Cottons - Chalk Farm (Review)
Review by Veronica Blake
CHALK Farm was basking in a tropical heatwave as we entered Cottons to the strains of the Gap Band’s Outstanding.
The bar was packed with friends celebrating a birthday and it was reminiscent of one of those great Saturday nights at The Camden Palace in the late 80’s/early 90’s, when Alexander O’Neil, The Gap Band and Cameo ruled the airwaves and everyone’s favourite DJ was Robbie Vincent on Radio London.
What with the heatwave, the special Cottons’ rum punch, the bright tropical prints and soul and reggae soundtrack you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d been wafted away to Montego Bay and Reggae Sunspash.
I’ve always loved Cottons and it’s nice to see it has gone from strength to strength since it opened 10 years ago.
Lennox Lewis was an up and coming boxer winning European titles then, and Cotton’s was his favourite hangout. He felt so much at home there that when he became world champ he bought a home in Jamaica.
Local Camden girl Ms Dynamite and Sol Campbell are also regulars, especially at the Friday and Saturday night DJ sessions. In fact, Sol seems so enamoured of the Cottons’ concept that he’s approached the owner, Ian, with a view to franchising the theme across the UK – though under another name.
It’s always a good sign when there’s not a table left on a Monday night at 8pm. Chalk Farm on a Monday night is usually like a ghost town and most shops, bars and restaurants are closed recuperating from the busy weekend.
Camden Market has become one of the UK’s top tourist attractions so business is booming on Saturday and Sunday. Not thinking it would be busy, we hadn’t booked our favourite table upstairs so had to settle for the last one left in the basement.
However, it didn’t matter too much since the food and the vibe are really what matters.
The chickpea and roast pumpkin curry starter was delicious. As was my friend’s choice of jerk chicken cesar salad. We didn’t order wine, as a matter of fact I’ve never seen the wine menu at Cottons.
After one of their lethal rum punches, you really don’t need wine. Red Stripe is the perfect accompaniment to the Cottons’ classic Curried Goat with peas and rice.
Saturday Love by Alexander O’Neil struck up and there was a real party atmosphere. Dancing had broken out in the tiny bar upstairs. After one of Ian’s special (and lethal) Rum Punches we were tempted to join them.
Deciding to be adventurous and not go for my usual Traditional Curried goat, I choose the duck breast marinated in red cabbage with sweet roast potatoes and lemon and caramel sauce. It did sound mouthwatering. However, the sauce was just a little too overly sweet for my liking.
My friend loved her Trinidadian mixed fish curry with green peppers, lemongrass and yam with fresh coriander and coconut rice. Just reading the titles of the dishes is enough to make your mouth water and realise that Caribbean cooking can be as eclectic and delicious as Gordon Ramsey at Claridges.
Portions are huge but the really greedy could share the scrumptious chocolate cake laced with rum.
I can see why Cottons has gone from strength to strength and opened another branch in Islington.
Cottons was voted the UK’s best Caribbean restaurant. It has all the key ingredients for success.
A warm and welcoming atmosphere, the best rum punch this side of Montego Bay, great food that’s reasonably priced, a kicking DJ from Thursday to Saturday, and a lively and loyal clientele who love this great local restaurant.
Cottons,
55, Chalk Farm Rd.,
NW1 8AN
Tel: 020 7485 8388