Cruse 9

A wonderful new restaurant has arrived in Islington.

Somewhere everyone has been waiting for.

It really has to be visited to be believed! A first class restaurant housed in its own brand new specially designed building, Cruse 9 really stands out from the crowd in every way.

Great attention has been paid to create an ideal environment for a contemporary culinary experience.

Built on three levels, the roof to pavement glass walls flood the interior with light, most notably on the mezzanine level which has a very special atmosphere indeed.

By contrast, the basement bar is both intimate and cosy, ideal for pre-meal drinks or relaxing digestifs.

The cuisine is exceptional, refined pan Mediterranean with subtle hints of Asian.

Absolutely everything is cooked in house from the finest and freshest of ingredients, the breads, the luxury ice creams (you must try the chocolate and chilli!), the pastas of either saffron or wholemeal, the marmalades etc, not to mention the mouth watering desserts……… Having got comfortably seated, you will be offered a selection of freshly cooked breads; every day the chef creates new flavours, and this is only the first treat.

Although the menu is very clear, a waiter will be on hand to explain each dish.

The wines are some of the best available in all price ranges, having been carefully sourced and selected.

To help you decide, there are suggestions included on the menu as to what, in the restaurant's opinion, would go well with each dish.

These are also available by the glass.

After the first course (maybe the Jerusalem artichoke soup?), comes a delightful and refreshing home made sorbet to clean your palette in readiness for the flavours to come, which continue to be more subtle and exciting.

Even the smallest dish has the artist's hand of the chef.

The flavours suit all palettes, but here, even the old favourites have been refined, such as the bread and butter pudding with fresh vanilla cream and mango, the Pear Tatin with lemongrass ice cream, the roast lamb roulade stuffed with Kofta, the pork with apricots and spices, to mention but a few.

Vegetarians are especially cared for.

For example, the crunchy vegetable spaghetti on a parmesan and chive polenta could tempt even the most ardent carnivore! Open on Sundays, there is a special menu on offer.

The true British roasts are here and, as you would expect, wonderfully cooked.

The Yorkshire puddings are as light as air, and the meat is cooked exactly as you request.

Such desserts as freshly baked fruit crumbles and the wonderful bread and butter puddings that are accompanied by home made vanilla custards or cream are also waiting to be enjoyed.

A real treat for a Sunday afternoon! Light lunch menus are also offered during the week and on Saturdays.

The chef, Taher Djeebet trained and taught at Les Roches, and has worked alongside Marco Pierre White at London's famous Mirabelle restaurant.

A young well-trained staff, the service is highly efficient, yet in no way overbearing.

Alex Costa, the owner is on hand most of the time to make sure all is well.

The manager, Joe is there to greet you, and sooner or later will become your friend.

The official launch week is taking place in early March.

If you are dining there during this week you will be offered one of their VIP cards with its many benefits.

So check the date out as soon as possible.

You can be sure that whether it is lunch or dinner Cruse 9 offers a very pleasing interlude indeed! Come and see for yourselves.

Look them up on the net to read some of the reviews they have already had from their first customers.

Here, all the wonderful dishes and their accompaniments will be on sale to take away, freshly cooked in the kitchens next door.

THE CRUSE 9 DELI IS OPENING SOON.

Signature dishes:

• Fresh rope grown mussels steamed in aspall cyder and lemon juice with dill and crispy seaweed £7.95
• Fresh tiger prawn in a crispy saffron tempura, served with a creamed chili dip and a honey and soy sauce £7.95
• Juicy pork tenderloin, stuffed with apricots and spices, served with caramelized bananas and coconut risotto £15.95
• Asian style duck raviolis, served with chilli butter sauce and stir fried Chinese leaf. £14.95
• Marinated fresh swordfish steak, pan fried and served with mooli and coriander remoulade and water chestnuts in chilli butter. £16.95
• Baileys fondant with coffee ice cream and whisky tuille.

Opening Times:

• Monday – closed
• Tues- Thurs Noon – 11pm
• Fri – Sat Noon – 1pm
• Sundays 11am -10.30pm