The Star, Highgate

As a local, I used to visit The Star weekly last year - the food was good, the staff smiley and helpful. However, during the summer the food started to go downhill, with huge waits for service and then sloppy food ( roast beed literally floating in watery gravy..), coupled with some slightly surly service at the bar.We gave up after one particulary inedible meal, and didn't return for 6 months.

This weekend we decided to test the waters there, and went for Sunday Lunch. The food itself was fine this time - not great, but fine. But the staff really let The Star down. I make the error of asking for some bread when I ordered our meal and was told it would be another 5 minutes as it was being baked. Fair enough I thought, but 20 minutes later, and will a loaf of bread clearly visible on the chopping board, I approached the bar again and asked, very politely, if we could get some bread now. One member of staff said they'd get it, but another followed me back to out table and snippily told me " I told you it was not ready!" and then stropped off to get it, delivering it grimfaced.

He ignored us for the rest of our meal, which was probably a good thing. It simply confirmed to us that The Star has completely lost the charm it once had. It could be such a great pub, and used to be one of my favourites - sadly the staff and food let it down.

I'd recommend The Junction instead, at least the food is good and you get service with a smile.

12 Jan 2009 12:46