Matthew Fort's review of The Anchor & Hope (The Guardian)
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
The wait was absolutely worth it, but I have just one quibble: no stem glasses for wines that are served by the glass. Tumblers only. A silly and unbecoming policy for such a superior dining destination.
by Dustin St Clair, 27 Apr 2009
by Dustin St Clair, 27 Apr 2009
Always a pleasure. Hadn't planned on eating, but grabbed a corner of the large table in the bar, ordered and was served quickly. As has been said before, you don't go to The Anchor on a timetable - sure you might get in and out for a show if you rock up at 6.00, but don't bank on it. Go there for a lovely evening, and you will definitely have one... just leave the stopwatch at home.
by 71simon, 26 Mar 2009
by 71simon, 26 Mar 2009
I came to the Anchor & Hope with mixed expectations; I have eaten food before and considered it to be one of the more enjoyable experiences in my otherwise dull and fruitless life.
On arriving at the venue I was disappointed by the lack of tables outside, as I enjoy the aesthetic of a well-tabled exterior. Upon entering my disappointment developed considerably as nobody told me what to do. There I stood, feeling like a right ninny whilst waiters bustled about like ninnies, carrying plates of food and sometimes even GLASSES!!!
After 20 minutes of hovering by the busy pass and looking sternly at everyone, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Approaching a senior-looking member of staff who was idling his time away talking to a cluster of peasants about some table they were waiting for, I rapped heavily on his shoulder to alert him of my presence. Amazingly, I was IGNORED until he had finished his conversation.
Things degressed from there as I was told that I would have to WAIT until a table cleared next door despite the fact that someone was TAKING AGES eating their pudding. In desperation I turned to the bar and was confronted by a peon who looked like he may or may not have been thinking about something else. When I demanded my usual he had the barefaced cheek to ask me what that was despite the fact that even my OWN WIFE knows I drink nothing but Merlot! I was shown a list full of wines I didn't recognise. When I finally succumbed to the barman's seemingly disgruntled attempts to 'recommend soemthing', he produced a glass that was even smaller than my own heavily disguised sense of self worth and as an alternative offered me a 'caraffe'. ME - A CARAFFE? Next they'll be serving it in a soiled welly (although I'd actually quite like that).
After waiting for a whole hour of my precious time, I was finally seated. I don't remember much about the food because the wine had gone straight to my head, but I remember being outraged at the grouse because I used to own a grouse factory and I know everything in the world ever so there.
In summary (advice for likeminded individuals):
They don't take bookings.
They don't serve wine in stem glasses, especially if you threaten them.
Even though you think you are more important than everyone else, you're probably not.
by A. Regular, 17 Feb 2009
On arriving at the venue I was disappointed by the lack of tables outside, as I enjoy the aesthetic of a well-tabled exterior. Upon entering my disappointment developed considerably as nobody told me what to do. There I stood, feeling like a right ninny whilst waiters bustled about like ninnies, carrying plates of food and sometimes even GLASSES!!!
After 20 minutes of hovering by the busy pass and looking sternly at everyone, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Approaching a senior-looking member of staff who was idling his time away talking to a cluster of peasants about some table they were waiting for, I rapped heavily on his shoulder to alert him of my presence. Amazingly, I was IGNORED until he had finished his conversation.
Things degressed from there as I was told that I would have to WAIT until a table cleared next door despite the fact that someone was TAKING AGES eating their pudding. In desperation I turned to the bar and was confronted by a peon who looked like he may or may not have been thinking about something else. When I demanded my usual he had the barefaced cheek to ask me what that was despite the fact that even my OWN WIFE knows I drink nothing but Merlot! I was shown a list full of wines I didn't recognise. When I finally succumbed to the barman's seemingly disgruntled attempts to 'recommend soemthing', he produced a glass that was even smaller than my own heavily disguised sense of self worth and as an alternative offered me a 'caraffe'. ME - A CARAFFE? Next they'll be serving it in a soiled welly (although I'd actually quite like that).
After waiting for a whole hour of my precious time, I was finally seated. I don't remember much about the food because the wine had gone straight to my head, but I remember being outraged at the grouse because I used to own a grouse factory and I know everything in the world ever so there.
In summary (advice for likeminded individuals):
They don't take bookings.
They don't serve wine in stem glasses, especially if you threaten them.
Even though you think you are more important than everyone else, you're probably not.
by A. Regular, 17 Feb 2009
What sort of an imbecile complains about waiting at the Anchor and Hope? They do not do reservations! If you want to eat their excellent food, you plan to go there and wait and have a few nice pints. If you don't want to wait, dont go there!
by justinunsworth, 07 Feb 2009
by justinunsworth, 07 Feb 2009
The food here was great (e.g. rabbit with savoy cabbage). However, we arrived 6.30 and had to wait for a table for four until 8.15. If you're happy to have a drink in the very busy bar then it's not a problem, but I'm sure the place would function far better with a bookings policy.
by sexypara (2 reviews), 09 Oct 2008
by sexypara (2 reviews), 09 Oct 2008
This is my favourite place to eat in London and, unlike so many of your (clearly impatient) other reviewers, I know to get there for drinks an hour before I'd like to eat and 2 hours before I have to eat.
The food is fantastic, as are the staff. Please don't be put off by Mr & Mrs immediate gratification below! (To whom I strongly recommend one of the well known burger chains if you want really fast food - with quality that is commensurate!)
by Darren Ball, 08 Oct 2008
The food is fantastic, as are the staff. Please don't be put off by Mr & Mrs immediate gratification below! (To whom I strongly recommend one of the well known burger chains if you want really fast food - with quality that is commensurate!)
by Darren Ball, 08 Oct 2008
Decided to give it another go after my last bad experience of not getting a table after 1 hour. Again arrived and again a queue. Asked how long I would have to wait and was told "No idea". Decided to wait, but after 90 minutes no table. However there were empty tables. When I asked about them I was told these were reserved. Decided to leave...
by dr8309, 16 Jul 2008
by dr8309, 16 Jul 2008
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 2008
by theturtle, 23 Apr 2008
It 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 2008
by Crunchie, 27 Mar 2008
The 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 2008
by guysw16, 02 Mar 2008
I'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 2008
by charlie.m.v.byron, 19 Feb 2008
You 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 2007
by Bowgreave, 17 Jun 2007
Your 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 2007
by TheTim, 02 Jun 2007
What 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 2007
by MaisieD;- ), 02 May 2007
I 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 2007
by dompannell, 20 Apr 2007
Nearly 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 2007
by Amy_lou, 10 Apr 2007
Please 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.
by Emmyt, 09 Jan 2007
No food is worth waiting around for 1.5 hours, being jostled and badly treated by the staff... Overrated.
by Emmyt, 09 Jan 2007
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 2006
by Pesci13 (2 reviews), 21 Dec 2006
Have we missed a great gastro pub in London? Let us know.
Photograph © The Anchor & Hope
