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Engineer
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Mirrors and wrought-iron chandeliers give this popular Primrose Hill gastropub a cosy retro feel. St Peter’s Organic is a highlight among the draught beers, with Bombardier also on tap. The food menu is small but enticing, with a mixture of influences from Asian to Mediterranean. We started with crisp devilled whitebait with a parsley salad that turned out to be predominantly fennel. The whitebait was under-seasoned and tasted of floury batter instead of fish. Another starter, roast mushroom and aubergine tart, also failed to inspire with its oily pastry base and bland chunky vegetable filling. Mains fared slightly better, with a perfectly cooked sea bream full of succulence and flavour. Baked chicken breast was very dry, but the dish was saved by a spicy concoction of chorizo, beans and harissa. Hoping for a big finale, we sampled the lemon posset with blueberries, and a pear and chocolate chimichanga. They were sweet and filling, but lacked that wow factor. Despite our mixed experience, the Engineer has a fine reputation and booking is a must at weekends.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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Details
- 65 Gloucester Avenue, Chalk Farm, NW1 8JH
- Area: Chalk Farm
- Tel: 020 7722 0950
- www.the-engineer.com
- Category: Gastropubs
- Travel: Chalk Farm tube/31, 168 bus
- Times: Open 9am-11pm Mon-Sat; 9am-10.30pm Sun. Breakfast served 9-11.30am Mon-Fri; 9am-noon Sat, Sun. Lunch served noon-3pm Mon-Fri; 12.30-4pm Sat, Sun. Dinner served 7-11pm Mon-Sat; 7-10.30pm Sun
- Price: Main courses £12.50-£17.25
- Credit cards: MC, V
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A bit torn on this as the food was very good, but with regards customer service, we experienced both very good and appallingly rude service.
Myself and my companion decided to share a salad to start and we were initially served by a very highly strung, dapper, dark haired man in dark glasses who asked us if we would like separate side plates. In response I joked in a very friendly manner that we weren't sloppy eaters so we wouldn't need them. He then snapped that he hadn't said we were. As I tried to explain that I had been joking he barked at my friend (with reference to the side plates) 'Yes or No?!' Taking in my friends shocked expression, he then barked 'Sorry!', glared at us, and flounced off banging into the door on his way out, leaving us with our mouths gaping in shock.
Within a matter of seconds a very sweet waitress stepped in (before we left in disgust no doubt) and looked after us very well for the rest of our lunch, but the experience left a very sour taste in our mouths, especially my friend who came all the way from Winchester to try the restaurant at my recommendation.
In future I shall stick to the Junction Tavern where the food and service is always impeccable.