crab claw (£8) at the Well gastropub in Clerkenwell
There are very few things I miss about working in Canary Wharf, and lunch at the Gun is one of them. So two Fridays ago, when our friends suggested we meet for dinner at the Well, whose owners also own the Gun, I was thrilled. A quick glance at TimeOut’s review of the Well revealed that the Well was running a 50% off food promotion, which sweetened the deal.
roasted scallops (~£9)
Several of the tables at the Well (including ours) are extremely close to the door. Which means it’s cold what with all that traffic in and out. But the place was lively, and pints with good friends have a way of warming you up.
The food, though, was worthwhile once we took 50% off the menu price. At menu prices (starters at around £8 or £9 and mains were £15 to £20), the Well strikes me as too expensive for the quality. I appreciate how, once you get the discount, it’s tough to imagine paying double what you did, but my roasted scallops, for example, weren’t great and weren’t awful, either. How do you put a price on that? £4.50 seemed alright for this level of cooking, but at £9, I’d be upset.
rabbit pie
My rabbit pie was similarly alright. The filling was more soupy than I like, and I had to dig around to find the bits of rabbit, so again, at £7.50, I’m tolerant, and at £15, I’m outraged.
For starters, mains, shared desserts and drinks, we paid £31 a person, which felt fair. And if the food hadn’t been 50% off, I would’ve felt ripped off. The Well may share owners with the Gun, but I think that’s about all they have in common, as I recall the Gun being pricey, but worth the price.
Which is all to say: go to the Well only for drinks with friends, or if you can get the 50% off food deal.
The Well, 180 St. John Street, EC1V 4JY; 0207 251 9363; closest tube station; Farringdon
I think the problem with the Well is that the guys who own it have overexpanded – they have more than a mini-chain now. I’ve had several disappointing to terrible meals at some of the venues, including trendy Prince Arthur in London Fields and the Empress of India at Victoria Park. Apparently, staff turnover is high. I actually wrote a letter to them to complain about one of my inedible meals. That said, one of my now-regular recipes comes from the White Swan — roasted asparagus with balsamic vingerar, salt and parmasan shavings.
Mike – I haven’t been to either the Prince Arthur or the Empress of India, but good to know. Still, last time I was at the Gun, which granted is now a solid eight months ago, it was still going strong. So maybe the ‘expansion’ impacts a few places more than others.
The Peasant, further up St John Street, is a really good place to eat, although I never really enjoy the downstairs bar.
Pickled Peach – My husband had a ‘team dinner’ at the Peasant and thought the food served varied greatly in quality. But I’ll still check it out as I’ve also heard good things about it (i.e., who cares what my husband thinks?). j/k. Sort of.