Farmer Tom's Kitchen

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The Abbey Tavern

Budget

Rob Greig

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Wed Oct 31 2012

Tom Jones and his family raise sheep on the Welsh borders. Their neighbours raise pigs and cattle. Those extraordinary meats, all from native breeds and all of the highest quality, are cooked with exceptional skill at one of Kentish Town’s well-established boozers. The food’s served in huge portions, and sold at absurdly low prices.

You can’t predict exactly what you’ll find here because the menu changes every day. But outstanding regular features include steaks (the cut changing from day-to-day), cured beef served with cheese and pickles, and (almost) a bucket of cottage pie – the beef chopped, not minced – topped with mashed root veg. A plate of baba ganoush and hummous would feel comfortable in any high-grade Mediterranean restaurant. The gooey, savoury rarebit topped with a fried egg is a thing of beauty. The pork meatballs in tomato sauce are tremendous and very tasty.

Three small warnings about Farmer TJ. One: the menu isn’t split into starters and mains, so it takes a little getting used to. Two: because some dishes are cheaper than others, you might be led to thinking that they are starters. In fact, the portions are so ample that a single main course can suffice, though sharing a starter usually works out well. Three: if you are used to bland, supermarket-type meat, the profound flavour of the well-hung meats here may come as a shock.

The room at the back is the best place to eat, though you may have to place your order at the bar. This system can lead to some queuing and service can be a bit slow (the kitchen is tiny). These drawbacks become insignificant when you consider that no dish costs more than £15, and you can eat fabulous food for £25 or less.

Service (often from Mr Jones himself) is neighbourly, relaxed and eager not just to please but to educate. You want to talk breeds and hanging time? You can do it here. Take urgent note: this is one of the best places to eat in Kentish Town.

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Venue location

Address:
Farmer Tom's Kitchen The Abbey Tavern
London
NW1 9QB

Cross Street:
124 Kentish Town Rd
Phone:
020 7267 9449
Website:
www.farmertomjones.com
Transport:
Tube: Kentish Town tube/rail
Price:
Meal for two with drinks and service: around £50
Map
1. Farmer Tom's Kitchen
  - The Abbey Tavern
    London
    NW1 9QB
  - 020 7267 9449
  - www.farmertomjones.com
  - 51.546124,-0.141520

Categories:
Food and drink
Facilities:
Eating and drinking facilities. Restaurant

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Comments & ratings

(17 ratings)

My girlfriend and I read about this place on here and thought this would be right up our street. Unfortunately as others have said Farmer Tom is let down by the pubs staff. When we arrived there were no tables available so we bought a bottle of wine and waited for a table. 45 minutes later we got a table and went to order our food, only to be told that they had run out of half of the menu, including Steak! We decided not to eat there as a result, but were left with 3/4 of a bottle to expensive wine which we now didnt want. The staff were not at all helpful or even sympathetic, in fact they were all doing shots together behind the bar. Such a shame as everyone says the food is great, but I'm not sure I would go back.

James Sun Mar 3
Rated as: 1/5
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My girlfriend and I read about this place on here and thought this would be right up our street. Unfortunately as others have said Farmer Tom is let down by the pubs staff. When we arrived there were no tables available so we bought a bottle of wine and waited for a table. 45 minutes later we got a table and went to order our food, only to be told that they had run out of half of the menu, including Steak! We decided not to eat there as a result, but were left with 3/4 of a bottle to expensive wine which we now didnt want. The staff were not at all helpful or even sympathetic, in fact they were all doing shots together behind the bar. Such a shame as everyone says the food is great, but I'm not sure I would go back.

James Sun Mar 3
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Having read good things about this place, we had a much-anticipated Sunday lunch here. The neck of lamb itself was tasty, if not an effort to actually serve, but the place is let down by poor staff - plates just put down without a word - no offer of accompanying sauces or salt/pepper, watery gravy and a lack of veg (three potatoes, a couple of stems of broccoli and a spoon of carrot & swede mash). Left hungry and disappointed. I'd rather pay a little extra to have a better Sunday Lunch, which is readily available at many other Kentish Town establishments.

Rachel Mon Feb 11
Rated as: 2/5
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Food here is affordable; scene is very casual. Decor is run down and crockery and cups aren't really clean. Was served up tea in cups that had inner rims of coffee/milk and a second wash didn't really fix it either. Meat was average pub fare, chips soggy, portions are on the small side, but let down as the hygiene isnt up to standard.

Bill Tue Feb 5
Rated as: 2/5
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The delicious food just kept coming which seemed insane as we paid so little for it. It's a great, down to earth place to eat and if you are lucky enough to meet Farmer Tom yourself you're in for a treat. Such a lovely bloke and very easy on the eye! ;) Mouth watering food, exceptional value for money in a place that's really down to earth. Just the ticket.

Mags Mon Nov 26 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Went with a group of friends for Sunday lunch to celebrate my 60th birthday. Excellent food and a lovely relaxed atmosphere, no pressure to move on so we stayed for over 5 hours!

Judi Mon Nov 26 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Nice food, good service, good bar staff, tasty meat, great pub - TINY portions. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing but left hungry!

Mark Fri Nov 16 2012
Rated as: 2/5
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wowzers

Richard Thu Nov 8 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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We had slow cooked shin and lamb, shared among a big group. Amazing flavours in the meat - something that is missing from most places now it seems. Everyone thought it was awesome! We're planning two return trips before Christmas already...

LittleLaz Wed Nov 7 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Fabulous!

Nat Tue Nov 6 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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