Cottons Islington

The food was average, the service was terrible, the waiter seemed to ignore us. we were kicked out shortly after we finished our mains, the mens toilets were disgusting. Oh and it is expensive for what you are getting, This is not recommended.
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Snake
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Four of us booked a table last Friday night. We had read other reviews on this site, but had previously really enjoyed their Camden location that we decided to take a chance.

How right the other reviews are! The food was adequate, but nothing more, and all of our dishes were served lukewarm, not hot. The service was, at best, chaotic. It took four separate requests to get two beers, and our second round never did arrive, despite two requests. The 12.5% optional service charge is insulting.

They then informed us that our table had to be vacated at 9:30, despite being seated at 8:00PM, and not informing us of this until the main courses plates were taken away. More bizarrely, the restaurant was half empty at this time. By now, we were very happy to leave.

In summary, avoid this restaurant at all costs. But if you want some good Caribbean food, try the Cottons location in Camden!
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Martin F
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Sunday, March 30, 2008

Myself and my partner was craving for traditional west indian cuisine, became frantically excited about cottons with their mouth watering menu from beyond the window, outside. We both said "shall we", so we did,.

we ordered a mix grill platter consisting of various meats and she had curry goat, rice 'n' peas and additional side orders of Plaintain and roti's.

well well well my partner is from Barbados and just couldn't believe the taste

the roti was so bitter we had to send it back to the kitchin,

the curry goat was just bones,the rice and peas was like mash and

the nicest thing was the plantain which we had to peel the skin off ourselves (umm random)

it was really disappointing, not good value for money and the customer service wasn't good at all, should of had good old fish and chips from the local chippy.
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tequila
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Friday, February 29, 2008

Recently went to Islington branch of restaurant

Credit card wasn't accepted as machine not working and didn't take cheques which got meal off to bad start

Food nothing to write home about unless you are very hungry, in which case it fills a hole - though not a very big one given the small whole red snapper

so poor value for money and "voluntary" service charge of 12.5% not justified standard of service

No intention to go back to this caribbean restaurant given alternatives in london

PS special menu currently shown on internet only apply tp parties of 7 and every day 2 4 1 Happy hours on hand-out cards ( still being given out )only applies Mon to Thursday
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wyn
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Monday, February 18, 2008

Booked a table of 5 last Friday for the late seating. As we were early we were told by the manager we could have a drink in the downstairs cocktail lounge and he would come and get us as soon as the table was available. There was a great selection of cocktails available so our party promtly ordered a few. Well made! Specially the Reggae Rum Punch... for once you can taste the alcohol as you are supposed to.

5 min after our original booking time tthe manager came to get us to be seated. He told us they were running behind because there was a large party that completely disregarded their booking time but Cottons was nice enough to accomodate them.

The place was full, the atmosphere was great and the service was fast. Our starters came in about 10 min! The fish fritters were nice and fluffy and the chickpea & pumkin curry was to die for! As mains we had a bit of a selection and it all tasted great. The lamb was cooked perfect, the grilled snapper tasted very fresh... all in all a very well done and served with a smile!

After dessert (try the apple and mango crumble!) we went downstairs to have an after drink, but by that time the lounge had turned into a club! We partied till closing time to the sounds of reggae, soca, ragga, R&B... Even had an unexpected female MC taking the mic! Definately going back!!!
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Cottons Islington:

We were a big table and some of us arrived a little late. The food was decent although we were only given the choice of the set menu, which leaves little choice if you are vegetarian! 1 starter choice and 1 main course, but over priced and undersized compared to the meat dishes, as we veggie's were left very hungary! The service was appalling and totally embarrassed our host who had booked for her birthday, we were rushed through the meal and desserts were brought out whilst some were still eating their mains. Also we were charged service on individual drink orders, which we were not aware of from the drinks menu, when we suggested going to the bar ourselves, this was disallowed as we had a table, yet we couldn't add the drinks to the main bill! Even if the food wasn't bad, the experience was ruined by the service and pushy staff.
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mark
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Monday, December 31, 2007

I went to Cottons for my birthday, a party of 8. We had to wait a while for our table but waited in the bar so we were happy. When we did get served, the curried goat was too salty we could not eat it, my friend's boyfiend who ordered the baby chicken said it was too hot. There was a big gap between the courses by the time we had finished we onlt had one hour in the bar.

There were bottles of water on the table, so we opened two before we realised they were going to charge us for them. The restaurant suddenly got hot and we got thursty from the salty food, hot food and hot restaurant. When the bill came thay had charged us for all 4 bottles of water assuming we had got too thursty. They then proceeded to charge a service charge of 12.5% without asking us why we didnt eat our food.
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Charlotte
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 0
Sunday, November 11, 2007

Weds night after work and heading back to my hotel, I dropped in for a meal.

The food was OK, certainly worth the money and tasty. Drinks were similar and at this price I could have been a regular if it wasn't for the practice of adding a 12.5% service charge and then as you are handed the credit card machine, asking you if you want to add a gratuity.

This always leaves a nasty taste in my mouth as I feel that someone has tried to rip me off.

I am sure that enough people fall for it to make the practice worthwhile, but I won't be going back.
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Mark Litherland
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Monday, September 17, 2007

have just had a meal at cottons Islington.

This restaurant used to be called Coco Caribbeans something or the other, but it seems to have been taken over by the Cottons brand.

It was a birthday celebration booked for my mother's birthday. We had booked a time slot for 8.30, we did have to wait a while to be seated, this was not creating a very good impression, the 'matre de' sensed our frustration and gave us some drinks on the house, which I must admit did clear the air.

After being seated we quickly ordered our starters, The saltfish fritters were quite tough, you couldn't cut into them, you had to pick it up and take a bite. I'm used to eating them light and fluffly...Seemed to be over done....

The main courses came quicker than expected. (The restaurant was quite full so I expected slower service) I ordered the Jerked baby chicken.

Not an ounce of Jerk sauce on it... The 'stir fry vegetables' tasted like local chinese stir fry... Very caribbean!

My brothers lamb was tough and the sweet potato mash had........wait for it... Vanilla essence in it! Why? Sweet potato has a lovely unique flavour, why add vanilla to it? Also Vanilla and Lamb? Does that go?

My Bro said it tasted like he was eating cornmeal porridge with Lamb.. Not good.

My mum's mixed Jerk Grill was quite nice...It did actually have Jerk seasoning on the meat. They should maybe try that for the baby chicken.

As for the rice and peas it was just average. Did get a few hard gungo peas in there though. My Sister's boyfriend had the Curry Goat which he thought was nice and my sisters mixed fish grill was nice....

A drink with a candle was given to my mother for a little birthday treat which was nice... Also shaggy turned up which created a little celebrity buzz!

However.......I don't think I would return to this restaurant. I can get better in Calabash in Stratford for £5.

the chef needs sacking..For the vanilla and sweet potato crime he calls a dish!
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Caribbean cuisine expert
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Friday, August 24, 2007

Went to Cotton's in Islington for my brother's 30th Birthday, was looking forward to it all week. Was very disappointed.

The food I was not very good and also not very hot. We would have been better off going to our local caribbean take-away.

It was definately the wrong place to take my mother who spends most of her time cooking the dishes that we eat.

The service was not too bad. Trying to eat your food in the 2 hour slot was abit hard. The music was way too loud, my party could hardly hear each other talk.

At least I have been, but I will not be going back again.
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Susan
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, August 21, 2007