Reviews

- www.timesonline.co.uk
  
  "But we began by asking how far we would go for a pizza. And the answer, when it is lunchtime on a Friday and I’ve finished my review, is: the bottom of my road. I have discussed pizza restaurants now in the south, east and west of my home city. But I live in the north of it. And here, on Highgate Road, we have the Vine, which I have had to stay away from the past couple of years, ever since they put in the pizza ovens. I’ve got this carb problem, see (did I mention it before?), and I just have to walk on by."
  
  "But the Vine’s pizzas are pretty damn lush. They’re rolled, spun, covered and baked by one tall, handsome, angry-looking Italian boy with tattooed forearms, and they’re hot and juicy and they do one with salsiccia and these caramelised onions which is just... Anyway, I’m off there now. And from there, I fear, to the fat farm."
  
  Review by Giles Coren 31/10/09
- www.london-eating.co.uk
  
  "I have been to this restaurant twice in the last two weeks! We went, en famille, for Mother's Day - my dad, who doesn't go out to eat at all and is in his 80s - wiped his plate clean!! I went again with some girlfriends on the following Saturday eve. Food and service were super, and I love the relaxed atmosphere of the Garden Room (with heaters.) Thank goodness, no noisy music, and we managed to chat very easily................will be back."
  
  "I ate at this venue, together with my Husband and Son on Christmas Eve this year. We sat in the conservatory at the back (a little draughty!) but we were very impressed with the food and service!I had char grilled salmon, which was just delicious. The others with me had Burgers, and said they were the best burgers ever! For dessert I had a delicious pannacotta with fruit inside, every bit as good as a dessert I have had anywhere!
  
  I had been to this venue before, about a year or two ago, and I found the food on this visit to be a vast improvement."
  
  "Relaxed, and indeed relaxing, gastropub/bar. If we have to write the word gastro one more time we're going to implode. OK then, just one more time. Here, you'll find motherly NW5 types trying desperately to control their offspring (check out the names when they shout at them: hilarious) and well-to-do 30-somethings tucking into spot-on, Med-style gastro food. The outside seating is great and the over-wrought parent vibe will make you feel like a 19 year old with the world at your feet."
- www.mycamden.co.uk
  
  "The Vine is based in a young, upcoming location on Highgate Road and is halfway between the bustle of Kentish Town and the green oasis of Hampstead Heath. The pub itself is a large, dominating building with benches out front which are perfect for a hot summer's day. Inside though is where The Vine really does show its charms. A square shaped bar serves a host of cocktails, strong bottled lagers and the usual suspects on tap whilst round the back is a quaint conservatory - surprisingly bedecked by a vine tree which lets in natural light and gives a cosy, intimate feel."
- www.timeout.com
  
  "Picnic tables in front of the Vine’s Edwardian façade hint at one of its key selling-points – a leafy, covered garden out the back. In cooler months, however, the interior is just as appealing, being stripped back enough to highlight features like the chandelier and bow windows at the front, and the roaring fireplace in a side room that’s decorated with ethnic pillows strewn on leather sofas. The eye-catching zinc-topped bar draws in a collection of thirtysomething professional and media types, supping Old Speckled Hen or Greene King IPA, or one of the nine wines by the glass. The menu suits them well: there’s whitebait as a bar snack. Upstairs is a Moroccan-themed dining room with lanterns and potted palms." Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2006/7
- www.toptable.co.uk
  
  "There's a fun, buzzy atmosphere at this favoured hang - out in Kentish Town. Interesting and unusual menu with the emphasis on Pacific Rim cooking. Sundays are very popular when friends meet up for a long lunch which seems to stretch into the whole afternoon. What's cooking? French onion and plum tomato tart with pine nuts and balsamic dressing, salmon fish cake with mied leaves, fries and cucumber yogurt, wild boar sausages on puy lentil mash and haricot bean jus."
Customer Reviews
- We both had a great time and would particularly like to thank all of the staff who worked so hard. They were all fantastic! And thank you too for helping to organise such a wonderful day, in such a great place.
  
  Bonnie and Andy
  
  Hi James,
  The wedding reception at the Vine was so amazing, it really was the best day of our lives. You and the whole team were exceptional and made us and our guests feel so welcome.
  
  The room itself looked fantastic and Sarah and I were so happy that you laid out everything exactly as we hoped. Plus, you were a brilliant wedding planner. All our meetings with you to discuss food and wine were so straight forward and made us really excited about the big day. Also, the food was excellent and we had so many people tell us how much they loved the food and wine. All in all, an absolutely brilliant venue for a wedding!
  
  Thank you again for such an amazing day.
  Best wishes
  Nico
  
  Hi James,
  (and all your wonderful team.)
  
  Although we said thank you on the night we couldn't go with saying it again.
  Thank You.
  
  We can truly advocate The Vine as a GREAT place to have a wedding on all counts. The welcome, the food, the staff and the venue itself all contributed to making our day exceptional. Our guests agreed wholeheartedly too.
  
  The place has a lovely vibe which fitted in with how we wanted our day to be and we weren't disappointed. We'll be seeing you again soon.
  Have sent you a link of our photos to look at. Please let me know if you would like any for whatever purpose.
  
  Big thanks again
  Natasha and Andrew Macleod (plus Ava and Lily)
  
  James,
  Shelley and I would like to thank you and all your staff at the Vine for making our wedding day so special. The garden looked fantastic, the staff were friendly and helpful, the food was outrageously good, the atmosphere was buzzing and the drinks were delicious!
  
  You were accommodating to all our needs and your help leading up to the big day was much appreciated. You helped it go very smoothly and stress free.
  
  All our guests commented that it was cool and memorable place to have our reception and we are so pleased we held it there. We didn't want to do the ""standard"" wedding day.
  
  We tried to summarise the day in one word and settled on; perfect.
  
  Many thanks=
  Robert & Shelley Henderson
  
  Dear James,
  I'm writing with regard to the 50th birthday celebration which took place at the Vine on the evening of 12th July, which you kindly hosted for us at short notice.
  
  The Moroccan Room was beautiful, intimate and perfect for our small gathering of family and close friends. The food was delious as well as plentiful and the waiter you assigned to us was attentive and discreet.
  
  We felt very welcome and well looked after and will recommend you and your establishment to everyone we know who is looking for that special venue to hold that event. Thank you for making Niki's 50th birthday celebration an evening to remember and treasure, with the hospitality that you all effortlessly and kindly showered upon us.
  
  Our compliments to you all, for running a fabulous venue.
  
  Yours sincerely,
  Emma Rolf
  
  Dear Tony,
  I just wanted to write to say a couple of things re lunch today @ 12 for 21 people.
  
  The food was excellent, I had several people comment on how much they had enjoyed the food and the choice of menu. Please pass our compliments to the chef. I expect you will see many of them again.
  
  Service was excellent, thanks to your staff who were so helpful - especially in wrapping up the 2 no-shows! Timing was also excellent.
  
  I myself have visited you for lunch before several times and I have always found food & service excellent.
  
  Thank you again for all your help.
  Denise
  
  Dear Tony
  A belated note (we've been away) to say a big thank you to you and your staff for the great lunch we enjoyed.
  
  All our guests commented on the excellent quality of the food, which was an achievement in itself considering you were serving over 30 people on an a la carte basis! Your staff were efficient and cheerful helping to create a very pleasant afternoon.
  
  We look forward to seeing you again soon!
  
  Best Regards,
  Mike Isaacs