The Horseshoe

I have been to this pub few times and have usually been satisfied. However I went last night with friends and was very disappointed with the Caesar Salad main course. Parmesan cheese was rubbery and it seems they used the fat and ligaments off the last bit of chicken, which was cold, rubbery and tasteless. Lettuce and few croutons…I was not impressed. The cook was knocking back a pint so I suspect he quit thinking about quality control as we arrived. My wife’s fish and chips good and the service was nice but I don't think there is any excuse for serving a rubbish salad for 12.50.
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Nick
6 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, August 30, 2011

in my view, the best, if not the only pub in Hampstead serving decent food - with intent to please rather than make money.

the other review here is not my experience - i've been many many times and only occasionally has the food not been excellent. the fish and seafood is particularly good.
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family jules
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Monday, June 29, 2009

I visited Horseshoe on 13th June 2008 with my girlfriend, and following an impressive (albeit quite old) Giles Coren review we had high hopes. The setting is pleasant and the atmosphere was bustling. The issues started however when we were shown to our table. We had booked earlier in the day, and were told that we had to vacate the table by 9.00pm (7.30pm booking). The table itself was incredibly small and stuck in a corner, but we initially thought of this as 'intimate'. I ordered Fish and Chips with mushy peas and my girlfriend opted for the lamb, with a side of new potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

The food arrived and was well presented, however the small table started to prove a serious issue given the size of the plates! This something a restaurant should just get right, and we were forced to organise ourselves diagonally. While the food looked apetising enough, it was clear after the first few mouthfulls that it wasn't. Both dishes had absolutely no flavour. The fish (which arrived breaded after I was informed there was no batter) was limp and greasy, and the chips were clearly from a packet. From such a rustic looking place I expected hand-cut chips and a little more effort.

My girlfriend's lamb, however, was a lot worse. It was stringy, chewy and literally had no distinct flavour, which is quite an achievement with lamb. The greens were fresh but drowned in butter, which removed any flavour from them. We had both been looking forward to good food in a good atmosphere, but after being squashed into a tiny table with poor food we were both very disappointed. In true British style, we didn't compain at the time but left without ordering desert. Overall, a very poor dining experience.
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3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Monday, June 15, 2009