The Modern Pantry

Came for a late Sunday lunch after a recommendation from a friend.

To start, scotched quails eggs, very good - worked well and an innovative twist on an old classic with the chorizo.

For mains, roast pork loin for me, really pretty poor. If there is one dish which needs to be hot, it's a roast dinner. Everything on the plate was barely above room temperature, roast potatoes cold, same with the carrots and cabbage. It felt as though we had arrived late an been given the left overs from the 12pm roast, which shouldn't be the case. The pork was the most fatty piece I've ever seen on a plate, more fat than meat. It's a fatty cut but this was ridiculous.

My partner enjoyed her cod, which was good.

We didn't stay for dessert, but overall £60 without wine was too much for a two course Sunday lunch where the main event was a lazy effort at a relatively simple dish.

I won't return, bit perhaps we caught them on an off day.
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Billy
6 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Sunday, November 13, 2011

WE SPENT CLOSE TO 300 POUNDS AT THIS ESTABLISHMENT TODAY. STAFF WERE INCREDIBLY RUDE . REMINDS ME OF CARAVAN...IE STAFF TOO GOOD FOR THE CUSTOMER. WOULD NOT GO BACK . TOO MUCH GOING ON WITH THE DISHES. FOOD BEST SUITED TO A BEACH IN NEW PLYMOUTH!!
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DALY
2 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Unless the kitchen was having a particularly bad night when we visited, this place is highly over-rated by some and is certainly overpriced. I wish we had gone to the bistro in the Zetter hotel just across the street, where we had pre-dinner drinks.
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Kentishwanderer
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, June 08, 2011

I went here for lunch on Fri and found the whole thing rather refreshing.

Challenging without being pointless, well considered and put together food. Interesting stuff.

I had a scotched quail's egg, the surrounding meat being chorizo based. Very nicely done with a tomato salsa accompaniment. The Sashimi was the best one of my lunch partners had eaten. We tried some chips I had never heard of (with salt I had never heard of!) and they were good too, with an accompaniment of creme fraiche and tomato. All good.

I got two big scotch eggs, probably a little too much for all that chorizo. It got a little heavy, but that's my fault for being greedy and eating it all.

My main course was a delight. Poached baby chicken with a coconut sauce and sweet potato. Poached poussin isn't something you see on most menus and it was as delicate and light as I had hoped. The sauce really set off the light meat. Lovely stuff. two of our party had the veal escalope which looked great.

No room for pudding.

Surroundings a little stark. Wooden floors and walls and grey paint. Service to match. Maitre d' was a little abrupt. But I don't want to be his mate. I just want expertly cooked food that is refreshingly different and that's what I got. Fair prices too and a cracking area full of history to wander round after.

A very decent experience.
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benjamin163 - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Sunday, May 29, 2011

Came here for Sunday brunch with a friend today, the place is clearly very popular and it became packed soon after we arrived. Between us we had the poached tamarillo; vattapalam spiced French toast; and poached eggs with chorizo and caramelized plantain. Service was good (neither slack nor overbearing), food prettily and appetisingly presented and we left feeling full and satisfied. With a few coffees and teas + service the total bill came to approx £16 each. Bit surprising to read a couple of negative reviews from the more recent postings. I would recommend Modern Pantry to anyone! I am definitely re-visiting to try out the all day menu, particularly as the desserts look so tantalising and imaginative!
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EMS
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, March 06, 2011

Good things the food was delicious....‎

I am a self proclaimed foodie, have owned a restaurant and worked in the business for years. When this month's edition of Travel & Leisure feature was '100 Restaurants You Need To Know Now' I looked forward to visiting a couple of them on an upcoming trip to London. The Modern Pantry was one of the 100 restaurants and the one that we chose to have breakfast at.

The majority of the staff was fine, all except for the one that appeared to be the manager. He was downright rude. I have never in all my years and cities of dining been so put off and shocked by a waiter's pure distaste of the public. He barked over his shoulder at our table from another table while he was serving them. Maybe he doesn't indulge in the fabulous coffee and food that this restaurant serves enough, I don't know. Again, our breakfasts were very well prepared, balanced and delicious. Unfortunately the experience was overshadowed by our poor display of service. Too bad......
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Camilla Rivard
5 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, July 14, 2010

So, we wanted an adventure and to find out if we were missing out on the new british cusine revolution. Okay, maybe its not a good idea to let two people who prefer to cook their own meals from natural and fresh ingredients loose on the latest buzzy restaurant adventure. So, off we went to cross the river and head north into a square we had never heard of before for our late reservations at the must dine place of the season. The reports and reviews had been "stellar" and they could only get us in for 9:00 reservations on a Saturday night. So, we happen upon the small and adorable facade tastefully decorated. And we walk into a small room that looks like an advertising agency canteen. You know everyone looks out of the corner of their eye to see if you're someone, before returning to strain to hear their own hushed conversations over the din of other diners almost sitting on their lap and an open kitchen window and stairs and maitre de stand all in the same small room. We were ushered upstairs to a much nicer room, but a bad table by the back door. Okay, we get it we are not regular coolies. No problem we are there for the food.

The service staff was grumpy and annoyed to take our order and didnt even really respond (more like grunted) when we would give our order. This is not necessarily a bad sign as in some great and trendy restaurants treating customers badly makes them feel like its a privilege to be there... We sort of smiled about it as we had put ourselves in the position for adventure and we were having it. So after staring at the cool decor and art on the wall, which we did like, and waiting for our very annoyed waiter to bring us water or breadcrumbs at a glacial pace. However, when the first course came, and we took the first bite, we looked at each other with tentative shock that turned with our palette into confusion and appreciation. I can not explain the food combination, other to say it was like a complex explosion on my tounge and a myriad of signals running to my brain. The main course was the same, and the dessert was delightfully weird and delicious. So, if you want a food adventure, or you are someone who is very skilled at cusine and food pairing and taste cacophany then this is your place. However, if you want a nice, happy night out with your mate/partner and people to treat you nicely in an unrushed and comfortable atmosphere.. Not the place. Guess it really is just a matter of taste.
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Rockwell
6 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Friday, May 14, 2010

Visiting from Auckland staying with family in Wandsworth. Got up early on Easter Saturday to visit Cerkenwell, bought meat from Smithfields butcher and then breakfast at The Modern Pantry. Much expectation based on reviews and previous dining at Le Providores. Verdict: what a disappointment. Food adequate but hardly mind-blowing. Waitress who served us was rude to the extreme. The porridge was cold by the time the delayed tamarillo/yoghurt accompaniment was slammed down by she with issues. Beer potato waffle with bacon and maple syrup hugely over-rated. My brother-in-law thought the poached eggs, bacon and mushrooms were fine but again not astounding. Situated in a pleasant square, and warm inside but next time I'll try the French bistro opposite.
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mike klaassen
3 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Saturday, April 03, 2010

The location and interior design of this restaurant is very pleasant, it has a bright and modern feel. It is obviously very popular with the fashionable local residents. The staff were friendly and attentive. Unfortunately, I left with a sour taste in my mouth caused by the hugely over-inflated prices. My wife and I went for breakfast at the weekend. I had a bowl of porridge with sugar (no fruit, honey etc) and a glass of orange juice (small / lots of ice) and my wife had a peppermint tea and two rashers of bacon on a waffle. The bill came to approximately £19:50. I appreciate that the rent and staff costs in this area are high, but the ingredients for both our meals must have cost about £2:00!
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Thomas Norman
6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Saturday, March 20, 2010

I went on Sunday for a late breakfast with two friends and the food was superb.

We all had the breakfast and the vegetarian combination of scrambled eggs, fried haloumi, roasted tomatoes and spinach was excellent and went very well together. The staff were attentive and friendly. I would definitely recommend a visit.
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Sharon McConville
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, February 22, 2010