Bar Solo and Colour can’t be beaten for great music and excellent cuisine

A BOHEMIAN place with a cosy bar in the front room. On a warm day or evening the doors are open making it a great place to sit and watch passers by and there is a lot to see in this small but busy street. The market during the day and locals and tourists searching for a pint or a place to eat and relax. And indeed relax is what Bar Solo offers. Everyone there seemed happy and enjoying their time.
It opens for breakfast at 9am with a wide selection from a filter coffee (£1.30) to a Mochaccino £ 1.90; from toast (£0.80) to a Complete Breakfast of scrambled eggs, smoked bacon, grilled sausage, black pudding, grilled tomato, beans and toast (£6.20).
The main restaurant has two skylights which give a great sense of space. The wooden tables are well placed not to infringe into the privacy of the guests. An unobtrusive second bar and some comfortable sofas give extra space to those who want to just come for a drink or lounge comfortably before having a meal.
Interesting artifacts adorn the walls and a large black candle holder stands on the floor without candles on one side of the room. I was intrigued by this and the explanation came when it became dark outside. The candles arrived and their light signalled the beginning of the evening. In addition individual night candles were placed on the tables.
We chose to start with dishes that do not require a knife and a fork. The spicy barbecued baby back ribs were crunchy and lots of them (£4.50) whilst the grilled king prawns with chilli and lemon were light and tasty.
The Hungarian Chef, Mr Zoli, is generous with the portions. Both our dishes were large. Braised lamb shank with garlic mash and sautéed spinach (£9.50) and the Char grilled Chicken Breast on a bed of tagliatelle topped with mushroom sauce (£9.90) with a creamy cheesecake for dessert (£4.50).
The Pinot Grigio at £14.60 was a good choice. The bill included a 12.5 per cent service charge and the credit card receipt had been closed as it should be when service has been included.
My friend Bill Russell, the author of the children’s book and song ‘Chip Donovan and the Dragon Fly’ was eager to try the cocktail bar nightclub downstairs. I instead opted to learn about it for future reference – ‘Colour’ is a large room in the basement – it opens daily at 5pm.
There is an entrance fee of £3 before 10.30pm and £5 thereafter on Fridays and Saturdays – but the fee is waived for restaurant diners.
It seems every night is party night at Colour as on Mondays and Sundays they have live music with special guests popping in for shows.
Top DJ’s drop in on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and play from their large range of dance music.
Friday and Saturday nights their resident DJ chooses classic party tunes.
So Camden Town’s most eclectic range of musical delights are on offer with a wide choice of draught beers, cocktails and food from Bar Solo’s menu.
Legendary for its Christmas parties it is advisable to book as early as you can.

Bar Solo and Colour
20 Inverness Street NW1
Call 020 7482 4611
Open: Mondays – Saturdays
9am – 1am.
Midnight on Sundays