Review: The Forge Cantina

kiri | 31st July 2015

forgelogo

By Tom Gatehouse
@tragatehouse
tomgatehouse.com

When the Shikor Bangladesh All Stars took to the stage, half the restaurant got to their feet and came to stand by the window where my companion and I were sat. I was attacking my Cantina burger (£10) at the time, with the plum tomato and salsa fresca stealing a march down my shirt. A couple of blops from the khomok and plucks of the lute later, it was clear that we had the best seat in the house, with the Forge Cantina turning from causal social eatery to prime gig perch via a whole lot of hip jiggling.

This was Camden at its most multicultural. The Forge, being an internationally savvy music venue, plays host to a multitude of different bands and troupes each week. And, for the summer, have cracked open a Latin-American street food ‘restaurant’, the Cantina, above the action. Etched in tropical murals, with long brown leather sofas, benches and coloured chairs; the vibe is obviously chilled. The food is street, wonderfully messy, and over the top chunky.

_MG_3926

We started with two of the Arepas (£6) – a traditional Venezuelan cornflour flatbread. Mine was filled to the brim with shredded beef, black bean, cheddar, guasacaca and salsa fresca. The other, demolished by my dinner guest, swapped beef for pulled pork. They were deemed as semi-starters, but both were large enough to fill quite the hole, as well as most of the plate and a bit of the table, such was the overspill and general sloppiness of these excellent snack-mains.

Between courses, we explored the drinks menu somewhat, while watching the stage take shape for the evening’s entertainment. A pint of the Meteor lager (£4.50) was a first for me, but certainly the first of many (if I can find it in London again), while an Elderflower Fresco (£8.50)– made up of gin, elderflower syrup, apple and lime juice, and fresh cucumber – kept my companion enthused during our wait. It was heaving that evening, and there were teething pains for the new staff. Unfortunate but forgiveable, miscommunication between the kitchen and the bar can be more than problematic.

Still, this was a place with atmosphere and charm, with those waiting more than happy to while away the time chit-chatting in comfortable seating and surroundings.

cantina-steak1

The arriving mains were, as mentioned, a large Cantina burger for me, while my companion indulged in an Argentinian chimichurri steak sandwich (£10). They both came with a choice of fries, with the cassava and plantain varieties easily picked out.

As the band kicked off with bells and whistles, I cracked on with my main, eager to get downstairs and in the action. The burger was whopping and packing a punch, but the cassava fries a touch undercooked. I quickly realised that the arepas earlier had left me pretty stuffed, despite its relatively small size, leaving little room for my excellent, roaring burger. My companion, with his gorgeously drizzly steak sandwich and slightly undercooked plantain fries, felt the same. We laid siege for a time, but were ultimately beaten.

We moseyed on down to the gig proper with a pint of Meteor each. Leaflets appeared from all corners, proclaiming the coming months’ jazz, world, classical and folk gigs. With sizeable street food up top, and an endless stream of fascinating sound streaming out below, The Forge and its Cantina is one sure fire destination for Londoners this summer. A money’s worth is certainly to be had.

The Forge Cantina 
Address: 3-7 Delancey St, London NW1 7NL
Phone:020 7383 7808
Website: forgevenue.org/cantina
Twitter: twitter.com/TheForgeCamden

_MG_3896