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Finally, a decent place to eat in Camden Town


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After threads passim about the God awful state of affairs in Camden Town, things are finally looking up.

I've just got back from dinner at Market a new British restaurant half way up Parkway.

The place used to be the New Cultural Revolution noodle bar, long beloved by the donkey jacketed denizens of NW1 for its socialist ambience and broad choice of malign bacteria.

Now, it's been stripped of plaster, low lit and occupied by a likely couple forged in the crucibles of Shoreditch and lately returned from a tour of duty at the estimable Medcalf of Exmouth Market.

God, but it's good.

I have to keep reminding myself we're still in Camden

I had devilled kidneys to start, but only after torturing myself with the possibility of whitebait. It takes an assured hand at the stove to ensure this dish doesn't taste like squash ball and piss curry but this was good enough to remind me that foie gras is merely the other organ meat.

(Remember - You're still in Camden)

Al had a Roquefort tart which, in itself struck her dumb, but was accompanied by a throwaway salad that mixed citrus fruit, pears and leaves in a way so calculatedly cunning as to redefine raw herbage.

(Remember - You're still in Camden)

Al's main was an onglet, black as a priest's socks on the exterior from a rich and intellectually rigorous marinade accompanied by chips that would make your great grandmother weep great soft tears of nostalgia.

(Remember - You're still in Camden)

Mine was a shoulder of lamb which yielded to the barest nudge of fork yet retained both form and moisture thus defying physics. Alongside were crisply fried gnocchi. Yes, that's right. A starch both innovative and sublime. It's gnocchi... fried! Eating it was like being told "Yes, you can see Uma naked - but only if you lick the chocolate off first".

(Remember - You're still in Camden)

Puddings looked great but defeated us.

Wine (not my area of expertise in any sense but its disposal) was a Valpollicella for which the adjective 'superiore' was, for once, an understatement.

£75 for two (of which £32 was the wine).

Service was attentive, friendly and expert. They soft opened on Monday so they're still quiet and are doing no PR.

They said they'll offer a 10% discount to anyone mentioning eGullet.

Drop round the corner to mine for a cuppa afterwards. I'll be the one on my knees, thanking God that the curse of Camden is broken.

Edited by Tim Hayward (log)

Tim Hayward

"Anyone who wants to write about food would do well to stay away from

similes and metaphors, because if you're not careful, expressions like

'light as a feather' make their way into your sentences and then where are you?"

Nora Ephron

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Interesting I noticed this was coming soon when I walked past a few weeks ago its good to hear.

I will no doubt pop along soon

As for camden whilst its true the cheap and nasty takeway rules the roost there are some gems La Collina is a good italian in Primrose Hill which sort of counts as Camden not sure I've seen that mentioned on the forums

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Surely the arrival of Gilgamesh was the answer to your prayers for a decent, relaxed local restaurant?

Anyone know the phone number for Market? I'm keen to give it a try despite my reservations about the lack of a retractable roof.

0207 267 9700

Tim Hayward

"Anyone who wants to write about food would do well to stay away from

similes and metaphors, because if you're not careful, expressions like

'light as a feather' make their way into your sentences and then where are you?"

Nora Ephron

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Share on other sites

Went to Market yesterday for lunch and had a great meal. A special of Pork cheeks, morcilla and peas was as good as anything I have had all year and was worth thr trip alone. A main of Old spot pork belly and lentils managed to combine melting tenderness and some perfect crackling, no mean feat, though those lentils didn't need the wholegrain mustard addtion in my view. A risotto may not have been one for the afficianados and perhaps lacked an oozy creaminess yet it was tasty nonetheless. Wine is well priced and has some interesting addtions including a gruner veltliner. A welcome addtion to Camden for sure.

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Oh dear…

Starter was potato/cheese thing with pan fried mushrooms. I have no idea what the kitchen were thinking when they thought this up – it was a side dish, not a starter. A dollop of mash in a tiny “casserole” with few mushrooms that were completely dominated by the mash. You could have eaten in one go. And, at £6 they were taking the piss.

Old spot and lentils – the pork was unfortunately flavourless and the accompanying sauce quite thin and miserable. I hope this was just an off day as I did love the place - good New York feel to it

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  • 1 year later...

La Sagra

Great little place opened up on north end of Bayham St - only open a few weeks but have been a couple of times. Italian bistro which has a really good feel to it high ceilings & very friendly staff.

Food quite delicious I was particularly impressed with the lettuce risotto incredible freshness to it. Pizza was exquisite & thats not something you can often say about pizza. Pasta with smoked chicken had wonderful depth of, well, smokiness. Portions on the whole also very generous. Other dishes of note mussels in wine, bake sea bass, steak with pecorino, and the salads. Only down side is that the accompanying veg can need a little refinement.

Far far better than Caponata on Delancy which looks a little too much like a school gym and also a little expensive for what you get.

Shame this place will suffer from poor location.

Edited by tony h (log)
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