Camden Bar and Kitchen serves casual, simple food to line your stomach before hitting local bars and clubs.

The Venue
Camden Bar and Kitchen is located right in the centre of Camden High Street, which makes it an ideal spot for a quick bite before a few cocktails, or somewhere to head to post-party. The venue looks really inviting thanks to its kitschy wallpaper and eclectic furniture made up of mismatched tables and chairs and vintage chandeliers and floor lamps.

The Atmosphere
The restaurant has a funky, homey ambience – it actually feels like some bohemian's dining room - and attracts a diverse crowd of shoppers and party goers, though the venue is big enough to avoid being too noisy. Thanks to its great location, it's certainly a good spot in which to meet up with friends before a night out in the Camden area. Staff are friendly and informal, but can be a tad cocky at times, sometimes so absorbed in talking to each they can seem almost uninterested in diners: a Camden-cool take on customer service perhaps?

The Food
The modern-European menu has a large section dedicated to pizzas, which are made right in front of you and cooked in a wood fire oven. In fact, these are probably your best bet.

Starters are well priced at around £6 but they are hit-and-miss: the goat’s cheese soufflé is a feather-light and tasty dish, but the sardines with garlic and chilli are rather unsatisfactory, the fish is just a little bit insipid, despite the powerful savoury seasoning. Main courses don't particularly improve things. The bangers and mash (£8.95) is merely average and doesn't taste freshly made. The falafel burger (£8.95) is nicely presented and comes with a small bowl of crispy French fries on the side, however the burger is dry and has a strange and strong bitter aftertaste. Pizzas are okay - among the best options off the menu and good value for the price (£7 to £10) - but they don't ever venture close to the particularly memorable.

The Drink
The house wine isn't the best, but then again it is very affordable, with a montepulciano and a trebbiano both available at £12.95 for the bottle. It's probably safer to stick with the beers (San Miguel is available on tap at a reasonable £3.80) or decently made cocktails to share that come in at £15.50 for a jug or just £5.95 for a glass).

The Last Word
The venue and atmosphere are pleasant, the service is okay and the menu is clearly all about uncomplicated dishes that won't break the bank. Still they're too casually prepared so that even if expectations are not at their highest, Camden Bar and Kitchen might still be an underwhelming experience.

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