The Narrow

I went to the Narrow for lunch last week and it was lovely, good food, good wine list, nice people. However I went with a few friends last night for a drink and the bar let it down very very badly you could say it was a bit more Harry Ramsdens than Gordon Ramseys. The bar was a complete disaster - lots of staff chatting amongst themselves, i had apparently turned into the invisible man. there was a virtual swimming pool of booze sloshing around on the bar and I always think you can tell a place by the state of its toilets and they were just nasty. Raise your game Ramsay.
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Anna-K
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, July 02, 2008

I went to the Narrow last night, and I was a little dissapointed. My starter of Hamhock Terrine was nice, but flawed, the Hamhock and Piccalilli were good, but the toast accompaniment was rock hard and splitnered everywhere when I tried to cut it. My main course of Old Spot Bangers and Mash was excellent, the Onion Gravy being a particular highlight. The big letdown was the pudding. My Sticky Toffee pudding was dry and chewy and drowned in caramel sauce. All in a big let down. On the plus point, the service was good, the staff were helpful and our orders were brought to us very quickly. All in 6/10
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Ricky
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, June 25, 2008

I ate at The Narrow last month (Beginning of May). Having not booked I was very glad that they could seat us straightaway (a table by the window as well what a treat!!!). All in all it seems unbelievable that the reviews below are for the same place I visited. The food was in one word DELICIOUS. The herring roes were possibly the best I have ever tasted (and believe me I am a fan). My partner had the welsh rabbit, which he would have eaten in 2 seconds if it wasn't so hot and bubbling when it arrived.

For main we had the trout and sorrell (I am a fish fan), the flavours were delicate and fresh and generally very well balanced (the sorrell and capers did not overpower the delicate/perfectly cooked trout). My partner had a steak which was cooked, again, to perfection! The mushroom which came with it, tasted so meaty and was so full of flavour that it could have been eaten on its own! We shared the chips, which were also fantastic!

The whole meal was washed down with plenty of tap water (which was topped up constantly without even having to ask), and a lovely bottle of English Wine (who'd have thought we could become good at making that as well?) for a very reasonable price of £20.00.

Staff was friendly but no intrusive... If it was my local I'd be in there all the time (probably good it isn't as I'd spend all my money in there).
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Marianne Di Gregorio
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, June 08, 2008

The bar staff are generally rude, unhelpful and extremely slow. Food is average to poor. One of our party asked whether she could have a side order of fries and was told, and I quote, "No chance". Since I had suggested The Narrow I was utterly embarrassed by the whole fiasco, definitely won't be back.
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Tom
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Saturday, May 31, 2008

I visited the Narrow after a year on the first May Bank holiday of this year.

Terrible and incompetent bar staff - we had to wait ages to be served although the bar was not that busy. The food was distinctly average

Although I live locally, I wouldn't go back. There are much better pubs in Wapping \ Limehouse area.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, May 06, 2008

The food here was a disappointment as I had expected properly cooked food as it is part of the Gordon Ramsay stable. The cheesecake was not made of cheese at all, rather it was the 'mousse' that you get in most of the high street eateries which is mass-produced in some factories and then delivered. The place was busy with local residents but this place is not worth travelling to if you are not a local.
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Cyril
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Monday, March 31, 2008

I went to this restaurant for a meal on a monday night. I thought the pub may be quiet but it was busy and I was glad I had booked a table. Excellent food and service - highly recommend the fish and chips.

Atmosphere was comfortable and welcoming - Will definietely go back in the summer when I can sit outside and look at the river.
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Kate
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, March 20, 2008

We thought the food was very good and very good value, but the service left a lot to be desired.
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Slivver
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Im actually beginning to think that the previous owners of the "Narrow St and Dining room" did a better job, without the weight of Gordon Ramsay behind the name. Back then you were able to order pub food in the bar.

Ive given the Narrow a few chances now and I can say that I WONT BE BACK. The menu is very much hit and miss, food is sometimes hot and other times cold - which come to think about it also sums up the service. If you order a drink its painful to have to remind them again that you havent received it!

The lean too is disappointing as it has vastly reduced the outdoor drinking space. In summary dont judge a book by its cover.
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Fiona - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Sunday, March 02, 2008

Well where do I begin....

On arrival we were seated in the conservatory which resembled a cheap lean-too stuck onto a rather fine building. A shame as the views of the river are amazing. It was January and freezing, an attempt had been made to warm up the place with old calour gas heaters dotted around the conservatory. If you were lucky enough to have one pointed at your table it took the edge off the windchill. However, the smell was appalling and you risked life and limb dodging all the heaters if you were brave enough to try and get to the toilets in the main building. At one point I put my scarf on. On enquiring with the waiter if the underfloor heating was broken (we assumed that the old heaters were a temporary measure as surely they broke all H&S measures...) we were given a curt 'no' and off he fled.

Service was slow and surly.

Food was hit and miss, the worst was my starter of potted shreaded salt beef. Well who said presentation mattered?? I actually couldn't look at it, it was that vile. It resembled somthing that a cat would bring up. Taste wise it was OK.

On the plus side the fish and chips were good. The loin of pork resembled something I would serve to a 6 month old all mushed up and the same bland colour. Puddings, again I have never seen custard the consistency of water.

Overall, a real disappointment I expect more of a gastro pub that Gordon Ramsey would put his name to. If you do book a table make sure it's in the main restaurant unless of course it's summer.
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Louise Sheppard
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, February 19, 2008