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Pavilion Café
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With all the wisteria and rose bushes, it’s hard to believe the A1000 is so close – such is the Pavilion’s bucolic setting at the heart of Highgate Wood. Friendly, dedicated staff try to place each group of diners at their preferred table, and impressed us by pointing out that the freshly squeezed orange juice had run out (so many others would just bring the long-life stuff instead). The printed menu, supplemented by a few blackboard specials, has a Mediterranean slant, with big bowls of pasta and dishes such as pan-fried salmon on puy lentils. We opted for meze: fresh, warm falafel, grilled chorizo, and a dip of butternut squash and hazelnuts (there were plenty more to choose from), all served with lovely warm, spongy pitta bread. Kids have their own short menu of goujons, pasta and the like. The wide choice of sweet things runs from wheat-free lemon and polenta cake to a big dark chocolate brownie crowned with a huge scoop of ice-cream. Organic ingredients are used often, and drinkers won’t be disappointed when there’s a choice of beers from Pitfield Brewery (EKG was the perfect summery choice) and Westons cider. There’s a kiosk at the side for quick purchase of ice-creams and other refreshments to enjoy on the move or while sun-bathing by the sports field.
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
- Highgate Woods, Muswell Hill Road, Highgate, N10 3JN
- Area: Highgate
- Tel: 020 8444 4777
- Category: Park cafés
- Travel: Highgate tube
- Times: Open Summer 9am-9pm daily. Winter 9am-4pm daily
- Price: Main courses £3.50-£10
- Credit cards: AmEx, MC, V
- Services:
- Child facilities: Babies and children welcome: children's menu; high chairs; nappy-changing facilities
- Entertainment: jazz 6-8.30pm, Fri (summer)
- Outdoor tables: 30, terrace; 8, veranda
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jennamaferg
New to London, hoping to meet someone to explore it with. Big fan of playing and watching sports, anything outdoors, everything music, art gallery...
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I would just like to comment on Lisa B and fustrated foodie's comment. I have worked at this cafe for a couple of months and feel very offended by your comments. As you may have noticed the cafe can be extremely busy daily and we (the waitresses/waiters) work extremely hard to attend to the needs of each and every customers. However during busy periods it takes a little longer to help everyone while simultaneously taking out food and drinks and clearing tables. As for being untrained, that we are not. You both seem, particularly Lisa B to be very picky people who dont realise the effort we all go to.
I've been to this place many times and am nearly always dissapointed with the service. The staff seem untrained and there are not enough of them. Customers are always having to attract their attention (they don't seem to be on the look out for customers wanting to order/pay etc). This weekend was useless - only 2 waiters on (one hungover and kept getting orders wrong), one breakfast order was not placed meaning we had to eat separately, staff had that 'couldn't care less' attitude. Unfortunately this is a frequent experience for us. The only thing this place has going for it is the setting. Such a shame it is so poorly managed.
OK so you may have to wait for food/drinks on a busy sunny evening, but it's truly a gem. I went last night and the live salsa band entertained the bobbing kids. The food was good and the setting was beautiful. Perfect end to the week
This place is a little gem. Great location, Friendly staff and other diners and great food. This place has it all. Just wish there was a little bit more sun. Perfect place for lunch.
Lovely place, few places around London are nicer on a sunny summer day, so it's not surprising they are busy, but they try very hard to accommodate everyone and are very polite and helpful however busy.
You'd be lucky to find this place open at 9pm, except perhaps on a Friday. Kitchen often closes early too. Shame - this lovely spot can turn out decent Meditteranean food.
You might just be lucky to get a menu 45 minutes after you get there and then wait another 45 minutes to get the food. If you want coffee and a cake, you'll have to wait a good while between each coming, so put the saucer over the cup to keep your coffee/tea hot and wait for your croissant. On a recent visit a lady waited for 45 minutes to get a menu, scouted out the manager and said so, and that she would never comeback. A not unusual happening. Sad as the food and location is really very good!!!