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The original G&W is in Hampstead. This branch, not far down the hill, occupies a nice corner space in Belsize Park. The mini chain has many adherents, and by and large their enthusiasm is justified, but a few caveats apply at this venue. First, it’s a hangout for mothers of young children, and the pram-pressure factor (and occasional noise) will not match everyone’s idea of a good time.
Second, the food was fine on our trip, but lacked finesse in preparation and seasoning. Third, coffee service was careless. Excellent Square Mile espresso beans were let down by being brewed in a cold cup; the coffee arrived tepid. These factors were not nearly enough to ruin our visit, spent in the pocket-sized upstairs balcony overlooking the larger ground-floor space. (We might have grabbed the big table downstairs if Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter hadn’t been sitting there, gabbing with a couple of mates.)