The Dovetail

Oily lasagne, oily potatoes and oily salad. Stick to the beer. For drinkers, not foodies.
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James
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, June 17, 2008

I noted some of the criticisms of the management. I am a regular here. The manager I have met is great value, and sits down with regulars for a beer.

If, however, you want to sink 10 pints of lager, and start singing your Arsenal football anthems then yes, head off to the blood and tooth down the road. If you want good Belgium beer, nice staff, and some nice bar food, in an atmoshpere where you can chat, then this is one of the best in London.
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Kris
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, October 11, 2007

I don't normally write on sites like this but was moved to by some of the negative reviews. This is an atmospheric little bar, with a super range of Belgian beers and proper staff with proper attention to detail (ie serving beers correctly). One of London's best - and I've been in plenty.
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Paul Coupar
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, August 16, 2007

While the hostess was quite fun, the manager was possibly one of the most unwelcoming people I've ever met. If you're looking for a Belgian beer experience, I'd recommend looking elsewhere.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 5
Monday, January 22, 2007

What a shame, fantastic place, great food, staggering selection of beer and a very helpful friendly waitress who made our party of 20 very welcome. However the management of this gem seem to have a different idea of what is allowed in a bar! Our party of 20 (Annual school re-union lunch) had planned a full day in the Dovetail but after twice being told that we were being too noisy we decided to pack up and leave after a couple of hours. This meant the manager could finish off doing his rota's in peace with the other 6 customers left in the bar. Obviously good atmosphere and profits are not on the business plan of this place. Such a shame as we really loved the Dovetail but due to the amazing stuffiness of the manager I will be advising everyone to give it a miss.

What a waste.
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Leighton
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 8
Monday, December 18, 2006

Awesome place. It's hardly changed in the last 5 years which is a statement in itself. Food is great, tasty, quick, beer is amazing - try the Duvel, it goes down well everytime, staff are friendly and efficient. GO!
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Mag Leahy
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, November 30, 2006

I discovered the Dovetail when I used to work in Clerkenwell. My friends and I have been coming here reasonably regularly for several years now.

When I have friends visiting London I usually take them here - it's a real gem of a place all tucked away.

The service is friendly, although a little slow at times. The Belgian fries served in pint glasses are divine, and people talk about them for days. Only thing I'd say is there's not many veggie options for food. The veggie burgers are no longer vegan, for instance. Otherwise I'd give them a 9 or a 10!

The choice of beers is excellent; a Chimay or quirkily-served Kwak always goes down a treat. My friends who aren't beer drinkers loved the mango and honey flavoured beers (also Belgian) which took away the beery taste.
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KimG
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, August 02, 2006

I've been going to the dove in Hackney for the last five years. The Dovetail is almost as nice inside but much more central. Perfect for meeting friends after work. Got to love delirium, duvel, leffe, orval and kriek; hate cactus beer (lime) though. There are no TVs so try it during the World Cup while it's not too busy.
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Marc Frenette
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, June 07, 2006

The Dovetail is now our regular Friday lunchtime out the office. A jug or two of Leffe and great burgers (especially the boar), pies & pints. We love this place & it's not like Clerkenwell is lacking in great places to eat. It's getting busy at lunchtimes now though so it's best to book if you're more that 2 people. Lovely friendly little place. Recommended!
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Terry Harrison
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, February 17, 2006

Took a group of people from work here for lunch on Friday at 1 o'clock so as you can imagine service was a bit slow for a party of 8. It didn't help that when we were shown to our table we weren't even given the menu till about 5/10 minutes later. Still this was all forgotten about by the time we left.

The setting is cosy and the food was enjoyed by *everyone*. The sausages and mash (of which you get a choice three types) which a few of us had was the best I've had for a while. Others had a mixture steak & ale pie, burgers and steak all accompanied by the most gorgeous looking chips (golden and crispy). The choice of beer was also very good (I had an apple beer).

The 'Belgos' chain could do with a trip to this place to see how it should be done.

Will definitely be coming back.
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hp5al - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, February 06, 2006