My 2 Pints
Officially I’ve decided to file a review of a restaurant as My 2 Pints. Mainly because if I were to class it as a ‘Review’ then that week I would offer a review of a restaurant and a pub/bar. The two seem a bit too close for comfort. Plus, I can justify it by the fact that you can still buy two pints in a restaurant.
Anyway, here it is.
This specific review is regarding the Giraffe at 1 Crispin Place, Spitalfields, London, E1 6DW. There are Giraffes spread out all over town, but this isn’t because of some sort of mix-up at London Zoo, no. The restaurant is part of a chain, with 10+ more found in locations across the city (and the UK).
The place is really nice inside. I say inside, but about half the restaurant sits out the front, in the piazza/food court area of Spitalfields. Because the whole area is covered, there’s no need to worry about the weather, plus it stays pretty warm into the night (during Summer time at least) with no chilly wind pissing you off like an unwanted guest.
I was sat inside, in one of their booths, right next to the little kitchen peep show they’ve got going on. Presumably this acts part-way as an interesting insight into the workings of the restaurant, bringing the customer and chefs closer together to enjoy the whole experience as one. However it also presents all the secrets of the kitchen to the customers. This includes the kitchen scene Anthony witnessed where bowls of chips were readying to be taken to tables, one of which was low on chips, the bowl only half full. The crafty chef, instead of putting some more chips on (or putting the right amount of chips on in the first place), took a few from each of the other bowls to fill it up.
The first thing you notice about the place… is the waiter (or waitress, I’m not sure if every one is the same as only one served us of course), and how much he’s working for his tip. Service was absolutely brilliant. It included letting us order at 18:55 (before one of our party turned up), just so we could take advantage of the deal before 19:00, giving Akin a Happy Birthday balloon. Keeping his birthday cake (which Akin brought) in their fridge, then re-producing it with candles, a ‘Happy Birthday Sign’ and the rest of the waiting staff singing Happy Birthday in perfect tune, giving out free giraffe toys, helping to find Wally in the Birthday Card, offering to take photographs and even shooting on 2 instead of 3 to get a “more natural photo”.
Food itself was pretty nice. Especially for the price (£6-8 main or £7 for two courses between 5-7pm). I enjoyed the Hummus and nan starter, although might have been better off joining everyone else with Skewered Garlic Bread & Cheese. Mains were either Beef Burgers or Fish Finger Sandwiches. Each are pretty big, even the early deal versions, so I’d recommend the Fish. No one came close to finishing the beef. It’s not a complete meat fest though, the menu resembles a war map in the middle of a Vegetarian invasion.
Drinks include softs, about a thousand juice flavours, beers, spirits, wine, cocktails – as good as any bar.
BEER SELECTION – Bottled beers, Ciders, Good Wines, Cocktails, For a restaurant, it’s top notch - ****
COST OF A MEAL – We ordered 2 drinks and 2 courses each, plus big tip for £12 - *****
STAFF – A long way above the call of duty. I was expecting to offer to help me eat my meal, spoon feeding it into my mouth - *****
FOOD – Nice food, good selection, especially Veg, something different - ***
SKIRT RATIO – Not really the kind of place to ‘pull’ but nice looking waiting staff. - **
Overall - ****
Giraffe - Liverpool St - Brought to you by James Wormald -