Daniel H.

Review of Paradise By Way Of Kensal Green

23 Dec 07, 15:18

Paradise, why not.

What an incredible place.

At first glance this is a fairly normal 'gastro' pub in a fairly out-of-the-way location, but somehow the threadbare furniture and quirky Dickensian library feel of the place goes so much more than most.

The place is very charming, and feels much more exciting than typical pubs of this ilk. At weekends the upstairs 'club' area is heaving with people from all over London - not just Kensal Green - dancing to superb retro music.

Though not a smoker, it seems that it is important to think about the smoking area, since if you're like me then you'll end up having to spend as much time there as you will inside. So I'm pleased to say that this place has a great outdoor space which is filled with rusty vintage furniture.

So in sum, while it's fairly unlikely you'll ever happen to be in Kensal Green, Paradise is more than worth a trip to spend an entire evening.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Trout Inn

15 Oct 07, 17:11

Perfect riverside Oxfordshire pub

The Trout is a quintessential Oxfordshire pub in Lower Wolvercote (middle of nowhere, but worth the drive). While the interior is perhaps nothing mindblowing (though very pleasant, having been very well restored), the selling point of this place is the outdoor seating area with views over the Thames. On a sunny day, it's absolutely perfect. The pub is not independent: it is part of a chain (I forget its name) that specialise in rennovating pubs tastefully and offering a standard menu across its venues. Thankfully though the food is actually very good compared with that of many pubs, and prices are very reasonable. More information can be found on its website: http://www.thetroutoxford.co.uk/

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Bistro 21

15 Oct 07, 16:50

Uncommonly outstanding bistro in Durham

I have no idea where I heard about this restaurant, but as a family we have dined here many times, usually for occasions since the place feels genuinely special. It is housed in a 15th Century converted farmhouse, and the main dining room is dark and intimate, beneath vauted ceilings. The menu is very seasonal so I can't comment on the current array of food available, but judging from the fact that this place serves the best chedder cheese souffles and confit of duck I have ever eaten (beating anywhere in London hands down) I would expect all dishes to be perfect. The puddings on offer are unctious, including rich sticky toffee puddings and one of the best creme brulees around. The quality of the food and the hugely friendly staff make this a gem in an area not exactly renowned for its range of top-end restaurants.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Lee Hurst's Backyard Comedy Club

15 Jun 07, 16:36

Best comedy venue in London

I do love the Comedy Store, but it's so popular and relatively expensive now that it doesn't come close to beating Lee Hurst's Backyard Club for comedy.

Lee Hurst is a superb host, sometime trumping his guests in the comedy stakes. Generally the guests are absolutely sterling: I saw Milton Jones here for the first time, for example.

The place turns into a nightclub afterwards, and they do serve food (which, to be honest looks a little ropey, but I might be wrong!). Location is a bit of a snag, but if you either stay there for the club or move on to Brick Lane or somewhere, you'll have a brilliant evening.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Paternoster Chop House

15 Jun 07, 15:48

Outstanding food

This place is fantastic.

As the name suggests it is a meat and fish-fest, so it really isn't suitable for veges. The menu is cheerful and the place is buzzing and always busy. In terms of style; typically Conran, so nothing to write home about.

Be sure to see the 'beast of the day' special.

I had a smoked salmon starter which was of stunning quality: very dry and smokey served simply with capers and toast. My main was pork with roast dates, and was absolutely wonderful.

There are seats outside on Paternoster Square itself with partial views of St Pauls. I imagine these are at a premium so would only go to those who book well in advance.

Prices reflect the area: mains hover around the £20 mark, but if you're looking for somewhere special to go in the city this is a great choice.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Trinity

09 Jun 07, 00:04

One of the great roasts?

This is a relatively new restaurant and in my experience was mind-blowing. I recommend going for Sunday lunch, where I was treated to the most fabulous roast beef I have ever had.

It would be a good place to take a date, gents.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Wolseley

08 Jun 07, 23:42

Dinner

Absolutely incredible food in a brilliant atmosphere.

And it really is teeming with celebs: Cate Blanchet was sitting at the table opposite me, Patrick Stewart on the other side, and Michael Parkinson was just leaving as we arrived.

The place doesn't feel in the slightest bit pretentious despite it's reputation, and the staff are absolutely sterling. The bar is great too, but you can only drink there if you are eating.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Belgo Centraal

08 Jun 07, 23:33

Great for more than just moules.

I think I was the last person to know about this place but I went there the other day and was hugely impressed.

I wanted to try the infamous moules: mine came with a thai green curry sauce and were perfect. I then had the chicken (all different sorts of sources are available) which was devine.

The place serves a staggaring array of beers.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Konditor and Cook

08 Jun 07, 23:28

CAKE!

I think this is the original shop, so I'll throw a few words in here.

This very small chain of bakeries has become quite famous now, especially for it being Nigella Lawson's favourites and for their tiny 'magic cakes' which are very brightly colours cubes of iced cake.

I have had a few things from here, but the brownies (in fact, different sorts of brownies) are brilliant.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Electric Cinema

08 Jun 07, 23:19

Absolutely wonderful

3 stars?!

This place is definitely worth 5, even though everyone knows about it and it's booked up weeks in advance.

Another great thing about it is instead of popcorn, you can buy little tubs of food like bangers and mash, chicken curry, macaroni cheese, and I even had fish and chips one time (they offer a choice of three, generally).

Another major pull is the fact that you drink yourself silly on big bottles of beer or decent wine after splurging out at the bar. This is especially useful for going to watch films like "The Holiday" with your girlfriend.

The 'please switch off your phone and no talking' intro sequence is a gem too, featuring an amazing A-list cast. The Odeon this ain't!

I agree it's hugely pricey, but absolutely worth it.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of SBR sports

08 Jun 07, 23:11

Awesome sports shop.

I've spent so much cash here it's unreal, and this is despite it not being my most convenient sports shop for running, cycling, and triathlon kit.

The guys there a brilliantly helpful, and are ready for a good conversation regardless of your sporting cred. They're all triathlon'ers/cyclists/runners and are genuinely passionate about what they offer.

If you're in the market for trainers or a bike then please go here. For trainers they'll take ages working out which is the best type for you, and for bikes, they will absolutely not sell you anything unless it fits precisely (bike fitting is free)... unlike Evans Cycles.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Nomad Books

08 Jun 07, 23:08

A privately owned bookshop?

I'm sure there are loads of private bookshops in London but when this opened it surprised me as I genuinely haven't seen any, or at least I haven't seen any as charming as this puppy.

Really pleasant environment which encourages browsing, and boasts a great cafe which is cool alternative to any of the chain coffee shops this end of Fulham Road.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Chez Bruce

08 Jun 07, 23:00

Favourite

This is my favourite restaurant in London but it's such a subjective thing to say. All I can say is do believe the hype; the food is incredible and the staff are lovely. The location, overlooking the common, is great.

Last time it took about 3 weeks to book a table.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Monmouth Coffee House

08 Jun 07, 22:58

Incredible coffee

This is the greatest coffee shop in London. You'd think it would be tricky to create a unique coffee shop concept in London these days but this place achieves it.

They primarily service different coffees through filters rather than via a machine (though they do offer espressos, etc.) and you have a selection of coffee which you pick from the beans set out in front of you (rather than in unseen packets at Starbucks, for example).

Also, they do not serve skimmed milk, so the concept of skinny-anything does not apply. The cup size is also unique - they're very small, probably due to the fact that generally their beants are quite strong. No 'venti' here.

The staff are very knowledgable about their coffee and will help you choose coffee beans to buy. This is reasonably expensive, but worth it.

The atmosphere is great, and decor is cool - big chunky communal tables in the main floor and upstairs in a small mezzanine floor. The cakes and so forth look great, but haven't tried them yet.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Elizabeth King

08 Jun 07, 22:53

Greatest deli in London?

People come to PG just to visit Elizabeth King with good reason. Vast array of delicacies, primarily Italian, crammed into a relatively small premises. Brilliant selection of cheese, and home-made cakes. Good olive bar, too. Fruit and veg is great quality and organic, and there seems to be a pretty popular florish who sets up her stall outside every day.

It is (obviously, I suppose) very expensive but it really is worth paying extra for a genuinely local store.

They also sell Monmouth Coffee, which in my opinion is the best coffee you can get in London (their main outlet is the cafe in Borough Market... look for my other review).

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Duke On The Green

08 Jun 07, 22:35

My lovely local.

This is my local pub and it's an absolute gem. It transformed - butterfly like - from a shabby, smokey old man's pub into a magnificent pub serving great ales and brilliant food (part of it is a restaurant, and they serve bar food).

Everyone will compare it to The White Horse: I think it's better, since fewer people know about it (despite it being just over the green).

Only downside I'd say is the slightly budget A-level artwork that seems to be dotted about the place (e.g. some of the glass tables). This is more than compensated by original Victorian tiling which has been restored very well.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.