Gilgamesh Restaurant Bar Lounge
The Stables Market Chalk Farm Road Camden Town London NW1 8AH
In Mesopotamian literature, Gilgamesh was a demigod made famous in the tale the Epic of Gilgamesh. Taking this theme of godliness, Gilgamesh – part restaurant and part Babylonian bar –was born. Parodying the story in everything from the decor to the service, it's really unlike anywhere else you may have eaten, with a choice of entrances – either by the mesmerising Tree of Life walkway or a lavish escalator – hand-crafted walls imported from India and high open ceilings that certainly make you feel close to heaven, while the bronzed, ruby velvet thrones allow you to dine like a king. Sure, it's not tasteful, but an A-list cast of celebrities and hangers-on have been regulars here since it opened and the food is very affordable and actually pretty good – Pan Asian dishes such as plum miso chilean sea bass in hoba leaf created by chef and former Gordon Ramsey cohort Ian Pengelley. You can just come here for a good, and reasonably cheap, Asian curry (opt for the penang), or get stuck into with the handmade-before-your-eyes sushi and dim sum on offer. And they do good set menus and special lunch time deals.
