Haven Bistro & Bar

I have found the Haven a consistenlty good, reliable restaurant and bar, providing excellent service and good quality food.

My last meal was a steak which was as good as anything I've had in the more well known restaurants in London, without the hassle of having to try and park etc!

The wine list too is a little different from the norm, but all the better for that I believe, and not overpriced either.

The staff are professional and welcoming, knowing when to ask and when to leave you alone.

I have taken friends family and clients to eat here and nobody has been disappointed.
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traveller - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, March 10, 2011

I am surprised at the negative comments. I eat in many different restaurants and the Haven is the best locally. The quality of the food and the service is first class and most importantly is consistent. The owner seems to be in the restaurant seven days a week and is constantly monitoring his staff to ensure his standards are maintained.

I recently attended a function there and a total of 50 people enjoyed a 5 course dinner the meat course was a rack of lamb and everyone was served the lamb as it should be, pink. No mean feat when serving that many people. It was cooked to perfection and incredibly tender. it was certainly as good as I have eaten anywhere else. The serving staff were attentive and our glasses were never empty and unlike some restaurants were not filled to the brim. The popularity of the Haven can be measured by the fact that to get a table at weekends requires you to book at least four weeks in advance.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, March 04, 2011

Dined here last couple of weeks ago on a Saturday night. Live locally but typically only eat here once a year (out of choice) and nothing has changed my impression.

Simply put people continue to go to this place for the lack of a decent bar in the near vicinity for the over 30 "seen to be seen" crowd and the food over the years seems to be a secondary consideration.

Menu hasn't changed, calamari starter was cold and dish was so basic could of been put together by a student home economics class. Rack of lamb not cooked to order (over cooked) and very stingy with vintage port servings for £ 8 a pop. Service is very impersonal and in some cases patronising

On the positive side the restaurant still maintains a good all be it pricey wine list (in keeping with my second paragraph) and the Bar while cramped at weekends is a nice place to spend an hour or so during the week on the way home from work.

Improvements need to be made but I cannot see it happening as place still manages to pack them in week in week out so if you are going purely for food I would try elsewhere.
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NorthLondonFoodie - View all reviews by this user
3 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Friday, January 28, 2011

Dined at this once buzzing restaurant with my family on Friday night 8pm. The restaurant menu is tired and has not seen a change for many years now. Very little atmosphere all night. The food was at best average and the service was awful with our Italian waiter making snide comments. Complained by phone to the head waiter when i got home to save the blushes of my children, who thought it his job to back his staff. Good luck with this place. I will not be returning any time soon as the BAD SERVICE, LACK OF ATMOSPHERE, AVERAGE FOOD & SNIDEY WAITER + MAITRE DE do not recommend themselves well.
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Zak
1 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Saturday, January 22, 2011

Wouldn't go back...EVER!
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Annabella - View all reviews by this user
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Monday, November 01, 2010

Rude manager, dated & unimaginative. Cant fathom out why anyone would like this place.
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William G
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Friday, September 03, 2010

Was there last night, great place, good food, service, great atmosphere, will go back.
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Jannalea Butler
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, January 27, 2010