The Tabernacle Bar Grill

The Tabernacle provides a complete night out that feels decadent, but will not break the bank.

We started the evening in the restaurant where we went or my wife's birthday. The interior is intimate and comfortable, stylish without feeling alienating. The staff were all young but seemed well informed about all of the food on the menu as well as the whole wine list. They were attentive without hovering on your shoulder. Both the food and wine menus were comprehensive, without being overwhelming, and well very priced considering some of the other places in that part of London. The food is unique to London in that it's, what I would call, modern osteria Italian food. That's to say, rather than just tarted up pastas and pizzas, we found rich meats and game on the menu as well as fish dishes. For mains, most of the table seemed to choose the tuna, which was delicately and sympathetically cooked, I had a lamb pasta that was exceptional.

After dinner we joined more friends in the bar which seemed to be haven for the cocktail lover (behind the bar there didn't seemed to be a spirit known to man which there weren’t multiple makes and kinds of) as well as allowing me to buy a pint of beer without making me feel as if I've just insulted the bar staff.

To complete the night, we went downstairs to a club night (which cost only a few quid to get in) where we had booked a booth. It was nice to see an equally well stocked bar, which served similarly expertly made cocktails; how often have you gone from a good bar into a room you had to pay for the privilege to be in just because it has a DJ, only to find the bar serves a smaller choice of drinks than the main bar a few meters away! The music was fresh and funky; they didn't just play the same tired 'floor fillers'.

I brilliant night from beginning to end.
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Tom
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Friday, April 13, 2007

Room and layout nice.But cooking is inconsistent.3 of us went.All dishes delivered at different times;one never delivered.Waitstaff seems better than cooking staff who seemed unable to deliver dishes to the waitstaff correctly.Manager greeted new arrivals ,but did little to get the place to work properly and in synch.Food adequate.Can't see any reason to return.
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c.elder
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Thursday, February 08, 2007

I just can't understand how they expect to charge as much as they do for food which is so mediocre. There are so many places which serve better food at around half the price. The bar is good though.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Thursday, December 28, 2006

Ate here last night with a friend. We had the squid starter which was sublime. Raising our expectations for the main course. The mains however were absolutely terrible. The swordfish was not properly seasoned and over cooked and the pork had no flavours and extremely oily. The bar area is fun but I would definitely not go there for dinner again. Shame
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Emmett - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Thursday, October 05, 2006

Went their for a quick lunch. Squid was great as a starter with a brilliant risotto for main. Good service
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Friday, March 03, 2006

Visited the restaurant for a business lunch today (12 January) and after being shown to our table by the head honcho (who looked like he had just lost a dollar and found a dime)we had quite an enoyable lunch. Tender lamb shanks and tagliatelle with king prawns for our main meals which were good. Grilled sardines for starters (which smelled a little too heavy for my liking) and roasted gammon, hock & pea soup. An interesting menu and overall a good dining experience for a reasonable price. However, the interior of the restaurant is quite dull and could do with some effort to create an ambience. Maybe it looks better in the evening. Probably wouldn't visit for dinner but would definately return for lunch.
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Mehmet Arkin - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Thursday, January 12, 2006

Fantastic food and serviec Went there Last week The squid starter deep fried was well executed and the Pasta bolognese had shredded meat which was flavoursome A friend Had Clam Prawn shaghetti again v well executed Simple food v welldoen and flavoursome

As this is local to where I live in Moorgate def gosing again Wish they opened on Sundays

PS Bar area while cool was noisy so havinga seperate restaurat was great as it avoided teh pitfall Home faces Great food but smoky load environ
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MIke B
Monday, September 19, 2005

Very disappointed by the bar service.

15 minutes to get a cocktail... and if you consider that we sent back our cocktails twice because they were horrible it will be more than 40 minutes before you can get some drinkable. Not tried the food though.
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Luca
Thursday, September 15, 2005