Giles Coren's review of The Anchor and Hope (The Times)
AA Gill's review of The Anchor and Hope (The Times)
The Anchor & Hope reviews
Isn't it strange how all the people confused about the no reservations regime are the ones feeling badly treated. The service is superb as long as you don't put your frustrations on the staff, who will do their utter best to get you seated asap and make your evening memorable. You don't go to A&H for just the great meal, but the whole complete experience of shared joy.
by theturtle, 23 Apr 2008It always seems to me that London holds some real w*****s of customers. The point of this place seemed to me to be simple, approachable, yet interesting food - let the ingredients shine kind of thing, and they did. Friendly, relaxed service reflected in the atmosphere - a lovely place. Great wine list, not great beer selection (lovely pint of Young's though) but enough to get by. It seems to me if you have to wait you have to wait. I can't understand how anyone who knows this can complain. But, as I say, this is London.
by Crunchie, 27 Mar 2008The main dishes were very good, though a poor choice of vegetables. No bookings means no advance bookings but they keep a list of people who arrive and when they are 'fully booked' you have to wait up to 2 hours for a table. For a pub, it had a limited choice of drinks. Staff were OK - helpful in the dining area, surly behind the bar.
by guysw16, 02 Mar 2008I'm very confused by the reviews below. This is a fantastic pub with brillliant food. You can't book a table, so it's pot-luck if you get one... but that's just the way it goes. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
by charlie.m.v.byron, 19 Feb 2008You are going to have to wait unless you and your companions time your arrival. That is because it is popular. You will find lots of unpopular places that will serve you straight away. It is popular because they know what they are doing. They have rules that some reviewers dislike. They are to favour the majority. By definition, they do not favour the minority, so some will moan about not getting a table until the whole party have arrived. My old boss had a FIFO maxim... the first bit is 'fit in or'. Try it.
by Bowgreave, 17 Jun 2007Your reader who got a table in an hour and a half must have been on a good evening. We were told this but waited two and a quarter hours and then waited another twenty minutes to find most of the mains were off the menu. Overall it may be cheaper than a trip to the dentist but not half as pleasureable.
by TheTim, 02 Jun 2007What a wonderful pub! Excellent food and a great atmosphere. Will definitely return again. Great place to hang out with friends and enjoy the ample wine list. A must for any foodie!
by MaisieD;- ), 02 May 2007I have eaten at A&H regularly over the past four years and have introduced a couple of dozen friends to it - none of them has complained. The food has always been excellent and the staff accommodating. I don't recognise the place that some of the other reviewers have been to.
by dompannell, 20 Apr 2007Nearly a two hour wait for some easy-to-prepare meals was not worth it! Nice setting doesn't compensate the poor food quality and service.
by Amy_lou, 10 Apr 2007Please don't go there if you're looking to have a relaxed, easy going night with friends - it simply won't happen.
No food is worth waiting around for 1.5 hours, being jostled and badly treated by the staff... Overrated.
Eaten here several times, but never in the restaurant as it's always packed. Happy to eat in the bar area. Food is good, though menu is small. Bar staff are always great. Go and enjoy a decent meal.
by Pesci13 (2 reviews), 21 Dec 2006I've been a number of times to The Anchor & Hope and I have never been disappointed. The staff are great, very helpful, and the food is superb. Most definitely a place to try - one of my favourites.
by anon18, 02 Dec 2006Very disappointed by the arrogant London waitering service by shallow and untravelled staff. Food OK.
by Anonymous, 01 Nov 2006Had to wait one and a half hours for a table, then had to share with 2 other couples who all finished their food before we had anything (despite being seated at the same time). The waitress had forgotten our order! We ate at 11pm!!
by vintage lover, 12 Oct 2006I've been going to the Anchor & Hope for the past year and always loved going there... until tonight when a friend and I were made to wait for over 1 1/2 hrs for a table for two. And as if the wait wasn't enough, we had to share a table with 3 others when there was a table for two available. When asked about the other table the very rude waitress told us we were welcome to leave because they were busy enough and did not need us. This is not an attitude to have with a regular or indeed any customer. I love the food but will never go back there. There are nicer restaurants in London with nicer waitresses.
by gatwickmodel, 22 Sep 2006Were served at the bar very effectively. The place was too busy to stay inside with a group of 5, so no chance to try out the food. Luckily for us the weather was good...
by Alexis, 22 Sep 2006Fantastic cooking and worth waiting for. Probably my fave restaurant in London.
by bleep, 20 Sep 2006Myself and my family dined at this pub for my 22nd birthday and on the whole had a fantastic time. We had no problem getting a table though the pub was far from empty, creating a nice, buzzy atmosphere enhanced by the open kitchen.
Overall the food was excellent, except for a rather overdone pork chop and a mean portion of teal. The service, however, was frustratingly bad. The waiting staff had to be asked three to four times for items - and that being when the pub was nowhere near full to capacity.
Have we missed a great gastro pub in London? Let us know.
Photograph © The Anchor & Hope
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