Matthew Fort's review of The House (The Guardian)
The House reviews
The House is FANTASTIC. Trust me, do not listen to some of the ridiculous reviews below. I have eaten there dozens of times at all times of the week and eaten many of their different dishes. The House has consistently raised its standard over the years and it now serves simply fantastic food. It could easily sell itself on being a restaurant as opposed to a gastro pub. The staff are extremely friendly and the chefs are always willing to adapt their dishes to suit your needs. It is simply awesome.
by jamesbarker, 18 Feb 2010
by jamesbarker, 18 Feb 2010
I think some of the reviews of The House are a little unfair. I've eaten and drunk here many times and never had a problem with the service. It has always been quite good. Granted, the food can sometimes be hit and miss. But by that, I mean it is often good and sometimes average. I've never had a bad meal.
To the person who complained at being sat next to 'Islingtonites' - it is in the middle of Islington, so to be expected. To the person who said it is the middle of a council estate - no it isn't.
All in all, it is a good place for a weekend lunch. Yes, it is on the expensive side. Show me somewhere in Islington that isn't.
by StuH "top london reviewer" (39 reviews), 24 Apr 2009
To the person who complained at being sat next to 'Islingtonites' - it is in the middle of Islington, so to be expected. To the person who said it is the middle of a council estate - no it isn't.
All in all, it is a good place for a weekend lunch. Yes, it is on the expensive side. Show me somewhere in Islington that isn't.
by StuH "top london reviewer" (39 reviews), 24 Apr 2009
I ate at The House last week, having not been there for a while, and I have to say it was absolutely delicious! Seabass served with Jerusalem artichoke puree and little pan-fried gnocchi to die for. A friend had squid to start, which was melt in the mouth superb. To finish, a special: blueberry pie - heavenly! Service was attentive, friendly yet discreet. Only one tiny complaint: it was a little cold... but then it was in a week when London had had the most snow for 18 years!
by Bexsina, 07 Feb 2009
by Bexsina, 07 Feb 2009
I've been three times now and won't be back. I really want to like it but it's just not very good - please don't waste your money. Food is average bordering poor and very overpriced. Service is not great.
by Stevie boy (2 reviews), 06 Jan 2009
by Stevie boy (2 reviews), 06 Jan 2009
Echoing what everyone has said below - overpriced, decidedly average fare. I have been a few times now, each time thinking I'd give it another go, as I would really like this very handy place to be good... But lunch today, at a table wedged next to a pillar, with a miniature serving of cold food which I had to send back and staff who barely interacted with us, means that this is the last chance I give this place.
In addition, what is the deal with not giving you a side plate for your bread - I don't eat off the table in my own house, so why would I do it in a restaurant?
by gastro, 17 Feb 2008
In addition, what is the deal with not giving you a side plate for your bread - I don't eat off the table in my own house, so why would I do it in a restaurant?
by gastro, 17 Feb 2008
Overpriced. This pub thinks it's a restaurant but does not have the food to back it up. Crazy prices for very average food, kind but unknowledgeable staff. Either settle for good pub food and reduce the price, or you need to seriously improve the food and service. Such a let down.
by tromeu, 05 Dec 2007
by tromeu, 05 Dec 2007
Very pleasant service upon arrival, food came shortly after ordered, our waitress was very attentive and the food tasted fantastic - compliments to the chef. We will definitely return.
by stephanie cope, 04 Nov 2007
by stephanie cope, 04 Nov 2007
Visited this pub with high expectations - how wrong I was. Not exactly sure what the place is trying to do or be but the food was average (definitely not worth the price), service appalling, and the manager on duty flapped and stressed the staff as well as my partner and I. So many better places for the price. Stay away.
by chrisevans, 23 May 2007
by chrisevans, 23 May 2007
It started off well, but has become expensive and nothing special. There is much better fare to be had at the likes of Ottolenghi and other restaurants on Upper Street, a few minutes' walk away.
by jacanon (3 reviews), 08 Feb 2007
by jacanon (3 reviews), 08 Feb 2007
Disappointing, disappointing, disappointing... Hopeless, snotty service from a bunch of French girls with a cultivated superior and surly manner. Even witnessed an argument between a chef and waitress which they made no attempt to disguise or keep quiet. Crammed tables, hot, smelly and smokey from the open-plan kitchen. Extremely expensive for decidedly average fayre. Grossly overpriced wine list. Stuck in the middle of a council estate.
How did Time Out's reviewer get this SO WRONG?! Don't go.
by IslingtonFoodie, 07 Feb 2007
How did Time Out's reviewer get this SO WRONG?! Don't go.
by IslingtonFoodie, 07 Feb 2007
I booked a table for two, only to be sandwiched between the kitchen door and a table full of overfed, middle class Islingtonites. The service was middle-of-the-road, and the food was even worse (e.g. 'Crab Hash Cakes' - by my understanding the plural usually signifies more than 1, but all I had was one measly pathetic little hash cake that was lukewarm).
For the cost of the meal, I could have gone to a 'proper' restaurant like The Wolseley, where they know how to cook and the staff know how to service their patrons.
by Ottawa, 10 Apr 2006
For the cost of the meal, I could have gone to a 'proper' restaurant like The Wolseley, where they know how to cook and the staff know how to service their patrons.
by Ottawa, 10 Apr 2006
This is not a gastropub, it's a restaurant! The food can be good, but so it should be at those prices. Very middle-class and very middle-aged.
by Anonymous, 09 Feb 2006
by Anonymous, 09 Feb 2006
This place is very popular with a lot of us Canonbury natives, and is becoming a bit of a hidden legend although it's only been around a few years. It's basically a very upmarket gastropub (about £30-£40 a head). Everything's to a very high standard, particularly the actual quality of the food and ingredients, which are exceptional. The fireplace and leather sofas make it a good place for a casual drink in the evenings as well.
by foolio (2 reviews), 21 Jan 2006
by foolio (2 reviews), 21 Jan 2006
One of my favorites in London. Never have been disappointed with my food or the service. The key here is to make a reservation, as it is quite popular.
by flynnchick (2 reviews), 25 Aug 2005
by flynnchick (2 reviews), 25 Aug 2005
Expensive prices for very basic service and adequate food.
After waiting over an hour between starter and main course, the food arrived with 2 meals missing ingredients mentioned on the menu (e.g. chicken wrapped in pancetta, but there was no pancetta).
The supervisor tried to explain that our food was late because we had chosen not to order starter, (which we had?) i.e. it was our own fault?? And from there on was rude, pushy and almost aggressive.
A sad demise of once was a nice restaurant. I would never return to such poor service, let alone the below average food.
by sweetp, 22 Jul 2005
After waiting over an hour between starter and main course, the food arrived with 2 meals missing ingredients mentioned on the menu (e.g. chicken wrapped in pancetta, but there was no pancetta).
The supervisor tried to explain that our food was late because we had chosen not to order starter, (which we had?) i.e. it was our own fault?? And from there on was rude, pushy and almost aggressive.
A sad demise of once was a nice restaurant. I would never return to such poor service, let alone the below average food.
by sweetp, 22 Jul 2005
The first time I went to this gastro pub I was positively impressed by the good food. On my second visit though the service was so bad that I don't think it’s worth going again.
When we arrived we asked for a table outside. The girl we asked was going to take us outside when another girl (head waiter?, front desk?) stopped her and told us that actually she had just given away that table. Alright, no big apologies from them, we settled for a table inside. The girl brought us some homemade bread to choose from a plate and I asked her what was the difference between one and the other, but she didn't know. Never mind. I asked her which of the 2 wines by the glass (which I didn't know) was the driest, but she didn't know that either. Never mind. When I finished my glass of wine with the starter the other girl (head waiter / front desk) approached me and said "I can see you liked the wine, eh? ".Now I think this is just being rude.
Things unfortunately didn't stop here. at the end, after we paid with our cards, I asked which one was my copy of the bill, at this point a third girl went hysteric and started saying that she gave me a copy and I must be hiding it somewhere and she took my handbag and opened it to check if it was inside. Obviously it wasn't and we left, speechless.
by Anonymous, 29 Jul 2004
When we arrived we asked for a table outside. The girl we asked was going to take us outside when another girl (head waiter?, front desk?) stopped her and told us that actually she had just given away that table. Alright, no big apologies from them, we settled for a table inside. The girl brought us some homemade bread to choose from a plate and I asked her what was the difference between one and the other, but she didn't know. Never mind. I asked her which of the 2 wines by the glass (which I didn't know) was the driest, but she didn't know that either. Never mind. When I finished my glass of wine with the starter the other girl (head waiter / front desk) approached me and said "I can see you liked the wine, eh? ".Now I think this is just being rude.
Things unfortunately didn't stop here. at the end, after we paid with our cards, I asked which one was my copy of the bill, at this point a third girl went hysteric and started saying that she gave me a copy and I must be hiding it somewhere and she took my handbag and opened it to check if it was inside. Obviously it wasn't and we left, speechless.
by Anonymous, 29 Jul 2004
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Photograph © The House
