfolk Arms

Went here last Saturday night and had an excellent meal - also experienced none of the service dissatisfaction previous diners have mentioned here. Service was good. We had the tapas,. Quite simple dishes, but exquisitely executed - you could tell they had used real quality ingredients. Would also like to recommend the chocolate mousse cake - was totally divine. Really lovely relaxed experience, good service, quality food - i definitely recommend this place and will go back.
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Elizabeth
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, May 19, 2008

Decent food and building, badly let down by some appalling service.

We spent the first 15 minutes enjoying the drinks we got from the bar, assuming that someone would at least give us a menu. 40 minutes later, drinks empty and still no menu - it became clear that service was not a promary concern of the establishment. Every time we wanted a menu, drink, to order etc. we had to go to the bar to get someone's attention. When food was delivered, it was done with disdain and little interest.

Was also especially unimpressed by the cheese plate which had 7 or 8 types of cheese - but only 4 biscuits. We commented that it was a little odd that the cheese outnumbered the biscuits but were flatly refused any more. A small thing, but it pretty much became the final straw and we refused to pay the service.

The food certainly has potential, but why go to a place that doesn't respect its customers?
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Gavin Hanly
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Thursday, April 17, 2008

Went her with my girlfriend and my family. while the food was good, the service really let the place down. The wait to take our drinks order was way too long, and when one elderly member of our party asked for bread with the soup, it was flatly refused. During the starters, the tables were cleared while one of our party was still eating too, and we had to continue to beckon waiters to the table to take new drinks orders...one of which was a warm beer. The main meals were very tasty indeed, but the delay from starter to main was too great. One the tables had been cleared, we once again had to beckon the waiter to take a sweet order. All in all, the 12% service charge was too rich, even if the food was rather good.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Monday, March 10, 2008

Have to agree with first review, a definite find. Normal pub, great food, very happy. Went with a group of friends, they all had tapas while I had a main meal. Quite rare to find good fish in London, but the halibut I had was very tasty, while the tapas that I tried was excellent.

Would definitely recommend and will go back as soon as I find an excuse.
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Stephen H - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, November 11, 2007

what a find, and one that makes one bless smoke free London! as one whiles away an evening with wonderfully well sourced tumblers of wine, and tasty tapas.

An Iberian heartland in Russell Square, with none of the attendant nicotine fumes.

This expansive pub seems to offer all one would what;

* a more than decent (& reasonable) wine list,

*some real ale & larger,

* bottled beers (including non-alcoholic)

* stimulating bar snack/tapas menu,

* luxuriant mains & desserts,

* daily specials,

* friendly, helpful and attractive staff.

Who'd have thought an old Victorian gin palace could age so well.
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Catherine - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Monday, August 13, 2007