George M.

Review of Miller's Residence

17 Jan 08, 10:48

Decadent Opulence

Stunning.

The decor and location in this boutique hotel is the main drawn. The hotel is named Miller's Residence after Richard Miller the well known Antiques dealer and writer. He owns it and is often there. I assume that he lives there although.... Describing its opulence won't do it justice. It has possibly the most welcoming decor of any place that I have stayed in. It's more of a B&B as it offers only a continental breakfast and evening drinks. The sort of place that you'd assume is owned by a slightly mad relative who has an obsession with collecting antiques. If you're familar with Uncle Monty from Withnail and I, you'll get the idea. Its is often used for fashion shoots and filming so it is quite special.

If you're a minimalist you will have seizures and hate this place. This is good since minimalists are by nature dull charachterless control freaks. Otherwise, you'll never want to move from the sofa in the front room again. Especially during winter when the fire is going and your neck deep in a sofa surrounded by bizarre antiques. Rooms named Byron, Keats and Coleridge give you a clue as to the intention of its style. They are stunning. This is bohemian grandeur in spades.

Use it as a base in Notting Hill - the lack of food is intentional as you are surrounded by interesting restaurants. It is pricey - around £150 for a night but its wonderfully romantic. It's snug and chilled ambience encourages interction with other guests, especially before everyone departs for the evening.

Superb for a romantic London break and a huge breath of fresh air in a sector dominated by minimalist chic and bland conformism.

Just fantastically left field.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Gourmet Burger Kitchen

17 Jan 08, 10:12

Well, Burger me!

While Mcdonalds limply cowers in the corner covered with a thick layer of grease, the Gorumet Burger Kitchen sits triumphant idly flicking stones at it's passe rival.

Offering a bewildering variety of delicious burgers (Chicken, Buffalo, Blue Cheese, BBQ, Mexican, Chorizo etc) this is ideal for treating your children (or yourself) without worying too much about the obesity epidemic. The burgers are large, made from organic meat, fresh salad and come with a selection of side orders, sauces and drinks. They are delicious.

Service is quick, you'll be waiting around 10 minutes.The added benefit is that you pay at the front desk when you order meaning that there is no waiting for the bill to arrive.

The only downside, would be the small premises which means that it tends to be packed on the weekends although there is outside space with heating for the truly addicted. There is generally a queue, reflecting both popularity and size.

It is very expensive compared to Mcd's or BK but then it's aimed at a different demographic. A beer, coke, 2 burgers and chops with set you back around £15. On the plus side, you won't sweat grease for the next day and you can have a nice meal that you'll all love without feeling guilty.

Tip: Hmmmm, Barbeque sauce and chips.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Northcote Road Antiques Market

21 Dec 07, 12:00

Narnia

I love this place. It's so individual that I am fully expecting for Tescos to buy the site out and ruin it for everyone.

The entrance is deceptively small as it opens into a split level balconied interior containing numerous stalls. It's Narnia for those who like buying Antuqies / Junk. Each tiny concession focus on slightly different antiques: Silver, Glasswear, Furniture etc. Quite keen on the 1920 art deco stall upstairs although you'll find something interesting whatever your preference. The stalls are kind of like display cabinets for antiques held in other larger shops slightly further out of town. If you're looking for something in particular ask, they'll be able to find something for you.

Tip: Haggle. While it looks quite laid back, the location means that they're not averse to charging high prices so negotiate over everything. They generally always come down in price.

It's great if you're a collector - that they tend to focus on the smaller volume items. If you like the larger brown furniture then you may be best off looking elsewhere, or even, dare I say it, looking outside of London. If you buy it here, you'll be paying a premium as it takes up the space. However, they will deliver so its a balance.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review of Philglas and Swiggot

21 Dec 07, 11:26

Lots to wine about

One of the few wine shops that I'd consider living in. And it comes with a lovely friendly little dog.

This is a passion made flesh for these people. The shop splits into two, the entry area for the wine related items, such as decanters, wine books, corkscrews, fortified wines and the main wine stock at the back. All relatively expensive but this isn't the place to go if you think Blue Nun is the height of good taste.

The wines are all quite highly priced but this seems to reflect the slightly quirky nature of the business. This isn't an Oddbins or a Threshers. heir whole purpose seems to be to educate and expand. If you're feeling clueless ask them. They'll advise you. They are very well staffed, employing what seems like thousands of people, meaning that you get lots of attention and some considered advice. As other places, buy by the bottle, crate or Magnum.

They also do a regular wine box that they deliver (or you can pick up). We tried it for a while and it is fantastic - buy a wine notebook to help you remember - but the cost does mount up.

£100 per month for around 10 bottles each month - Possibly space in their market to do the same for those people with slightly less budget and cellar space?

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of The Clapham Picture House

21 Dec 07, 11:12

Lovely

Tucked away on Venn Street, the CPH is opposite a number of very good restaurants - gastro for example - making it the perfect place for an extended film, dinner night out. It's a far cry from the standardised Odeans or Vue that you may be used to and way better than Brixton's good eclectic effort.

There's a bar downstairs to while away the time - if you can't find a seat in on of the area's thousands of bars. The Cinema is quite petite with - four screens in what are quite small rooms. This leads to a word of warning: It is quite small so you'd do well to book in advance if you can. It's the only cinema in the area so tickets for the more popular films go quickly.

There is a sort of loyalty card for about £30 a year giving you discounts, free screenings, bar discounts etc. A good present for the film gimp in your life.

They go in for the niche screenings here too. Some friends of ours hired a room and screened a documentary they made there so it's obviously available for private hire. I gather that there is also a 'mothers morning matinee (AKA Big Scream) for mothers who lunch. Do not attend this session if you are not a mother or over three. You will quite possibly go insane. There are special screenings for schools, short films, arthouse films, sceeenings for the older generation and those for people 'dating'.

In all, a pillar of Clapham Life. We love.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Warwick Wright Clapham

14 Dec 07, 16:09

Women can't drive

I hate garages. Always have done. I hate them in a "Yes, we've replaced a wire, that will be 456 pounnds please." type way.

There's no change with these people. However. It is the first place I've used where I actually believe them when they tell me what they have done. If you're vaguely aware that a car has an engine, a technophobe woman or just a bit thick, then this place will be a good place to go. Trustworthy and transparent, you'll be in good hands.

Don't get me wrong. They'll still violate your wallet with all the enthusiam of a pimply teenager but they do it incredibly well, quickly and politely. They'll even call you or send you a letter to remind you to bring your car in for a service - they even open early so you give them your car and can make it into the office on time. How selfish is that? Coffee and tea is provided for you if you want to wait too. They'll clean your car for you too. Oh feel free to browse through the selection of Peugot cars too. All priced beyond your wildest dreams, but it's good to aspire isn't it?

Thoroughtly recommend using these people if your car needs a bit of TLC.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Kebab Kid

26 Oct 07, 10:27

Kebab King

It's a waste if you eat here when you're drunk.

Seriously, this is as good as it gets. A local stalwart this place is packed on the weekends, hence theairport style queueing barriers. It's not mass produced testicles and horns ground up with a few eyeballs, this is actually properly marinated quality meat. You actually pay for it by wieght which should give you an idea. Run by a malaysian family, its very popular and always open. Every type of kebab here will all the trimminngs and sauces but none of it will make you regret it in the morning. The Baklava is also delicious. These guys should start a franchise.

Mixed chicken and lamb kebab, Salad, BBQ Sauce, Hummous and tzatsiki. £5.00. Quality.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Apex Cycles

08 Oct 07, 11:06

A local store for local cyclists

Speak to Richard when you go in. These guys are great. The store is packed with a huge array of bikes, accessories and there is a repair centre at the back for those of you who need some work done. I've tried both Evans - newly opened up the road - and these guys- and would recommend Apex anytime. Asides, from the fact that it isn't a chain store, Richard knows his stuff. He'll let you take the bikes for a test ride if you need. Just leave your card behind the desk. Evans do the same but they swipe your card. Evans also employes students who while are very helpful, I slightly felt that they were looking to make a sale rather than listening to what you want.

The prices are more realistic here. evans pushed me towards the higher end bike while Apex actually suggested something cheaper. This place every time.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.