Bars & Pubs

That reminds me, at £18.50 for a steak with some chips you really should expect more than a 200g 1cm thick piece of meat that isn't cooked properly and some chips that you need a glass of water with because they're so dry. Especially when you have to ask a few times for the water.

I am in total agreement with Shezba. I took some friends last week as a thank you treat and all the way there I raved about the great food, but I was left feeling rather disappointed and embarrassed. Three of us sent our steaks back - they were so thin that apparently the chef had difficultly cooking them anything less than well done. The steaks have always been expensive but previously I had not objected paying, but this time they definitely felt over-priced. Also we needed to ask for our bread/olives and water about four times before they were delivered to the table. Not the great dining experience I was expecting.

Have to disagree with Shezba. Everytime I've been there in the past year (quite a few times!) the food has been excellent. In fact I went there for a 3 course meal with in-laws and we all agreed that every course was fantastic!
The only downside is it isn't cheap.... But it's definately a good rival to St John's in Archway as a high end gastro pub...

This restaurant has gone downhill over the last year. It was always more of a 'meaty' gastropub and did some great steaks and beef dripping cooked chips. I've been there three times recently and two of the three were mediocre. Last time I was there however the steaks were awful. They were too thin to be cooked to order so they ended up looking identical, well done at one end and medium at best at the other. Two out of three of us sent ours back. The chips, which I've had a few times recently are now too dry to be really good. All very disappointing, and it's a place you'd never think of going just for a pint.

Just back from the Clissold Arms; good atmosphere, friendly staff. A bit too noisy for my taste,and loud music didn't help either. Not bad for a local pub but too pricey for the quality they offer. My rice noodles were undercooked (not all dente, simply tough) and the portion of salmon quite small to justify £14. They wines are extremely overpriced, they have an albarino for £30!!! For a pub that prides itself in using fresh and organic products, tinned cherries in the bread and butter pudding are hard to justify( specialy at £5.50). It would go back for a drink, but I am afraid in the food department they just got above their station.

Fantastic gastro bar, brillant food (especially on a Sunday)! I can't wait for the summer (great outside space)... and a cute little Deli.......... BRILLANT! x

I remember it as a dingy old pub from way back but went there last week and loved it. The staff are so friendly, down to earth and really genuine, the food was tasty and just right (maybe they could give the option of chips made in dripping or not as this was a small problem for us and we ended up not ordering any chips) A great wine list and
generally really enjoyed it and will be going there again.

I first visited about 6 weeks ago and was very impressed. So much so that I returned on 13th December with a group of friends. Sadly my second experience was so dissappointing that I will not be returning. The whole place was freezing cold, the food was at best mediocre and we were charged a service charge on the two rounds of drinks we had ordered and carried to the table ourselves! Having previously recommended this place to people I am now having to warn them not to go!

Having now been to the Clissold Arms twice, first visit fantastic, second visit a disaster. I will never return to a place that treats it customers with such casual irreverence. I visited on Sat night, the place was freezing cold, radiators were off and toilets were bordering on arctic. Candles in holders on the walls dripped hot wax onto my coat and when mentioning this to member of staff trying to relight said offending candle they showed not one iota of concern or even offer of an apology. Menu choice was very limited and disappointing, food served was not very hot and when at the end of the meal we mentioned how cold it was we were told that they had been without a gas supply all day and just thought they'd wait to see if people noticed! Considering half of the tables were full of people sitting huddled in their coats trying to enjoy their evening as it’s not like you can easily get another table elsewhere at this time of the year without a booking, I would have thought that the staff might have noticed the customers had noticed. The least they could have done was to have informed us, apologised and then let us make the decision as to stay or leave which would have shown some sign that they valued their customers.

We go here probably once every other week, its brilliant, the wine and prosecco is lovely as well as the food, great portions. One of the only decent places left in muswell hill that hasn't been took over by 17 year olds out on the pull. Plus the beer garden has the sun on it ALL day!!!!