The Independent, January 2007
'Although much of the focus of this relaxed eaterie in London’s trendy Hoxton area is on wine, CRU do ‘a fabulous brunch from noon’ says Mario. Head chef Kathy Goddard’s
menu can include roast port sandwich with apple and sage confit, banana
pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, and toasted mushrooms with cured
salmon, poached eggs and hollandaise.' 50 Best Brunches, The Independent
Bloomberg.com July 2006
'Hoxton,
just north of London's financial district, was dismissed as passe
almost as soon as it became fashionable in the late 1990s. So much for
fashion. Discussions about the "new Hoxton'' are as pointless and
cliched as the search for the "new black." The old Hoxton is just
fine. It's a great mix of commercial and industrial buildings and cool
bars and restaurants.
For
an excellent selection of wines, and decent Mediterranean food, try
CRU, just off Hoxton Square, home to the White Cube art gallery. CRU is
worth a visit, even if it is a tad self- consciously hip. CRU holds
wine-tasting evenings, promotes wines of the month and sells bottles to
take away. There's a good range available by the glass and some unusual
varieties, such as a Luxembourg red (Domaine Mathis Bastian Pinot Noir,
Remich, 2004) at 30 pounds. The focus is on smaller vineyards and
less-well-known varieties to keep down prices and add interest for
oenophiles.'
Tatler, Feb 2006
A hipper-than-hip
workmanlike space where the Brit art set comes (just around the corner
from the white cube) The menu dispenses with the Uk and then does a whistle-stop mix-and-match tour of the Med. Sounds insane but it works! It’s supported by one of London’s
most imaginative wine lists. They’re crazy about wine here,
offering ‘Flights’ of different styles so customers can get to know
what they really like.
Harpers & Queen 2006
‘Kathy Goddard has
recently taken the helm at CRU which has a strong reputation for its
excellent rustic style cooking. Enjoy tapas & platters of cheese
over a glass of wine and the newspapers in the lounge area or settle
down in the restaurant for bouillabaisse, organic roasted chicken or
Buccleuh organic sirloin. The wine list, supervised by Kate Thal is exceptional’
The Independent
'You
can always tell the difference between a restaurant born out of love'…
'CRU belongs firmly to the labour of love category' 'the menu is as
thoroughly modern as the customers, spicing up some European Brassiere
fare'… 'the open plan space is incredibly downtown' 'a restaurant run
primarily for the pleasure of its guest' 'another good reason to visit Hoxton Square.’
Tracy MacLeod
The Times
'CRU..is better
than the locals deserve' 'they have succeed one hundred percent' '.it
is both big and cosy.' 'the staff are young and cute' 'I liked this
place' 'It is chilled, comfy friendly, musically restrained and quite
grown up' … ‘But hurry the locals haven't discovered it yet'...
Giles Coren
The Telegraph
'CRU is new.
Brand new' 'it occupies a 19th century warehouse and boasts all the
indigenous design features you would expect of such a building'
'flashes of real talent from a more than competent kitchen. I like it.
There is something really enjoyable about the urban and cool CRU CRU
not least because its good value and big hearted'...
Jan Moir
Financial Times
'A
relaxed atmosphere, bar food and a more sophisticated restaurant are
enhanced by an extensive wine list with plenty of choice by the
glass’...
Nicholas Laxier
Time Out
'A feel good kind of place, with friendly service and an impressive looking wine list'...
Guy Dimond
