Carie's reviews
Review of The Swimmer At The Grafton Arms
03 May 07, 23:17
Diamond in the rough 
Holloway: always "up and coming". However, if you can dodge the Eastern Europeans selling illegal fags and knock-off DVDs you can find, if you look hard enough, an oasis of calm - and it's called The Swimmer. Great Czech beer on tap, friendly bar staff and clientèle make the trip worthwhile. No bathing costume necessary.
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Review of Goodwoods
05 May 07, 10:47
Got wood? 
Got wood? Or just need wood? Goodwood has it all. If you're testing your DIY ability with a shelving project or embarking on more major refurbishment, Goodwood is the place for you. They can cut wood to a milimetre accuracy, so all you DIYers get out your tapemeasures and get down to Goodwood
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Review of American Apparel
05 May 07, 20:05
Anything you'd ever want in the medium of cotton 
I came across AA years ago when I was living in NY and was thrilled when it came to London. Everything this brand does it cool. From its directional approach to fashion photography, through to the simplicity of the product offering. Of course their major point of difference is that all their clothes are made in the US. Unlike the gear from GAP. Another thing that sets them apart from the GAP empire is that American Apparels clothes won't shrink after the first wash. The best boy pants (for girls) ever.
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Review of Vintage Magazine Co
06 May 07, 11:02
Does what it says on the tin
eBay has put a pretty big dent in second-hand and vintage trade, but nothing quite beats visiting a store like this first hand. It's the kind of place that has been built out of love and the archives of magazines, prints and postcards that line the walls and shelves are testament to this enthusiasm. It's a bit musty and a bit dog-eared around the edges, but that's part of the charm. A good way to pass a few hours, whether you're on a nostalgia trip, a gift hunt or are a more serious collector.
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Review of Dover Street Market
06 May 07, 21:53
Fashionista's paradise
From the creators of menswear label Comme des Garcons, this is London's fashion scene at its lushest and edgiest. Three floors of designer space are filled with carefully selected clothing companies. Not only is this a great place to wander round for sartorial inspiration (and much beloved by the capital's fashion students) it has also been the launch pad for several interesting brand collaborations. If you're even remotely interested in clothes (which perhaps just leaves naturists), then don't be put off by the fashionistas - this is definitely worth a look.
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Review of Shepherd Foods
07 May 07, 12:27
The corner shop, but not as you know it
Effectively the local shop for the area, but don't expect penny chews and pot noodles , this is Primrose Hill, darling. As well as having a delicious deli at the back, the shop stocks every flavour of tofu under the sun, cured meats straight form Italy, candy from America, tomatos tend to be sunblush and crisps are likely to be of the root vegetable variety. Jam-packed with exotic goodies it's very easy to come out with bags full of stuff when all you went in for was some chewy.
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Review of Masala Zone
08 May 07, 11:53
Keeping it street
Head here for a speedy lunch or light bite and you won't be disappointed. The street food selections (thali, your choice of curry, salad, dhal & rice) are served up on stainless-steel trays and give you the chance to taste a wide selection of food. Service can be slack if you're in a big party.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of James Selby
08 May 07, 12:16
Old folks' home 
Forget John Lewis. Forget Selfridges. If you want a department store, let's go back to the Eighties - let's go to James Selby. It's not quite "Are you Being Served?", but walk though the doors and it's a trip down Amnesia Lane. Badly merchandised, badly laid out and badly organised, it's lack of sophistication gives it a pleasant nativity in today's over-marketed shopping experience.
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Review of Bistrotheque
08 May 07, 13:29
Beyond bistro
Housed in a converted sweatshop, Bistrotheque has great food and unique entertainment. An eclectic mix of transvestite talent shows, musical soap opera, cabaret, off-beat comedy and just about anything else you could legally stage , makes this a fabulous one-stop destination for the evening.
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Review of Finborough Theatre
10 May 07, 14:53
If you like suprises...
I discovered this place totally by accident. My friend and I happened to be having a drink in the renovated pub area when we saw the poster for the theatre upstairs and thought we may as well give it a whirl. What we then witnessed was a very strange, slightly unnerving theatre event that has haunted me ever since. This is the definition of fringe theatre. The play ended with the lead having his parts cut off and bleeding to death on the stage. However, the Finborough Theatre is widely regarded as a brilliant enterprise, and is definitely worth a visit if you want to see new work, something though provoking, or anyone bleed to death.
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