House of Wolf

What a shame that this restaurant is in Islington and likely to be frequented by the dreary, uncosmopolitan villagers that have supplied most of the negative reviews on this page. This was also reflected in the almost impossibly plain crowd on Friday night. If you've only ever been out for a meal at All Bar One (on a Sunday afternoon with Arsenal losing on the TV in the corner) then you're not gonna get this place. If this sounds anything like you, just stay away... Thanks House of Wolf staff for a really original and well executed, cool concept. The rooms are varied, interesting and the decor ecelectic. A highly original cocktail list (my Margaritha in a long glass worked well) and staff who just about got the balance right between familiarity and professionalism. Note again to the All Bar One crowd, this is supposed to be a foodies experience, so there are several, small courses, if you need a burger and fries, you will be disappointed. Great night but HoW, leave Islington and open up in Notting Hill, where you won't get as much push back on the £80/head and you'll at least be surrounded by good looking people..
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Fred
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, March 04, 2013

This is a real review from a previous customer who has seen the shows, tried the drinks, etc. Starting with the door lady... delusions of grandeur sum up her attitude! (This is Islington not Belgravia darling). They seem to think they are running an exclusive club for monied foodies. This place will not last with excruciatingly slow service at the bar for cocktails and aloof exclusive attitude from door staff.

An over egged restaurant.. what a let down! I have given this place a couple of chances but the service was very slow and the attitude from the girl at the door inside was simply unacceptable, especially when I am paying £42 for four vodka cocktails all night long.

Shame about the poor live entertainment as well.. I regularly see these bands for gratis at other establishments. Sorry to say it but avoid unless you want to be treated like nothing and pay dearly for the privilege!
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House of Delusion
2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Saturday, January 05, 2013

I went to HoW with 6 friends for a pre-Christmas get together. We went straight up to the apothecary bar and was given the most sumptuous, inventive cocktails which was indicative of what lay ahead. A little bit of Heston in Islington. The cocktails were mini works of art, made with glee from the bar staff who explained everything. We then went upstairs to the dining room, which is a lovely space, with exposed wooden beams on the ceiling. You don't know the menu before arrival, but I had informed them in advance of food allergies and pregnancy that had been accommodated for. The 5 course tasting menu was printed out so you could see what was to come but every dish that came out was explained by the charming waitresses and if an ingredient was missing they explained that their foraging supplier had been unable to get it that day but had replaced it by something else. The food was innovative and delicate, some dishes worked better than others but you can't fault the ethos and ambition. Stand out dish was a lovely wood smoked beef dish that came under under a glass cloche which when lifted out came the most wonderful wood scented smoke, adding to the theatre of the whole evening. To have something like this in Islington is a welcome addition and I highly recommend it. It's not for everyday but I didn't find it exorbitant in fact it would cost more if you were in town, the staff were lovely and I think as with all things you get back what you put in. We were interested foodies and asked lots of questions which they appreciated and were happy to answer. If you fancy something other than ubiquitous burgers and pulled pork you should definitely give this place a go.
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Karen
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, December 14, 2012

Total food fail. Every plate was tiny and bland, with the exception of the 'wood smoked' starter which was so burnt I only tasted charcoal for the next half hour. Staff were lovely and the room okay but the overwhelming sense in this multi-sensory experience is lightness of pocket. Unless the experiment is, 'how much can we fleece Londoners for pretentious rubbish?', it's failed.
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3 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Saturday, December 08, 2012

By far the rudest bar staff I have encountered. Also it's £9.50 for spirit and mixer in an average looking bar. Avoid.
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1 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Monday, November 26, 2012

My buttons came undone as I "braved" the back fat and Jack Fulton frozen prawn medley. I felt my pants (tight leather numbers) being pulled slowly down throughout the rest of the mish-mash of courses and by the time I was feasting on wolf nog with a dandelion chaser my underpants were off too. When the hefty bill landed I realised I had been duped and instead of enjoying a tasty meal, I had actually had my pants pulled down etc etc you can figure out the rest. I haven't been able to sit down since.
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Danny from hear say
2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Sunday, November 18, 2012

Very expensive. Not enough food. Nice decor. Nice staff.

Terrible value for money

Massive rip off. Don't go!
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Mehrdad Sehat
1 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Thursday, November 15, 2012

Attended a Saturday night event "the Burning Beat", and was quite disappointed. Upon arrival, was told that my guests and I weren't on the concessions list, even though I had received an email the same day confirming that we had been added. Once in, the space is quite attractive, if not small downstairs, but not an ideal set up for entertainment. Although the space is fun, the bar staff are atrocious. Now, we all get used to aloof London bar staff, but this took things to a new level. It literally took over 30 minutes to be served, and the bartenders just didn't care.

I am afraid I can't recommend The Burning Beat either. The show started 30 minutes late, had an opening act, and then a 40 minute intermission (maybe the next act was at the bar waiting to be served?). Not great acts to start with, and the show was just generally not well organized.

Despite a decent location and venue, I would give this one a miss!
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Mark W
4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Sunday, November 11, 2012

We visited House of Wolf on Saturday and booked in to the 'Parlour' for a big group of 16 to have private dining.

The entire evening was really pleasant and fun, there wasn't any hiccups and everything ran smoothly. The fact that most of the dishes were presented by the chef herself made us feel like we were part of the whole experience and helped us associate with the concept easily.

I wan to say thank you to the venue for the curious and challenging evening, we would really like to come by next month and be surprised again.

Those who are looking for a 'normal' comfort meal should perhaps go elsewhere, but for a special occasion where you want something different, I'd certainly recommend this place.
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Diane S
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Sorry to say that this excellent sounding concept was too good to be true. Appalling food, pretty unconvincing conceptual art notions and eye wateringingly expensive. Even worse, the staff seemed to know this and there was a feeling of desperation in the air. The chef, a lovely German 'artist' but she couldn't cook for toffee and when she came round to say hello in the dining room we just smiled in embarrassment! Not sure if the the owners/managers of this place know what they are up against in London but this was really shocking. One of the 5 courses was goats cheese on a cracker.......... and thats 45 quid per head!

good luck to them.
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honest Bob - View all reviews by this user
2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Friday, October 26, 2012