Morning:
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Critic rating
Mediocre Market still best in Camden
Larushka Ivan-Zadeh, London Lite 23 Apr 2008
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.
Reader views (2)
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, 29/07/2008 15:00
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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, 14/05/2008 00:43
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