Vlad T.

Review of Green & Blue

07 Sep 07, 15:16

Hoorayyy

Awesome place. One of these places that is slowly but surely quietly gathering a loyal following.

A sort of winebar come restaurant come cafe.

Unassuming at first, you may wonder why the reviews have been so good. It covers two floors and is off the beaten high-street track which is both a blessing and a curse. It also looks very small. All this is a slight blessing for those who know about it but probably a curse for those that own it. We get the quiet and all the staff attention as it lacks the foottfall at the moment during the day. That's seems to be changing though especially at night when it is getting increasingly busy.

In a place surrounded by pubs and bars this place based on individuality and a supremely friendly service. It has a great amosphere for both the evening and very chilled during the day.

Great cafe environment in the mornings - a far cry from the bland familiarity of Starbucks - its great for a quiet coffee and a croissant. In the evenings, a really nice place to go for a chilled bottle or two if you're not feeling in a pub mood. It's not a question of house wines - the staff know their stuff and will encourage you to try different and interesting wines and other drinks. (Try the Bretogne Cider). They do offer food but as yet not had any of it so can't vouch for it.

It is just really original. Niche wine, interesting food, random cider and staff that actually seem to know what they are serving.

They do wine tasting courses too which you can either book for the whole course a pricey £300 odd pounds or if your feeling poorer like most people £25 for a night every wednesday.

Just great.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Langfords Silver Vault

10 Aug 07, 14:45

Silvery. Vaulty

A collection of 30 - give or take - old bank vaults / cells, complete with heavy steel doors and of varying sizes, that have been converted into independent silver 'shops'. Worth a visit just for the slightly wierd time capsule atmosphere, the strange set up and the vast array of silverware. Bags etc are searched on arrival. For obvious reasons.

While there is room to move in the corridors the individual vaults themselves are crammed with silver of varying styles, prices and ages. It's often a case of peering over the stall holders head. The amount of things in there can be a bit daunting but perfect if you know what you're looking for.

While the vaults at the front seem to have the newest and slightly more ostentatious items, the vaults ones at the back are probably the more interesting if you're a collector or on the look out for something more quirky. Price? Well it's silver so not cheap and the varied items means that its impossible to say but if you like this sort of thing you'll love this place. Level of service obviously depends on which stall you go to.

Worth a visit even if you're not in the market to buy anything.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Eagle

08 Aug 07, 12:49

The original Gastro Pub?

A fantastic place with a deservedly good reputation. Allegedly where the gastro-pub movement started. Rubbish or not this is definately worth a lunchtime visit.

The single room contains the bar and the kitchen and the sitting area. Standard drinks and the like but people mainly come here for the food which is utterly fantastic.

An eclectic mix of styles and dishes from huge steak and ale pies, racks of lamb with cuscous, steaks etc. No mass produced dishes or burgers here. Main course for two and a coffee and two beers will cost you around £30+ but you will come here again and again.

You can while away the time waiting by watching the chefs beaver away or simply relax in an environment that looks like it has been decorated with the contents of a old school.

It is crammed at lunchtime though so get there before 12.30 if you want to get a table. Service is quick, speedy and polite but you'll be waiting around for sometime otherwise.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Noodle Express

07 Aug 07, 16:18

A favourite

With an innocuous frontage, you'd miss this especially as its tucked away on a darkened side street.

Worth a visit though despite the plastic menus and tiny dining room split into two areas. The portions are immense, the service suprisingly quick and the cost is satisfyingly low.

We used to go here at lunchtimes after a late thursday night and it really fills the gap.

The spring rolls are the size of tube trains. Excellent value for money.For around £10 you can get a two course meal and a beer. Bargain.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of The Hive Honey Shop

06 Aug 07, 14:37

Oh Honey, Honey

About as niche a shop as you can get....It's all about the bees.

You have to go here just to see the glass panelled working bee hive that they have in the shop. Children love it.

The store is about bees and honey. The honey with honey comb in it is particularly good but there are countless other varieties all from bees pollenating different plants and in different countries.

There are beeswax candles, royal honey, soaps, mead, anything bee related - you'll find it here. They'll even advise you on bee keeping if you want....

Note: During Christmas the shop sets a stall up outside selling Mead to shoppers (an alcoholic honey based drink). Bottles cost around £8 (spiced and normal) but are a delicious alternative to Mulled wine. Try it.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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 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 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 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 The Windmill On The Common

06 Aug 07, 10:23

Clapham's Summer Pub

...OK. The title is a bit over the top but this one has it all.

Perfect for those lazy weekends afternoons lying on the Common having a pint. Or even better - a good place to go before any of the regular festivals and events (Chinese Circus, Urban Games) that take place in the area.

Mid way on the common between Clapham Common and Clapham South tubes stations, this pub has undergone a bit of a transformation in the last few years. Refurbished recently it managed to avoid the standard bland pub look and combined functionality with good decor and thankfully, plenty of staff so there is not much delay in being served.

You can't got wrong if you're looking for somewhere to hang out on the common with friends. It's a huge space - by pub standard. Asides from the ample beer gardens at the front (but sheilded from the road) there the common about ten yards away. Its part of the scenery to see hundred of drinkers lounging on the grass next to this watering hole. The environment is relaxed and friendly. On sunny weekends, it will be packed.

The pub is also child friendly with a smaller gated children's beer garden to prevent rogue children escaping while the parents enjoy a quiet drink. And suprisingly, its possible to park outside the pub for those driving their spawn. There's often an ice cream van in front of the pub as an added bribe if needed. The pub is a short walk from the ponds too.

Inside the pub is very spacious and since refurbishment looks pretty good. The plastic lino and threadbear sticky carpet has gone to be replaced by something that wouldn't look out of place in any urban 20 somethings flat.

The inside area is large and opens out into a larger much more spacious room which again leads onto a restaurant. Can't comment on this as we haven't eaten there so would appreciate anyone elses view. On Friday (and saturday?) nights that have DJ etc who play while the pub's clients slip into alcohol fuelled oblivion.

Definately worth a visi if you have some time to kill.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review of Upstairs Bar and Restaurant

03 Aug 07, 17:47

Size isn't everything

Agree with the previous post. This place is excellent. You'll miss it as it's so hidden.Book well ahead as it is tiny inside and since the evening standard gave it good reviews some time ago it's become increasingly popular. The food is fantastic. Only fault? The proximity of the tabels can make for interesting eavesdropping. But then the cosiness is part of the appeal.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Bodeans BBQ

03 Aug 07, 17:35

A True Flesh Pot

What can I say.

If you work in Soho, you'll be familar with this place. Vegans will probably firebomb this place. Renowned for the Pulled Pork, Ribs and BBQ sauce, this is not the place to go to impress your bank manager. Do not wear a white shirt. Do nnot go here on a first date. Casual atmosphere, incredibly friendly staff and most of all quick and easy. Food is excellent and well priced for what you get. Very packed at the weekends so you're unlikely to get a table in our experience after 7.00 p.m unless you book.

It gets a lot of trade in the early event before customers head off for the bars and clubs. Your girlfriends may hate it but your mates will love you for showing them the light.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of The Landor Theatre

03 Aug 07, 13:16

Thank God - at last a nice original boozer

So. No Buffallo Mozzarella, Sun Dried Tomatos or Ciabbatta in sight. The sort of pub that you want to go to when you want to have a nice chilled pint with a mate, play a game of pool (thats a rare thing to find nowdays) and just sit and drink. Hope this doesn't make it sound crusty as it isn't at all. Well decorated, slightly olde worlde feel but not in a bad way and has the added bonus of an indoor theatre so it does get a bit busy somedays until the audeince empties into the theatre. Haven't been to this so can't comment on this side of things. One of my favourite places in South London. Just because it has no pretentions.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Bread and Roses

03 Aug 07, 13:02

Give me bread and give me roses....

Bit of a bizarre one as it caters for everyone but does it really well. A really really great pub. Quirky, niche and great for people who hate clone pubs. A good outside space if you have children with lots of seating at the back and they do make them welcome here but also a great place to go if your out for the evening. Serve good food here on a Sunday often accompanied by live music - jazz, blues - and last time we went they held a real ale day with a selection of 15 different niche beers.One of my favourite pubs. Just always suprises you.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.