Banners in Crouch End has long been a favourite place of The Gannet. We visit most often for a naughty lunch, as it's only a ten minute walk from the office. On this occasion we were being particularly naughty as it was my birthday, so we had a long leisurely lunch.
The "downsides" of Banners, if they have them, are that it's very popular, so tends to be busy and noisy. It's particular popular with families with small children (whom they cater to with pots of crayons and paper, and a children's menu) so if shouty kids isn't your thing, you probably won't enjoy lunch here. The atmosphere is laid back, the interior is modeled on a kind of rustic American restaurant vibe (lots of wood, old posters plastered to the walls, motorcycle and music memorabilia etc. The service is friendly and informal, occasionally a bit hap-hazard, but I usually forgive them as the waitresses have all mostly been with the restaurant for years and they are all very warm and relaxed, even if you sometimes have to ask twice.
Food-wise, Banners has an extensive menu that is largely American (burgers, pancakes, soups and sandwiches), and Caribbean (fish, curries, rice & peas), with regular Asian and Mexican specials. When banners veers off their set menu, they generally do so with varying degrees of success. I once had a quesadilla there which was accompanied by home-made refried beans -- made with kidney beans. It's those sort of very rustic, home-made "adaptations" of ethnic dishes on which they tend to stumble. However, other times they get it just right.
Luckily for my birthday they got it just right with the special Blackened Cajun Salmon. Often restaurants tend to over-spice "blackened" dishes - my feeling is that you don't need half an inch of spice coating to achieve the blackened effect, and too much dry spice tends to overpower the flavour of the meat or fish. Banners served up a huge portion of salmon fillet, perfectly spiced and not overcooked either, and covered with a savory Cajun gravy. The fish was accompanied by a hefty portion of delicious rice & peas (black beans) and a tasty salad. Being The Gannet, we also had to have a side portion of fried plantain.
One of The Gannet's companions chose an all-day breakfast - what Banners call Hash Browns, two big deep fried potato cakes, fried eggs and bacon, plus maple syrup to drizzle over it should you wish (The Gannet wishes). A side of extra sausages was naturally in order. The other chose the jerk chicken burger, served with potato wedges and salad. Silly boy didn't order any extra sides and felt underfed as a result. (Warning: this is not a problem at Banners, small portions that is! Unless you're a true gannet, like us!) Being in a celebratory mood, we rounded off the meal with Affogato Martinis. I can't believe I didn't see these on the menu before. Two of my favourite things in life are espresso martinis, and affogato di gelato (ice cream with hot espresso poured over it). And yes -- this wonderful drink combines all three! Vodka, kahlua and hot coffee are blended and presented in a martini glass, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Delicious. I nearly ordered a second, it was so good.
Banners is one of those tried and trusted places that Crouch Enders love so much. It is starting to get a little frayed around the edges (and hasn't been redecorated since they opened over 10 years ago), and it's not always perfect, but it is a place I will visit again and again, because what they do well, they do so much better than most restaurants in the area. I have never left there feeling like it wasn't money well spent.
Banners Restaurant
21 Park Road
Crouch End
London, N8 9TE
020 8348 2930
(no web site)
Gannet Rating: 7/10
The "downsides" of Banners, if they have them, are that it's very popular, so tends to be busy and noisy. It's particular popular with families with small children (whom they cater to with pots of crayons and paper, and a children's menu) so if shouty kids isn't your thing, you probably won't enjoy lunch here. The atmosphere is laid back, the interior is modeled on a kind of rustic American restaurant vibe (lots of wood, old posters plastered to the walls, motorcycle and music memorabilia etc. The service is friendly and informal, occasionally a bit hap-hazard, but I usually forgive them as the waitresses have all mostly been with the restaurant for years and they are all very warm and relaxed, even if you sometimes have to ask twice.
Food-wise, Banners has an extensive menu that is largely American (burgers, pancakes, soups and sandwiches), and Caribbean (fish, curries, rice & peas), with regular Asian and Mexican specials. When banners veers off their set menu, they generally do so with varying degrees of success. I once had a quesadilla there which was accompanied by home-made refried beans -- made with kidney beans. It's those sort of very rustic, home-made "adaptations" of ethnic dishes on which they tend to stumble. However, other times they get it just right.
One of The Gannet's companions chose an all-day breakfast - what Banners call Hash Browns, two big deep fried potato cakes, fried eggs and bacon, plus maple syrup to drizzle over it should you wish (The Gannet wishes). A side of extra sausages was naturally in order. The other chose the jerk chicken burger, served with potato wedges and salad. Silly boy didn't order any extra sides and felt underfed as a result. (Warning: this is not a problem at Banners, small portions that is! Unless you're a true gannet, like us!) Being in a celebratory mood, we rounded off the meal with Affogato Martinis. I can't believe I didn't see these on the menu before. Two of my favourite things in life are espresso martinis, and affogato di gelato (ice cream with hot espresso poured over it). And yes -- this wonderful drink combines all three! Vodka, kahlua and hot coffee are blended and presented in a martini glass, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Delicious. I nearly ordered a second, it was so good.
Banners is one of those tried and trusted places that Crouch Enders love so much. It is starting to get a little frayed around the edges (and hasn't been redecorated since they opened over 10 years ago), and it's not always perfect, but it is a place I will visit again and again, because what they do well, they do so much better than most restaurants in the area. I have never left there feeling like it wasn't money well spent.
Banners Restaurant
21 Park Road
Crouch End
London, N8 9TE
020 8348 2930
(no web site)
Gannet Rating: 7/10
