Crooked Well

Restaurants

Gastropubs

16 Grove Lane

Mid-range

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Time Out says

Fri Jul 29 2011

It’s a good sign if you’re waiting for a pal in a restaurant for half an hour, with only the menu to read – and the more you look at it, the more interesting it gets. The Crooked Well gets a resounding thumbs up for this, and for the friendly and attentive service to the solo customer.

This much-refurbished pub, then gastropub, now bar-restaurant is under new ownership, and, boy, are they trying to make an impression. The elegantly reworked dining space has a whiff of the modern Edwardian about it.

Tall, upholstered bar chairs perched on Mediterranean ceramic tiles at the wide wooden bar encourage lingering over an aspirational collection of gins and whiskies – cocktails are a special feature of the drinks list, which includes a well-priced selection of less commonplace wines.

The British-with-a-twist menu mixes updated gastropub staples with more exotic game and fish dishes. Starters were a tad disappointing: ‘crisp polenta’ chips were less than crisp, with the polenta more mushy than grainy.

Sliced pork belly rolled into whirls with tuna crème fraîche was tooth-coatingly dry. We skipped the rabbit and bacon pie (£22.50 for two) in favour of a tender duck leg partnered winningly with tomato and saffron aioli, chorizo, chickpeas and butter beans.

The chargrilled William Rose rib-eye steak was flavoursome and perfectly cooked, served with Café de Paris butter (herby, spicy) and roasted tomatoes – though the chips were disappointing.

The cheese selection was tempting, but we only had room to share a dense, flourless almond cake, with plump, baked gooseberries and a deliciously light elderberry pannacotta. We wished we’d ordered two.

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Address:
Crooked Well 16 Grove Lane
London
SE5 8SY

Phone:
020 7252 7798
Website:
www.thecrookedwell.com
Opening hours:
Open 5pm-midnight Mon; 10am-midnight Tue-Thur; 10am-1am Fri, Sat; noon-11pm Sun
Transport:
Tube: Denmark Hill rail or bus 12, 36, 40, 171 or 176
Price:
Meal for two with wine and service: around £85
Map
1. Crooked Well
  - 16 Grove Lane
    London
    SE5 8SY
  - 020 7252 7798
  - www.thecrookedwell.com
  - 51.473343,-0.090409

Facilities:
Eating and drinking facilities. Restaurant
Occasions:
Drinks. Cocktails. Wine buffs

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Comments & ratings

(7 ratings)

you must check this place out, its great, a really wonderful place to eat!

stephen Tue May 1 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Our new local restaurant. Been over 5 times now and it has been excellent. Very surprised by the 3 star review as the cooking is very good (we have also had the pork belly and it was not dry). Atmosphere is great and relaxed. Desserts are fantastic (as is the cheese board). Look forward to going again!

Jules Tue Sep 6 2011
Rated as: 5/5
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We spent a lovely rainy Sunday afternoon dwelling over a gorgeous Sunday dinner here. The service was incredibly attentive but not overbearing; the food was amazing. After a couple of Bloody Mary's and paté for a starter, we shared the roast lamb for two. We were too full for pudding, but didn't feel hassled to order more or leave. This is a lovely place to sit and linger over delicious food.

Danie Mason Sun Aug 28 2011
Rated as: 4/5
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Have been a fan of the place since its reincarnation as the Crooked Well, i've eaten a couple of times & spent a few late evenings going through the cocktail list. Food has been consistently great & service unobtrusive. surprised to hear comment about the pork belly as I loved it both times i've had it. shame you cant sit outside after 10.30pm, the neighbours I spose!

John Klien Sat Aug 13 2011
Rated as: 5/5
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