please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Can only agree with the comments that it has something of an identity crisis - food looks good but when the place is swamped with loud parties in a "pub" setting it was time to move elsewhere to eat. The XB was not exactly in sparkling form, either...
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This is a restaurant; not a pub. As a restaurant, it's fine. But you will feel harassed if you just pop in for a few pints - and there's no 'drinking area' either; they want you to buy food/spend money, and will give you menus and hover. Which is fine if, like I say, you want a restaurant.
(hmmm... Russell square? Not really: more kings cross)
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Not sure what to make of this place..been a couple of times now but it feels like it doesn't know what it is..pub or restaurant. All the smokers had the tables outside, everyone was eating inside, and any spare tables were reserved for later. Nowhere to stand with a drink without feeling in the way or being asked "can I help you?" like I should be ordering some food.
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Hmmm... looked really 'interesting' with the Hams hanging up, but somehow missed the mark. The Theakston XB was OK and the food was average... Quite a nice vibe going on. It's just a shame non-smokers are now 'confined' indoors as al the outside seating gets swamped by the smokers.
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complete shithole avoid like genetically modified bubonic plague!!!!
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This isn’t a pub, I know it isn’t a pub because if it was I wouldn’t have spent so long at the bar without being served before walking out. As it was I was transfixed by how many people could mill about behind the bar, seemingly busy, but managing not to make any eye contact with those of us waiting to be served. I did get a couple of apologetic glances from the only bloke actually serving and I decided to hang on as they do have two hand pumps. He eventually served me with a pint of Theakstons XB which I sunk before he’d finished his next round of White Zinfandel and lime & coriander crab cakes with rocket salad and Peruvian vinaigrette.
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Recently had lunch on a Sunday as part of a group of about 12 and the food and service was first class.
Recommended.
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This is a restaurant first, then a pub. Bar staff pestered us so much to try and order food whilst we had drinks that it put us off eating and decided to go somewhere else. It wasn't a tough call as the two ales were really dreary, one generic lager was seemingly brewed by Sarson's and the other looked as though it had passed through a soda stream. Really disappointing as I was looking forward this place. Maybe it was a bad day.
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I went back here Saturday 24th and still think its a great pub (still got a great table!) but they need to choose better beers. Thanks for having two real ales and taking care of them, but can we just have at least one interesting one please? (Am I being greedy?)
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Saturday night and the pub had empty tables, not great for the pub but great for us. I had the only Green King IPA in my life that didnt taste off. That alone shows someone here cares! As for the pub, its beautiful. They do food and the prices are lower than any other gastropub I have been to. Some of it is tapas, great when you just want a bar snack! Definitely one to return to.
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The Norfolk used to be a real spit and shit pub: the sort of place where telly tubby cab drivers would rub shoulders with chiselled peroxide hags who spent many a long hour attempting to hit the pub’s dog sized rats with projectile spit. The beer was like diesel and the atmosphere as old man as a pensioners armpit, but despite a slightly trampish feel it nevertheless was friendly and at least had some character, even if the thin clientele and scruffy demeanour left a bit to be desired sometimes.
Now though, as other reviewers have noted, the old Norfolk has been trampled under the big glossy boot of a swanky gastro pub that wouldn’t look out of place in Clapham. Oh dear, I sense that people are already vomiting onto their screens, but before your breakfast re-emerges I should point out that this is one of those rare glossy pits that the average punter might just about tolerate. True, it has a very sparkly and very firm pretentious rod up it’s back passage – wine is served in tumblers, ales are almost completely barred and the food/drinks will sting the wallet like a really good kick in the knackers. Most annoying though are the continental male staff who are always gelled and booted for some serious knicker hunting at the expense of serving the customer. Oh, and one tip “boys”, when loudly discussing how many women you`ve banged thanks to this pub’s employment, check to make sure you haven’t got a bar full of people behind you. It tends to kill your pulling chances, you muppets.
Still, these reservations aside, it has to be said that there are a few features about the new Norfolk that are commendable. Most notably, while the pub veers towards a heinous bar feel, it is not quite as superficial as you might expect, especially as there is a whiff of the old design in the beams and wooden floors. Equally, and a bit amazingly, I actually prefer the upgrade to the middle bar area which looks impressively imposing with its large stack of glasses and rising shelves. Please, though, lose the hanging food. It smells. And, perhaps most tellingly beneficial, the Norfolk benefits from the competition in the area: despite the millions who pass through Euston/Kings Cross/Russell Square each year, the majority of pubs are total arse drivel. The Norfolk deserves a pat for at least being a bit average.
Overall there is something to like about this upgraded Norfolk and if you can exchange a bit of glossy wank for a smidgen of comfort then you`ll like it at least for a while. Though it will take a Claphamite or an All Bar One rep to rank this place above a reasonable 6/10.
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Just read what has happened to this place, makes me sad...
TIME OUT REVIEW:
"Just a couple of months ago this was any old boozer - one that, by and large, gave students from the halls of residence across the road a convenient way of disposing of their loans. Then, all of a sudden, up went the scaffolding, out went the grimy patterned carpets, in came the white paint, the cute school tables and church seats, the French management - and the food.
The NA has gone so seriously gastro that there's no real vestige of the 'pub' that ought to complete the epithet. There's no armoury of booze on show: where you'd expect the spirit racks to be, a charcuterie slicer has pride of place. All the tables inside are set with rudimentary tea towels and cutlery; there's no obvious non-dining area. It's almost (but not quite) a restaurant."
anonymous - 4 Sep 2006 17:59 |
Ok. I may have been a little premature. Have been in here a couple of more times and am impressed that such a positive turn around has been made with regard to the clientele. No drug dealers! Fantastic!
I was just disappointed to say goodbye to the old pub, that's all. Never been a gastro pub person but this is a decent place. I hate to say, an improvement.
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What a shame that beautiful Victorian pub has been replaced by this new Norfolk Arms. It doesn't seem to know what it's trying to be. All too-new tables. Could they get paler? Silly school chairs. Bare walls. Boring bar. Ugly paint job everywhere but especially on the listed ceiling. Criminal. But the toilets are better.
BORING!
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So what's going on? There were rumours of the pub closing and being turned into either a Spanish restaurant or gastro pub. Then all the furniture gets dumped on the street - I wonder if they got away with that. No skip for three days. I hope this turns out ok.
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Fate seems to have brought me back here quite a bit recently. I had the food for the first time in ages a couple of Saturdays ago, and although it wasn't cheap it was well worth the money. The staff are always friendly and I've never had a bad pint there.
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Hey what a change ,We dropped in as friends told us it was better.It is the old publican seems to have gone as said above the Big Gorrilla is a the original gentle giant and the foods really good aswell Idid not eat but my mates have said its really good .
Planning on several visits to be sure the beers as good as Ive been told
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Was very surprised by this pub appears to be quite the opposite of what it is. From the out side it looks like a local pub for local people, but i found it to be a real good laugh me and my friends only stopped in for one but ended up staying all night. The "big gorrilla" behind the bar is your original gentle giant and the place was packed if they can keep this up will be make for an axcellent night out I'll keep you posted........
anonymous - 29 Oct 2005 14:33 |
went in today what a dump .big gorrilla behind the bar very gruff.food overpriced.beer overpriced...will not reccommend to anyone.also they cant be doing that well as they dont seem to be able to afford light bulbs ....
anonymous - 18 Oct 2005 18:34 |
very freindly .the landlord has turned this pub around.i am sorry i am leaving the area and will not be able to use the pub as much.although the locals do get a bit leary
johns - 26 Aug 2005 19:36 |
Food ??? Forget it. Its Nobbys Nuts or grumbling guts,too many pubs nearby prepared to make a much better effort. Walk on by unless gasping.
anonymous - 17 Jun 2005 22:21 |
Not the busiest of pubs. This is probably accounted for by the obnoxious landlord and high prices. The range of beers is very mediocre indeed and the few regulars are hardly welcoming.
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Not the best pub in the area, but a lot better then some of the comments posted. I was in there last Friday night, and it was busy without being packed. The staff where very friendly and helpful, even offering to carry our drinks over. There are better pubs nearby, but on a Friday night its nice to find a place where you can get served and get a seat.
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I have only been in the place once and was not particularly enthralled by the place. I visited on a thursday or friday night and to my surprise, myself and my friends were the only people there besides one obvious regular and the somewhat onboxious barman.
Upon entering the barman abrasively asked 'what do you want?'. Upon viewing my limited choices i opted for a pint of guinness, which was no of a particularly high calibre. We stayed for the one drink then left - never to return.
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This pub has now been sold,not sure who now owns it,they have yet to make their presence felt,but watch this space.
Glenn - 29 Oct 2004 21:42 |
I live in the area. The rudeness of the staff sets a new record. I went there with my friend, who is suffering from luekemia, and they refused to serve us because they said he looked "ill". Sam's comments are spot on.
Damien - 19 Oct 2004 22:10 |
this pub is horrible, unfriendly, overpriced and empty.
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Pretty grimy little pub. More King's Cross than Russell Square, with a stuffy, dark interior, loud fruit machines, unwelcoming staff and fearsome local clientele. There are many superior pubs in the area.
Sam - 23 Jun 2004 17:38 |
Great pub with great beer. I try to drop by for a pint or three whenever I am in London.
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The Norfolk Arms is my first proper 'local'. It is attractive and friendly and you can easily spend a few hours here. I like the fact that it attracts so many different people. Tourists are attracted to it's traditional pub look. I love it.
Peter G - 27 Sep 2003 19:05 |
Everytime I come to London which is twice a year I spend a lot of time drinking in this pub. It's filled with local's who are quite friendly and the food is not half bad. It not pretentious like the John Russell nearby.
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Outdoor scenes from Channel 4 comedy series "Black Books" are filmed across the road
Michael - 5 Aug 2002 11:13 |
