The Foundry

British
Camden

Camden Town has long been acknowledged as the cultural heart of London, and The Foundry bar and restaurant is no exception. Housed in the same building as The Forge music and arts venue, the two combine to make the complete dining and entertainment combination. Offering three course meals accompanied by live jazz performances, it's a relaxed, informal space with a great atmosphere.

Of course, if you like your food in more traditional environs then there are plenty of tables available in the bar area, where we found ourselves during our visit. The Foundry prides itself on quality British food such as fish and chips, steaks, burgers and, if you visit at the weekend, a traditional roast dinner with all the trimmings. They also have a rather extensive cocktail list, so any visit here isn't complete without a drink or two.

Kicking off our meal, we started with the vegetarian caponata and the tea-smoked duck breast. The caponata, an Italian dish of aubergine, olives, onions and capers, was sweet and tangy, served cold and very refreshing on a warm day. The duck was very smokey and beautifully cooked with a pink moist middle and an almost barbecued flavour. Served with caramelised pear and raspberry dressing, we'd definitely recommend it.

Fully warmed up, we were ready for our main courses; seared tuna steak and a classic chicken and mushroom pie. The tuna was a huge, thick cut of fish, grilled on the outside but almost ruby red in the centre. Flaking apart to the touch of the knife, it was fresh and melted in the mouth. The chicken and mushroom pie could easily have been mistaken as home-made, with a rich creamy interior oozing out through flaky puff pastry. Served with green beans, new potatoes and gravy, it was a true British classic done very well indeed.

The Diamond Jubilee ice cream sundae
which lasted 2 minutes

To round off the meal and to maintain the British theme, we chose the Diamond Jubilee ice cream sundae. A red, white and blue concoction of clotted cream ice cream, meringue, fresh strawberries and blue curaçao diamonds. It's very big and very rich, but between two of us, we just about managed to take it down. (It's a tough job but someone has to do it.)

'Great food, great value and first class service makes The Foundry a real treat'

We also sampled some of The Foundry’s delicious cocktails to wash down our meal. Personal favourites included the Strip The Willow; a whiskey, honey, lemon, mint and soda mix; and Country Garden; vodka, apple schnapps, lavender syrup and lime that really was reminiscent of an English summer's day.

Great food, great value and first class service makes The Foundry a real treat. A delicious meal in a relaxed and informal atmosphere with a brilliant cocktail list. We'll definitely be back.

3-7 Delancey Street, NW1 7NL

Average price for main meal: £12
Average price for cocktail: £7.50 
Food/Drink: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Value: 4/5

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