Felt obliged to give my review after we were so disappointed with our meal on Sunday and it was so different from a previous experience. There was a group of us, 4 adults, 2 kids. Kids are not allowed inside after 7pm and food is served after 6pm. We asked for a menu just before 6 and the waitress said, the menu will be available at 6 and by the way kids are not allowed after 7! We laughed it off as it was a special occasion and we didn't want the comment to spoil our evening. We came here for a birthday celebration with my family as we did the same time last year. This time however it was so very different. It might be that the chef has changed. This "chef" isn't a chef, he/she is a cook, a catering chef at best with no finesse. Compared to last year when we got the most amazing pork belly, my family, who had come up from Kent, were keen to repeat the experience however we got a Sunday roast, of sorts, for around £15 and I have had much better in wetherspoons up the road for half the price and a free beer! We mentioned to the waiter that the lamb dish was swimming in a liquor which was tasteless. The sausages and mash were below average. 2 thin sausages and mash that tasted mainly of powdered black pepper. My pork was dry and looked like it was straight out of a Sainsburys sliced meat packet, equally cold. There was a very passive response from the waiter. There doesn't appear to be any noticeable management around. We won't be going back I'm afraid. No special treat to be had here and seriously go to the Wetherspoons around the corner, better food and friendlier staff. The Flask is all show and no substance. Disappointing.

My favourite pub in Highgate. Plenty of outdoor seating some of which is undercover and heated.

Decent wine list. I've not eaten there much, but the food has always been good - if a little overpriced.

As a place to drink, I like the Flask. It is big and it has a sort of dark and cavernous interior in parts which lends itself to mystery and intrigue.

But the food is a disaster! I arrived at 12pm, opening time, and the ideal time to order a Sunday roast without worrying that the kitchen had run out.

Rib of beef was my choice, accompanied by green beans, carrots, roast and mashed potatoes and a yorkshire pudding.

At £11.95 I was expecting something impressive. I couldn't have been more disappointed.

The beef was red raw, none of the fat had been trimmed off, the vegetables looked dead from too much cooking, and the yorkshire pudding was burnt in parts.

I then made an another mistake of ordering pudding. Described as an "almond, pear and chocolate torte" it was more like a lump of sponge cake with no almonds, no pear, and about 5 chocolate sprinkles.

Do not go to this pub if you want a Sunday roast!!!

The atmosphere at the flask is generally quite buzzing, so for a few drinks with friends it is a great place to go, however, the Sunday lunch I just had there was a real disappointment, the lamb was fatty and tough, potatoes were soggy and the veg was not great either and all of this covered in a mediocre gravy!! We also ordered espressos which came out on a filthy tray with dessert spoons to stir in the sugar!! The service is generally quite friendly and promt and it is obvious that the staff are under a lot of pressure as it is always so busy. I will not be going here again for food (unless I hear of a drastic improvement!!!) but will still go for the odd drink.

The Flask really is one of my favourite pubs. The selection of drinks is impressive, the staff are friendly and knowledgable, and the pub itself is fantastic. It's got a network of intimate and cosy rooms, which are great for a winter's evening, but it also has a large beer garden for those warm sunny days after you've been walking on the Heath.

The clientele at The Flask is varied, there's a full spectrum: some young-uns mixed amongst senior Highgateans, but it just all works well. It even has a slightly eclectic jazz night on Mondays. Downsides? It can get a bit busy, but that's about it.