The Abbaye (Bar/Restaurant)
59 Charterhouse Street, Farringdon, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 6HA (Map)
Cuisine: Belgian
Tel: 0871-223-1842 ?
Transport: Farringdon
The Abbaye London Review
The Abbaye is a place ideal for those who love beer and mussels, who know their stuff, and like a vast menu selection. It also caters for those that like fine food and drink and are willing to pay that little extra.
The Abbaye is surrounded by loads of trendy modern bars that are trying to out-do one another, so it's easy to ignore this traditional pub and all it has to offer. One can safely say it's not trying to conform to what is expected of the local area and it has maintained its own originality and quality.
The layout is spacious and traditional with conventional landscape and portrait paintings hanging on the walls. You can't help but feel at home as the comfortable atmosphere and considerate service allows you to relax, and try things you perhaps wouldn't anywhere else.
Admittingly the menu provided both entertainment and confusion, as I am anything but fond of mussels and with the menu written in French I spent quite some time referring to my GCSE knowledge. Luckily my journalistic abilities led me to discover the carefully disguised English description underneath (benefits of higher education).
The saucisses vegetariennes du jour (vegetarian sausages with mash and onion gravy) gets three thumbs up even though it costs a hefty £7.25 (£100 in student money).
The Irish coffee is delicious and smooth, most effective when the weather is cold, as the combination of the whiskey, warm coffee and cream warms you inside out!
The staff at the Abbaye are extremely nice and well informed about both the food and drinks. Beers include draughts and bottles with a long wine list. Whilst cocktails are not on the menu they are welcomed upon request.
To eat and drink in the Abbaye is expensive, it caters for those with an interest in Belgian cuisine and fine accompanying drink.
The clientele ranges from the ages of 25 to 50, business folk and locals. Thursdays to Saturdays are the busiest periods, especially as its closed on Sunday.
With a piano and vocalist on Wednesday evenings the theme is couples guffawing over their fine wine and Belgian mussels.
paulc (05 11 2002)
Customer Reviews for The Abbaye
The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of The Abbaye.
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