Anchor & Hope

When I visited the Anchor and Hope I quickly began to find the place objectionable, from the quizzical reaction of the barman that I should have gone to the bar myself for drinks, to the confusingly opposite view taken by one of the waiting staff that the establishment is first and foremost a public house. Make your minds up. In a previous review I notice the chef took umbrage at a request for well-done steaks, presumably in some daffy belief it displays 'passion' or respect for the bits of dead animal he fries for a living. Yes, that sounds about right for this painfully self-aware restaurant. The food was perfectly good, granted, but far too expensive for what is essentially rustic fare. Rustic fare should mean rustic prices in my view. As Jay Rayner recently said, London is a city where people think £14 for a plate of belly pork is great value. You'd pay even more for it here.
Comment on this reader review

NGJ
4 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Thursday, October 15, 2009

An unforgettable meal - for all the wrong reasons. Two guests wanted steak well done - this was refused "because the chef does not believe steak should be cooked well done." So they ordered fish, assuming it would come with some trimmings. Er, no. Just fish. When they asked for a side order of French fries this was refused "because fries don't come as a side dish, only with some main meals." Let them eat fish. But not fish and chips. I was fortunate that I wanted a steak medium/rare which is how the chef likes to cook it (disregard who is paying) and it came with French fries. Lucky me. However, my request for that incredibly involved side dish - a tomato salad - was refused "because we only do green salads." I recommend this restaurant - as long as you are happy to eat what the chef wants you to and not what you want to eat and pay for. Avoid.
View/Add comments (1)

C. Davies
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Just eaten here again Saturday with my 2 kids (6&4), partner & mum. Here is our lunch; fromage de tete, asparagus & butter, rabbit soup; roast lamb + fennel ; smoked old spot & veg; greens; pear tart; strawberry ice cream; almond pick-me-ups; great bread; youngs bitter; 1/2 carafe wine; coffee.

Food is excellent quality and prepared wonderfully; fromage de tete meaty and gelatinous; lamb pink perfectly seasoned; old spot was spot on (!); etc etc my kids PLATES WERE CLEAN, and they said it as the best strawbwerry ice cream they ever had (and they know ice cream). I asked the waiter where they got it "we make it here ..." - stupid question. And for beer fans the youngs is always on top form here.

Service is attentive, simple and unpretentious. Some great art on the wall if yu have a few quid spare.

All that for £120 +service. I challenge anyone to show me better value in london. Great place.
Comment on this reader review

Gary
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, June 08, 2009