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Local: Pubs, bars, shops, restaurants: The New Old Dairy

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthortosscat
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2007
     
    Does anyone have any information about the New Old Dairy?
    I've heard it will re-open as a gastropub and it is 'part of a chain that owns a pub in Camden called the something Tavern' (though not the Lock Tavern I believe).
    Either way the really manky old chairs they are flogging in the meantime seem extortionate to me.
    • CommentAuthorDavid
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2007 edited
     

    Unless you move a bit upto Kentish, Tufnell or Chalk Farm and claim it as "something Tavern in Camden", I don't think there is one if its not the Lock? Gastro's in Camden are pretty limited, and dubious even when they're claimed to be! (Maybe Junction Tavern on Fortress Rd, got Gatro'd last year...?)

    What I do know about the Dairy is they toned down their sports action the last few weeks before closing. Pedro and I went in the last few weeks for a match, only to be referred to the Larrik. That on its own smells a bit gastro to me.

    Not that I mind Gastro, just why else would you ditch the sport that draws your main crowd on a sunday evening? they seemed to be turning business away while it was almost empty...

    • CommentAuthorSimonB
    • CommentTimeFeb 12th 2007
     
    If New Old Dairy = Gastro Pub then The Noble = dead ... surely there`s not enough trade to support two?
    • CommentAuthorDavid
    • CommentTimeFeb 12th 2007
     

    Good point. But then, I'm not convinced The Noble has a long future ahead anyway. I've been for a couple of pints but somehow i just don't seem to go there.

    • CommentAuthorFour Eyes
    • CommentTimeFeb 12th 2007
     
    I didn't even know the Dairy was closing until I walked past yesterday. What was wrong with it, apart from the fact that the food was awful and it costs £3.10 for a pint of Kronenbourg? Not another gastro purleeese :(
  6.  
    The last time i went in there was a few weeks ago when they seemed to be having an open mike session of very mixed qaulity.

    I take the point about another pseudo-gastro pub (look what happened to the Big Sofa when they tried it) but I could do without someone banging out "I will survive" at the top of their voice while I'm trying to have a pint with a friend.
    • CommentAuthorSimonB
    • CommentTimeFeb 13th 2007
     
    I was trying my best Richard! ;)
    • CommentAuthorandy
    • CommentTimeFeb 14th 2007
     

    Looks like a pretty big refit, having walked past it yesterday. Reopens on the 22nd feb according to the old dairy myspace page.

    • CommentAuthorSimonB
    • CommentTimeFeb 14th 2007
     
    They are selling off furniture in the window ... everything must go!
    • CommentAuthorandy
    • CommentTimeFeb 16th 2007
     

    all our longest threads are about pubs. make of that what you will.

    i keep seeing people in local pubs and thinking 'i bet that's one of ours'

    • CommentAuthortosscat
    • CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2007
     
    Can someone design a printable badge, say a green square, for instant recognition, or perhaps we could go with some sort of hanky code.
    • CommentAuthorFour Eyes
    • CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2007
     
    A while back I remember seeing someone with a badge saying 'I love (heart) Stroud Green Road', not sure where they got it from. Hmmm hanky code (especially if coloured) could be misinterpretted...
    • CommentAuthorFour Eyes
    • CommentTimeFeb 24th 2007
     
    I had a look at the menu outside the New Old Black Dairy today.

    Ham, Egg and Chips for £6.95 anyone?
    • CommentAuthorDavid
    • CommentTimeFeb 24th 2007 edited
     

    Went in there for a pint tonight before going elsewhere. Its done out nice, lots of lampshades and plush type ideas going on. Staffing was wierd, there was about 30 people in there and I think I counted over 10 staff. They we also almost too polite and eager to serve. I suppose they'll get better at that bit once it settles. I actually thought the food didn't seem too expensive, was a good list with mains averaging around £10. Haven't eaten there so can't comment but the menu was reminiscent of say The Lord Stanley in Camden for anyone whose been there. A stew, a risotto, that sort of thing.

    The sport has definately been dropped, all the TV's and the big screens from before are gone, there is one flat screen in the corner but I reckon it won't be used much. I get the feeling it'll do a good sunday roast, but could always be unpleasantly surprised I suppose.

    All in all its still the same pub really, just poshed up a little bit with what at least read like a better kitchen going on.

    • CommentAuthordominic
    • CommentTimeFeb 27th 2007
     
    Ate there last night and it was... fine. Nothing spectacular and they are quite obviously still finding their feet (espresso machine broken, some of the wines not in stock). I think I'll try them again in a month or two and see if it's settled down. The pub itself is looking nice though and they've made the back room look much better than it used to be.
    • CommentAuthortosscat
    • CommentTimeFeb 28th 2007
     
    I ate there on Monday and I agree with the above: I'm vegetarian and it was a bit disappointing for me. Still, it could just be confirming the old adage 'never eat out on a Monday'!
    • CommentAuthorDavid
    • CommentTimeFeb 28th 2007
     

    Shame on the food. Am gonna go try it on Friday I think.

    • CommentAuthorandy
    • CommentTimeMar 1st 2007
     

    I haven't been yet. I'm waiting for the second week when they've worked through the teething trouble

    • CommentAuthorEwan
    • CommentTimeMar 7th 2007
     
    I went in a couple of days ago just for nose around. a very friendly member of staff jumped out from behind the bar and gave me a guided tour. It looks very nice but I'm not sure that having approx. 50% of the pub as a dinning room/area is sustainable........i.e. wine glasses laid out on tables like a restaurant.

    time will tell but I think it will evolve (or devolve depending on your opinion) to meet local customer's demands.
    • CommentAuthortosscat
    • CommentTimeMar 7th 2007 edited
     
    Was the very friendly member of staff a scottish chap?
    • CommentAuthorDavid
    • CommentTimeMar 8th 2007 edited
     

    We went in for a Sunday roast last, erm, Sunday. It was OK but not great, a bit pricey at £12, so really its just a bigger, slightly better situated Noble.

    The real scandal is that they've got the Parsnip/Roast Spud ratio all wrong. Regardless of whether you prefer one or the other, as far as I'm concerned the Parsnip count should never, ever be greater than the roast spud count. Ever. What's up with that? Surely parsnips aren't that much cheaper to farm out than spuds?

    • CommentAuthorandy
    • CommentTimeMar 8th 2007
     

    Went there last night for a quick one. It was sort of fine. The menu didn't grab me much and the veggie choice was ok. The refurb is nice (not sure about the chandeliers though).

    "Like a Big Noble" is a pretty accurate description.

    • CommentAuthorEwan
    • CommentTimeMar 10th 2007
     
    Hi, no the friendly member of staff was a young english lady.
    • CommentAuthorDavid
    • CommentTimeMar 12th 2007 edited
     

    I had Tuna & Chorizo stew there yesterday. Wasn't crap but it was far from brilliant and I didn't feel too good afterwards when I got home. All the chandeliers in the world won't make up for that.

    • CommentAuthorandy
    • CommentTimeMar 12th 2007
     
    "All the chandeliers in the world won't make up for that." could almost be your catchphrase.
    • CommentAuthorLucy
    • CommentTimeMar 12th 2007
     

    it wasn't the chandeliers that bothered me (although a bit last season?) it was the little frilly lamp shades on the wall lights! Reminded me of sitting in an old people's home.

    Still, they do seem to have sorted out the air conditioning - that or not as many people smoking!

    • CommentAuthortosscat
    • CommentTimeMar 12th 2007
     
    Am I the only one who wonders why on earth anyone would choose to order a stew with tuna in it?
    • CommentAuthorMills
    • CommentTimeMar 12th 2007
     
    Went for a quick drink last night. Menu looks pretty 'meh'for 12 squid a throw-ish. Especially with the plethora of cheap goodness nearby.
    • CommentAuthorDavid
    • CommentTimeMar 13th 2007 edited
     

    It was a Tuna Steak on top of a stew like bunch of veggies and stuff, not a stew of Tuna if you see what I mean. I had it once at the Lord Stanley in Camden and it was gorgeous. This wasn't really the same experience.

    • CommentAuthortosscat
    • CommentTimeMar 13th 2007
     
    Phew, I did wonder.
    • CommentAuthorLiz
    • CommentTimeMar 14th 2007
     

    Mills - nice use of 'meh'. I think it's a first for SG.org.

    • CommentAuthorDavid
    • CommentTimeMar 15th 2007 edited
     
    • CommentAuthortosscat
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2007
     
    We were in the Dairy on Friday night chatting to the new manager.
    He was adamant that it was not a gastropub and when asked how to justify a £3 price tag for a side of chips said it was because they are handcut.
    Exciting stuff.
    • CommentAuthorDavid
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2007 edited
     

    That'll explain the Staropramen being £3.30 then, they pick up a glass and hand pour the beer into it. I work in Covent Garden and it's £3.30 for the same pint in a rip off pub in the middle of the area. A marked up pint in a place with such high ground rent is at least understandable, but the top of SGR? hmmm.

    • CommentAuthorPhil
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2007
     
    Shocking. I popped in when it first opened and asked for a Guinness: BFFFLLLAAK! £3.20?! In Stouders! Good grief, woman, that's 2012 prices!... That said, I've returned a few times and, having sucessfully navigated the labyrinth of tables -- it's so bloomin' dark in there I nearly lost a kneecap -- I sat and spent a nice half-hour ruining my eyesight as I tried to read the newspaper. I thought their steak and kidney pie was nice but done up all posh like.

    I think they've upped prices in a Basil Fawltyish attempt to attract a "better class of clientelle" (not me, then). Which is probably a bit snobby of them, but it strikes me as the kind of place to sit with your other half and demolish a half-decent bottle of wine (can't afford a full decent bottle). I prefer to take my daily Guinnesses at Chapter One where the prices are still the right side of 3 quid, and you get to talk to people like good old Mr. Patel the newsagent. He's great. The Harringey, in my opinion, is the best proper boozer, but it's over the hill in Crouchers, curse them!
    • CommentAuthorEmma
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2007
     
    I only went in Chapter One once - they had bangin' house on in the middle of the day (is 'bangin' house' even a genre??) so I walked straight out again. I should try it again then, should I?

    Steering clear of the Old Dairy after hearing from friends about the astonishing price hikes...
    • CommentAuthorPhil
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2007
     
    Emma, if Bangin' House isn' a genre, then it jolly well should be. But in the middle of the day?... Hmmm... I expect that was Linda who usually works the afternoon shift. She must've been bored. :) There usually is music of some kind in the afternoon but it can vary. They seemed to play The Corrs continuously about a year ago so make of that what you will...

    As for trying The Chapter, I suppose it depends on what kind of thing you like. It's not really a "pub" pub. DJ Toto on Friday is amusing. His "mixing" skills are unique.

    Speaking of music, does anyone find the Fullback has a similar problem or are soft rock videos played on a continuous loop all the rage these days? If I see that Killers video again one more time I'm afraid I'm going to have to call the police.
    • CommentAuthorDavid
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2007
     

    I invariably have to endure Madonna's back catalogue when I go to the fullback. Only been to Chapter One once, and was too drunk to know whether they were actually playing any music be it loud or not.

    It's funny we've got an abundance of pub styles really but wherever I've lived, after a while I always feel there's room for one more.

    • CommentAuthorandy
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2007
     

    I'm loving "2012 prices". Are we being forced to pay an Olympic premium - £3.30 for a pint because some grotty corner of Stratford is hosting a fortnight of poorly disguised steroid abuse?

    • CommentAuthorFour Eyes
    • CommentTimeMar 21st 2007
     
    Went to the New Old Dairy for the first time on Saturday. Nice atmosphere and good service. I appreciate Heineken on draught but definitely the wrong side of 3 quid as you guys above point out. Fed up of the surly staff in the Fullback after I walked out when they wouldn't stop fiddling with i-Tunes for 10 minutes and ignored me at the bar waiting to be served. Plus that stupid eejit with dreadlocks who is obliged to stomp his feet and bang his fist on the bar really gets on my nerves.
    • CommentAuthorEwan
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2007
     
    I spent the lion's share of St Patricks day in the Old Dairy to give it a proper test run. I had monkfish which was nice. but they spent so long putting everything on the plate in a big trendy pile that it wasn't hot by the time it reached me. not good seeing as the price had indeed travelled back in time from 2012!

    Also I was asked to refrain from using the gents in the dinning area (even though no one was eating there) and had to use the new nearly invisible gents in the pub bit.

    Otherwise I quite like it in there. would defo say it was more of an evening venue due to the darkness.

    Chapter One is a lot of fun and it can vary from the very very quiet with candles on tables etc to crazy party place. I think it is the most interesting drinking place around here but it definately helps to be drunk before arriving if you go on a weekend evening.
    • CommentAuthorandy
    • CommentTimeMar 26th 2007
     

    Some entertaining reviews of the refurb

    http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/comments.shtml/1800/

    Bottle of Magners and a diet coke? £7.20. WTF?! You're at the bottom of a hill in FINSBURY PARK, not Park Lane.

    • CommentAuthortosscat
    • CommentTimeMar 28th 2007
     
    Did we all see this? (Second one down)
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguide/food/story/0,,2040367,00.html
    • CommentAuthormatt
    • CommentTimeApr 4th 2007
     
    I'd had bad experiences of before the refit, so used it as an opportunity to give it another try.

    What a waste of time. We waited 45 minutes for food, complaining twice along the way. After that, we had to go so I asked for a refund. I was asked what I ordered and given a cash refund, no questions asked, and they still couldn't tell me where the food was. In all that time, I only saw one other person eating.
    • CommentAuthorandy
    • CommentTimeApr 5th 2007 edited
     
    i had a cottage pie off the bar menu last night. £7. very good and came with cabbage, though possibly a teeny-tiny bit smaller than i would have hoped. Also, probably the first time in three or four years that i have eaten cabbage.

    nonetheless, thumbs up.

    service was good and fast enough, so no complaints from me. they do seem to be filling the place up though, which is impressive.
    • CommentAuthormatt
    • CommentTimeApr 5th 2007
     
    I'm thinking they've sacked the chef from when I was there three weeks ago?
    • CommentAuthorandy
    • CommentTimeApr 9th 2007
     
    I must take back the accusation that the New Old Dairy is expensive. I've just got back from Dorset, where it is 1973 and the restaurants have "Vegetarian Kiev" on the menu for £9.50.

    A decent pub doing food with a nice short local menu would clean up. (Not entirely unlike the old dairy)
    • CommentAuthorColette
    • CommentTimeApr 16th 2007
     
    Went there the other night. It does actually look quite nice in there now, I think - quite atmospheric in the evening, and the music wasn't too loud (I'm such an old lady these days...). Having said that, we also had to wait *ages* for our food (about 45mns), and although it was quite good once it turned up, I'm not convinced it was worth the wait (or the money). I could have walked to St John's in Archway in that time - now that place is always worth the money.
    • CommentAuthormatt
    • CommentTimeApr 16th 2007
     
    I really need to go to St Johns soon.

    I added that to the map last week, it's worth going out of your way for it.
    • CommentAuthorColette
    • CommentTimeApr 17th 2007
     
    And you can get almost all the way on the 210
    • CommentAuthortosscat
    • CommentTimeApr 17th 2007
     
    I do like St John's, but again it's not all that for our vegetarian friends.
    • CommentAuthorColette
    • CommentTimeApr 17th 2007
     
    Oh I don't know about that, my boyfriend's a veggie and he's always been very happy there (and is notoriously fussy) - there's usually more than one option too, which is unusual.
    • CommentAuthorDavid
    • CommentTimeApr 18th 2007
     

    That 210 route is sslllooowww. Turns a 15 minute walk into a 20 minute bus ride.

    • CommentAuthorDavid
    • CommentTimeApr 25th 2007
     

    matt, we asked the other day when in there - they didn't sack the Chef, but as they were about to open the Chef's father died and he went back to Australia for three weeks. So there was c. a month of a makeshift kitchen until he returned.

    • CommentAuthormatt
    • CommentTimeApr 25th 2007
     
    We went in last night and had heard nothing but good things about the food. The bar staff were still avoiding serving people, though!

    I'm slowly coming round.
    • CommentAuthorDavid
    • CommentTimeApr 25th 2007
     

    Service can be slow though my impression was that it was the kitchen that was slow not the serving stuff. That doesn't really explain slow bar service though.

    • CommentAuthormatt
    • CommentTimeApr 25th 2007
     
    I walked up to one end of the bar, she looked at me from the other end, picked up the remote and went to change TV channels. On her return, she went straight into the "staff room" or whatever the little cupboard they have at the TV end of the bar. I had to walk the whole length of the bar and introduce myself with a "hello" before somebody served me.

    In their defence it wasn't busy and there were only two bar staff. But still.
    • CommentAuthortosscat
    • CommentTimeApr 26th 2007
     

    I've had one of the staff roll their eyes at me before - not something I'm led to expect really.

    • CommentAuthorDavid
    • CommentTimeApr 26th 2007
     

    Maybe you both just have really content expressions. Practice pained thirsty looks, they may respond quicker.

    • CommentAuthorlucky
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2007
     
    been there a couple of times, not really impressed. over priced beers, food was rubbish and very small though it was the lunch menu but what a beautiful building. maybe a bit too big though we were the only ones sitting in the main room and there was no atmosphere at all.

    40 minute wait for a ploughmans??????????
    • CommentAuthormatt
    • CommentTimeJul 11th 2008
     

    Getting "Facebook spam" from the Old Dairy.

    I've clicked "ignore" twice so far!

    • CommentAuthorPoxy
    • CommentTimeJul 11th 2008
     
    Would this be 'Nicky Wales'? If so, I've got spam too.
  63.  
    My gripe with the Old Dairy is that last time I darkened its door they served short measure pints. That was six months ago. Maybe they still do. Most galling of all, when I politely pointed this out the barmaid sneered and said 'That's how I've been told to do it by the manager!' But it's illegal! And it was insulting. Had half a mind to call up Trading Standards then and there. Not been in since.

    Has anyone else experienced this?
    • CommentAuthormatt
    • CommentTimeJul 11th 2008
     

    Not sure Poxy, I only noticed user Old Dairy asking to be my friend

    I refuse to do so, of course, because I think the place is shit

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