The Hackney Pearl

Had heard fabulous things about the Hackney Pearl but was terribly disappointed. Went for a light lunch with my husband but unfortunately the menu was more like a gastro pub than a café. Fine if you want sea bass or steak but we wanted something lighter. My husband went for a salad (not on the starters list but on its own listing) and I had a bruschetta. The bruschetta was lovely and a good size but the Pepper Salad was tiny. We ordered bread as well so at least we could fill up on that. We then decided to have pudding and again the servings were very small. The chocolate nemesis cake was half the size of a normal cake slice. This we could forgive because it was very rich but the baked cheesecake was the same size. I think they have to realise that people are not stupid and know what size a cake/pudding slice should be. It’s obvious that they are trying to increase profits by decreasing the portion sizes. Needless to say we will not be going back.

This is the first bad restaurant review I have ever written. I have never felt so ripped off after a meal before, even in the West End. It’s a pity as the décor and atmosphere is very pleasant. Coffee is also very good and you even get a full cup!
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4 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 0
Friday, August 19, 2011

Big disappointment. The staff were friendly but it took 20 minutes for 2 coffees to arrive. For food, my wife had the corn fritters while I went for the scrambled eggs. So average. A real shame. Won't be returning.
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Murray
4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Saturday, August 06, 2011

We visited The Hackney Pearl on a wednesday night and it was buzzing with a jovial atmosphere.We enjoyed the quirkiness of this cafe,a distinct bohemian vibe was very much in evidence.The food was a revelation:a butternut squash and chick pea broth was a joy,slightly sweet,nutty and very moreish,and a lamb kofta was equally delicious,and redolent of cumin and coriander.

Recommended.
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Monday, April 04, 2011

I am delighted with the arrival of civilised gastronomy in Hackney Wick and would really love to love the Hackney Pearl. It looks great. The menu looks great. The staff are friendly. Service is very slow and have no clue about customer service.

On my first visit I had tea with a friend. The waitress didn't understand my order and I had to go back with it twice. It really wasn't that complicated: two pots of tea.

On the second visit I decided to try the food and took my sister there for a quick brunch. The menu features scrambled egg on toast. I asked if I could have my eggs fried instead, and was told that that was not possible. I couldn't understand why and was told 'we only have scrambled eggs'. The staff, though friendly, seemed like they were from a different planet!

Anyway, we both ordered the scrambled eggs. We waited 45 MINUTES for scrambled eggs on toast!! before it arrived. It wasn't busy. There was only one other table that had ordered food.

The toast appeared to be prepared in one of those heavy iron sandwich toaster machines and was completely flat. 2mm thick if that and rock hard. My sister suggested that perhaps it was supposed to be some kind of gourmet melba toast cracker but i don't think so. The scrambled egg had brown bits where the egg got fried like an omelette.

I asked the waiter if they have freshly squeezed orange juice. he replied: yes we have orange juice. i asked: but is it freshly squeezed? he said: yes it is squeezed? I asked: but is it freshly squeezed or from a packet? he seemed to be completely confused by my question and just repeated: it is squeezed juice, yes... The juice arrived. Acidic and straight from a pack.

I really wanted to try dinner at the Hackney Pearl, but after leaving in disbelief, I think I will wait a while in the hope that they sort themselves out. I would be sad if they close down but in the current state I don't really want to spend my money there.
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Delores VanCartier
3 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Warm, comfortable, welcoming with beautifully evocative 1950s styling.

Interesting, simple, well-executed dishes (just 3 or 4 starters and main courses to choose from, but all well prepared with carefully chosen quality produce)

LOVE… the big shiny green olives; the smiley helpful staff (who on Saturday went out of their way to rustle up alternative vegetables when they overran on potatoes and gave us carrot cake on the house for no obvious reason); and the fact that they serve 3 types of good sherry and a nice selection of whiskies. The cute mismatched crockery and punchy Saturday night tunes also deserve a special mention.

COULD DO BETTER… on the puddings. There wasn’t much of a selection (apart from a selection of cakes, which would be better matched to a cup of tea in the afternoon) and the pastry-heavy fig and almond tart dropped points for skimping on the filling.

Can’t end on a down note though so overall a big thumbs up to the Hackney Pearl – a very welcome addition to the neighbourhood.
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lovelondonlovefood
9 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, September 20, 2010