Cottons (Camden)

I went to Cottons in Camden for a Xmas Meal I organise every year for my friends. In a nut shell the food was average, the service was awful and overall I found the staff rude. I wouldnt recommend this restaurant I much prefer Caribbean Scene or Mango Rooms.
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Carissa Walters
1 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Saturday, December 10, 2011

A close friend and I recently visited Cottons a few days ago on a barmy summer evening. In summary this is our view:-

- On the plus side 1. The staff were friendly and very attentive from the begining to the end of our evening. 2. The atmosphere was wonderful, it was a Friday night and the DJ was spinning some fantastic tunes. Rather lovely to munch some plantain while swaying to Chaka Khan! 3. Lovely cocktails.

-However on the down side 1. Yes, caribbean food can be spicy, but Cottons really seemed to be too heavy handed on the pepper! For us it drowned the food. Perhaps they should give customers the choice of spicy or mild. 2. Be aware of the service charge whacked onto your bill, it makes such a difference to what you end up paying. 3. Not so much a downside, but the portions are very generous (which if you're really hungry is great!). We ended up leaving quite a lot of food simply because it was too much.

We would go back to Cottons, all in all we had a lovely evening...give it a try!
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Kaz
7 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Sunday, June 05, 2011

In times of austerity, when people are being selective about eating out.

You would think restaurants would go the extra mile. Having travelled 250 miles from Yorkshire to attend a birthday meal. I left thinking why give this place our hard earned money. The manager is rude, arrogant and quite frankly needs to hit in the pocket. The time limit rule should publicised. The food is full of pepper and no taste. Table prepared for 9pm sitting whilst you are still eating. I for sure will never visit this place again. For those who like this place I cannot see why. They spoilt my friends birthday dinner. This place is a classic example of "let's just get as much as we can" not bothered if customers dont return as are on busy strip in camden. That will keep us trading. Word of warning word of mouth is powerful tool!!!
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Angelina
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, April 17, 2011

After reading the following comments, I might as well do the same.

Yes, the food is bad, but unlike others, my service wasn't bad.

What people should consider though, is that not all Caribbean countries cook the same food. Just like all US states don't cook the same food and that also applies to EU countries.

Jamaican food, however, is very bad, based on this and several other experiences in NY.
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John in London
5 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Monday, February 14, 2011

Went to Cottons Camden two weeks ago, and had a great time. It was on a Saturday, and the place was packed. Didn't make a reservation, and I should have. The manager told us (and he was actually very friendly despite what other reviews say!) we were next in line if someone didn't turn up for their reservation. Lo and behold after 20 min me and my partner were seated. The service was good, the food was tasty and the cocktails were excellent. Had a few more at the bar after dinner where a DJ was playing some serious tunes.

The restaurant was very busy, and while I was eating there was a table of about 5 people who actually arrived 1hr15min late for their reservation. Staff seemed to be as accomodating as possible, but that didn't seem good enough for the customer. Seems like some people think they can just turn up when they like, forgetting that it is also a business that needs to make money to survive. I also would like to add that in my eyes some of the reviews below are done by disgruntled people who arrive late for their reservations putting a lot of pressure on staff, who have to turn over the tables. Most restaurants in London work with sitting times, you wouldn't be able to survive if you didn't.

My summary: friendly accomodating manager despite other reviews, friendly hard working staff, good food, excellent atmosphere! Going back very soon, but this time I'll make a reservation.
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Phillipe Alaves
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, November 07, 2010

At first glance Cottons in Camden seems like a great place to be, but my friends & I were appalled with the service we received.

Bizarrely enough, I can't eat coconut or anything made with it which is no big deal in a Caribbean restaurant as there are plenty of dishes made without it. But it seems that plain basmati rice was the stumbling block for the night.

The waiter wasn’t sympathetic or helpful & the chef was not at all accommodating to this allergy as he refused to cook some plain basmati rice without coconut milk which would have taken no time at all to do - it seems that Cottons uses it for even plain basmati rice.

Because of their refusal to accommodate my simple needs & the fact I didn't want my friends to wait too long before they could eat, I had no main course & only ate part of a shared mezze starter - this in itself was not very impressive as the majority of it was either dry or lacking in flavour.

All in all a pretty dismal experience which left me hungry & upset.

Would not recommend this restaurant to anyone as a result.
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, November 03, 2010

I went to to this restaurant last Saturday. Firstly when my friend booked the table she wasn't told it had a time limit of 2hrs, we only found out when we were running a little late and called to say we were on our way. When we arrived at the restaurant we were greeted by the very rude manager who's first words were ' as this table is booked until 9pm you'll only have time for a main course or if you are quick you might be able to get a starter' - looking back we should've walked out then.

As the previous reviewer said asking for some water seemed to be a problem and we were each given half of a small glass.

The whole time we were made to feel rushed (telling us our time was nearly up even though we had finished our meals) and unwelcome by the waitress who didn't smile once. In addition the 'Caribbean' food was very standard and over priced, dry rice and over cooked fish. I first went to this restaurant 7 years ago and my has it gone down hill, which is a shame as it has a nice ambience but they just come across as greedy and reluctant to be hospitable. I shan't be returning or recommending it to anyone :-(
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2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, November 03, 2010

I had my 21st dinner at Cottons Camden, the food was disgusting. The manager was extremely rude clearly lacked any manners or respect. Our table was rushed throughout the whole meal because they had double booked the table. Simple requirements to get a glass of water seemed to hard a task. The manager had open disputes not only with my table but other tables, then stormed off and had a tantrum when queried. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS RESTAURANT TO ANYONE
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Vanessa
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, April 12, 2010

Having intially contacted this Cottons wanting the number for the Cottons in Islington and being told that they are two totally seperate companies I went with the original one in Camden.

I was very, very disappointed with the food. It looked fantastic, but tasted very, very bland. I am hoping it was perhaps a one off as my friend throughtly enjoyed his meal, having gone for chicken as a starter and main but mine, ribs for starter and lamb shank for my main I was amazed that there was no seasoning and even chipped a tooth on the rib starter!

The saving grace I feel was the service, and the fact that my cocktail showed that they do not skimp on alcohol.
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5 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, January 06, 2010

This place has really gone down, i have been coming here for 20+ years.

1 star for the atmosphere and service, the food was terrible, the drinks warm and the glasses dirty, i drank my dragon stout from the bottle.

When i made a comment about this and the fact that the service charge was already added to my bill and prefer to decide myself, the manager was a total smart alec telling me that the restaurant will be here for another 25 years.

Well it will have to-improve dramatically to do this!!!!Dr K
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Haitchie
6 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Thursday, October 08, 2009