Search

Charles Lamb

16 Elia Street, N1 8DE Full details & map

Gastropub: Modern European

Time Out says Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Oct 31 2011

A charming pub with a lovely atmosphere, but in many ways, it's coasting. The set-up is appealing, the two small cream-painted rooms hung with interesting pictures and maps (notably Stephen Walter's depiction of London as an island), and packed with wooden tables, chairs and benches.

The blackboard menu is tempting (cider-baked pork chop, fish pie, apple crumble and cream) and nicely priced (£4.50-£12), but on recent visits we've found the execution lacking: pork rillettes with toast and cornichons had liquefied; apple, beetroot and goat's cheese salad was missing the beetroot; and ratatouille on bruschetta with mozzarella and salad would be deemed average in a student caff.

There's an attractive range of drinks (real ales, Breton cider, a decent wine list), but ours were served in an amateur fashion, the most serious offence being a half of Dark Star's Hophead poured straight into a boiling hot glass. In short, all so different from the professionalism on show at nearby sister bar 69 Colebrooke Row. Pity, as the Charles Lamb has been a real favourite in the past.

Tags: European, Modern European, Local flavour, Speciality beers, Wines, North, Islington, Mid-range, Gastropub, Restaurant, Gastropub

Comment 2 Tweet Share

Charles Lamb details

Address

Charles Lamb

16 Elia Street N1 8DE

Transport Angel tube

Telephone

020 7837 5040

Charles Lamb website

Open 4-11pm Mon, Tue; noon-11pm Wed-Sat; noon-10.30pm Sun. Lunch served noon-3pm Wed-Fri; noon-4pm Sat; noon-6pm Sun. Dinner served 6-9.30pm Mon-Sat

Main courses £9-£13.50

Credit cards AmEx, MC, V

Facilities

Tables outdoors, Babies and children admitted, Bookings not accepted

Charles Lamb map

Restaurants & cafés near Charles Lamb

See all restaurants near Charles Lamb

Bars & pubs near Charles Lamb

See all bars & pubs near Charles Lamb

Just drinking? See Bars & Pubs

Share your thoughts

Name (will appear on the site) *
Email (will not appear on the site) *
Add a star rating Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.
Enter text...
Keep me in the know with the latest London news, offers and events.

* Mandatory fields for leaving a comment

Comments & ratings

By Lindy - Jun 6 2011

The staff have a seriously bad attitude. We had lunch just once and the food was ok, there are so many brilliant places nearby there is no reason for us to return. Pity because we live locally

Report

By Paul - Oct 26 2010

Most of the staff are great - really genuinely friendly, attentive and helpful. One or two however are not and can be really rude and inhospitable. And the attitude seems to be spreading to other staff. (Why does this happen to places? Do they forget after a while, and after initial success, that they're in the hospitality business? Do they not actually like customers?)

OK, so having said that, the drinks selection is superb, especially if you like interesting British and Belgian beer (and interesting booze of all kinds for that matter). The wines are well selected and not too insanely priced. The various snacks are costly but delicious. I've yet to try the proper food but it looks good (French bistro style). And the building is small, cosy, well and characterfully decked out (the loos have L'Occitane liquid hand soap which is v nice), with lots of pavement tables for the summer (and stoic autumn smokers).

I'd still recommend the Lamb but hope that they all soon re-capture their love for what they're doing, because it was positively infectious.