Anchor & Hope

i agree with below - this place is my favourite too. I have never had a problem with the service, if you want fish and chips or overcooked meat don't go there as it isn't the place for you, obviously! I have had some of my most memerable meals there, from rabbit legs and radishes to cuttlefish risotto to their ribs of beef, all outstanding. And in my opinion very reasonably priced for both food and wine in comparisson to most other restaurants in London.
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jenny
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 26, 2009

quite simply one of the best restaurants in london. forget the other reviews.

no booking, relaxed staffing, no standing on ceremony, hearty fare.
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MMM
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, October 26, 2009

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

We'd tried a number of times to get a table at The Anchor & Hope, but had always given up after waiting more than the length of time it takes to have a drink. Today we were determined to wait for a table and lo and behold, one turned up within 10 minutes. Result! And that's where it all turned bad.

After a number of calamities including being served our mains before the starters, being left for 30 minutes between courses, no plates picked up, no cutlery, courses arriving at different times etc. we were finally asked when paying the bill if we'd enjoyed our meal.

We rather delicately tried to say, 'no, actually, we've had quite a few problems with the service', to which we were told that they would bear that in mind without even asking what was wrong before skulking off. Not until we complained to the manager did we at any point get any sort of apology for the way our lunch turned out. In fact, up until that point we'd been treated as though we were a positive annoyance to actually serve.

I completely understand that sometimes things don't work out as planned on a restaurant floor, but to treat your customers with such contempt as we received today was beyond the pale.

The food? Alright to quite nice. Nowt special.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Saturday, March 07, 2009

I still want to go there from time to time. I love the idea of trying different strange interesting food everyday. They change their menu so frequently that I can enjoy the excitement by only reading the menu! I will go there next time definitely!
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King - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, February 26, 2009

Maybe its because I am always polite here and they remember faces but I have never waited more then 35 minutes to eat whether with a table of two or six. In fact I have never had to hang around in the bar for that long. They do a lovely non-alcoholic lager and I always get a chilled glass. There are a range of good ciders and the wines are well chosen and the staff know what goes well with the food on offer. The bar staff are on the ball and so are the waiting staff, maybe some of the people who complain about service here want a lot more from waiters than I do. I always have a laugh with them and they know their grub. The food is great, I've eaten so well here, whole crab, razor clams, partridge, snails, rib eye, rack of lamb, I could go on. It's always good and never dissapoints.I suggest you get here early, accept a small wait, enjoy a vibrant bar, eat heartily and tip well. It's a favourite with those that I know (a chef friend of mine and i eat here three times a year at least) and being based in Waterloo means those who like good food at work like this place. I can't imagine falling out with the staff or being dissapointed here. It's my favourite place in London
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Morgan
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, February 26, 2009

I came here with my mother on a Friday, before going to a concert at the RF Hall. We hadn't booked, but the restaurant was just opening for the evening, so they told us we just needed to have 1 drink in the bar and our table would be ready. Good drinks- hate the glasses though. A Martini served in a shot glass?

Table was ready- they seemed very concerned that we left in time for the concert, and suggested the venison stew for 2, which we had- absolutely delicious. The place filled up quickly while we were there, so we felt lucky to have got a table when we did. The prices were reasonable, and a good atmosphere. I'd definately go again- especially if they got some cocktail glasses to serve their cocktails in!
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Helen - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, February 12, 2009

My girlfriend took me to the Anchor & Hope for my birthday. I've been for drinks before but have never eaten there.

When we arrived the bar was very busy, as usual. When we spoke to the waitress she said a table for two might be an hour and a half wait. As it turned out the wait was only about 50 minutes, which gave us time to have a drink beforehand.

The potted shrimp with pickled cucumber was excellent and the salmon was perfect. Nice, natural colour and really fresh-tasting. I could have eaten starters all night!

For mains we had the rib of beef for two. It was a fantastic cut of meat cooked perfectly and the flavour was fantastic. The accompanying bearnaise sauce was delicious and the savoy cabbage was crisp and salty. By the time we'd finished that there was no room for pudding unfortunately! We had a bottle of red wine recommended to us and it was, again, excellent.

Yes, the waiting time can be quite long, but the food you get rewarded with makes it more than worth it. The staff were very helpful and prompt, despite being obviously very busy and we had a great time. Will definitely be going back.
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James - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, February 06, 2009