Haven Bistro & Bar

Took my family to this restaurant for the first time on Friday evening.

Excellent restaurant, very welcoming and nice atmosphere. Food really good, interesting, drinkable wine list. We enjoyed everything we ate. Desserts especially mouth-watering. Served quickly by efficient staff. Not cheap but good value.

Will definitely go again.
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JM297 - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Saturday, January 28, 2012

Visited over a busy Christmas period, but this made it nice and buzzzy, but not overloud. The menu has changed to include some lighter starters of which the squid and chorizo was excellent, moist, full of flavour and spot on. Some of our party ordered oysters and commented that these were as good as any from more specialist fish restaurants. Everyone in the party enjoyed their selections and the night. Comments were made as to the ready availability of tap water, without the rigmarole of having to refuse the bottled offering. Despite being busy dishes arrived in good time and we were well looked after by professional and friendly staff.

Al in a great evening, and everyone I was with intends to visit more often over the coming year.
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traveller - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, January 12, 2012

I have enjoyed many meals at Haven and have always found the staff to be very polite and helpful. The quality of food is always superb and I particularly enjoy the attention to detail that Haven provides. I have eaten there with my family as well as eating there with a huge group and I have never found any difference in the quality of food. I think the set lunch time menu is great value for money and I will certainly be going back.
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Ali
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, December 07, 2011

What an awful experience. Do not waste your time going to Haven. Manager is extremely ungrateful and rude.

Was at Haven for a birthday. When we arrived there, our pre-booked seating area was taken up by other people we didn't know. It took the staff a while to seat us without even an apology.

Once seated, we ordered drinks and paid for them straight away. After having finished our drinks, we re-ordered some more. Once having ordered the drinks, the manager came over and questioned us why we hadn't ordered any drinks. We replied that we had and he replied "I haven't seen you order any drinks....I aint no charity". How awful is this to treat your customers???? We couldn't believe how he behaved- shocking. He was not discreet either - other people heard him too.

When he walked off, he swore at us. This language continued each time he walked past us.

Overall, have NEVER seen this behaviour in any establishment in my life. Have not even heard of such a horrific experience either.

NEVER GOING AGAIN......DON'T GO AND GIVE THIS BAR YOUR MONEY,
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, October 25, 2011

I'm currently in the restaurant with a group of 14 people sitting at the bar area. I'm disgusted by the owner of the restaurant who approached me and asked me why I wasn't having any drinks in a very angry manner, at the time I have just ordered 4 drinks and other in my group also ordered drinks. The owner replied 'this is not a charity, go somewhere else', I can't believe an owner could treat his customers like that I would never step foot iIn a place where the owner is watching how many drinks you buy.
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Saturday, October 22, 2011

As advised, approaching the Haven restaurant directly via the maitre d' was a very agressive unpleasant experience. Not least because he took exception defiantly, to my signal to speak to him and then told me, after I caught his attention, that I was wrong to complain that his bar staff were having an argument, so loudly that we could not carry on our conversation in the bar. We had been there for three hours enjoying a very pleasant meal, cost for 5; circa £300.00 including pre-dinner cocktails.

A very unprofessional experience from the group of staff either kicking off with each other, the manager kicking off with me and telling me not to argue without apology.

One of the staff came to us empathising and apologised. Why would that be?

I have read several other reports that there is an internal arrogance amongst both management and employees. We were unfortunate to experience this first hand, during an otherwise very pleasant evening, with good food, celebrating my birthday with my family. Haven - despite five years of loyal custom when occasion called for a good restauant and we chose you, my social group of family and friends and maybe others yet to try you, may now defer. Save your money folks - a much nicer experience to be had elsewhere! And may you not be left with such a distasteful after effect!
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7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Friday, August 26, 2011

I was at a function at the Haven last night and could not fault it. The room was beautifully decorated, food and service were first class.
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Nigel Collis - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, June 05, 2011

Decent spot in outer north London - perfect for getting together with friends.

Nice touches such as good bread and butter served when you sit down and efficient service.

Food is decent although can be a bit heavy.
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SS - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Monday, March 21, 2011

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