Morning:
14°c
Some fares could fall by more than a third when Oyster is extended to every national rail station in London, it has emerged
More...
New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Critic rating
Reader rating
Description: A no-nonsense English bistro, near Camden Town tube; a friendly sort of place, it offers plain cooking -- in a style which, until recently, might have been called 'home-style' -- at very reasonable prices.
Food: 
Service:
Ambience:
Phone: 020 7267 9700
Open: Lunch Monday-Saturday, noon-2.30pm. Sunday roast 1-4pm. Dinner, Monday-Saturday 6-10.30pm
Dress code: Smart / Casual
Good for: Good food, Ambience.
Payment options: All major cards accepted
Natural habitat: with simple decor, perhaps Market's owners could have splashed out on a less bland menu
The last time I ventured to Camden seeking sustenance, I was stunned to find my finest option was probably falafel from that van in the market. Six years on and practically nothing has changed. It’s astounding.
Market is thus a welcome beacon of hope. Décor, like the British food served here, is simple and stylish: exposed brickwork, zinc-topped tables, hard wooden chairs — all very Habitat. “I love this place” enthused my friend, as we perused the paper menu. “Everything’s £2 cheaper than you expect.”
The £5 glasses of prosecco had us in high spirits. My friend declared her asparagus with poached egg (£6.50) perfectly al dente, and my own Huntsham Farm beef carpaccio (£6.50) was pleasingly velvety, but from the mains onwards the price-shaving started to show.
The only word my companion could find to describe her confit duck leg with potato cake and red cabbage (£12.50) was “unremarkable”. My organic Shetland salmon (£11.50) was lovely in itself, but didn’t go with undercooked curried lentils or the grey moat of watery spinach.
We might have been dining in someone’s kitchen. It was so cramped I am now an expert on the personal lives of our adjoining table (she should leave him — he’s clearly never going to change).
But my biggest gripe was the pud. My impressively bland pear-and-ginger crumble (£5) had no hint of ginger or any other flavour. Still, “bland” isn’t “terrible”, and with scant competition around, this packed joint looks set to corner the market.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
I frankly don't believe a word of this review. I have eaten at Market some dozen times (at least) in the last year and every meal has been outstanding. I have never seen a disgruntled customer - but lot's of well-gruntled smiling faces. Friends who have been - and I'll name everyone if asked love it. It's also always full. I arrive invariably unbooked at 7 and by 7.30 people are being turned away.
- Peter Cobrin, Chester UK
Hoping to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday in peace, I asked ahead whether it would be ok to bring our own cake (made by my mother), to which the response was 'yes'. So far so good.
Twenty minutes into the evening we were asked whether we were ready to order drinks, though no one had bothered to bring us the drinks menu. And that's on a Tuesday night when the restaurant was half empty anyway (something to consider as well).
The food was decent, nothing special ('no frills' as described by the restaurant's website). The prices were not horrendous but not as reasonable as suggested considering the food.
The wines--where do I start? Not only were they out or almost out of every decent bottle, our white wine was left unchilled without a bucket for at least twenty minutes, in spite of our numerous requests.
The cake was brought out as requested and we were left with four large pieces which we asked that they kindly pack (separately). Our waitress seemed to have no problem with this.
The manager/owner (Denise) then brought the cake out as one piece, slamming it on the table and snapped 'you'll have it as one piece, as you brought it'.
That was really the last straw. Not that we minded their inability to pack the cake, the attitude was really rude and unpleasant at the end of what should have been a lovely birthday dinner. After slapping us with a £300 bill (including a £30 'optional' service charge) for what can only be described as mediocre food and service, I was truly shocked.
- Natasha, London, UK
