Vlad 's reviews
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 Arch 635
07 Sep 07, 14:39
Great place 
Love this place. It is totally out of placein Clapham North here being a mix between a club and pub. A well kept secret due to is wierd semi industrial location. Great atmosphere (although being under a railway line - 'arch' - means that its not really a place to go on a sunny afternoon). Definately a place to go in the evenings though if you're after a more of a club atmosphere in Clapham in the evening. Suprising amount of room inside and a perfect place to go if you're llooking to, ahem, 'link up'. Bouncers on the door in later on and there's often queue.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Codfather
07 Sep 07, 14:31
It's a fish and chip shop 
Yeah. What can you say. It's nice and clean and does very good fish and chips. If you're a fan of the traditional and slightly greasy fish and chips to takeaway then this is for you. To be honest though if you want something slightly nicer and pricier, head on halfway up the high street to the more glitzy rival. Here you'll get a good takeaway for around a fiver.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Cafe Delight
07 Aug 07, 11:44
The last of a dying breed?
These old greasy spoons are getting rarer now. Pushed out by Starbucks and places selling smoothies.
It's a greasy spoon of the old school. Formica 1970's tables and chairs, set breakfast menus (the works - eggs, sausages, bacon, has browns, bubble and squeak, black pudding etc - will set you back around £4 with an extra £1 for a coffee). Portions are massive.
Gordon Ramsey's it aint but it's a true local from the times when Clapham wasn't filled with migrants from Fulham.
The service is friendly the food is what you'd expect - on the greasy side. You'll love it when you're hungover, you probably won't if you're not. It's worth going her just to people watch. Beware the mad woman with the push bag. Beware. :-)
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Railway
06 Aug 07, 14:01
Good pub
Part of the group that own the Sun and the Falcon in the same area. The concept is the same: Gastro pub with the emphasis on good cheap Thai food. Plenty of seats outside on the high street but otehrwise nothing extrardinary. Well decorated, large bar with attentive staff, popular as a pre-night out haunt.
It's what you want from a pub.
Tip: Careful of your bags when you sit outside. There is a bit of street crime at the Clapham North end of the high street.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Clapham North
06 Aug 07, 13:55
Rather good
2 years ago, your feet would stick to the 1970's lino when you entered this place.
Post refurb, its now funky, dark and full of young beautiful people in the evening when it takes on a more club atmosphere. Agree with Daniel H - being served can be a problem in the evenings.
During the day it morphs into its second personality - a smart gastro pub. During sunny days the front of the building opens up - there are limited tables at the front on the main road - giving the place a nice open feel. The food is above expectations and above normal gastro pub fare. The breakfast is particularly good but you can have snacks and full on meals as you please.It is relatively expensive.
Hint: The Bloody Marys are great.
It has a TV screen at the back for those football fans and you can also hire out the back part for a private function (Well, you could a year ago).
A evening venue in its own right.
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 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 Ferndales
06 Aug 07, 09:58
Hidden gem
One of the best kept secrets in Clapham. On Ferndale road this homely restaurant is perfect for a well priced mid week meal. Well decorated but small (the miirros make it look bigger than it is) with about 8 tables in all, its selling point - apart from the very decently priced food (Two pizzas will set you back about £12) is the homely atmosphere. No Corporate staff here, its a genine local eaterie owned and run by two french blokes. You can take the pizza's away if needed and never have to wait longer than 15 minutes for that. The menu is a bit limited and doesn't change but they do a range of specials for variety. This is what's it's about though. You know that you're not going to go wrong here. In the summer you can eat outside although it is a bit of a squash and we not sure that man in the flat next door is that convinced. See for yourself...
0 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of The Falcon
04 Aug 07, 10:31
Beer Gardening
This pub has space. This is a slightly pointless comment as its generally very busy. Unmissable in its bright yellow painted exterior it has a beer garden at the front and much larger one at the back.
There is a cash machine inside so if you're caught short use it. Its a 7 min walk to Clapham common otherwise.
Quite empty during the week, it comes into its own during the weekends and in the summer. Its part of the same group that own the Sun and the Railway.
Like them it serves good Thai food. I've also heard that it has a BBQ on occasions but haven't had experience of that.
Small warning, and very small, if you sit in the front, just be careful of your bags. They have been known to go walk about.....
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Vinifera
03 Aug 07, 18:53
Great but fading?
If you're a wine buff and hate noisy pubs and cafees, you'll love this place. Its slightly exclusive air, may be its downfall. Clapham North is hardly the City.....
Originally set up as a wine bar, lovely dark decor and a huge array of wines. Its a refreshing change for a night out in a pub annd lovely if you fancy a bit of refinement. You can even go on a wine course here, last time I looked.
It seems to have rebranded recently and now serves coffee in the morning as well as reverting to wine in the evening. This may be due to a lack of custom though but even so it nice to have a good coffee bar near the tube.
I have to say. It's well worth a visit if you're sick of Blue Nun and jacobs creek and want to expand your horizons.
Worth going to if your next stop is Tsunami or four-oh-nine though.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Cafe Nile
03 Aug 07, 18:17
Best Smoothies in London
Very innocuous cafe run by a very welcoming staff. Free newspapers, good coffee but the gems are their crack cocaine style smoothies which will have you gasping for more before possibly making you vomit due to over indulgence. Well, you have been warned. Very good sandwiches with fresh ingredients but more importantly delicious recipies.
If you have a hangover, we'd recommend the crispy bacon sandwiches too....
0 out of 0 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 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 Tsunami
03 Aug 07, 12:53
Banzai!
OK. Described by one paper as one of the best sushi restaurants in the UK. But based in Clapham North by the Railway pub. Go up the high street near the Clapham High Street Train Station.
Not sure about the reviewer's comments but its excellent. Definately a must for all Sushi Fans and those who like other ypes of Japanese food. It's been there for nearly three years and is a bit of a stalwart.
Decor is looking teeny bit dated now but its still roomy and comfortable. Perfect for a night out with mates or that special person. Typical meal with around 5 - 6 courses and a bottle of good wine ill cost you arounf £80. Trust me though. Well well worth it.
Excellent Black Cod, Aubergine, Sushi is always fresh and the staff are very wecloming. A touch slow onn occasion though but this is mainly onn the weekends when it gets quite packed. Some times limits dining times as a result.
Avoid like the plague on Valentine's night as the place check by jowl full of single tables and its just too close for comfortable conversation.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Four O Nine
03 Aug 07, 12:43
Hidden Gem
Nearly six months old now (or longer) this is discreetly tucked away behind and on top of the Clapham North Pub in front of the Tube Station. The entrance is similarly discreet, requiring staff to buzz you in. The short stairwell leads on to a well decorated, chilled restaurant with friendly staff and excellent food. Foie gras is legendary. The wine list is fantastic and I would recommend the bar cocktails (Mojitos). It can be quite expensive depending on what you have - obviously - but it's a welcome sight to see more quality places appearing in this part of London. Perfect for a romantic night out or a place to impress people.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.