I see that an earlier reviewer chose to dine at Zetters, I wonder were they aware of the breakfast/lunch reputation it enjoys. Turn up at 8.30 and you'll find the good and the great of some of London's leading marketing agencies, their high-powered fmcg clients or media writers. No one really eats or drinks, they just mostly talk business, be warned!

I really wanted to like The Zetter, unfortunately it turned out to be really average. Maybe I should have been warned by the fact that through the huge windows opening onto the restaurant from the street it was very empty for a Wednesday evening. Never a good sign for what was supposed to be a good local restaurant. The design of the place is great and the room opens up on Clerkenwell Road road on one side, with a modern retro decor all around. The restaurant is part of a recent London boutique hotel which has really got the design right, with a cool bar between the entrance and the restaurant (no I have not checked the rooms). What they did not get quite right, for a £45/50 bill per head for dinner, is the food unfortunately. The Italian influenced food is simply trying too hard, mixing too many ingredients in courses that look good on the menu, ok in the plate and not so good in the mouth. We left feeling so-so after the dinner. We did manage to drink a great wine (Italian Barbera d'Asti) which was the highlight of the evening. Probably a better place for drinks, assuming the bar is more lively than when we were there.