Harden's survey result
Summary
“When the food is good it can be amazing” at former Ledbury chef James Cochran’s Islington venue, which fans say “deserves to be better known” for his “fantastic tasting menu at sensible prices” (including “interesting” ingredients such as mutton and goat that reference the chef’s part-Caribbean heritage). Even some fans can acknowledge one or two “samey” results, though, and grades slipped a fraction this year due a few disappointments. Perhaps any unevenness is due to distraction from other projects: in June 2022 he opened Valderrama’s – a 90s-themed sports bar a short walk along Upper Street featuring the buttermilk fried chicken he developed for his Around The Cluck lockdown project.
Summary
“Superb, really unique combinations and presentation” brings some welcome pizzazz to Islington’s Upper Street, by courtesy of chef James Cochran, formerly of The Ledbury (RIP) and a Great British Menu winner. Raised in Whitstable, he mines his Caribbean-Scottish dual heritage to produce a “fantastic value” five-course tasting menu. Top Tip: “the roast on Sundays is also delicious – and the truffle cauliflower cheese is the stuff of dreams!”
Summary
“A much-needed alternative to the usual Upper Street fare” – James Cochran’s ambitious yearling is a ray of sunshine in N1, and even the less impressed minority who feel “it’s not quite up to the celebrity chef hype” generally feel “it’s nice to have something a bit different in the local area”. Quibbles also include the “cramped”, “corridor-like” space and service that can sometimes seem like “amateur’s hour”, but at its best this part-Scottish, part-Jamaican chef provides “exceptional dishes, with cleverly combined ingredients and subtle spicing”. Top Tip – “The £15 lunch deal is the gastronomic bargain of the year”: “extraordinary food, lovingly crafted, and at silly prices”.
Summary
“A much-needed alternative to the usual Upper Street fare” – James Cochran’s ambitious yearling is a ray of sunshine in N1, and even the less impressed minority who feel “it’s not quite up to the celebrity chef hype” generally feel “it’s nice to have something a bit different in the local area”. Quibbles also include the “cramped”, “corridor-like” space and service that can sometimes seem like “amateur’s hour”, but at its best this part-Scottish, part-Jamaican chef provides “exceptional dishes, with cleverly combined ingredients and subtle spicing”. Top Tip – “The £15 lunch deal is the gastronomic bargain of the year”: “extraordinary food, lovingly crafted, and at silly prices”.
For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at 12:51 by chef James Cochran?
Restaurant details
12:51 by chef James Cochran Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Overall a rather disappointing tasting menu. Food was unfortunately very average, and comically small portions meant we left disappointed and hungry! Service was good and cocktails were yummy, but would give it a miss."
"Overall a rather disappointing tasting menu. Food was unfortunately very average, and comically small portions meant we left disappointed and hungry! Service was good and cocktails were yummy, but would give it a miss."
"Great food, interesting ingredients & fun staff. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £28.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
107 Upper Street, London, N1 1QN
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑8 pm |
Best British, Modern restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Islington
British, Modern restaurant in Islington
British, Modern restaurant in Islington
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
Turkish restaurant in Islington
Pizza restaurant in London
East & Cent. European restaurant in Islington
