Claire's reviews
Review of Belgo Centraal
18 May 08, 18:49
Love Belgos! 
What makes this place, aside from the great moules (best you're gonna get outside of Belgium, with the exception maybe of Whitstable) and fantastic range of beers, is the atmosphere. It is really pumping (in a good way) and I like the way it feels so friendly and intimate despite being massive. Highly recommend it.
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Review of The Porterhouse
14 May 08, 12:27
Is busy good?!
This is one of those pubs that is difficult to review, 'cos it can get REALLY busy. And sometimes busy is good = atmosphere, fun, fit blokes etc. And sometimes busy is bad = can't get served for hours, hot, nowhere to stand, lots of elbows. I would recommend trying it if you've not been, particularly if you can start early doors - like 4pm-5pmish and find a good spot.
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Review of The Maple Leaf
14 May 08, 12:23
Nothing special 
The Maple Leaf is the pub of choice when I meet up with my Canadian friends, but I have to say I'm not a fan. It takes FOREVER to get served. It has a good buzzy atmosphere and is fun if there is a big crowd of you. But there are better bars nearby.
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Review of The National Gallery
12 May 08, 15:47
The National Gallery
The National Gallery has one of the largest collections of paintings in the world. Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Turner, Cezanne, Van Gogh - they are all here. It can feel a bit overwhelming because there is just SO much to see - but there are guided tours and audio tours if you need "help" The shop is pretty small but sells some great stuff - fab collection of books on art.
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Review of Forbidden Planet
11 May 08, 19:39
The world's largest sci-fi store
This claims to be the world's largest sci-fi store... I'm sure there must be a bigger though!? If you're a geek (and even if you're not) you will love this store. They sell a huge selection of comics, action figures, t-shirts and games.
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Review of The Ivy
07 May 08, 15:30
Not expensive, just exclusive .. 
If you can get in, it's worth it for the charm and the food. If you call out of the blue, you will be told there's a 3-6 month waiting list, so best get someone whom they know to get you in.
The decor is so so (the lead windows make it look like a beefeater from the outside), the floorplan is cramped and the toilets couldn't be less conveniently placed but hey ... it's The Ivy.
For starters, go for the pasta (starter size) and avoid the bang bang chicken at all cost, unless you have a craving for peanut butter! The fish is uniformly excellent; if there's a finer Dover Sole (apart from Sheekey's, of course) I've yet to try it. The game and poulty is very good, but I find the red meat pretty average.
If you're in a hurry, skip the starter and go for a dessert. The baked alaska is pure theatre, the iced berries are great and sticky toffee pudding is a treat. After some lobbying, the trial of the new chocolate pudding with mint choc chip has made itself onto the menu and is destined to become an Ivy classic!
If you want to make someone feel special, there's The Ivy.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Punch and Judy
28 Apr 08, 22:32
Sit on the terrave 
The Punch and Judy is in central Covent Garden. It serves fairly good pub food - bit pricey. But the best bit is the terrace where you can sit out and watch the cheesy but funny entertainers.
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Review of Lamb and Flag
28 Apr 08, 22:29
Flamb and Lag
The Lamb and Flag is a cramped traditional pub near Covent Garden. Our Geography A Level teacher introduced a whole class of us to it years ago. It is worth a visit if you're thirsty and nearby.
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Review of The Corner Store
28 Apr 08, 22:26
Why do we always meet here?
I often meet my friends who I used to go to school with here.... and then we always ask why?! It's always too busy - to the point of getting knocked about. The service is slow and the toilets are grim. The only thing that sells this place is the location. Just up the road from the Lion King right near Covent Garden.
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Review of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
20 Apr 08, 16:42
Fantastic self service cafe/restaurant
Not a lot of people know this but there is a fantastic self service cafe/restaurant in the crypt (underneath) St Martin in the Fields. It's great value for money considering you're in central London and the food is really good. Another facinating fact is that there are bells from this church in a tower in Perth, Australia and an exact replica of this church just near ground zero in New York, USA.
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