Reviews
The Magdala, NW3
Great Gastropub - perfect fore refuelling after a walk on the heath 
Gareth S. says:
It's not to everyone's taste, but it has all the ingredients to satisfy me. Good quality gastropub fare, Leffe on a tap and a lazy Sunday afternoon feeling.
I should also admit to eating there on a first date with my girlfriend. We're still together 7 years later so maybe I'm biased. We had a fantastic Banoffee Pie that afternoon and I've since had a truly memorable mushroom soup (with a splash of truffle oil).
They get extra points for having a Dyson Airblade instead of the standard ineffective hand dryer.
Cafe Pacifico, WC2H
A cliche, but a cut above most central restaraunts 
Gareth S. says:
It's cliched Mexican food with a decor to match.
During lunch service the atmosphere is one of free-wheeling chaos and the service isn't always great, but the food can't be faulted.
Non-meat options are limited, especially amongst the lunchtime specials - but what did I expect? It's a cliched mexican restaraunt...
Nearby Wahaca trumps Cafe Pacifico in the flavour and service stakes, but this is still a reliable lunchtime option.
The Tiffin Tin, N8
Diminishing Returns 
Gareth S. says:
I've lived round Hornsey for over three years now. The Tiffin Tin was my Indian Takeaway of choice for a long while, but I feel like I suffered diminishing returns. Deliveries are taking longer ad longer and the service generally can't be commended. It feels like The Tiffin Tin has been struggling to cope with its growing popularity. I've moved on, but I might be back.
La Porchetta, N10
It Shouldn't Work, But It Does 
Gareth S. says:
It's an unremarkable Italian restaraunt with a family-run feel. The staff are cheerful if not entirely attentive and the decor is shabby and tired. The pizza's are undeniably great though, and well worth what you'll pay.
What can only be the shining star of the pizzas on offer is the blend of gorgonzola and pear. It sounds like it shouldn't work, but (omigod!_ it does. The punchiness of the blue cheese counterpointed with the sweetness of the pear! Ace.
Can't recommend anything else because, as far as I recall, I haven't been able to order anything else from the menu. Oh, sure, I'll peruse the options. I'll consider the spaghetti vongole or the rigatoni... but in my heart I know I'll always be ordering the ol' favourite.
The beer gives me a headache, the toilets aren't pleasant and if you get a table by the window you'll find yourself gawped at by people waiting for a bus.
