The Lock

A return visit with two friends this weekend.

Very very good. Starting with an amuse bouche of broccoli soup - delicious. I had ham hock terrine with coconut bread followed by Pork Belly. Intense flavours, melt in the mouth texture. Others enjoyed Chicken Supreme, Monkfish.

Once again too stuffed to make it through a desert. A decent bottle of Syrah made it a good value meal at around £25 per head.

The ambinece of the room is ideal. Entirely different at night than at lunchtime where it feels kinda califormian. Service fine but the waiting staff seem a little shy.

The maitre 'd is welcoming and helpful without being overbearing.

I love this restaurant and feel that us denizens of N&E 17 are blessed to have it. Forget about Central London eateries and star chefs - this is the real deal. Come, you won't be disappointed.
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mark
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Absolutely excellent.

I've been going to this place for a while now and every time I'm more impressed with the quality of the food. It is quite honestly - superb.

The location is a little odd but do not let that deter you. Situated next to the canal, the interior is classy with cool art work dotted around the place. There is a cocktail area with big leather sofas and a barman that is willing to make any cocktail you require (and good at it).

Relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere with good service and jaw droppingly good food.

I took some friends there recently and one girl nearly climaxed with the first mouthful of her starter!! (Maybe slightly encouraged by the amount of cocktails she'd had).

If you live in North/East London (or anywhere within 50 miles for that matter) you really should try this place out. It's not the cheapest place but for the quality of food - it's unbeatable.

See for yourself.
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Rob Usher
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, October 25, 2006

After having a lovely meal here with my partner a few weeks ago I decided to take my in-laws for Sunday lunch and was not disappointed. Not only is it great value but delicious to boot. The roast lamb was pink, juicy & tender and the chocolate brownie dessert was moist, dense and to die for! We stuck to the suggested wines on the menu, both white & red were excellent and reasonably priced. Service is friendly and attentive. This place deserves to be full, which it wasn’t. Shame as its not far from the tube station and its definitely worth a visit.
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M, E17
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Thursday, October 19, 2006

This restuarant really does live up to its ratings and reviews. Superb food, the most friendliest and attentive staff I have ever come across and we shall be returning again shortly to sample more of their fine cuisine.

A definte must for anyone who is into fine dining, and looking for that extra special touch.

Well Done Boys......
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Spencer Johnson
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Saturday, October 14, 2006

Read the reviews. Could it be that E17 was finally blessed with a decent place to eat and drink? We weren't disappointed. A wonderfully relaxed environment,including a bar area. Friendly attentive service and a charming host.Cocktails to start and a reasonably priced bottle of red with the meal.

The food is just fab. We had Lobster ravioli to start and scallops both lovely. Belly of Pork and Roasted Cod for the main and the best puds I have had in a long time. The chocolate fondant should come with a disclaimer! Lovely presentation in all cases. Cocktails, bottle of wine, and 3 courses each, £85 including service. Worth every penny.

As good as any up town, without the snotty attitude and expensive cab ride home.

You will not be disappointed.
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Jo
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, October 04, 2006

After an outstanding meal and general overall experience the first time, my girlfriend and I returned at the weekend with some friends to share what seems to be North London's (if not all of London!!) best kept secret.

Any fears that, from our constant jabbering about the place, we may have over hyped The Lock were soon on their way to being forgotten by the warm welcome and attentive service. Though any last remaining doubts were completely dispelled by the (free of charge) amuse bouche and the first few mouthfuls of the starters alone.

The menu has enough options to please all, including a number of great vegetarian dishes. Though it's the quality of the food that really stands out, it has never failed to deliver; each option is simple yet sophisticated with being overly complex. There was not a dish placed on our table that didn't have the rest of the party clamouring for a taste.

Not really having a sweet tooth I rarely indulge in a dessert, though you almost feel like you would be missing out if you don't, no matter how full you are. Needless to say, we all found room with the Chocolate Fondant being a closely fought winner.

We all walked away extremely satisfied with the feeling that you'd just been to a friend's for dinner. Before we'd left the car park we were already creating excuses for our return.

In summary this restaurant serves excellent food and offers fantastic value for money.

I appreciate that the location may put some people off, though I urge you to forget any preconceptions you may have about Tottenham Hale and to try this place at least once. At only a 5 minute walk from the station, getting there couldn't be easier on the Victoria line or on an overland from Liverpool Street.

I wish The Lock all the success it deserves for the future.
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SE
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, September 04, 2006

I’ve been three times to The Lock now, and every time is better than the last. The food, the cocktails, the wine and after some initial teething problems even the service is fantastic. It’s a real winner.
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Sue
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, August 17, 2006

We had a terrific Sunday lunch at the Lock. Starter of avocado salad teed up our palates for our mains - Roast Beef for me, Chicken for the wife. Excellent value at £10 for two courses. My beef was cooked to perfection and there was no skimping on portions accompanied by some delicious celeriac mash and well chosen and cooked vegeatables.

We were too full for desert.

The dining room is very comfortable. And there was a good convivial atmosphere at about 70% capacity. Service was fine and attentive although slowed a little as we pondered desert choices.

More restaurants like this are needed in Walthamstow / North London and we certainly plan to return to The Lock to try it's evening menus.

Recommended highly.
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Mark, Walthamstow
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Went to The Lock last Wednesday with a group of clients. Food was excellent, portions just slightly too small. All ingredients very fresh and prepared to order (thus a slightly longer than usual wait for my lobster and salmon ravioli to start). My main concern was the attentiveness of the waiting staff. It was clear that they were new and the manager had to keep pointing them in our direction for drinks orders and courses to be cleared. The comment made "that it was due to my selection of starter that everyone else was waiting" obviously put me on the spot. Not the way to bring a local business with a stream of West End based clients running back! Having said this, the area suffers from a lack of quality restaurants / bars especially at lunch times. It was with this in mind that I returned on the Friday at 4.00pm with a group of other clients to be told "We are closed!" in a rather brusque manner. I tried to explain that we would have liked some drinks and then possibly stayed on for food but was again refused any service or any explanation even if linked to licensing regulations. With this second round of embarrasement ringing in my ears in front of clients we drove 50 yards to the Ferry Boat Inn which was so packed cars were double parked everywhere, spend a hearty sum on drinks and as guessed, stayed on for food too!!...

The Lock, be warned. Food - superb. Clearly talented chef's. Service - poor and local business awareness even worse.
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Antony Stovin-Clark
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Sunday, July 23, 2006

We visited this restaurant when it was Mosaica and thought it was lovely.

We went along to The Lock a couple of Fridays ago. The food was lovely, but the portions were just so tiny, also I would say, for the prices they are charging the service, although friendly a bit too slow and not very professional.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Monday, July 17, 2006