Cordon Bleu Cordon Bleu

Breaded chicken breast stuffed with ham and cheese, served with a creamy sauce.

Open Kitchen

Open Kitchen

40 Hoxton St, Hackney, United Kingdom

Pub • British • European • Contemporary


"Many restaurants had to close during the Covid pandemic, so I was pleased to see that a favourite place has re-opened. Five years ago I reviewed OKN1 or Open Kitchen as it was then called, and I have to report it is even better now. It is part of the New City College's School of Hospitality and Catering Arts, training young would-be chefs, waiters, bar staff, managers and catering assistants. The results are fantastic. One of our recent visits found us enjoying excellent leek and lentil soups, Chicken cordon bleu and Beef rendang, all well cooked and nicely presented. Another visit offered very fine Miso ginger braised pork belly, without a hint of the usual fattiness of this dish. The Grilled butterflied poussin was also a treat. All dishes come with vegetables or rice and salad. Other options we noted were a Breaded plaice sandwich, Thai poached salmon, Confit duck leg and a Vegan mushroom bourguignon. Desserts might include a rich Chocolate fondant, a vegan Coconut mango rice pudding, Orange tart or an Exotic fruit salad. As well as offering some great and imaginative cooking, the prices for the Tuesday to Friday lunches are ridiculously reasonable with starters and desserts at £3.50 and main meals just £6. Evening meals on Thursday and Friday are a little dearer but still good value. The cooking is excellent and the waiting staff are learning the ropes with enthusiasm, so everybody deserves to be congratulated and encouraged as they will be the catering successes of the future. Highly recommended."

Railway Arms

Railway Arms

1 Birstall Lane, Leeds, United Kingdom, BD11 1JJ

Meat • Ribs • Steak • British


"I have just visited this establishment for lunch (pre-booked) with 7 colleagues, it is a venue we as a company use regularly for staff meals and on occasion overseas visitors.Prior to today I can only speak highly of both the staff and the food. However my experience today would make me think about ever returning.I was delivered a lasagna consisting of two sheets of pasta and some warm tasteless, almost meatless sauce.First interaction with what I later found was the floor manager was pointless. I commented that the portion size was poor. He told me he would talk to someone.After 10 minutes nothing happened.When subsequently asked by a waitress if all was ok I said no, it was hideous. Her response was to laugh. When I told her I wasn't joking she left to speak to the kitchen.Some 10 minutes later the same waitress asked if we were finished and if all was ok. I responded that it wasn't and I was still waiting feedback. I was told she was busy but would now talk to the chef.Final interaction with the floor manager. He asked me if there was a problem. I repeated what I said, we had a discussion about the menu and that the previous 6 servings of the product were ok as no one had complained. I was then told the waitress was upset and in tears because I had sworn at her. This, as my colleagues reaffirmed was totally untrue. This upset me immensely, my only complaint was that the food was poor and the portion size not good.On leaving I tried to have a discussion with who I thought was the manager (my mistake) to try resolve the problem as we regularly use this pub.However I was told the manager was the gentleman i had spoken to twice before who clearly was not interested in solving the problem and believed I had sworn at the waitress.I am very disappointed with this entire experience, the answer to a customer concern is not to ignore it (other than not charge for the dreadful meal) and believe some made up nonsense about a regular repeat customer."