Giraffe (Hampstead)

Giraffe is trying to fill a trendy niche that doesn't exist. This is clearly an average restaurant with high ambitions.

The food is actually okay. Nothing to get excited about, however. And the selection is quite varied, so there's something for everyone. It's well presented and perfectly edible. Just the tonic for a moment of indecision when you've tried everything else in the area.

The service is very friendly. Not necessarily attentive unless you're their 'target market', but you're not left wanting for long and they don't drop the ball.

The atmosphere was my one bone of contention. In trying to pitch somewhere between an art gallery and a youth club, what you end up with is essentially a school classroom with adult-sized seats. This is further confirmed by the number of kids that seem to come here (with parents that ignore them). I know Giraffe like to sell themselves as family friendly, but there's no rule against taking kids to most restaurants. A visit to Giraffe certainly isn't going to stop anyone growing up to spray graffiti, so this contribution to society is doubtful. I'm just not sure why Giraffe can't simply be a restaurant rather than a glorified playgroup.

Lastly it's cheap enough to make an impulse visit viable. I'd pick the time of my visit a bit more carefully in future, though.
Comment on this reader review

Alan Ingham - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Friday, September 30, 2011