Cottons

Awful experience! We came here purposefully after reading positive Unilocal reviews I was looking forward to it. Alas! It wasn’t meant to come up any close to my expectations. It was very stuffy inside. The server seemed to be very sweet at first, took our order, brought cocktails and mains, but then completely forgot about us. When we finally caught her she said to wait a minute and never returned to us. We meant to order desserts, but no one came to us, so we skipped it. We asked for the bill and waited for 20 minutes! We were about to leave and I’m sure we could with no one to notice. Ridiculous! As for the food, my sister had mixed fish and I had mixed meat plate. Both of us had our mouths burned with the sauce on top and of course was no way to recognize any taste of the meat or fish itself! The decision is up to you, but, especially with the current service, I would avoid the place.

The jerk chicken is the reason to eat at Cottons, I give it a 4 star. But other than that, the food was 2 star.
Ordered the mezze starter platter. I’d say there was nothing special tasting about it. The coleslaw was not good and the red sauce and the jerk side sauces were lack luster– if anything, wasn’t tasty. Not sure if it’s a Caribbean thing (but even my Caribbean friend wasn’t familiar with this technique), but they leave the banana peal on the plantains. If it’s to keep the plantain moist and juicy, doesn’t work. Plantain was dry and dense. The callaloo side order tasted like butter and nothing else.
Service is good, staff friendly.

Mmm… Goat curry and plantain with awesome rum cocktails. Doesn’t get much better.

Disappointing! After the pretty good Unilocal reviews, I was looking forward to some Caribbean food. What I got was a jerk chicken wrap that had hardly any chicken inside. It was mostly dry layers of wrap. There were a few bits of salad on the plate as well.
There was only one staff person visible, and he was on the phone most of the time. I eventually had to interrupt him to get the check. He never brought water.
Bamboula in Stockwell is better. I still have to try Negril and Jerk City.

I was a little skeptical about Caribbean food in London. Not to further spread the stereotype or anything, but my taste buds were feeling under-​utilized and under-​appreciated after a week in the UK. So I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself reaching for a glass of water after one bite of the jerk chicken. It was pretty intense, but still flavorful. The rest of my meal worked well with the chicken and helped balance the heat out. The drinks didn’t stand out quite as much — a little too sugary for me.
We also had some issues with the service, and it seems that it was our server’s first and/​or last night on the job. There were a couple of times we caught the manager chewing him out in the kitchen and he bungled our orders a bit. The restaurant was quick to fix things however and he did seem to be trying, so in the end he was too much of a sympathetic character to really get upset with.

This jerk chicken, which I’ve now had twice, made a believer out of me. It’s a lovely confluence of spicy, juicy, savoury and sweet.
The cocktails, however, are less impressive and overly sweet. Beer or wine’s probably a better option at Cottons.

So, fine, the food wasn’t masterfully executed. There were bones here and there and the chicken was overdone in spots. But the flavor! Oh the flavor was there like it didn’t even care it was in London. It was unique and strong and urgently necessary.
They also have a tiny kitchen with three cooks so come in with that island mindset, no rush, no worries, your food is going to take a while. That doesn’t mean the service was bad. They refilled our water without needing to beg (clutch) and were very attentive, but the pace was otherwise definitely laid back.
Really, I wasn’t sure about cottons until Tupac came up on the playlist and then, I mean, they played Tupac. That’s worth a star on it’s own. Music was great all around and its just a great way to escape for an evening meal.

Free dinner! Well for me at least as a beautiful girl learned the hazards of betting against me (although to be fair since the stakes were loser buys dinner I was going to win either way). And when she suggested we try out this outpost of island cooking in London I was pretty damn excited.
Cottons is pretty much what it says it is: a restaurant specialising in true Caribbean cooking. Now, I admit my experience with such foods is limited to one trip to the Dominican Republic and I reckon it was adapted for American mainstream tastes. However, I did manage to sneak a meal in outside of the resort and was quite intrigued by the combination of sweet and spices that several dishes exhibited.
The atmosphere of Cottons does make you feel a bit like you’ve been transported away from dreary Londontown (especially in the Rhum Bar downstairs although I suspect the rum itself may have something to do with that). The waitstaff were attentive and very friendly with our waiter trading jokes with us from the start.
So let’s talk food. Being the carnivorous curry lover that I am, I of course opted for the curried goat. My date choose a more delicate option of sea bass and plantains. And to round out the meal, a simple juicy merlot fit the bill.
First off, a word of advice: the portions are quite large compared to the average British restaurant (nothing compared to the average US one but then again I’ve held feasts for 20 people that involved less food than one meal I had in Miami). The curried goat was full of rich, bold, spicy flavours and tender chunks of seasoned meat. I could eat that for breakfast, lunch, and dinner without a word of complaint and given the option probably would do so in a heartbeat. One significant flaw is the treatment of the bones from the goat. Now, I’m not sure exactly how one manages to shatter bones in such a fashion (I considered that they may have pureed goat on the bone into the curry or perhaps opted for a sledgehammer instead of a knife when carving up the animal) but you have to be extremely careful when eating now to scoop up a shard of bone and end up skewering your tongue to the roof of your mouth. However, once you’ve got past that hurdle the food is all fun and games.
The sea bass was almost enough to inspire food envy as it was perfectly cooked with silky flaky flesh and lightly seasoned with a sweet (potentially mango influenced) marinade. It lacked enough spice for me personally (I blame the curried goat for spoiling me) but my date loved it and the presentation was spectacular. The plantains made a nice addition with their sweetness complementing the sea bass marinade quite well.
One more thing to note, the bathrooms are incredibly basic but seemed to fit with the theme of the place. No nonsense and fuss, they get the job done without trying to distract you with shiny mirrors and porcelain thrones that cost more than what I make in a month. I suppose that’s what Cottons felt like. Good food, good fun, and not much else to get in your way!

Cottons was another stop on the Unilocal!drinks jamboree, although I would classify it as a restaurant instead of a bar.
The food portions at Cottons are immense. I ordered jerk chicken rice and peas and was shocked to be given half a chicken which was bigger than my head. Despite being starving I was only able to eat two thirds before hitting the wall.
The cocktails were good as well if a little strong, I would be happy to pay full price for them in future.

Half a chicken!!!
And not a small, poisson style chicken but a proper Sunday roast sized chicken. That’s what I got on my plate, covered in jerk seasoning along with pineapple chunks, some salad and rice and beans. My mushroom tart to start with wasn’t for me but equally, was nice enough. Bless them, they actually though we could manage a dessert after presenting us with this feast.
The Unilocal drinks cocktails I had were good and very strong (hic). I forget what I had, that’s how strong they were. Despite being half price, these cocktails would be reasonable enough at full price.
It was nice to see so many other Unilocalers enjoying their Friday night at Cottons. If only I hadn’t left my jacket on the 38 in my haste to arrive to eat then it would have been a perfect evening (the lost jacket was by no means the fault of Cottons may I add, just mine alone).

Out of all the places on the Unilocal drink special 2011 list, I have to say THIS place was my favourite… a place I hadn’t yet tried with some flipping amazing drinks!
The Caribbean Yellow Bird was the best, with Thomas A, tisha B and I postulating on how to make our own. Then, we gave up (mostly because we were too inebriated to go on) and decided that it was just better to come here for the drinks. The bartender was excellent as well – he claimed it was his second night on the job but did such an amazing job that I doubt it :) He was also super friendly and great, he should really get a raise already
I didn’t eat, but the food smelled HEAVENLY and I aim to come back here and savour the delicious smells coming from the kitchen.
(*please note, I have not been paid to advertise pay raises within this Unilocal review*)

It’s midday. As I sit here deciding what fanciful feast could fulfill all my heart’s desires, I can’t help having daydreams about the wonderful smells coming from each dish passed under my nose the night before.
And half-​priced cocktails — it is Thursday after all.
My compadre Lucien HD and I stopped by Cottons for some post-​football cocktails hoping for the Rhum Jungle and comedy to be in full swing. Per usual, football stole the comedy crowds, but the bar was still open, so we stepped up to the plate.
As part of Unilocal Drinks week, we went with the Jamaican Mule. Delicious and made with love, just like a cocktail ought to be. A few Mules coupled with a friendly bartender kept us there until the bar shut down.
I’ll be back soon with an empty stomach and aspirations of sitting in the sun.

I’m a huge fan of their food here. The well-​seasoned chicken, the rice with pigeon peas, along with the friend plantains took me back to my apartment in Brooklyn, where my mother used to cook us similar Caribbean foods for dinner. I love food that takes me to a happy place.
The helpings were generous and the food delicious. The only thing I wasn’t a fan of was the wait. We waited about 45 minutes for our mains. I imagine it had to do with them hosting a party in their room downstairs.

Full disclosure: As I hail from a west indian and South American background my tastes are very attuned to what constitutes good Caribbean fare.
Having been to the Camden branch over a decade a go, and being distinctly underwhelmed, expectations were high.
I must disclose that i was slightly biased as i was in receipt of intelligent company, so it’s unlikely that i was going to have a bad evening.
that said, the cocktail: a Raas berry/​voda mash up was pure heaven. Untypically for London, heavy on the alcohol and easy with the ice.
I ate the lamb shank and my dining companion; Jerk Chicken with rice and peas. though a generous serving, I polished mine off and still had space to help see off the chicken. It was a clucking good meal, so much so that there was no need (or space!) for dessert.
I’ll be back here just as soon as the tsunami-​like swell in my stomach has subsided. Highly recommended, especially for its authenticity.

I was thinking about Caribbean food recently, and remembered what is probably one of my favourite food experiences… ever. Ah, it was a fleeting holiday romance. During a week in London, Cottons swept me off my feet. It introduced me to the delights of caramelised plantains and saltfish, it delighted me with sweet potato tart and cocktails that doubled up as desserts.
Put it this way. I was in London for a week, and my friend and I visited Cottons twice.
It literally can do no wrong. It’s handsome, lively, the service is polite and friendly; even the accompaniments are to die for. You wouldn’t think rice and peas would be exciting. Ohhhh, it was spicy, gorgeous and moreish. My companion at the time tried to recreate the plantain side dish at home and she reported that she failed miserably… I think you need the magic touch to deal with those bad boys. I don’t think I’d bother attempting!
Situated if I remember rightly on that market road in Islington, it manages to be hip and down to earth at the same time. It’s housed in a beautiful building and offers dance classes in the basement below. Plus it’s always packed. It’s a shame I visited it before my capirinha obsession from Lizzie’s reports — I’ll have to go back! I implore you, if you’re lucky enough to be in the vicinity of this place at any time, give it a try. For me it was an introduction to Caribbean food, for many it will confirm how awesome you always knew it was. They do this great cuisine great justice. I heart Cottons.

Oh wow. It is a rare occasion that I am instantly enamored by anything. I mean, it took me a good two years before I even fancied my boyfriend! But Cottons absolutely swept me off my feet. The happy hour helped. A lot. But that’s the oldest trick in the book right? So Cottons had to get a bit more creative to impress this spoiled little food and cocktail princess.
And creative they got. First, the server noticed we wanted to sit outside. So rather than make us wait at the bar (which I was personally happy to do with a cocktail list like that…) he went all MacGyver on us, found a table from the back with some rogue mis-​matched chairs and made room outside. Now that’s my kind of server.
Then came the menu. I’m not talking about your standard ‘jerk chicken rice and peas’ here, I’m talkin’ shredded sweet chilli chicken served on a grilled pineapple with peppers and spicy mango sauce, and a mixed jerk fish grill with tilapia, parrot fish, red snapper and king prawns. Of course there were the plantains, rice and peas that went down a treat as well.
Let’s be honest — on a beautiful day like today, Cottons’ happy hour would have gotten 5 stars on its own. Leaving me with a full and happy tummy full of fish and a new crush on cachaça are just bonus stars as far as I’m concerned.

Went to Floridita’s as we had tickets for the Appleton Estate (Rum) Jamaican Bartender Challenge where the great food to accompany drinks all created by Cottons Restaurant (Islington) head chef Andrew McIntosh and business partner Nana Owusu (Marketing Manager). Really pleasant, down to earth and friendly people. Good kitchen and waiting staff.
The Appleton Estate cured salmon with guava and mango was an inspired way to start the evening accompanied by Jamaican Mules. Particular favorites were the hot and spicy Traditional Jamaican jerk chicken skewers with jerk sauce, and the Tilapia in a crispy batter with Caribbean curry dipping sauce. The banana and date pudding with Appleton Estate toffee sauce was the perfect way to end the evening with an order of Appleton Estate.
Andrew’s creatively designed dishes were well thought out. Cottons restaurant is worth visiting!!!

Cottons entrance right on the corner of the infamous Exmouth Market. It does not look much from the outside but don’t let that deceive you. Once inside the restaurant opens out before you with a really cool looking Lounge Bar. There is also a rather lavish bar area which is adjacent to the main restaurant dining area.
I found the staff very friendly and welcoming as we entered. They seated us in the Rum Jungle land. The waitress was abit slow to get us refills but on the whole very accommodating.
Regarding the drinks the Rum punch was excellent and the strongback was as it name says — very strong! An improvement to my first visit was the fast delivery of the food. All in all, an excellent night out Caribbean style!

I am a big fan of anywhere that is both welcoming and accommodating. We arrived on a Saturday night, just after peak feeding time, and they still managed to find space for us. Admittedly it was in the bar area, but this didn’t really matter, as it was uncrowded and had a relaxed atmosphere. Despite being out of the range of vision, the wait staff were attentive, and we had a fantastic meal.
The food here is excellent, really tasty, with a fair selection of interesting dishes. Not enough of a selection that you could eat here all the time, but certainly enough to justify a few visits. Downstairs there is a lively bar called the Rhum Jungle, for anyone who wants to continue the festivities after eating. Though since Cotton’s is on Exmouth Market, there are plenty of other nightlife choices to keep you occupied well into the night.

I thought this was really nice.
I am, I admit it, a fan of Caribbean food. I love it. Am I bias? Yes
SO, turns out this is a really nice restaurant. Obv. it’s never going to look like a real Jamaican rum shack, we’re in Islington now darling. But Cottons more than makes up for its, ahem, ‘location’.
They have a good selection of curries, like, chickpea and pumpkin, a Trinidadian mixed curry, a mixed jerk fish grill. And I’m salivating already… They have a lot of meat on the menu, standardly. But a lot of vegetarian dishes as well.
It is a bit pricey, but again, the location springs to mind. And it seems that Caribbean food got that tendency. Anyway, don’t let that put you off (unless you’re poor) — «a lovely dine!»