La Cage Imaginaire

I had a very dissapointing dinner here with my boyfriend a few weeks ago. The food was plain and mediocre. certainly not worth the hefty price tag. The restaurant was bare, and had a strange art-deco feel to it. There was NO atmosphere at all, and we found the seats very uncomfortable, they were basic wooden chairs with a very thin cusion which kept slipping out from under our legs. I cannot agree with anyone's positive review of this restaurant, it has to be one of the worst restaurants i have been to in years.
Comment on this reader review

Miriam
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Monday, June 26, 2006

My husband and I had a fabulous dinner at La Cage Imaginaire in Hampstead. The waiter was warm and went out of his way to make sure we were relaxed and comfortable. He offered to customize my dish which is often not done in London. He even added an extra sauce on the side for me to try. I had prawns and roasted vegetables which were plain, but I was informed of this before I ordered this dish. My husband had rack of lamb which was tender and mouth watering. The restuaruant slowly filled and all of the tables began chatting with each other. We all laughed and joked the night away. For dessert, I had the creme brulee which was fresh and delicious and my husband had the tatin of apples and prunes which was made to order. It was perfectly cooked and just sweet enough. What a perfect night out in this charming, quaint restuarant. We loved it so much we have booked it one night this summer to host our out of town family and friends.
Comment on this reader review

B Goldstein - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Had a fabulous meal here on a Sunday night. The menu was full and varied and at £15.00 for three courses was fantastic value.

The service truly was second to none, friendly and polite. It's a shame this restaurant wasn't more full - it really should be as the food was really good with the apple tatin made to order.

The wine selection also was good, with a wide variety at all prices (cheap and cheerful to something a little more upmarket).

I can't believe more people aren't eating here. It's a little gem in the beauty of Hampstead village.
Comment on this reader review

Sunday, November 13, 2005

I cannot agree with the previous two reviews - I took two friends there on a Saturday lunchtime. We were offered the window seat, received excellent and friendly service, and the food was really rather delicious, if a touch pricey.

The service was prompt, atmosphere friendly, and my friends and I enjoyed ourselves very much.
Comment on this reader review

Rob Fenwick
Wednesday, November 02, 2005

This is quite comfortably the worst restaurant I've ever been to in London. In fact, I think i've only eaten worse in one restaurant anywhere in the Western world.

We went once, albeit a couple of summers ago, as the location is lovely, just up from Flask Walk, two mins from Hampstead tube, and it looked ambient enough from the outside. The food, however, was so abysmal I genuinely wondered if a robbery had taken place and the real staff were tied up in the back of the kitchen.

I had a tuna starter which comprised TINNED tuna chunks on a lettuce leaf. Stunning. Then duck for the main course, which looked like a row of a small animal's hooves covered in a thick, barebecue-type sauce. We skipped dessert, and anything else we'd have to put near our mouths, but the bill was the hardest thing to swallow. It was the toughest £35 I've ever had to part with.

Came on this site to see if our experience was a one-off, but obviously not. Surely the Ham and High should mount a campaign to get this offensive rip-off out of such a prime location. It's an embarrassment to the area.
Comment on this reader review

Ade
Friday, October 28, 2005