Daniel B.

Review of Spices

07 Apr 08, 16:37

Great Indian Delivery

I had to spend the entire day, some 13 hours, shifting stuff from one flat to another while driving a white van all over London. You can imagine the last thing I wanted to do was start cooking, and, to top it all off, I had five friends coming round. Sounds like something from a commercial doesn't it?!

Anyway, being a good tinterweb user I head straight for WLL and found Spices. A few good reviews and the business had even decided to sign up - I'm sold. The order was placed, the food arrived and much fun was had by all.

Good choice if they cover your area.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Medcalf

22 Feb 08, 15:20

Nice Place - not called The Exhibition

Team welovelocal went for some post work drinks here to say good by to a member of the team.

It's kind of split in two with those just their for the drinking sectioned off, away from the people who are their for dinner. Makes sense. The room you get to drink in is quite small so the 20 or so people that make up our office definitely had a commanding presence in the room. The rather hidden point I am trying to make is that it's not the biggest place in the world so if you are banking on getting a seat you better turn up early, especially on a Friday.

The beers are nothing special - Paulaner on tap is always nice, I hear that the clever money is on the red wine of which they have an extensive selection.

All in all a good night, and if you are looking to move on the excellent Cafe Kick is just over the road and Fabric and Turnmill are just down the road making it a good place to start your night.

As always nights out are always made much better if someone you know gets blind drunk and gives everyone else something to talk about - thanks for that Helen.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Leon

22 Feb 08, 14:51

Don't Believe Everything Helen Says

I'm a bit of creature of habit when it comes to lunch. Or at least I have been ever since the Larder entered my life. So, as you can imagine I was a bit concerned when Helen suggested that we try somewhere different, somewhere she thought I'd like, but that was a 10 minute walk away. I capitulated to her demands and we set off on our expedition across Farringdon.

First impressions were good, it's a massive place on the corner of Ludgate Hill and is teeming with people which makes for a great atmosphere. It's also really well designed has a rustic feel that is definitely fitting with the period of the building.

Then there was the food. Hmmm. Ok not great springs to mind, and expensive too. For £7 I got a meal and a coke, the later costing £2. The food is fine, just a little underwhelming.

The benefit of the distance, as well as burning off a few extra calories is that we're more likely to sit down together to eat. I would definitely recommend doing so if you want to feel like you're getting your money worth.

So Helen may be wrong in the case of Leon - fact of the matter is she's usually right. I'm back off to the Larder for a sandwich - did I mention Helen recommend that....

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Paskins Town House

04 Feb 08, 15:31

A Vegetarian Hotel

This place has won awards for it's veggie breakfasts, sadly it's not a cafe so you'll need to stay in the night if you want to sample what the best veggie breakfast in the country tastes like. (Pretty bloody good).

The whole hotel has that Brighton vege-locally-sourced-organic-fair-trade thing going on that other people think is a little smug.

Be that as it may this is a lovely hotel, really well run, and not that expensive either. The lady who runs it was really friendly and happy to recommend places to visit nearby too.

It's also pretty well situated from the sea - as you can see from the map above.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Old Coffee House

24 Jan 08, 14:20

Nice Pub

Soho tends to get really busy every evening which tends to make finding somewhere to drink a bit of a pain, especially if you want a seat. It's no surprise really, it's a convenient central location for people who work across London, and if you believe what people in the media say it's pretty cool to....

Anyway, the Old Coffee House fits into a nice category of Soho pubs. It's not uber popular, the beer is particularly special, but your likely to get a seat, it has telly for football, and a nice chatty atmosphere.

I'm not selling really hard am I? Well that's not really the point, if there is a group of you who want to catch up, and have a few beers in Soho then this is a perfectly nice place to do it.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Sosho

04 Jan 08, 19:38

It's Match but not in Farringdon

Same lighting, same polite staff, same beers, same cocktails, even the same door. It's just Match but not in Farringdon. Not that I am complaining, if you've built the 2nd best bar in the world then you're not likely to change much. Like moving from the 4-4-2 to a diamond when you've won three on the trot.

The main difference being that this place is a lot a bigger. It has a downstairs, a DJ, and according to my friend who has been here before a dance floor when it gets a little later.

Oh, and did I mention the free WiFi? We'll no need to, I'm using it now.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review of 5th Avenue

05 Dec 07, 15:06

Student Indie Palace

Do you like sticky floors and cheap Red Bull? Do you like even cheaper Vodka, indie classics and Madchester from circa 1990? If you answer yes to just one of the above questions then you'll love 5th Avenue, well on a Thursday at least.

5th Avenue is a Manchester student clubbing icon, grimey, sleazy, always full, and lacking in any character what so ever you are guaranteed to have a great night out.

Jump on any bus from Fallowfield, off at the BBC, past the tramps at the HSBC, (that wasn't meant to rhyme) cash machine on the corner, out at 2am, down to Raj for a kebab. A great night for thousands of students each an every week.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Goose At The Fighting Cocks

27 Nov 07, 15:20

Introducing Moseley's newest trendy pub

When I was 16 the Goose was a great choice of pub. It was cheap, and the staff seemed less interested in your age and more interested in getting rid of the local drunks who seem to wander from one pub to the next.

Times have changed, I've got a little older, the drunks now occupy the Wetherspoons across the road, and the Goose is under new management.

Upgrading this once frankly depressing pub has been a three step process.

1. Get rid of all the old man furniture and replace with kooky chairs, beads, bean bags and brightly coloured benches for the beer garden.

2. Up the price of the beer by a £1 on everything and start selling Franziskaner and Fruli.

3. Hire newer, better looking staff who have done the rounds at Moseley's numerous drinking establishments.

Do I sound like I am being an arse? Maybe I am, but the results are great. A much younger crowd, buzzy atmosphere and loads of space to chill outside in the summer. Definitely Moseley's new best pub.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of 54 Restaurant

17 Oct 07, 10:58

Malaysian \\ British Fusion

54 Restaurant hasn't been open long, only a month or two, but it already seems to have built up a bit of a reputation.

The food is a Malaysian \\ British mix, think traditional cuts of meat like Pork Belly and Lamb Shanks with hot and fruity Malaysian spicing.

To begin I had a Pumpkin soups served with Foccacia and a selection chilli oils. The warm bread and oils were delicious, however the pumpkin soup left me a bit disappointed. It was too sweet, and to thin, I prefer a thick rich pumpkin soup, this felt more like a desert.

The main however was fantastic. A lamb shank that had been cooked in a traditional red curry. The meat was perfect and tore straight off the bone, while the sauce itself was delicious.

The decor was pleasant, however, I did get a bit frustrated with the music that was slightly too loud. That said, we were the only people in the restaurant so this may have been why.

Overall: good.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Myddeltons Delicatessen

15 Oct 07, 10:41

Nice Deli that's Good for Lunch

A really nice deli that is located in the heart of uber local Amwell Street. It sells a range for breads, preserves, cheese and pastry, as well a freshly prepared sandwiches that are btoh surprisingly good value, and really tasty. The ham and cheese focaccia comes highly recommended.

The shop accepts Wedge Card, however, the deal isn't particularly good, spend over £10 and get a Myddeltons bag for life worth £4.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Tinder Box

12 Oct 07, 10:41

Nice Place - bad WiFi

As a coffee shop Tinderbox is actually really good. The coffee is excellent, if slightly on the pricey side, and, if you decide to go large, comes in what can only be described as a bowl. The place always feels quite buzzy so if you ever have half and hour or so to kill in Angel on your own I'd recommend dropping by and lounging in one of their huge airline seats. You can also get Internet access, either from one of their computers, or using their 3 pound an hour WiFi. Avoid the later, it tends to be painfully slow, and most pages end up timing out. To their credit though, they were more than happy to give me a refund.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Champers Wine Bar

08 Oct 07, 11:32

Friendly Bar, Good Wine List

I'm not big on Soho wine bars, I like wine, but to be honest, I don't like Soho. Particularly this part of Soho, a weird mix of tourists, media types and townies.

That said Champers feels like a genuine place, the sort of place that scares tourists away because it looks like you need a BA in "London" to enter. The fact is it's actually quite a friendly joint, with a good selection of wine.

It also has a restaurant at the front that was serving what looked like some hearty grub.

I think I'll make an effort to go back.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of The Bedroom Bar

01 Oct 07, 17:21

East End Contingency Plan

I find that nights out with little planning can often descend into chaos. Everyone has a better plan than everyone else of what to do and they all tend to fail. Queues are too long, prices are too rich for some peoples wallet, and others just hate the idea of going somewhere crowded.

Faced with such a dilemma in Shoreditch and many end up heading home. I on the other hand have a East End ace in the hole.

Bedroom Bar is by no means the trendiest venue, the music can be hit and miss. But it is always cheap to get in, always open until 2 or 3, and reasonably priced. It has a smoking terrace for those who would complain otherwise, and a section at the back of the club for people who want to sit (or ly) down.

What's great is that it also has a humorous touch of Barley. Notice the clocks above the bar: Palestine, Groznia, Kabul, Shoreditch.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Cardinal

28 Sep 07, 10:19

The pubs that keep on giving

Someone asked me over a pint at a Sam Smith's if they were the new Wetherspoons. "Definitely not," I said. "Yes, they're cheap. The food is cheap, the drinks are cheap, and the decor is...well not cheap but hardy glitzy, but they're definitely not Wetherspoons."

Sam Smith's are fiercely independent. They only sell drinks made at their own brewery and you won't have to endure any RnB.

The Cardinal is located just round the corner of Victoria station, like all Sam Smiths it is complete with Alpine Lager at £1.99, a dart board, and a good crowd.

The joy of Sam Smiths pubs isn't the pub itself, it's the feeling you get when you find a new one, and the satisfaction it gives other people when you say: "there's a Sam Smith's just around the corner."

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of The Cock Tavern

21 Sep 07, 10:40

Great breakfast, great people

The Cock Tavern has a bit of a history. In 2000 it was featured in London hitman pic Gangster No. 1 and a year later it was featured in William Hague's 2001 general election campaign. I'll leave you to decide which is cooler.

This, nevertheless, pays testament to the range of people that pass through the Cock Tavern's doors. Media types, City boys, slaughtermen from Smithfield market and tourists. It's a unique mix that provides a really buzzy atmosphere.

The food itself is a breakfast fan's dream. There is at least a dozen different ones to choose from, including a mammoth meat fest the name of which I forget.

If you're looking for somewhere for breakfast in Farringdon I highly recommend this place. While it doesn't have the class of SOS it easily makes up for it in character.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of The House

05 Sep 07, 14:30

Cheese and Filo

I went here last weekend after I was shot down for a reservation from the guys and girls at Moro. Not to say that this is a Spanish restaurant, I just thought I'd start with that. Anyway.

The house serves up a great menu. I started with a fantastic combination of mozzarella and goats cheese melted in a filo pastry, which despite being a bit large is as good as it sounds. Followed it up with some beef, and a bottle of Rioja.

What's nice is that there is a fairly lively bar that runs til much later at the front. meaning you can let than food settle before you wander home.

For the two of us it came to £100. They include a 12.5% service charge on the bill, which I tend to find a little frustrating but the waitress assured me that the money went in her pocket and not someone elses.

Definitely worth a first, and pleasantly away from the crowds of Upper Street.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Meze Meze

06 Aug 07, 14:13

Hummus at Lunch

Definitely one of the nicer places to eat at Lunch in Farringdon. The choice of salad is excellent, and you can accessorize your bowl with hummus, falafel and an assortment of lovely other things.

I also highly recommend the warm falafel and hummus pitta, and if you are feeling greedy throw in some Baklava.

If you are walking up Turnmill Street in the morning you won't be able to miss the staff members handing out free samples of smoothy. All in all, a lovely place.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of The Greenery

31 Jul 07, 18:11

Nice Place for a Veggie Lunch

I was instrumental in the promotion of this fine little eatery to my colleagues -to the extent that the line is now just a little to long!

The Greenry serves a nice range of vegetarian dishes, on offer, as well as the usual jacket potatoes and salad. I'm a particular of the £4.75 meal deal that gets you a main, and two side orders, which if you ask me is actually really good value for money.

The only downside is the lack of variation, it tends to be the same meals each day, but given the selection of lunch time venues in Farringdon if you mix it up you shouldn't get too bored.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of The Crown Tavern

23 Jul 07, 10:38

A Great Summer Pub

The Crown is a nice pub all year round but really comes into it's own during the summer months (not that we have been having much of those recently).

During hotter times the busy working people of Farringdon spill out into Clerkenwell Green lapping up any bit of sun we are fortunate to get.

The Crown does a nice selection of draught and bottled beers, and, according to friends, the food is pretty good too. But, if you are planning on heading down on a hot Friday afternoon, prepare for a bit of a fight to the bar.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Phoenicia

30 Jun 07, 14:42

Great Hummus

I'm addicted to Hummus. It's that simple, me and my flat mate must go through at least three or four tubs a week.

We're lucky in that we have Phoenicia just down the road from our flat because it does the best hummus in town. Not only is it well priced, by you get a lot of it too. I also think it is refreshing that a proper middle eastern deli is where the hummus is the best.

Phoenicia does more than just hummus tho, a huge selection of mezes, olives, cheeses and bread. Great for a lazy weekend.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Kurz and Lang

30 Jun 07, 13:45

Sausage Fest!

I'd been warned away from this place by a few people in my office. They said it was overpriced, and that even if you spent a lot you'd end up being unsatisfied. Well, in the same way that the person in question should clearly stop taking market tips (it's all noise) I'm going to stop taking their advice on where to eat.

I actually really liked Kurz and Lang. For a fiver you get a proper meal. Not just a sandwich and crisps like in a lot of places, but a a large sausage (with different choices each day), a plate of fried potatoes, a healthy portion of sauerkraut, and a bread roll.

I also liked the option to have a glass bottle of coke, both pretentious and environmentally friendly!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Review of Eriki

29 Jun 07, 15:06

A decent Indian surrounded by not much else

Walking through Swiss Cottage looking for a somewhere to eat was a tough experience. I hear you, we should have used welovelocal, none of use will ever make that mistake again!

After passing by a rather large looking sushi venue, and then an empty thai, we stumbled upon Eriki a friendly looking Indain.

The service was good, the food arrived quickly and the atmosphere was pleasant. I particularly enjoyed the pakora that seemed to add a modern twist to what can be an otherwise simple starter.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Anchor Tap

26 Jun 07, 12:08

Cheap London Boozer

In terms of decor, lighting, and clientèle The Anchor Tap is pretty much what you would expect from an 'old man's pub.' That said both the staff and regulars are particularly friendly towards youthful newcomers and city folk alike.

Where this place really stands out is in it's pricing. The pub is part of the Samuel Adams Brewery which for those that don't know, means £1.99 for a pint of Alpine lager!

If you're in and around the London Bridge / Tower Hill area and don't mind a nice walk, or if you have just spent some time at the Design Museum up the road, the Tap is well worth a visit.

One last point, the pub also has a darts board and Mike the bar tender always seems keen to play.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Piada

19 Jun 07, 15:22

My New Favourite Place for Lunch

I've learnt from my Italian colleague who recommend Piada to me that Piada is actually the flat bread you are likely to be eating if you pay a trip to this authentic little Italian eatery.

Filling include fresh mozzarella, rocket, tomatoes, chicken, zucchini and various types of cured ham. I highly recommend number twelve (dodici). The Piada's are warmed in what looks like a special pan and then the mozzarella is melted on top. yum.

If you fancy eating in they also do a selection of salads and a daily pasta special. Always busy and always good.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Saddler Sports Centre

08 Jun 07, 11:05

Cheap City Squash

I work just around the corner from here and never thought I'd be able to find somewhere to play squash for £9 an hour in such a central location.

The facilities themselves aren't the best, it is actually part of City University, but the courts are well maintained and suitably lit.

Avoid being given a court at the the actual City University campus, the courts are undergoing restoration, and what is more they are located in a rather dingy basement.

If you become a member, you can book up to a week in advance, non members can only book three days before, so make sure you get on the phone nice and early.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Caversham Group Practice

20 May 07, 20:54

A Big Group Practice

When I first moved to London I had heard horror stories about registering with a GP and even more bad tales of the waiting times. I was encouraged to find that the Caversham Group Practice was at the bottom of my road and happy to hear they were taking on new patients.

In the two instances that I have been there the waiting has been minimal and the doctors friendly and not at all in a rush to get you in and out the door. I couldn't give an exact number but I would say there is over 20 doctors and the options to use a number of other services.

If you are moving to Kentish Town I'd highly recommend giving this place a call.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Saddlers Sports Centre and Athletic Club

16 May 07, 16:22

Anyone for Squash?

I'm a big squash fan, and when I moved to London I was concerned that I wouldn't find squash courts in the city without having to pay exorbatant club fees -I mean lets face it a squash court is not exactly the most cost effective use of space.

I was surprised to find Saddlers Sport Centre just around the corner from my work with two very nice courts. Non members can book three days in advance which is fine as long as you get up early enough, while members can book up to a week in advance. The changing facilities aren't that luxurious but they do the job, and the sauna was a welcome surprise.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Slaughtered Lamb

12 May 07, 10:03

Good in the Evenings Even Better at Lunch

The Slaughtered Lamb is an archetypal trendy bar in Farringdon, but that doesn't really do it enough justice. At night this place is packed, and I mean packed, of people enjoying a good selection of draft beers (including my particular favourite Kirin Ichiban).

On my last few visits I have gone for lunch, the pace is a bit slower and there is always a seat available, what's more the door stop sandwiches are great and the fish and chips is just how it should be.

The Slaughtered Lamb also gets a great mix of people: suits from the city, hundreds of architects and just a sprinkling of media types. But please leave your pretensions at home, they won't go down well here.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of The Pineapple

10 May 07, 23:10

So Good it Gets a Little Crowded

I'm a regular at the Pineapples Monday night quiz (listen out for Quiz Team Hamilton). It's a great night out -good beer and food, and a quiz tough enough to keep you interested but not so hard that you feel embarrassed to hand in your answer sheet. Bare in mind this is a really popular quiz so you would be well advised to get to the pub straight from work if you want to get a seat.

On nights other than a Monday the Pineapple is just a nice and friendly pub with the sort of atmosphere that is perfect for a few jars post work.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Oxford

10 May 07, 20:08

Nice Pub, No Sports

"If this place was in Birmingham it would be the best bar in the city," said a friend of mine. He's not wrong, the problem is that isn't really saying much. The Oxford is a nice pub, beer is reasonably priced, and there are some good foreigners on tap. There is also a good restaurant at the back that does some hearty English food at central London prices. The pork belly is amazing.

Please note that this places does not play sports, which is quite handy if you are looking to find a seat on pretty much any night of the week during the football season.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Torriano

08 May 07, 12:05

My Favourite Pub in Kentish Town

The Torriano was the venue for my first pint as a Londoner and therefore will always keep a special place in my heart. But it is the great atmosphere, BBQ on a Sunday and the lashings of boardgames that will keep me coming back. It is not exactly in Kentish Town as you have to make a short walk up Leighton road, but it is well worth the journey, and you may bump into local celebrity Jon Snow on the way.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Gulshan

08 May 07, 09:06

A Well Priced Indian in Kentish Town

As a former Brummie I consider myself a bit of a curry connoisseur. What is more I am used to the Brummie pricing system that tells me anything over £6 for a curry is simply not worth it. Moving to Kentish Town I was pleased to find this well priced Indian (think £5 per main) just at the bottom of my road. The food isn't phenomenal but the staff are friendly and the location is great. Highly recommended if you are in the area and looking for that curry fix.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Holmes Place Health Club

07 May 07, 12:44

Not Just for the Ultra 'Gym Types'

I can walk here within 5 mins from my work so that is worth bearing in mind when you read this review.

I love this gym, the staff are friendly, the people aren't so overly keen for the gym that I feel embarrassed about sometimes just wanting to sit in the jacuzzi, and the facilities are top notch.

Of note is the quiet gym where you can work out without all the added noise of a main gym, and the 200m indoor running track for if the treadmill gets a bit boring.

The pool is the only downside, it only has three lanes, so if it's a busy period it can get a little crowded, and if you are tall like me, you'll find your arms hitting the walls of the outer most lanes.

Other than that this really is a great gym in a fantastic location.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Dingwalls

06 May 07, 09:53

Nice Music Venue

Dingwalls is situated in Camden Locks and plays home to a host of music talent. The venue is essentially one large room with a bar at the back and a standing area that slopes down to the stage.

As a taller than average gentleman my problem came from getting so close that it became difficult to see due to the low ceiling. That said I'm sure many smaller attendees welcomed the fact that I had to move towards the back of the club.

A perfectly nice venue for if you ever spot something on that you want to see but not worth it otherwise. The beer was flat too.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.