I am a new and recent regular at Cantaloupe, which my friends and I agree is the only place in Shoreditch that you get friendly service that isn't the usual 'too cool' attitude.

yes, they sometimes get too busy in the front bar to keep up the service they start with, which can be frustrating if you are expecting full service all night, but as we got to know the routine, it became apparent that the staff give service when they can and we happen to like that! After all, people seem to forget that it is a bar and the restaurant is at the back.

It is a shame that previous reviews seem to be missing the point of this place and that it IS like going to your mates house for dinner, but it's meant to be.... we like it that way!

I went to Cantaloupe with a friend yesterday (23 June) and we were staggered by the quality of the food - from the delicious sweetbread with monkbeard (a new favourite) to the excellent pigeon in port jus, to the Cantaloupe's take on the custard pie (Impossible Pie) - there really was no weak link. And we found the service very friendly...!

I know, some of you previous posters, that it's irritating when you read a terrific review of a place you didn't like, but I was so impressed with Cantaloupe that I'll now be going at least once a month to take advantage of the seasonal ingredients in the monthly change of menu.

The food is priced very modestly and is way better than it has any right to be.

Apparently the bar food is a lingering legacy of a previous management and should not be attempted! Try the real stuff...

The once great bar has really gone down hill. I reserved a space for a birthday and upon arrival I had to clear our table of glasses as no staff were collecting.

The bar ran out of change and fresh lime at 9.00pm and were clearly seen serving themselves drinks before customers and some were even telling people waiting at the bar they were too drunk to serve!

The mens toilets also flooded and no attempt was made to remedy the situation.

Very disappointing and I won't be going back.

Absolutely appalling, one of the worst lunch experiences I've ever had the misfortune to have.

We decided to go to Canteloupe based on an experience well over a year before, and it was a terrible one.

The place is empty, and was staffed by two people on the floor. One was hideously incompetent and didnt seem to get a single order right, the other, a girl was incredibly rude when questioned as to why the service was so poor.

Despite having all of about 10 people in the place, the food was cold, we had to go an get our drinks from the bar ourselves after a 15 minute wait, and the service was frosty at best.

The food itself, was very average. To pay £7 for Cheese on cold toast speaks for itself.

The worst part though, after all that was their attitude. Clearly in the wrong, they got offended at any time we asked for anything, and in the end actually had the cheek to tell us we weren't welcome any more. We hadnt even been rude...

The feeling from all of us was sheer disbelief at their arrogance. You can understand if a bustling restaurant was arrogant enough to turn people away, but this place was practically a ghost town. I'd be shocked if it's still here in 6 month's time and that seems to be the prevailing feeling amongst others as well.

Stay well away

I had the pleasure of being invited to celebrate a friends birthday party at Cantaloupe last Friday (27/11). The were 20 of us and we were given the 2 large adjoining booths at the back restaurant. Perfect. The waiter was really friendly and helpful. He knew the wine list inside out and suggested a couple of bottles to got with the various mains ordered. I had a ribeye, medium rare and it was spot on. In fact, everyone that had steak said the same. I had a raspberry cheese cake for dessert which was pretty special. All in all, everyone enjoyed their food and the timing between each course was just right. They had a DJ playing fantastic cheesy pop classics all night so we had a good dance afterwards. Great venue, great night.

Had a fantastic night at Cantaloupe last Saturday for my birthday. There was a large group of us (18) but the food came out quickly and was well-presented and really tasty. Everyone who had the steak absolutely raved about it. I had the lamb which was also beautifully cooked on a lentil and chorizo stew. Only wish we'd had time to stay for dessert. Cantaloupe is also very reasonably priced so excellent value - including a decent house champagne at £28 a bottle which helped kick-off our night very nicely!
We'll definitely be going back.

Cantaloupe has fab food and really good wine. I loved the prawns and the chocolate pudding was to die for! I went for a meal for my birthday and will definitely be going back to Cantaloupe.