About
Overlooking London, Muswell Hill can sometimes be the forgotten cousin of its neighbours Crouch End and Highgate. Despite its lack of transport links (the nearest tube is over a mile away in East Finchley) and its slightly rougher element at night, during the day this busy high street has plenty to offer with a number of cafes, restaurants, boutiques, a cinema and a good selection of chain stores. Feast, with its adjoining deli, has been a fixture in the area for some years.
Set among the leafy streets on Muswell Hill
Coffee – 3/5
It’s a coffee – plain and simple. It’s the kind of coffee that tastes just like, well, coffee. It has no depth or layers but was strong enough to satisfy me with a good temperature and a decent size. Yes, it had a sprinkling of chocolate on top, but that was to be expected from somewhere like Feast.
While it serves a good coffee, Feast is more aimed at the food market
Atmosphere – 3/5
Feast is a large, airy place that feels like it is ‘the nicest place in town’ but not in a big town. It’s not a fashionable place but has a certain, provincial style to it. The clientele reflected this – retirees sat alone doing their crosswords, young couples on their lunch break playing on their phones and young mums with nothing else to do. Still, it’s relaxed, comfy and bright – a nice place to spend an afternoon.
Feast has a style I like to call ‘provincial chic’
Food – 3/4
An extensive menu pushes Feast into the restaurant bracket. Lots of breakfast choices, burgers, pasta and salads are available during the day. At night, they bring out the dinner menu with sea bass, lamb shank and Thai curry available. There’s also the obligatory cakes. Not hugely inspiring but large enough that there’s something for everyone.
Service – 2/3
Nice efficient service, if not a little distant. There was nothing wrong as such, but you get the feeling the staff are just doing their job and wouldn’t be interested in any chit chat.
Extras – 3/3
Quite a lot going on here from the deli next door to jazz nights once a week. They also do catering and special events. While it’s not extras aimed at the community, as such, it does offer something different from your standard café.
Summary – 14/20
Feast is the kind of place you’d bring your mum and have a really good afternoon, thanks to a menu that would suit everyone’s taste, classy décor and inoffensive, if a little bland, coffee.
Details
56 Fortis Green Road,
Muswell Hill,
N10 3HN
Tel: 020 8883 0117
Web: feastcaterers.co.uk
Twitter: @FeastMuswellHil
London Cafe Review 