Ziloufs

Food

The menu was not huge, and consisted of both Asian influenced and Western pub grub. We decided to go for the Asian versions. I was very please with my Indian spiced corn fritters with roasted tomato chilli relish (£5), very refreshing and sweet corn fritters, with a lot tomato chilli relish. There was not a lot of the Scallops with Pork and Apple Money Bag, but I was surprised that the scallops, albeit small, actually tastes like scallops. The lone pork and apple money bag was also well balanced and nicely fried.

I was a bit sceptical about ordering pad thai, as I know that this is a very hit and miss dish. Luckily, the Wild Mushroom Pad Thai of Rice Noodles, Peanuts, Chilli, Egg, Beanspouts, Coriander (£9) was a hit. There was not that much flavour due to the lack of meat, however, the egg and sauce nicely binded the still bitey noodles. Jungle Curry of Confit Duck Leg with Baby Corn, Mange Tout and Lime Leaf Rice (£10) lacked sauce, so that I was eating the last few bites of the rice without any sauce. However, the sauce was extremely pleasing, a great balance of heat and sweetness. We skipped dessert in favour of a flat white, which came with very pleasing coffee art. The coffee itself, quite milky, and pleasant to finish the meal… I did hear there was an Aussie in the kitchen…

Rating - 7

Atmosphere

Definitely a place to hang out if you want to feel cool. The front bar was packed when we started. People gradually filtered into the restaurant, and the live jazz band certainly helped the atmosphere. It was just a shame that we were seated at the back, so we couldn’t’ see the band… and the noise became louder and louder with those 2 for 1 cocktails, and that the table next to us kept expanding so eventually they actually pushed us off our table into another.

Rating - 2

Service

There were 3 people serving, I think including the bar area, so it was very difficult for us to get any attention. There was also a very very long wait between our entrees and main, which we used to observe all the cool kids who were dining, and to evasdrop on the first date next door.

Rating - 2

C-factor

They had some great looking 2 for 1 cocktails, which I couldn’t take advantage of (but everyone else certainly did, and I am certain that’s why they have such a great atmosphere). The menu is not expensive, but you don’t exactly save any money with the 2 course special deal.

Rating - 1

Brownie Points - 12

Info

270 Upper Street
London
N1 2UQ
Phone +44 (0) 20 7226 1118
Website