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Anchor & Hope

36 The Cut, SE1 8LP Full details & map

Gastropub: Modern European

Time Out says 3 Users say 3/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Oct 31 2011

The menu is British at the Anchor & Hope, and so is the seating policy, with no reservations from Monday to Saturday, meaning that diners wanting to sample the robust seasonal cooking must often queue until a table becomes free. Fortunately, draught Young's and Bombardier are on hand. On busy weekday evenings, things can get noisy, and some diners are seated on communal tables, so this isn't an ideal spot for an intimate dinner.

But despite the manager's advance warning of a wait of up to an hour ('Whatever you do, don't turn up starving'), a Saturday afternoon visit saw us shown straight to a table in the relaxed rear dining room. Here, burgundy walls are hung with for-sale contemporary art, and heavily weathered wooden tables are surrounded by mismatched chairs. Chatter fills the place.

The nose-to-tail menu features dishes such as calf's brains and brown butter on toast, and a roughly minced Middle White faggot that was so creamily rich it could have contained foie gras. Vegetarian dishes are limited, but a softball-sized, sweet globe artichoke came with velvety dijon vinaigrette. Make sure you leave room for dessert; a precision-baked custard tart encased with light, springy shortcrust pastry was a highlight of our most recent visit.

Tags: European, Modern European, British, Business, Cocktails, Creative cooking, People watching, Speciality beers, Wines, South, Waterloo, Mid-range, Gastropub, Restaurant, Gastropub

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Anchor & Hope details

Address

Anchor & Hope

36 The Cut SE1 8LP

Transport Southwark tube or Waterloo tube/rail

Telephone

020 7928 9898

Open 5-11pm Mon; 11am-11pm Tue-Sat; 12.30-5pm Sun. Lunch served noon-2.30pm Tue-Sat; 2pm sitting Sun. Dinner served 6-10.30pm Mon-Sat

Main courses £12-£20

Credit cards MC, V

Facilities

Tables outdoors ( 5, pavement ), Babies and children admitted, Babies and children welcome ( high chairs ), Bookings not accepted ( Mon-Sat; advisable Sun ), Booking essential ( Sun )

Anchor & Hope map

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Comments & ratings 3/5 (Average of 3 ratings)

By Lauren - Jan 22 2012

4/5

This is one of my favorite places to eat in London. If you are looking for super-posh dining, this isn't it. Anchor & Hope does what it does best -- loud and rowdy with lots of people noshing on great food -- and you should know that going in the door.

I'm an early eater, so I arrive around 5:30 to get my name on the list for seating at six and enjoy a cocktail. I recommend the Moscow Mule.

For my birthday, a friend and I shared the rib of beef and chips with bernaise sauce (for two) and a salad. We could have fed three on the amount of food that arrived. The beef was perfectly medium rare, and I dream about their bernaise.

And don't forget dessert! The range is great, so if you aren't a chocoholic, you can find something light, like their little lemon pot with cassis. You can't go wrong with booze on dessert.

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By Martin Oates - Oct 31 2011

1/5

Worst pub that i have ever visited.
The way the beer was served, the way they handled my complaint was disgraceful.
I will never ever visit this place again.

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By Anna Drake - Jun 15 2011

I couldn't disagree with the comment below. The staff were lovely and helpful when we visited last week.

We waited on the terrace with a bottle of wine for about half and hour but I would have waited all night for the meal that followed!

We were seated on a table with another group of diners. We ordered starters and main to share. Perfectly cooked lamb that fell off the bone and succulent pork with probably the lightest, crispest, tastiest crackling I have ever eaten.

We rounded it off with puddings we didn't need because they sounded so delicious. We weren't disappointed.

It ended up being quite a pricey evening (about £40 a head for three courses, two bottles of wine and coffee - and we actually only ordered for three and shared between four).

Honestly it was worth every penny.

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By Eugenia Crew - Jun 14 2011

5/5

Had a great meal, fantastic eatery. Even though non meat eaters they provided more than enough choice. Recommend lentils and homemade butterscotch ice cream! All veg very fresh cooked to perfection. Friendly, helpful staff... will defiantly visit again and again

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By Sj. - May 24 2011

Was told that this place was a 'must visit'.
Unfortunately it was thoroughly disappointing on all fronts.
As there is no option to make a reservation we had arrived early evening but still had to wait an hour and 40mins.
They had very little choice left on the menu, the food was of poor quality and badly prepared, the service was lacking and the staff were abrupt and unhelpful to say the least.
We were even given the bill and card machine as we received or food rather than at the end of our meal.
- I wondered if this was because they knew that after we had tasted it we would be less willing to pay!
I would suggest trying another Gastropub instead of eating at Anchor and Hope as I think they are very much 'resting on their laurels'!

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By fred - May 20 2011

this place used to be good - busy, long waits, but friendly, with good food. now the staff are patronising and unfriendly, and the food has gone down a notch. no longer worth putting up with the crowds and the wait.