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This offer is available from Thu Mar 6, subject to availability as displayed in the booking interface. Offer includes gratuity and VAT. (Offer valid until Oct 31)
This offer is available from Wed May 14, subject to availability as displayed in the booking interface. Offer includes gratuity and VAT. (Offer valid until Oct 31)
This offer is available from December 1, 2008 until December 24, 2008, subject to availability as displayed in the booking interface. Offer includes gratuity and VAT. (Offer valid until Dec 24)
This offer is available from December 1, 2008 until December 24, 2008, subject to availability as displayed in the booking interface. Offer includes gratuity and VAT. (Offer valid until Dec 24)
This offer is available from December 1, 2008 until December 24, 2008, subject to availability as displayed in the booking interface. Offer includes gratuity and VAT. (Offer valid until Dec 24)
When it first opened in a futuristic new building in Camden Stables market, we thought Gilgamesh would be tagged for its hubris rather than for its food. After all, with a 50ft (15m) long lapis lazuli bar, epic Babylonian film set decor, miked-up DJs and a jazzy retractable glass roof, there's an awful lot to distract. Nevertheless, Ian Pengelley and his kitchen team have really found their feet and are cooking some of the most consistent, assured and occasionally inspired pan-Asian food in the country. Long elegant platters of sushi (salmon and tuna nigiri) sparkled with freshness and vitality. The scallop siu mai and the crisp, dry, duck spring rolls wouldn't have been out of place in Yauatcha. Thai 'son-in-law' eggs, deep-fried under a shower of coriander, shallots and chilli, were a spicy revelation. Marvellous too was a coconut-rich talapia fish curry that contained baby pea aubergines, fragrant kaffir lime leaves and some stunning smoked trout dumplings. Gilgamesh is often compared to Paris's famous Buddha Bar but you'll eat better here.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008
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I'm an easy-going, kind and honest person; quite shy, though working on it. I'm good at getting along with all kinds of people, and bad at falling...
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Considering the ostentation you'd expect the food to be an afterthought. It's not, it's just as good as most of the top pan-asian venues in Central London. None of them really deserve that much more praise for serving sushi than does Gilgamesh. Although it's massive I'm surprised there aren't more people eating here, the venue is such good fun.
We booked here for a birthday party of 12. Arrived on time and were seated immediately. The restaurant was fairly busy but not packed. The service was not good, very very slow with up to 40mins in between courses and around that long before the 1st one was served. Staff were unhelpful, not able to tell us which dish was what (there were 3 veggie set menus and the rest meat menus). Starters were insufficient and we were not told what was for who or how many, resulting in confusion. When questioned our waitress shrugged us off and walked away.
Food was good, starters very good and the main meal ok - but ruined by the slow and painful service.
Arrived half an hour ahead of booking time and were ushered to a table where we ordered martinis. When they eventually arrived, one was spilt onto the table and sadly both were under- par despite the premium price. It took three quarters of an hour for the concierge to come over and apologise for the wait although we were offered free glasses of champagne as recompense. Inside the venue is undoubtedly impressive, but the restaurant itself is let down by the quality of food, which frankly borders on average. Sea bass sashimi was sinewy despite the theatrical 'dry-ice' presentation. Don't order the tempura which was little better than standard chip-shop quality - far too soggy under the initial batter (we sent it back once but the replacement was little better). Our Chablis was served warm but on request a suitable ice bucket was presented. Staff were polite and reassuringly apologetic, especially when the dessert we ordered was unavailable and had to be substituted. On the whole, the food was substandard but the ambience and service were acceptable, although we shall be unlikely to return (despite living just round the corner!).