Brat x Climpsons Arch - (Near Hackney, london)

3 /5 Mark Monaghan: Some dishes were very nice (mainly the bread and leek starters). However, some others, mainly the Denver steak main, were quite disappointing, especially when considering this costs just shy of £50. The dish took about an hour to arrive and was cold when it did (I assume it had been left out and perhaps a waiter had forgotten to take it to us). The waiter did offer to reheat it but this left it quite chewy. Overall it was not enjoyable and certainly did not meet the standard expected for the price. The service was also very slow throughout the remainder of the night and after ordering a single rice pudding dessert to share, this also took an additional 30 minutes to arrive. We spent another 15 minutes waiting for the waiter to bring the card machine after receiving the bill meaning in total we spent about 3 hours in the restaurant which was much longer than we had intended. I appreciate it was New Year’s Eve and so perhaps it was busier than the staff were used to, but again, this falls short of the standard one would expect for a restaurant where we paid around £90 per person on food alone. The atmosphere was pleasant but given the above I would not return nor could I in good conscience recommend it to a friend.

2 /5 Katrina: Great food with amazing flavours but the waitress missed our order. We (2 people) arrived at 3pm and it was quiet. We was warmly welcomed. We ordered the 2 chicken rice dish but only 1 arrived. It took approximately 15 minutes for the food to arrive because it’s made fresh. We told the server that we ordered two and he came back and said it’s coming but didn’t say how long. We waited for a bit but we were very hungry so we shared and finished it - small portion too - and the second dish still hadn’t arrived. To add, the glasses weren’t clean. I ordered tea and the glass was salty but this was replaced. I think more could be offered like offering the drinks on the house or service charged removed… I would go back but definitely need to confirm the order myself before proceeding.

3 /5 Anna Sinclair: The restaurant is set underneath the railway and at the original Climpson & Sons coffee roastery where they have still kept the original roasting machine. The atmosphere is rather casual but the trains running overhead are noisy and a nuisance when dining. The inside chairs and tables are considerably nicer than the outdoor seating which consists of brightly coloured plastic school canteen-esque chairs. The starters were good however the mains were subpar for the price. The pace of service is deserving of strong critique - we were the first guests to arrive in what was an empty restaurant and it took an hour for us to be served our starters... For this reason - I will not return.

3 /5 Gareth Hughes: Went on NYEs for early dinner, was sat in the corner so was a bit cold but the waitress did try and move the heaters. I know was NYE but is my second visit and the food is disappointing. The dishes are really hit and miss, but mostly miss. The texture of the chorizo and blood sausages was poor, mush in casing.. The chicken in the rice was heavily smoked and full of bones, not enjoyable to eat. The beef tartare was ok, but didnt need the crunchy bits, the grilled hispi cabbage or squash was probably the best dish we had. Just poor overall execution, and acceptance of mediocrity, for a relatively expensive meal. I wouldnt go again, especially to that location.