Daniel's reviews
Review of Bar Red
23 Dec 07, 15:10
Maybe a little dated now? 
Bar Red seems to have stood the test of time since it has been around since I frequented Kingly Street back in the early Noughts. It is still there and seemingly still strong, as a recent visit confirmed.
Red is an understatement, as the decor is very much so. It is primarily arranged with booths on the ground floor area and then a more open, clubby space in the basement which is home to DJs most evenings.
The atmosphere is relaxed, and I was impressed by the quality of staff who were laid back and friendly which is a rarity in this area.
Ultimately there's nothing desperately thrilling to write about, but it still achieves a lot in an area of also rans.
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Review of The Porterhouse
13 Nov 07, 19:51
Huge.
This is possibly the largest 'pub' I have ever been to! At first glance it's fairly impressive - interesting style and always hugely busy. But there's something missing...
Maybe because of its size, or because the bar staff are not particularly personable, I feel it lacks personality. And I feel that there are plenty more characterful places to go to in Covent Garden.
However if you're stuck for a place to take a large gang of people, you could do worse.
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Review of Snow and Rock
06 Nov 07, 14:15
Hmm... okay...
I'm umming and ahhing about what to give this branch of S+R since every visit has yielded a different experience. Sometimes the customer service has been terrible - really miserable lady who simply didn't want to be there; whereas the last time time I went a brilliant bloke helped me out in the trail running department downstairs.
The range of kit they have is superb, and are one of the few places I have been to who stock a good range of adventure racing products. However, it is by and large hugely expensive, since it only stocks the premium brands.
(The premium image of the store actually puts off a lot of people I know who claim the staff are snobby, and then who immediately jump into Millets or Blacks next door.)
So 3 stars, just for the inconsistent customer service, but otherwise great.
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Review of Turf Tavern
06 Nov 07, 14:07
Infamous Oxford pub
I think the Turf Tavern is famous for two things: firstly it's where Inspector Morse went to drink, and secondly, it is where Bill Clinton'did not inhale' during his time in Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. It is a tiny, history pub, which is frequented by students and tourists alike. The main body of the pub is absolutely tiny, and has expanded over the years to accommodate more people. As such it has lost its character somewhat, and is just another olde Oxford pub, which is why it gets 3 stars from me. It does have a decent range of beers, and a good outdoor area for the summer, but so do plenty of other pubs in the area. Please note that it is very difficult to find, so please check the website before you attempt to look for it!
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Review of David Lloyd
14 Aug 07, 09:10
Little gripes.
Sometimes I feel this place only deserves 2 stars but I have to give it 3.
Generally the place is actually very good - the location is superb if you're in the Fulham area, being as it is right above Fulham Broadway tube station (in the FB shopping centre). It is therefore far better located than any other gym in the area (the two Virgin Actives in the area are just slightly too inaccessible).
The gym itself is very spacious and airy, with plenty of kit to keep you busy. I've never been stuck for a spare machine.
HOWEVER, and this is where my gripes come in:
1) There are simply not enough lockers. They have acknowledged this problem, where a lot of people just leave their kit in a locker in the morning and only collect it at night. And while they do remove unclaimed kit they cannot leave a new key in the locker since it'd mean another key is out there in circulation thus posing a security risk. Solution: replace key-based locks with padlock-able locks. It's pretty easy but they seem to prefer to suffer with this issue.
2) The shower area in the gents is often really dirty and smells lightly of sewerage! Nice! They need to get a handle on this and clean the place more regularly.
3) The reception staff are rather unfriendly. You're often greeted with a fake hello without being looked at.
Prices are steep, but that's a given due to the location. So all in all I've given it 3 stars rather than 2 since other gyms will have other similar problems, but you can't beat the location and reasonableness/quality of equipment.
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Review of Brew Wharf
11 Jul 07, 11:13
Great house beers
The bar itself is housed under the imposing arches of the railway near Bankside, and the interior is very nicely done. However what makes this place stand out is the range of house beers (brewed on-site), which are very tasty.
There is seating outside as well, so this is good option to go for a drink in the summer, and since it's a little way off the main street it's unlikely to get terribly busy
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Review of Wine Wharf
11 Jul 07, 11:09
Very nice, as expected
This is a really pleasant bar that offers fairly decent (but pretty standard) food. The building is great: it's part of the Victorian industrial warehouses that house the Vinopolis museum.
Obviously the range of wines is fantastic, and range in price up to the staggeringly expensive. As such it attracts a few city boys but is far more unique than most city bars.
Try to go when there is live music.
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Review of The Bedford
15 Jun 07, 16:33
Comedy.
As a pub, I can't imagine The Bedford will ever win any awards. However it has made its name for the very good Banana Cabaret comedy club every Saturday, which is held in a theatre at the top of the building (difficult to describe - think what The Globe would look like if it were in a pub!).
You need to get to the place very early to grab tables, and getting tickets in advance is advised since the queues can be huge.
They also serve food just prior to the performance which is usually very good.
As most comedy clubs do, the place turns into a nightclub afterwards. On my last visit, we were expecting to go elsewhere after the comedy had finished. However the music turned out to be really great, and the crowd were cool too, merried by the comedy, no doubt.
3 stars because the pub is just a pub, and honestly the comedy is better at The Comedy Store or Lee Hursts, but given how cheap it is the package is very good for a fun Saturday night out.
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Review of Hollywood Arms
15 Jun 07, 16:19
Very nice local pub
This is probably my favourite Chelsea pub out of the usual suspects - Anglesea, Clarence, etc. - but while a bit more interesting than the others it's still not outstanding.
Try and get a table outside: it's a great place to people-watch.
The pizza restaurant over the road is fantastic for when the drinking gets a bit too much... I have forgotten its name though... can anyone help?
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Review of The Anglesea Arms
15 Jun 07, 16:11
Nice pub, but as expected
This is a very nice pub indeed and feels homely and local, but there's nothing that makes it truly stand out from the majority of Chelsea venues (for example I'd say the Hollywood Arms is more interesting).
It really does get rammed when the weather's nice so bear this in mind if you want to sit down or get a pint in a reasonable time.
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Review of Pickled Pelican
15 Jun 07, 14:33
Nice pub in an tricky to find location
I have reviewed this place since you're unlikely to find it if you were hanging around Fulham Broadway, but it's worth visiting if you're in the area to get away from the throngs of people in bars nearby.
Fairly typical 'gastro'-esque style, so nothing much further to say. Big sofas; nice atmosphere.
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Review of DeCecco
15 Jun 07, 14:30
Decent, local Italian restaurant
I had heard this being described as a friendly, neighbourhood Italian restaurant and so gave it a try a couple of months ago.
It lived up to this promise: the place is teeming with locals, and true to the reputation, my neighbour was actually sitting with some friends on the table next to ours.
The menu is very typical Italian fayre with nothing decvastatingly exciting. That said maybe that's the secret to their popularity: good robust Italian food without any fuss. The food really decent, and the prices are pretty good (hovering around £10-12 for mains, if I remember, with fish and some meat going up to £20).
Staff are very pleasant yet confident at the same time: they are very well established and don't *really* need to try that hard, but they do anyway, which is refreshing.
3 stars because this place is genuinely what you would expect from a good Italian.
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Review of The Legless Tup
08 Jun 07, 23:57
A nice surprise
In this summer this is a perfect place to go: it's very generic inside but has a nice private courtyard which is very spacious. Since its just off the main road it doesn't attract a massive amount of attention, so is a good place to go for a quiet drink.
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Review of La Rueda
08 Jun 07, 23:54
Tapas
I don't have a huge amount to say but this is a great, inexpensive tapas place. I'm not sure how it compares to Ghillies which I guess is the only other Spanish place I can think of round here.
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Review of Beaufort House
08 Jun 07, 23:44
R.I.P.
This was one of my favourite places, but it seems to have closed down. Boo.
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Review of Joes Brasserie
08 Jun 07, 23:36
Very good traditional food
I went here for lunch and had ravioli which was homemade and served with a delicious tomato sauce. My dining buddy had a burger which was very robust and apparently very good.
The bar inside looks very smart, though I am not sure what the atmosphere is like in the evening.
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Review of The White Horse
08 Jun 07, 22:39
Ale, fish and chips, signet rings.
I really struggle with the Sloaney Pony moniker: it's horrendous, and does live up to its name - as Lucy says - with the Clientelle.
However, I started eating there recently and the food is absolutely brilliant, including the best fish and chips you can get in SW6. It's just that you have to go on a Sunday to avoid the crowds and Hackett shirts.
Amazing array of ales, and a great place to take your dad, especially if he has a beard since it's the home to many CAMRA meetings. He'll feel right at home.
Summer is best for The White Horse given its great outdoor space. Otherwise it'll be better after the smoking ban since it always had a bit of a dark smokey lustre for me which was a bit of a put-off.
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