Spot something you fancy? Just grab it off the belt.
What can you tell us about Pick & Cheese?
Put simply, it's cheese on a conveyor belt. That really should be enough to get anyone interested, but just in case it doesn't, here's some more information. The first Pick & Cheese was (and continues to be) a big hit in Seven Dials Market, so big that they've also recently opened another Pick & Cheese over in Berlin. This Camden opening is the second London outpost for the concept and sees them transforming what was The Cheese Bar into London's second Pick & Cheese.
What's changed from its previous Cheese Bar operation?
The Cheese Bar was, as you might expect, similarly cheese-focused, but primarily based around a central bar and counter dining. That bar has now been expanded to take in the entire room, so that the conveyor belt can reach anyone dining there. It's smaller than the original Seven Dials version, but otherwise a pretty similar operation.
The counter from the previous Cheese Bar has been extended. The extra section is closest in the photo above and, being narrower, that's an ideal place for groups to sit.
Where is it?
It's in Camden Market, or more specifically, Camden Stables Market. That's about a 5-10 minute walk from Camden Road station (with Chalk Farm about the same length in the opposite direction. The area is often packed during the day and at weekends, but can be rather quiet come the evening - perhaps a victim of Camden slightly over-extending its food and drink operation over a fairly wide area. Still, in this area, Pick & Cheese is clearly one of the high points.
What's on the menu?
You'll see pretty much everything on the main menu winding its way throughout the room. Each dish is presented under a glass dome with a number on it. So, as the dishes go past on the belt, you can take a quick look at the menu, to find out what they are under the corresponding number. So the usual process (from our visit, anyway) is to look everything go past until you see something you fancy, check what it is in the menu and then grab it if you like the sound of what's on offer. Or, more likely, grab it the next time around because by the time you make up your mind, it's already whirred away from you.
We found this really good, if slightly chaotic, fun last time we tried it in Seven Dials and it's the same experience here.
There are 28 dishes going round the conveyor belt and while we 're not going to go through each one, we'll give you a rough idea based on what we tried. Everything is split into colour-coordinated plates, so even if you don't pick up the menu, you'll have a rough idea of pricing (which is split £4.35/£4.90/£5.95/£6.55).
Many of the cheeses are paired with different types of crackers (you'll be given extra crackers if you need them), but there are some more surprising pairings too. The majority of the cheese is British, with the odd Irish cheese making an appearance too. Here's a taste:
Truffled Baron Bigod (£5.95) - We went straight for this, they truffle it themselves and it's a must-have.
Dazel Ash (Wiltshire) with rosemary honey & shortbread (£5.95) - a goat's cheese which is a perfect match for the honey and shortbread.
Lincolnshire Poacher paired with sauerkraut (£4.35) - there are plenty of hard and soft options on the menu, so you can easily stick to cheese that you prefer and still have plenty of choice.
Perl Las (Carmarthenshire) with chocolate & hazelnut brownie (£5.45) - Showcasing how the pairings steer away from the norm to great effect.
Cornish Yarg with pea & mint pesto (£4.90) - Sometimes, however, the pairings did divide us - we were not sure about the mint aspect of this...
And what if you don't see what you want on the belt?
If one of the dishes isn't on there (or someone snatches it before you), you can request for anything on the menu to be made up for you. But there's also an "off-belt" menu, which is mainly about grilled cheese sandwiches (as well as a whole baked Baron Bigod served with a baguette for £28).
The sandwiches are a good bet based on our choice:
La Latteria Mozzarella with chilli honey toastie (£9) - this was a great cheese toastie with impressive stretchy cheese action.
And what about dessert?
There are two on the conveyor belt (yes, one of them is a cheesecake), as well as some goat's cheese gelato that's off the belt. But when you see the following make its way around the room, you'll have to pick it:
Whipped rosary goat's cheese doughnut with apricot & vanilla jam (£6.55) - the do-not-miss dessert.
What about drink?
There is a small selection of beer, but really the focus is on the wine here. It's a shortish European list, with bottles starting at a pretty reasonable £34, and rosé from £42. Lucky Saint and a few other non-alcohol options are also available.
Overall thoughts
We were early day fans of the first cheese conveyor belt restaurant, and that continues with this smaller follow-up. The cheeses are all great and well chosen, with thoughtful pairings alongside. It's a simple idea that's a fun time and easy to recommend.
More about Pick & Cheese
Where is it? Unit 93 - 94, Chalk Farm Rd, Chalk Farm, London NW1 8AH
How to book: Book online or call 020 7428 6441.
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @pick_and_cheese.
Hot Dinners ate as guests of Pick & Cheese. Prices are correct at the time of writing.
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