Been waiting to try this place for a while, had cancelled a few previous reservations but finally decided to give it a try yesterday. The menu, which boasts ingredients (and wines) that are primarily locally sourced British (English), sounds fantastic, and raises ones expectations of a great meal to follow. Unfortunately, Native doesn't deliver on its promise or potential.
To begin with, the service is flat - our server felt like a diner waitress who'd been displaced. She was abrupt and brusk, coupled with the terrible acoustics of the basement dining area, this doesn't make for a pleasant start. I enquired as to whether the venison was wild or farmed, she replied "it's wild, but contained"; clearly not understanding the difference between the two options.
Next, one of the snacks (hog chicharrons) was unavailable, and when we tried to order another (cow curd), we were told to order bread with it as well (if this is required, why isn't it simply included?). So our original plan of three starting snacks was cut down to a single one, the cauliflower pakoras. They arrived, fried, but not warm - which perhaps was the intention. However, they have absolutely no seasoning, nor any salt (you cannot have something fried and savoury without salt!), and as a result were extremely bland and disappointing.
Our next courses were the wood pigeon kebabs (which looked more like a taco upon arrival) and raw rainbow carrots and a blue cheese dip. The pigeon was good, but marred by large coriander seed pieces, which completely overtook your pallet when eaten. I can say the carrots and blue cheese were the best part of our entire dining experience, unfortunately neither of these items were cooked and the skills that brought them forth can't really be attributed to Native.
Our main courses were the venison loin (farmed, or "wild by contained"), and celeriac with goats curd. Both were fine, but again seriously suffered a lack of seasoning and salt. We should also note that salt isn't provided at your table, so you'd likely have to request it.
Overall a disappointing experience for a restaurant that had so much potential. Great ingredients, fresh and local, unfortunately not treated with the respect they deserve. Maybe Native had simply run out of salt on our unlucky Friday night visit. read more