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500
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(c) Mig Tang Evans
Chef Mario Magli and barman Giorgio Pili met while working at Neal Street restaurant. They subsequently worked at Passione before boldly opening their own restaurant here. It’s a modest place, with rich red walls, clean-lined blond wood chairs and a few rather clichéd pictures on the walls – perhaps for reassuring a conservative local market. Sensibly, prices have been kept very low (wines start at £2.05 a glass), while the food is several notches above that of an average north London trattoria. A generous bread basket features semolina-dusted rosemary focaccia, tangy tomato pinwheels and simple white rolls, all made on the premises. The likes of red snapper ragù, and a sauce of Italian sausage, fennel seeds and tomatoes, are paired with superb egg pasta or Magli’s own whisper-light gnocchi: a refreshing change from the carbonara, bolognese and marinara of lesser establishments. Monkfish rolled in bacon and served with spinach, raisins and pine nuts was every bit as good as similar dishes found in the West End. To finish, a very classy, very classic tiramisu, and tart of the day: a jammy rhubarb number perfectly in tune with the season.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
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See also
- London's top 50 restaurants
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
- 782 Holloway Rd, Archway, N19 3JH
- Area: Archway
- Tel: 020 7272 3406
- www.500restaurant.co.uk
- Book online
- Category: Italian
- Travel: Archway tube or Upper Holloway rail
- Times: Meals served noon-10pm Tue-Sat; 5-10pm Sun
- Price: Main courses £7.40-£12.90
- Services:
- Child facilities: Babies and children admitted
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Lili_049
Hello all! My name's Lisa and I'm from sunny Northern Ireland. I've lived in Camden for 4 years and work in PR.
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We recently booked the 500 for a private function and were absolutely delighted with the food, the friendly service and the general atmosphere. Our party consisted of 35 adults and four young children ranging between 7 and 1 year old. The staff's sensitive and friendly approach towards the children made them feel really welcome and relaxed and thus made sure everyone enjoyed the day. Grazie mille !!!
We were really excited about going to 500 having read the glowing reviews. It disappointed. Though the food ranged from mediocre (red snapper linguine) to very good (pumpkin gnocchi) the service was abysmal. We were left waiting for over an hour, being consistently ignored by staff despite sitting slap bang in the middle of a tiny restaurant. When they eventually paid attention to the mistake it was barely acknowledged, with no apology offered or even an admittance of fault. Such a shame that a restaurant with potentially so much to offer is intent on self sabotage. We will definitely not be returning.
It would be nice if we could actually go to this restaurant to see what it's like, but because of their booking policy local people don't stand a chance. We live 10 minutes away and have tried on many occasions to attend - by calling a week in advance, calling on the day, stopping in, but no chance. What is it with local restaurants taking bookings? Isn't the point of a local restaurant that you live near it so you can stop by spontaneously? I would be happy to go in, they say it will be an hour, go for a drink, come back and eat. This is what local restaurants should do. If they really have to take bookings then they should at least leave some tables free for people off the street. I am fed up of not being able to eat in my local restaurants because they are always fully booked!!!!!!! sort it out!!!!!!!
This place is amazing. I don't really want to say that because I want to keep it all to myself, but it is well worth a trip to Archway. Go to the St John's for a drink first and then head down to sample the tasty, interesting and actually quite cheap food. You won't be sorry!
As Italian I thought the only place I could eat proper Italian food in London was at mine, I was wrong, 500's food is actually better than a dinner at mine! Since I found out about this restaurant (randomly via internet) I go there twice a week...
buon appetito!
Italian food: hard to get wrong, but hard to do exceptionally. At 500, they have achieved the latter.
This was quite simply the best Italian food we have ever tasted. I will certainly be returning soon (if I can book a table)!
Good imaginative food, very pleasant service. I expect to return.
Fantastic liitle gem, well worth travelling to Holloway Rd. (nearer to Archway station). Top notch food and service but without the high prices. A must try!!