Sarah D.

Review of Carpenters Arms

15 Mar 08, 10:13

Great pub, especially upstairs

This pub needs no recommendation as it is always full of those of us who work locally.

Last night however I discovered their new upstairs bar which was very nice and less crowded. Only drawback is apparently they can only let max 50 people in on the first floor due to fire regulations. A friend was refused entry to join us on this basis which was pesky but not insuperable. Explains why it was less rammed up there, advise go early or on a non-work night when it must surely be less busy.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Icco Pizza

24 Oct 07, 22:25

Fab cheap pizza and breakfast buzz too

How can their pizza be so good when it is so cheap and fast? Dunno, just glad it is and that it's near my office. It is where we head for lunch when all is going pear-shaped and we need cheering up and it is always the tops.

Ok so you have to hope they yell a vaguely-recognisable approximation to your name out when your pizza is ready (good hearing and lateral thinking helps at this point) but I love this place with its chromey tables and great buzz.

I love it not only for the pizza, but also for the fact that they see me coming in the mornings and have my hot chocolate and croissant to go virtually in my hands as soon as I reach the counter (it's my Cheers moment, like I'm a local in this city of anonymity) and its only £1.50 for the two - free croissant heaven!

oooh yes they are nice, nice people, and then there's the dapper old guy who always says good morning to me even on bad hair days, it all makes going to work just a bit less miserable. Big hangout for motorbike couriers in the mornings too a propos of nothing in particular.

Corner of Goodge and Charlotte Streets.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Bay Leaf Cafe

24 Oct 07, 22:06

Homemade food from a great family-run cafe

I've been going to this little cafe just around the corner from Goodge Street tube and Pollocks Toy Museum since it opened and I can't recommend it highly enough.

The people who run it are super lovely and the food is always tasty homemade stuff. I would walk a mile for their fabulous moussaka and the chicken pie is always a winner, meanwhile their everyday chilli is brilliant. They are also into making sure everything is in sustainable cardboard packaging so you can ease your carbon guilt over lunch or breakfast from here.

The place looks tiny and most people are queuing for takeouts at lunchtime but there are also tables downstairs where you can hide away and have a good natter or while a bit of spare time waiting for someone or seeking respite from Tottenham Court Road. They also cater for meetings and parties, etc and it's good stuff I've sampled it for myself in the board room (stuffing your face during videoconferences across five timezones is such a good look I find).

Huge recommendation for this place as it is a really well priced, friendly family-run cafe that SO deserves to stick around and go from strength to strength. Enough from me, just try it and see if I'm not right.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.