Vlad 's reviews
Review of Antipasto and Pasta
06 Aug 07, 13:30
Italian Stallion 
A local stalwart. Antipasto (as the locals call it) has been there since the Vesuvius first went pop and remains a local favourite. The reviews on the notice board - albeit a bit old - tell you all you need to know.
This gets the full start treatment as not only is the atmosphere in this place fantastic - think family run - the food is wonderful and incredibly good value. The portions and huge. The only drawback (is it?) is that they don't serve pizza. Try the Seafood pasta and the three cheese pasta. Delicious. It's not fancy, its not anything other than very good italian food.
They have a half price monday which is as it sounds. The restaurant is split into two areas the front and back both of which are nice although the ornate tiling in the front makes it my favourite.
Perfect if you live in the area but an effort to get to if you don't.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Zeitgeist
06 Aug 07, 13:19
Friends, Shoppers, Countrymen, Give me your money 
On no account take Mothers, wives or female friends to this shop.
It's another one of those places where you go in out of curiousity and hours later emerge to find that you have spent £500 in 36 separate transactions on items whose porupose still eludes you.
Well, you know what I mean.
It's really great. Much more eccentric and quirky that its neighbour Oliver Bonas. The front room is full of shiney things of no particular category, the middle rooms seems to have been stocked by a candle obsessive and the back room is a treasure trove of toys for children.
Well worth a visit. Without your wife.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of London South Bank Club
06 Aug 07, 12:50
"It's sports, gym, but not as we know it"
This rates as the best sports club find so far.....and there have been a few lying by the wayside.
It's not just a gym but a sports club. Its not a Holmes place, its not a Vie health club. It's good value, varied offering, clean and well maintained. And you won't have to sell your mother to get membership.
First off, it has 11 + squash courts which is unheard of in my experience. This is a good trade off for its relatively remote location.
There are 3 glass backed courts in front of the gym's coffee and bar area. You are guaranteed a court if you book in advance. Club nights are played there on Tuesday nights and there is a thriving community. A simple game to assess you ability is all that is required. Beware. There are some very very good players there. Lessons are available if you need them.
Cost for joining just the squash side (you can break your membership down for the areas of the club that that you want) is about £26 per month. You can use the other areas if you want to for a few pounds at a time. Non members can also play but the cost to them is about £5 per game.
If you're looking for a place to work out though you won't be disappointed either. It's huge and filled with banks of all the machines you'd expect. The upper level if for those with a more wieght training focus.
There are also classes held on the other usual suspects in different rooms - from yoga, to Tai Chi to Pilates etc. Pretty much all you could want I'd say.
Changing rooms have the obligatory sauna and steam rooms and are all clean and well maintained.
Membership is easy, turn up speak to Klaus - the every friendly manager. He'll even write to you letting you know that your monthly payment has bounced ;-)......
It is quite far from any public transport but there are places for you to park your cars in the streets opposite or your bike in the bike racks.
The pub opposite is quite useful for a post squash game lager....
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of El Rincon Latino
06 Aug 07, 12:28
The Tardis 
Yep...the outside looks deceptive. A bit rough even but don't be put off.
The mirror on the back wall makes it look bigger than it is though when you're inside.
Really fun place to go. Lovely friendly place, fun staff, with a chilled but at the same time frenetic environment.
Not particularly smart. That's perfect though as it would be ruined if it was. A really decent and buzzing place to eat.
Enjoyed it more that Carmens tapas bar on the High Street mainly due to the better atmosphere.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Northcote Road Antiques Market
06 Aug 07, 12:16
Deceptively small, satisfyingly full
This is the place to go locally if you love antiques - large and small. Don't expect anything smart - its not but this is part of the appeal. You get the sense that some bits have been here for decades.
Despite the small entrance the store opens up to reveal a large split level room split into numerous conncessions (20 in all?).
Some specialise in antique maps, some in 1920 items, others in wood, some in ceramics, silver, others are just a collection of bits and bobs etc
It seems to be run like a co-operative. As far as I can tell these are also offshoot stalls for people who have large stores elsewhere.
The stallholders stake it in turns to attend and man the till on behalf of those that aren't there. Just ask at the desk if you see an item that interests you.
It's worth going to but watch your ruckasks - it is packed with stuff.
There's also a little cafe at the top, up the stairs for a coffee or tea break.
As ever, prices vary and you can negotiate discounts even though the items are priced. Time passes very quickly in this place. Book a couple of hours in.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Carey B Restoration and Antiques
06 Aug 07, 12:05
Antiques and restoration
Two things to review here: The store and the other business - the antique restoration (run by the husband).
Starting on the good thing first: If you have any special furniture that is looking a bit worse for wear but you need someone to give it a sensitive revamp without trashing it, use these guys. The Husband who runs the restoration side is fantastic. Eccentric, chaotic looking but friendly, honest and delivers what he promises to you. We've had a couple of things done by him and they look great. He will come to your home and give you an honest free quote (he even advised us not to restore something as it wasn't worth the money). He'll carry the furniture away and deliver it back at a time connvenient for you (Weekends too). No extra charge for all this delivery.
The shop itself though is a more for those looking to buy the big bits of furniture rather than curios and the more affordable bits and bobs. Don't be put off by what they have outside the door - it gets better inside but be prepared to spend £100's not £10s.
It is well worth going to if you've got the cash to buy a big table, dresser and the occasional random item such as the 1937 petrol pump. Oh and they will negotiate. Don't go for the sale price.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Avalon Comics
06 Aug 07, 11:47
Go on....be a geek
I know its sad but I can't help it.
A fan of 2000 AD and the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers since I was 13, it's now in my blood.
If you're a collector or - even better - if you're not but enjoy the artwork and storylines or just have a bit of a thing for Halo Jones, then this is a good place to indulge yourself. Like most nice places its a bit of a journey to get to (the nearest train station is C Junction) but if you're driving there are parking metres around. Mind the Parking wardens though if your thinking of winging it.....They will get you.
Otherwise, its what you would expect of a comic book store (Although the guy behind the desk doesn't look like Comic store guy from the Simpsons which is annoying) . If they don't have it, they'll order it for you. Last time, I looked they will even buy any unwanted stuff from you.
In anycase, it's good to see independents surviving the onslaught of the big chains. They carry many more niche titles that the likes of WHS Smith. Graphic novels, comics etc from Maus to Sandman to 200 AD to all the Marvels....
It's the personal touch that counts which is why this gets an extra star.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Bombay Bicycle Club
06 Aug 07, 11:34
Currying favour
It's popularity as a takeaway is well deserved. The ingredients are fresh (try the Chicken Jalfrezi), dishes not cloying as others can be, the menu varied, the food is blessedly free of grease and has a deserved reputation as one of the best curry houses in SW London.
Delivery is quick and the food invariably still hot. Free poppadoms too. ;-)
My only complaint is that sometimes it can be difficult to get through on the telephone - a testament to its popularity, I suppose. Try ordering on-line instead. It saves a bit of frustration.
That's all that needs to be said really. One of the best.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Borojo
06 Aug 07, 11:25
Brilliant!
Run by a lovely Portuguese (or is it Brazilian) man, this place is a surprise and definately worth a visit.
The Landor Road is hardly the epi-centre of London's shopping district but the shop has been there for some time (3 years). It is great though so maybe that explains Borojo's resilience. The prices are very reasonable (for fruit juices) and in return they'll give you part of your five a day portions for you to take away or drink in. If you like Juice and hate the cartoned and packaged bottles, then you'll love this place. Detox here.
Trouble is that I can't see too many people going there especially as it is off the beaten track. If you live in the area, you'll know about it already.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Sun
06 Aug 07, 11:17
The SUN has got his pad thai on.
The popularity of the Sun I think dates back from when it was one of the first pubs in Clapham to be revamped for the burgeoing non-stabbing population. Or maybe it was popular due to the novely of the pub / restaurant movement. Maybe its the bright exterior? Or something.
It's a bit over rated now, IMHO. Or rather....It's just a pub, serving Thai food and beer. Simple as that.
It's owned by the same group who own the Railway and the Falcon (At the Clapham North End of the High Street) so does good cheap Thai food if you fancy it.
In the heart of Clapham's Old Town, has a beer garden and space upstairs and downstairs. Nice for a pint pre cinema or whatever.
That's really it. Nice pub, good decent food. Can't go wrong.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.