Exquisite - Hackney

This restaurant is a wonderful spot to gather with friends. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, the food is excellent, and the customer service is top-not... read more This restaurant is a wonderful spot to gather with friends. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, the food is excellent, and the customer service is top-notch.

One of my favorite restaurants in Finsbury Park! The mussels are absolutely delicious. Hopefully I can visit again soon. read more One of my favorite restaurants in Finsbury Park! The mussels are absolutely delicious. Hopefully I can visit again soon.

The food and atmosphere at this restaurant were amazing, and the service was excellent! read more The food and atmosphere at this restaurant were amazing, and the service was excellent!

My girlfriend and I visited twice, and both times, we were the only customers there. It doesn’t seem like any effort is being made to attract more diners. While... read more My girlfriend and I visited twice, and both times, we were the only customers there. It doesn’t seem like any effort is being made to attract more diners. While foot traffic on Blackstock Road isn’t particularly strong, the lack of patrons here suggests that locals have tried it and aren’t eager to return. The food is mediocre at best. The portion sizes are enormous, but they’re not very affordable. I ordered a small burrito that was so large I struggled to finish it. It lacked flavor, which is surprising for a Mexican restaurant. Both my girlfriend and I noted that the tomato sauce tasted just like a can of tomatoes that had been heated up—nothing more. It was topped with a couple of dollops of sour cream and an overwhelming amount of cheddar cheese. The smoked chicken inside was dry and tasted a bit off. After a while, eating it felt like chewing someone else’s jalapeño-flavored gum. I feel a bit guilty criticizing a local, independent business, but I can't help but see it as a missed opportunity, especially when there are places like Loco Mexicano in Westbourne Grove that truly deliver what you want.

The portions here are huge and the food is delicious! We ordered a shared starter, a main course, two bottles of Corona, and a shared cocktail jug (which was fa... read more The portions here are huge and the food is delicious! We ordered a shared starter, a main course, two bottles of Corona, and a shared cocktail jug (which was fantastic!) for about £26. There was a decent selection of vegetarian options, some of which looked even better than the meat dishes. However, the music didn't quite suit the atmosphere for me. I wasn't expecting traditional Mexican tunes, but the choice of pop music, like Lady Gaga, didn't really set the right vibe. A bit of Latin or acoustic music would have been a better fit. On the positive side, the staff were excellent—attentive without being intrusive, and they surprised us with complimentary tequila shots at the end!