The Artisan Of Clerkenwell

Lovely venue and brilliant staff. Food was outstanding. Being a vegan I'm used to average food when eating out. This was incredible and even had a proper dessert. Thank you so much.

Fantastic gastropub with simple well executed food and great value.  Some of the best chips I have eaten in London.  We attended the soft relaunch following refurbishment.  It's 50% off food until August 26, 2016 if you print out the voucher on their facebook page.  The place looks very handsome with leather booths and dark wooden farmhouse style tables.  Music was a little too loud for the dining room.  I wonder if they don't have separate volume controls for the restaurant and the pub.

My companion had Cajun fish and chips.  The sweet potato chips were just amazing.  Very crunchy, slightly caramelized flavor that contrasted beautifully with the zingy lime mayo served with them..  The mayo had been made with plenty of zest and citrus juice.   The battered fish was lovely and light and didn't taste oily.  There were some garnishes of pickles and re-fried beans.

My main of pork ribs was enormous.  I ended up taking half of the meat home.  Ribs were very tender and falling off the bone, though for my taste there was too much of the sweet BBQ sauce slathered on them.  Again some of the best fries I have ever had.  Thin, very crunchy and seasoned with cayenne and paprika.  There was half a cob of corn that had been charred on the grill.  It didn't have that distinctly chewy texture of corn cooked entirely on the grill.  The corn had been parboiled, and then blackened a little over flames but it was very pleasant.  There was also some undressed watercress and coleslaw that was crunchy and fresh but otherwise indifferent.

I would be really happy come back and pay full price.  Do be warned about ordering wine here.  If you ask for a bottle of the house red, they don't bring the cheapest bottle (a £19.50 Tempranillo) but the Malbec which is halfway down the list at £23.50.

I have been here several times with work colleagues for lunch. The menu is great and they always have unique truly British specials. They also have great vegetarian options. The wait staff are nice and the space isn't usually crowded. Also, it's quite big so good for large partys. They have an upstairs which has more of a lounge feel so it's a nice change of scenery.