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Match, 45-47 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1R 0DE

Submitted by m on Mon, 06/11/2006 - 11:36.

45-47 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1R 0DE

020 7250 4002

This was the first of an award winning chain of bars which I'd never made it to before. From the outside, it looked like the main gig was that all their food came in a bowl. I was already in a filthy mood and being confronted by "bowl cuisine" instantly raised the rage levels. Fully expecting to be confronted by a series of unpleasant experiences, I puffed my feathers and strode in.

Sadly, when I got inside and made my way down to the lower level bar (the restaurant at ground level was full) I was confronted by a series of quite pleasant experiences instead.
Really good atmosphere, probably aimed at late twenty somethings (which I cling to with a parnoid desperation as my 30th approaches), vast range of drinks and very helpful and accommodating staff.

Happily, for the sake of my frustration, the food turned out to be rather average. A large bowl for £7 (or a bigger bowl for 2 or 3 or 4 and you're encouraged to share and mix and match) that suffered a little from big white plate syndrome, common to a large number of gastro pubs, particularly in Clerkenwell and Islington.
I had some disintegrating oriental pork on a bed of slightly bland, MSG coma inducing noodles, with a few peppers.

Not terrible but not enough to interest me and a little on the luke warm side. I'll probably go back to the bar but not to eat. OK
King Mob

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