Cruse 9 review by Aysha Tupman
Upper Street may be full of eateries but I've often found the favourites (I'm thinking Afghan Kitchen, Miso, Galippoli...) whilst serving incredible food, lack that touch of class and special treatment that you sometimes want. Cruse 9 hit the spot tonight; I've eaten a meal to die for but, more importantly, left with a sense that I was really looked after and that I ate a meal that was prepared with thought and a passion that is so often missing in restaurants in London.
Firstly, the bulding (a newly built, swanky three level joint) is impressive both to walk past and go into. The staff, attentive from the start, made us feel special and we were shown to a beautiful leather seated booth upstairs where we could watch the Islington world go by. We were talked through the wine menu (we settled on a beautiful, uncomplicated and surprisingly well priced New Zealand Pinot Noir) and the specials. The menu catered well for my vegetarian friend (she chose grilled goat's cheese on tomato and black olive crouton wih red onion chutney; I started with the seafood and saffron risotto); but I went the whole hog with the juicy and perfectly cooked fillet of beef (hung for 21 days, it said – and I believe them). It may have seemed pricey at first but really, and especially in this part of Islington, you get what you pay for.
After chatting with our waiter during the meal he invited us to take a drink in the underground bar, where we sat for longer than necessary, having cocktails made for us until we rolled home after a 3 and a half hour stretch at the restaurant. The thing that sticks out at me about this place, apart from the beautiful classy décor and the varied and, I'm sure, consistently good menu, was the staff and the experience of an evening in this wonderful restaurant. It's a new and young place but I'm sure it's a winner. Go there before you can't get a table.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Overall rating 
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
review comments
Leave a comment
Please note this is to leave a comment on the readers review above.
To review this restaurant please click here
To leave a comment about the review above, please log in or register first.
To review this restaurant please click here
