Gem Restaurant

Haven't been to Gem since they gave the inside a makeover - so I guess that's over a year. Went last night with a group of 6 of us including 2 kids. The fact that it's full on a Tuesday night is always a good indication and glad to say it's still excellent food & still excellent value.

Stuffed ourselves with excellent Meze and kebabs. The quality of the lamb dishes is particularly good - the lamb chops that come with the mixed Izgara & the mixed grill are gorgeous and my wife had an excellent Kelftico style lamb shank as well. Plenty of veggie options in there as well.

Dinner for 6 with drinks came to £135 with tip. Not going to leave it so long before going back next time.
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Gethin - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 24, 2011

went there last night, the meal is a great deal for two people, generous portions and really good food. the service was very friendly. very recommandable for an enjoyable, low maintenance night out!
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Simon
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Oh dear, whats happened to the lovely Gem??? I went there last night with a friend and was looking forward to a cosy meal and found the restaurant has been totally Islingtonfied. The walls are all white and there is just a small trace of the chaotic wooden farming implements that hung from the low ceiling (the ceiling has also been lifted). Gone are the free little stuffed breads that you could see the lady make at the front of the restaurant, gone are the free little dishes of olives and pickled veges, gone are the free baklava and ice cream, gone are the tumblers that used to serve as wine glasses... However, my borek was beautiful and crispy and my lamb shish was done to perfection - although the salad had a little too much oil on for my liking. Its a shame that the little gem Gem has now lost all its charm, it truly was an oasis on Upper Street. I don't think I will go back :(
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Little Bear, E17
4 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 4
Thursday, November 26, 2009

Went on a Wed in Feb in credit crunch and it was very busy so if you go you might like to book aahead . The Kurdish flatbreads ( free ) were divine and I thought I was relly in for a treat , but the rest never quite lived up to the initial promise , lamb kebabs to start were nice but not outstanding and my main course of chicken cooked in creaym mushroom sauce was let down by what looked and tatsed like oven ready chips served wit it . The meal wasn't bad it just didn't quite do it for me . The price was fine ( £25 inc wine ) and service spot on but I left slightly dissapointed . I might have been unlucky and would consider returning .
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quenya - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, February 26, 2009