The Foundry

Friendly but very slow service, over an hour for starters. The pumpkin soup was tasteless, thin and watery and was sent back. Main courses 1 pasta, 1 duck and 2 cod were perfectly acceptable but nothing special. Overall a disappointing experience, would not go back. Haven't been for a year or so, standards seem to have dropped.
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5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Sunday, January 22, 2012

I had one of the best meals in ages at this interesting restaurant in Camden. I did not expect much as it appeared to be a music venue but once the food arrived it clearly showed off its restaurant credentials. The lobster ravioli was simply delicious and I had the best steak ever served on a wooden board that was worth the expense.

If you want a very unusual Italian meal, you will find it harder to get one. Probably the best restaurant in Camden.
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Matthew Silverstone
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Finally a decent place to eat in Camden! Have been twice now and the food and service have been great both times. The pasta is excellent and very reasonably priced. Great choice of wines by the glass. Lovely setting and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
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Cath
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, February 20, 2011

We went to Caponata following a concert in the venue below which overran to the extent that we were about an hour late for our table booking and it was late in the evening. I have to say that staff could not have been nicer or more accommodating, and I suspect some staff had to stay on as a result.

There was no skimping on service levels or food quality both of which were excellent. The food was full of flavour and well presented with a good wine list.

It was our first visit there, but it won't be the last. There were a lot of dishes that looked worth a try and what we actually had was of a very high standard.
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wdandak - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, February 02, 2011

....please not modern Jazz...I own a rock and roll shop...NOT JAZZ...I said as I was taken to see a band and eat...OK...I've been before...but it was upstairs so the noise of the music wasn't too bad...and the food was good

This time around I sat downstairs (at a smallish table) and I thought that again the food was quite good. I really enjoyed the lobster pasta (handmade on the premises) and the portion of greens with garlic was also good. The starter of tuna carpaccio was somewhat too much of a summer dish...but still nice.

They offer a great choice of gelati and some wonderful flavours! We had a really good waiter who was able to recommend an excellent Italian white (Rapitala 2006) and the Kir Royales were the best size that I've enjoyed in London (well done for such a generous measure!)

A great venue and nice staff...no comment about the jazz...
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- View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Caponata in Camden Town is a little off the beaten track but well worth finding. It deserves to be packed but was just busy enough on a Saturday night. Sicilian food with a modern twist, well presented and absolutely charming staff who add real value to the experience. A wine list strong on Sicilian offerings with plenty by the glass adds interest and some good grappi to finish. I will certainly go back and soon. Particular praise for Carolina's delightful service!
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Laing - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Booked the 50% off food offer - my observations were:

* Tuna/rocket starter - good

* Mullet starter smelled and was awful. Deep fried courgette flower was a soggy, greasy mess.

* wine by the glass was nice - but we did go for the most expensive options

* Venison on a silly glass plate was pretty good

* Roast potatoes seemed like they were made several days previously

* Steak was served on a silly thin rectangular plate and contained lots of gristle and unchewable bits

* 2 limoncellos and 1 coffee the bill was £112 for two

* they charge the service based on the full price of the food and THEN take off 50%

* Service friendly, we ate downstairs - nicer atmosphere than upstairs, which seemed a little stuffy.

Maybe the pasta is good, But we won't return based on this experience.
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Coops
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Friday, July 23, 2010

I went here in last November with one of my friends.

Nice interior, nice service and good quality food. But yes, a bit strange that the place was a bit empty during my visit (6ish during the weekdays).

Anyway, I liked it there.
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Sunny - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, May 18, 2010

We went to Caponata for lunch on the weekend and the food was superb. We had the set menu of two courses at fifteen pounds each and the waiter helped us with the menu and choosing our food. We had homemade pasta with buffalo mozzarella for our mains and great starters. All things considered it is one of the best meals I have had out for some time and it is now our new favourite restaurant. The service, food and wine were all great and for a reasonable price in a bright, light and stylish setting. You can't go wrong. And don't listen to the Zoe Williams review - it is way, way off base! Luckily we didn't take the review at face value, and if we had, we would have missed out on one of Camden's best new restaurants. I can't wait to go again.
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10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Living locally, I'm always on the look out for a new place to have lunch of a Saturday or Sunday. I love Market, but too much of a good thing etc....Friends had suggested Caponata a few weeks back but events had conspired to keep me away until yesterday.

Winging it, we wandered into the downstairs osteria, a lovely space with three distinct areas, including a performance area. This place recently featured in the architectural press and I can see why.

Each Sunday they have a different band to accompany diners, and yesterday a really good jazz four piece kept us going while we ordered.

The fennel sausage and orange and fennel sald were excellent, as was the deep fried risotto ball with mozzarella and ham. The cheese board was good, though I would have liked a description of the cheeses I could order (but I didn't ask, so partly my fault). Of especial note was the chestnut honey that came with the chesse, delicious, as was the bread and olive oil.

I had a couple of glasses of Sicilian chardonnay viognier which hit the spot also, and all wines are available by the glass, a real plus.

All in all this was a great Sunday lunch, made all the better by the very friendly and helpful staff, especially as we had a very youn child with us.

Any sticking points? No, I'll be going back. But one mystery. This place should be full given the food and atmosphere on offer. Camden, what is wrong with you?
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David Jenkins - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Monday, October 19, 2009