La Cage Imaginaire

I had dinner at La Cage Imaginaire with friends on January 4th, while our two daughters were celebrating their 21st birthdays nearby. We were given a warm and courteous welcome, a good place to sit (we had booked) and excellent service; the food was fresh, properly cooked and beautifully presented. We had no sense of being rushed even though the restaurant became quite busy; in fact the whole experience was relaxing and pleasurable, just as such an occasion should be. There was a frisson of excitement when a quite famous, witty and very cool celebrity arrived with a select party of friends; he was also exceptionally well-behaved, and brought his own particular edgy glamour with him....... I imagine he might dine there quite often as he headed straight for his table and the staff seemed entirely unperturbed by (though by no means indifferent to) his presence, which is a good testimonial. I look forward to another visit soon.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, January 18, 2008

I WENT THERE WITH MY FRIENDS

WE LIKE WERY MUCH
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MARY
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, January 04, 2008

Visiting La Cage Imaginaire was a dissappointing experience. To start the service was very unwelcoming. The restaurant was empty but I was only allowed to sit at one table in the corner even though I was obviously pregnant and needed more space. The next customers were told that they could sit anywhere. The produce used was of poor quality the potatoes undercooked and the soup was swimming in oil. I did not bother to order dessert as the service continued to be rude. The only plus point I could find was that the decor is pretty and it is situated on a quaint cobble-stone street.
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Bee
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Monday, December 31, 2007

we went there for christmas dinner and generally had a very jolly time. the value for money is splendid and the atmosphere very relaxed and unforced - it feels like a provincial family-run french restaurant , which i suppose is was it wants to be. it is a bit haphazard sometimes - the bill came before the pudding and one or two dishes had to be sent back to be warmed - but the news that there wasn't a microwave in which to perform the operation quickly was rather reassuring in an curious way ... i think its altogether very charming and something to relish in this city of overpriced food and generic decor .... give it a go, if you go with a relaxed frame of mind you'll have the best time.
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michael simkins
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Everyone should have a local restaurant as special as this. I have been at least four times and each time has got better. The food is a rustic french-style affair and always tasty. On my last visit I had a perfectly balanced halloumi cheese, fig and pecan nut salad, followed by herb-crusted cod with vegetables cooked to perfection. The service is more than charming, the wine list good (it is possible to spend a lot of money but not necessary). The restaurant is always bustling, if a little quiet earlier in the evenings. Having moved to the area only nine months ago, we have been introduced to many local people by the waiter, which is so unusual in London today. I don't know where the other reviewers have been going but it isn't the tucked away gem that I know.
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Bee
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, November 06, 2007

I went with three friends to this restaurant for a birthday treat today, and must say it one of the worst meals I have ever had. My main course consisted of a few forkfuls of lamb and mashed potato and spinach,my dessert a few spoonfuls of ice cream, and that was my birthday treat lunch. The bill for four came to over sixty pounds, this included £4.00 cover charge, which was ,we were told, to cover the small dish of olives and pickled cucumber and french bread which we hadn't asked for and stupidly assumed to be complimentary.

Also on the bill was an obligatory 12.5% service charge which I'm not sure is entirely legal.I couldn't eat my stale filo pastry dessert, and when asked why I had left It was contradicted most firmly by the manager who said it wasn't stale--whatever!

She then proceeded to get the bill total wrong and accused us of confusing her. How do these places survive? How dare they provide such dreadful service and expect to be paid? Who goes back there twice? Certainly not us.
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Stella Scott - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, August 29, 2007

This is the most fantastic charming and out of the way restuarant in Hampstead.

It relies on a local custom base, and boards such as this, to attract clients.

It is one of the best value (not cheap, but good food at sensible prices) in the heart of old hampstead.

It is perfectly located next to the Flask (due to have a refit) and you can find it by walking around the block (either way) from the tube station.

For anyone that wishes to have a beautiful, possibly romantic, meal in a privately owned (not a chain) restuarant, you can do much much worse than this!

A strong recommendation from me. I dont know where other people have been going, but it wasnt this restuarant!
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Philip List
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, August 06, 2007

A disasterous evening.

There was problems in the kitchen - the main courses were over an hour late and the food bland and tasteless - besides being cold.

I have written to the owner as the manager could not care less - not even a cup of coffee byway of an apology!

Give it a wide berth !
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Ronald Monjack
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Sunday, April 29, 2007

You won't be disappointed. This is a charming restaurant tucked away in a secret corner of Hampstead.

It has a kookiness that appeals to us.

Anyway we thought the food was fantastic and the service could not be faulted.

We plan to go back.
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Alan Ingham - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, January 28, 2007

Utterly delicious.Went with 2 friends,we all like different thingd,all were pleased.Friendly helpful service,&very reasonable price.Why have I passed it by so many times?Will go again very soon.
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Phyllis Turvill
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Monday, October 02, 2006