A Little of What You Fancy

Great food. Unique place. Alternative style.

Went here last week with my husband all the way from Highgate on a local friends recommendation. Everything was incredible, from the organic sfuso wine in a carafe to to the beetroot salad and oxtail for two! Remarkable value given the quality. And the service was wonderful. Like being in a very skilled friends kitchen without too much talking over you yet enough response when asked for more details about what we were eating and drinking. Will be coming back for more. I think the fears of it becoming too popular are well founded yet hope it expands. Highgate calling?

This is our new local and it is really fab. The waiting staff are always really helpful, the food is always amazing. The only problem is that it is getting too popular!

Was a bit nervous about going here with a group of friends for my birthday dinner at the weekend, due to all the negative comments posted below, but decided to find out what it's like for myself. I was glad I did as the experience I had bore absolutely no resemblance to all the bad reviews. The service literally could not have been better - the waiting staff were friendly and super helpful - and the food was also really good. Also loved that they have nice reasonably priced house wine that you can get in large carafes which is excellent for groups . Overall had a great time and would definitely go back - and all my friends said the same. So please - give it a try for yourself!

I highly recommend this wonderful place.

I love this place just that i don't know what's happening with food there.I never liked the service there anyway, but the food used to be good just going downhill...my last experience wasn't good.... i just think they need new chef. let's hope they do something about it soon.

I had heard so much about this restaurant and couldn't wait to try it out...... I couldn't get a booking for ages but thought I would go with a friend to the much hyped cafe/restaurant for a coffee and a cake and then make a further booking whilst I was there. I could not actually believe I had come to the restaurant that had been recommended by many others. There were no cakes or anything suitable for a cheapish snack on the menu so I settled for marmalade on toast with a cup of tea. The waitress (who may even have been the owner) acted as if we were an irritant and I did not enjoy my coffee or the toast at all. I have not recommended this to anyone else and can only assume that the popularity of the place has gone to the owner's heads and they just don't care what anyone thinks. Will not be booking that evening meal or going back for a coffee. Loads more nicer and friendlier restaurants in nearby Broadway Market.

The food is OK but not good enough to make up for the bad attitude of the waitress (or possibly the owner). Last time I went for a brunch, my friend and I both felt angered to have put up with her sour faced moodiness and bad attitude towards us. If you don't like serving coffees don't open a cafe!

We went to A LITTLE OF WHAT YOU FANCY with real optimism but were so disappointed. Looking at their menu simply sapped all my energy. The concept was thin and cliched (chalk boards and school chairs), the choice seasonal but quite odd in a limited way (choice of beetroot gratin (£11), plaice (£17.50), mackerel (£14), lamb (£17) rabbit (£17.50). The cooking was unforgivable- rabbit was two really bony legs on unexciting chickpeas and the lamb completely raw- ( I love rare meat and would order a steak 'blue' but this was simply inedible. Service was so bad and gormless that we couldn't face making a complaint.

This is a place with ideas above its station. I doubt they could do the basics well but should perhaps limit themselves to that. Nothing worked and we were terribly disappointed. It really ruined our night I would strongly advise against this poor and expensive place.

One of the rudest places i've ever had the misfortune of visiting. So rude, I actually resented having to pay the bill for that klnd of disgusting, abrupt service. While the restaurant looks nice, the food was below average and certainly not worth the prices - and the vegetarian options were limited to say the least.

A truly laughable experience - never again.

Went there for lunch with a group of work colleagues. We usually go to the Turkish restaurants further up Kingsland Road. Did not enjoy the experience at all! The door was kept open at all times, even though it was very chilly outside. The food took ages to arrive and when it did it wasn’t that great. I had the Fried prawns, for £9.50 you'd expect a bit more then 3 burnt prawns, a bit of rocket salad and a slice of toast!
The woman serving was rude and miserable, they were hardly run off their feet but the service was very slow.
Will not be going back, the place was pretentious and overpriced. Although always good to try new places, we will be sticking to what we know!!

Though local, we went for the first time last night. My food was good (smoked mackerel pate followed by a chorizo stew) and my partner said hers was delicious (lamb skewers). We shared a pudding (meringue with lemon curd) which could have fed a family of four. The portions are extremely generous. Service was excellent and the atmosphere fun. But it certainly isn't cheap. We'll be back.

Food and atmosphere was good, but nothing special. Service was rude and muddy. I dont think I will be going back.

I struggled with menu choices, as the prices were a little off-putting ( wasn't prepared to pay so much for a Buffalo Mozzarella salad as a starter). However I enjoyed everything I ate (as did my fellow diners) and the portion sizes allowed me to forgive the steep pricing. I didn't notice the service (although we all liked the look of the waiter!) which in my books is a good thing-unobtrusive.

I will probably go back, but only for a special occasion The prices do not suit the informal and relaxed bistro-style they are promoting, so it will not become the kind of regular local the area that would benefit the area, especially one located so close to a station.

Was so disappointed by A Little of What You Fancy - all Dalston style and hype, no substance. The staff member serving us was abrupt and rude. I wouldn't mind paying £6.50 for a chicken sandwich if it tasted as though it should cost that much. It really didn't, and consisted of a small amount of chicken between two half-sized slices of bread. BF had mussels, which tasted fine, but at £9 for 9 mussels (yes, we counted), it was just a joke. I ordered tea and got a cup of hot water with a twinnings tea bag on the side - ugh.

I was very disappointed with food and chef she was so grumpy, maybe she need to smile more.... very disappointed . no going back there.

Overpriced. My partner and I went for Sunday lunch last week. I ordered the roast chicken for £15. When I told them it was cold and that the meat was too pink; they said it was a salad and was meant to be cold; & that "free range chicken when it's cooked is pink...not like you get in the supermarket!". I wasn't aware of this interesting & patronising fact. It gets 1 star as the wine was nice.

I have been several times and it's a good local - I live round the corner and it's a nice (if overpriced) alternative to the myriad of cheap and excellent ethnic restaurants in the area. Food is consistently good, service a bit patchy, but nice vibe. Once the 'see and be seen' Dalston crowd moves onto the next big thing, I hope it will be easier to get a table - the problem is it's the sort of restaurant you want to go to on the spur of the moment, but its often full - and not really great enough to want to plan a visit far ahead.

Tried to go in for a coffee with a baby in a pram. There were at least two empty tables but the waiter said they were fully booked and practically slammed the door on me. Was happy to have found it as it would be great to have somewhere nice to go for breakfast but it appeared people with babies (ie half of Hackney, did they do their research?) are not at all welcome.

A group of 4 friends went for dinner on a Friday night a few weeks ago and from when we walked in we thought it was quirky and very chilled! The waiter we had was attentive (oh and you're definitely not tall and gangly if you are reading this)and accommodated all the extras we asked for - in fact all the staff were really friendly and made our night even more enjoyable! Food was really lovely - especially the mackerel starter and mash potato side, my friends also said the rabbit was great! To sum it up we ALL had a really enjoyable evening and definitely would go back!

The food was average and overpriced, the service dismal. I went at a time when there were only a few occupied tables but the staff were less attentive than other places at peak times. After all I've heard about the place, I was disappointed.

A friend and I went for a late breakfast here a few weeks ago and were glad we checked it out.

The food was delicious and worth the slightly hiked price. We had poached eggs and the scrambled eggs with chorizo. Both were first class breakfast dishes and were presented beautifully.

The service was relaxed but could have been a lot sharper. We were in no rush but were sat near the door quite far from the till and had to call for attention a few times which wasn't what you'd expect from an establishment that charges £2.50 for a thimble of orange juice.

If you want a refined breakfast experience then this is a great place to try but the service is not yet at the same level as what comes out of the kitchen.

Went for breakfast and was disappointed. The food was good but the portions were small and unsatisfying: only one piece of toast with scrambled eggs and a few mushrooms at £6.50. I ordered the yoghurt and fruit but a few minutes later asked if I could change my mind and have eggs instead but I was told I wasn't allowed. Service was a icy and unwelcoming. I was told I couldn't close the front door even though I was cold because someone had stolen their sign and they had to look open. Why they couldn't have made a temporary one and taken into account the needs of their existing customers is beyond me.
£2.25 for a small 8oz cup of hot water with one slice of lemon and 4 tiny pieces of ginger was also a little steep.
I have been here before and it was better, perhaps just a bad day but it definitely wasn't a pleasant experience and am not tempted to go back any time soon for a very little bit of what I fancy.

Food is good but not amazing and prices are steep. Last night (Valentine's) there was only one menue of 3 courses for £40 before service or drinks. Ivy prices