All reader reviews by Crusoe

Made in Camden

Stumbled in here for a drink tonight and stayed for dinner. We'd thought the menu looked a bit over-fancy, but it was a really good evening, good food, good drinks and good service. The drinks menu has a range of beers and cocktails that Camden/Chalk Farm doesn't normally offer, the venue was modern without being soulless or pretentious, the service friendly but not overbearing.

We had a selection of small plates (and thanks to the waiter who cautioned against over-ordering - four plates is just enough). The sardines were good, if not earth-shattering; the seared tuna very nice; the onglet surprisingly filling for a small plate; and the miso chicken (on the menu the least inspiring) was delicious. I couldn't manage dessert, but my other half thought the peanut parfait was excellent.

All in all, a fun night out all the more so for being unexpected. Highly recommended.

Friday, March 18, 2011
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7

Namaaste Kitchen

Visited Namaaste Kitchen for the first time at the weekend — an early Valentine's Day meal — and we were pleased with our choice.

The modern decor and lighting made for a nice change, although calling it romantic or intimate would be a stretch. The two-person tables are a little too small for a meal, flower, wine, water, candle, etc, and you couldn't swing too many cats in there when it gets full.

The food was very good — reasonable sized portions, with a very nice variety of dishes that weren't predictable, but weren't pointlessly avant garde either. For example, the mustard-marinated king prawn starter was excellent (and spicy), the Chettinad chicken a bit different from your normal takeaway fare without being over-fancy. Everything from poppadoms to desserts was nicely presented and neither of us had a bad word to say about the food.

The service had a definite 'new restaurant' feel of slightly nervous over-attentiveness, which I expect will fade in time. Prices were okay — just short of £100 for two for poppadoms, three courses, wine, water, coffees, a cocktail and service — so I'd guess the restaurant is trying to price itself out of the boozy late night curry market (particularly as it's in the centre of Camden).

We definitely plan on coming back to try it again. The high point was the variety of dishes that don't grace most Indian restaurant menus in this area; no real low points to speak of.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7

Indian Summer

Absolutely wonderful - stumbled accidentally across Indian Summer tonight, got in thanks to a cancellation, and what a meal! Service friendly and unpretentious, food excellent quality without being overly fussy or artificially wacky, portions just generous enough, wine list nice and varied. The espresso cheesecake (served in edible chocolate teacups) was particularly good. Can't comment on whether it's value for money by local standards, but compared to London prices it's a bargain.

Friday, July 10, 2009
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8