The Blues Kitchen Review

Best for: Bourbon, very attentive service, live Camden rock n’ roll

Great: Starters and desserts, American wannabe

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No, I haven’t just escaped from a psychiatric hospital; it’s 8.45pm on a murky Friday night in Camden and I’ve just left the bustling whisky bar-cum-restaurant-cum-live music venue The Blues Kitchen. I think it might take me a while to recover from consuming such vast amounts of diner food in such a short space of time. I’ve also decided that waiting staff can certainly be too attentive.

7.30pm: My guest and I arrive at The Blues Kitchen and are shown to our massive booth in the hub of the restaurant.

My initial reaction is that it’s a bit dingy, but I suppose that’s quite fitting with the teabag-stained Blues posters adorning the walls and the grimy underground vibe they seem to be going for. Soulful music plays, the atmosphere is warm. We’re surrounded by cocktail-guzzling groups of all ages celebrating the start of the weekend. The Blues Kitchen certainly attracts a lively crowd. Must have something to do with the live music (most nights), talented house band and DJs, It really isn’t a place to come for a romantic tête-à-tête, the only obvious couple there both look like they love food more than each other.

7.31pm: Our smiley waitress brings us a big jug of tap water and some menus.

There’s a lot to choose from here and I’m a bit daunted by the immense cocktail list – over forty types of Bourbon on offer and there’s a host of other lethal alcoholic concoctions. For the non-meat-eaters, a lone bean burger and an isolated macaroni cheese appear on a menu brimming with traditional American protein-rich dishes and rooted in the specialities of the Deep South. I’m already feeling full with anticipation.

7.33pm: As we’re still making our way through the vast menu, our smiley waitress returns and asks us if we’re ready to order. We ask for a few more minutes and she gracefully obliges.

7.41pm: Waitress is back again and still smiling; and we shout over the music and chatter to communicate our orders.

7.49pm: Starters and cocktails arrive. I’ve gone for battered tiger prawns with Creole tartar sauce washed down with a Woodberry Chilli cocktail. The prawns are juicy and delicious, so we’re off to a good start – until I take a huge gulp of my flame-coloured cocktail and morph into an angry cartoon character with steam blowing out of my ears. It’s my own fault; with ingredients including Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Chambord, and Chilli, I was warned that it was ‘not for the faint hearted.’ Wiping the tears from my eyes, I accept that my heart must be positively weak.

My guest is far more sensible, declaring his cool Gin Julep - Beefeater Gin, fresh mint, lemon juice, blueberries and blackberries – to be the perfect antidote to his spicy buffalo chicken wings. As he sips on his refreshing beverage I secretly shove an ice cube in my mouth and vow to make my next drink a milkshake.


8.00pm: Clean plates are whipped away and table is cleaned with military precision.

8.05pm: Main courses arrive, already. I take my first forkful of Blues Kitchen Gumbo - a hearty dish of chicken, smoked sausage, sweet potato, tomatoes, beans, pepper, and prawns served with Cajun rice. My guest bites into his homemade beefburger with Monteray Jack cheese…

8.05pm + 9 seconds: Waitress asks if all is well with the food. We nod, thinking “please let us digest some and then we’ll tell you.”

8.06pm: Now we’ve actually tasted the food and are ready to give our reaction. The waitress is already looking after another table. After such enjoyable starters, we’re both a bit let-down by our mains. The Gumbo is tepid and tastes to me like an economy microwave paella. My guest’s burger is lukewarm and the accompanying fries manage to be stone-cold and overcooked at the same time. It says a lot about a meal if the best part is the homemade coleslaw.

My thick chocolate milkshake with chocolate chips and a shot of peanut butter restores my faith in this establishment, though, and my guest’s second Gin Julep has made him forget the rather disappointing food we’ve just been served.

8.20pm: Remnants of the main course cleared up.

8.28pm: Dessert menus arrive. I’m a bit wary of the food here now; but the dessert menu looks promising. There are plenty of indulgent diner staples such as Key Lime Pie, Pecan Pie and Banana Split. No healthy fruit salads or light sorbets here, thank God!

8.30pm: “How’s everything going? Are you ready to order some desserts?” It seems my guest has decided to opt for a liquid dinner as he settles on another cocktail instead, while I order Mississippi Mud Pie.

8.35pm: Pudding arrives in record time. It isn’t the largest portion of Mud Pie I’ve ever seen, but it tastes good - light, gooey and not too rich. The Blues Kitchen appears to have redeemed itself.

8.45pm: Table cleared. We leave to the sounds of a very loud ‘thank you’.

Phew. We’re out. As lovely as she was, it’s good to escape our charming waitress’s continuous attention. My guest and I feel a little sick after consuming such a variety of flavours, good and bad, in such a short period. I imagined us swigging whisky into the early hours of the morning here, but I felt like the staff wanted to rush us out in the quickest amount of time possible. I’m afraid that for a Blues bar, this place just feels a bit too fast-paced. Being foodies, we know more about sole than soul, and actually left before the real music had even started. Although after a quick stroll to walk off all that food, we did pass by and there were queues of people desperate to get into The Blues Kitchen, which proves how successful it must be as a music venue.
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The Blues Kitchen Description

The new home of Rhythm and Blues in London, live music and authentic soul food are in perfect harmony at The Blues Kitchen in Camden.

The perfect setting for a special celebration, The Blues Kitchen serves indulgent food directly to your booth, ranging from Pancakes and BBQ Chicken to Seafood Gumbo and famed Po' Boy Sandwiches, all accompanied by a selection of drinks including the popular thick milkshakes. There is also an irresistible brunch menu, ideal for a lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

With the best DJs playing great tunes from some of the largest record collections in town, The Blues Kitchen is a brilliant destination for a party or just a memorable night out!

Customer Reviews for The Blues Kitchen

Average (based on 3 votes): 3 Atmosphere: Value: Quality:

The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of The Blues Kitchen.

“Three essential reasons to love this Camden bar: (1) the impressive array of bourbon (beers aren't even labelled so I wouldn't bother. Although a 'small' glass of Pinot Noir is massive; worth dabbling in); (2) top guitar-slashing music (a rockstar's heaven); unbelievably hot girls EVERYWHERE (if you like them with funky hair, tasteful tattoo, and tight jeans then this is the bar for you). The food? Meh.”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
Doni Lanarkshire, Blackheath (1 years 18 days ago)

“I found this bar lacking in hospitality, very pricey and has got, probably the most ignorant, rude and obnoxious member of staff in Camden town. I did`nt feel welcome in the bar at all. He should take another lesson in PR skills and manners. I wonder how many customers don`t go back. K”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
Keith, London (1 years 3 months 17 days ago)

“The Blues Kitchen is great for music and drinks, but I think the food isn't different to TFI Fridays or other such chains.”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
Chris Villeneuve, London (1 years 8 months 4 days ago)

Additional Information

• Cuisine Type: American
• Group: Columbo Group