The Bull

I was in The Bull this week and loved it. Great atmosphere. Friendly staff. We were part of a big group that was there for drinks and "substantial" nibbles and I have to say the food was very good. As was the service.
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Local Resident - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, October 20, 2011

Gotta agree with more recent critiques...very much in its infancy and has not hit the ground running. As a large dining party there was plenty of the menu sampled and it was more miss than hit. The buffalo wings were insultingly small and cremated. Get them right, big and succulent, and I will gladly pay 10 a basket. Strongly recommend a trip to Elephant & Castle in Dublin if you want to see queues around the block for them. Sunday lunch was sunday lunch. Everyone loves going out for it cause no one likes doing the washing up! Pity nowhere does it better than at home though. I want proper roasties tasting of duck fat, rare roast beef and gallons of horseradish. Desert were cheffy and confused but easily passable. Cheese board was probably the highlight of the meal. Mmmmmm. A distant 4th in the competitive dog eat dog Highgate market. You all know who's ahead...
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Davey
6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Friday, October 07, 2011

I'm afraid I have to agree with the previous commenter that some of the early reviews are rather too flattering to be completely believable. Anyway I live very close and have been really looking forward to it re-opening especially when I heard it would be brewing its own beer. Went for dinner on the first saturday and although I will definitely give it another chance it was somewhat underwhelming. The food was much more reasonably priced than its previous incarnation, and the menu interesting, but alas the quality was really not that great and the service, hate to say it as everyone was so nice, was a tad shambolic. Also they don't yet have their own beer and what I tasted wasn't brilliant. I feel quite bad saying this as I really want this place to be a vibrant success and a regular haunt of mine. I promise I will give it another try.
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Richard
6 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Sorry, I don't wish to bash a recently reopened pub, but the reviews here look a bit 'friends and family' if you know what I mean...

The new owners have certainly made the place very welcoming and we were pleased to see the place was open again. Beer/wine all fine and I understand they will be brewing on site soon which is commendable. Sadly, the food we tried was not up to scratch - bland fishcakes, odd tacos and other underwhelming misfires - and not up to the prices charged. Service was slow and a bit confused but that will change over time I'm sure.

I wanted to love the place and maybe in a few months I will, but for now the food is not as good as at local 'rivals' like the excellent Red Lion or the Bull & Last. I hope things improve and will be returning to investigate.
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Vocal Local
4 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Monday, September 05, 2011

Friendly staff, lovely unpretentious atmosphere, and so much great beer to choose from you could literally be there all day!

And as for the food well blimey, you need to have three stomachs because there's so much great food to choose from you simply cannot decide! One thing I would say is don't miss the beef sliders, the fish tacos or their ridiculously tasty jalapeno and pineapple pulled pork!

Absolute find of a place this, I'll even walk from Archway to make it my local!
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Tina
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, September 05, 2011

Wow! I went in for a quick drink to this little beauty and the beers they serve are so fantastic I ended up staying the whole day! Of course I then needed food to line my tummy and the food, like their beers is not only yummy but a the very best of American and the very best of British all rolled into one..

I cant wait to go back to try the Sunday Roast and their house ale which is being brewed in their little brewery they have at the pub!

I feel so lucky to be a resident in Highgate right now..
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Lou
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, September 03, 2011

Had to try out this recently re-opened pub as I was enticed by the twinkly lights and the buzz outside in the garden area one evening. It's been really nicely and sympathetically done up, tasteful and modern but maintaining pub charm. The staff were very attentive and helpful and even smiley! Hopefully this will last! The food was absolutely delicious - very high quality for pub food - and a really interesting menu. I enjoyed my wine but was chastised by my other half for missing out on the apparently very good range of beers!
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Peg
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Initially went to out of curiosity of the newly opened Bull and to have a few drinks.

As it was, we stayed so long we ended up having dinner... and actually ended up have 3 courses in the end!

I've never been to a pub before that matched each item on the menu with beer but was up for trying some different things. Ended up being amazed at how something like beer can have such an affect on the food and palate!

Started with the fish tacos which were great- although could have eaten more! Then moved onto the pineapple jalapeno pulled pork. My partner and I are slightly obsessed with finding the best american grill in London and this little surprise was brilliant! Maybe a touch too much pineapple (which I fed back to the waiting staff) but yummy nonetheless.

Considering we just came for drinks, ended up finishing with some ice cream: brooklyn stout chocolate ice cream. Being not a fan of stout or coffee, I was amazed at how much I enjoyed this- even more so by the stout (from my friend- I didn;t want to buy something I 'don't like'). As it was, I thoroughly enjoyed the stout with the ice cream- testimony to the use of beer matching.

Like I said, I've not seen this beer matching anywhere else in London and I found it really complemented the food.

Will be coming back to try the other stuff on the menu- my friend had the chicken and said it was amazing.
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Kathryn
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, August 25, 2011

Went to the opening night and considering it was the first night everything was amazing!! Everything ran smoothly the front of house team were great and took care of us. the food was awesome!! not being the slimmest person in the world i thought best way of going about things was to order pretty much everything!!

i'm a sucker for chicken wings and these top notch. nice and crisp and moist in the middle accompanied by the mandatory franks hot sauce. sorry but they aren't proper buffalo wings without franks hot sauce.

Then came the pork belly salad. and good lord was the pork belly good!! crispy on the outside and tender and melting on the inside. The salad provided a nice acidity to cut through the fattiness of the pork belly. More please!!

the fish tacos were the next on my list. Now finding a good fish taco outside of the US or mexico is really hard but these were spot on. The fish was beautifully fresh and a great flat bread to go with it topped with salsa and sour cream

and last but not least the pulled pork!! hand rubbed then slow cooked to perfection. I came with a great spicy pineapple salsa that gave enough punch and sweetness that went with the pork perfectly.

I hear they are also going to be brewing their own beer which i'll have to go back and try out. All in all great pub and great food.
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Christian Vere
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, August 25, 2011

Went to the Bull Highgate after its' refurb. London is awash with a range of gastropubs who show themselves heavy on price but light on quality content.

This place manages the tricky feat of balancing reasonable pricing with outstanding food.

Attentive staff ensure your glass is always topped up, and are knowledgeable about which beers and wines go with food.

Ambience is excellent, the place was heaving with a swathe of Highgate socialites and a low tone of music in the very distant background.

As for the food, very few complaints here. One of the few gastropubs in London to serve an authentic menu, with quality classics mixed in with modern American dishes.

The herb-crusted sweetbreads with bourbon glaze are divine, as are the moist sliders. A bar menu comprises one of the star dishes - Fish Tacos, whilst the pineapple and Jalapeno pulled pork main is a must-not-miss dish.

If your stomach has the bravery to go further, you'd be mad to miss out on the Apple Tarte Tatin and the Kahlua milkshake. The only minor criticism I'd have would be that the chocolate ginger cake I once tasted could have done with a bit more moisture in the texture.

Having said that, the overall impressions of this place are excellent. Friendly staff, large selection of beers and delicious pub grub. Gets my vote!
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Babatunde
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, August 25, 2011