Gerald's reviews
Review of Bush Bar and Grill
31 Jul 07, 17:21
Bar in Bush 
Not sure who owns this, although it's a bit like Polygon in Clapham (now something else, I think). It has a sleek bar with good cocktails and wines, always fairly busy despite being down an alley just off a rather crappy bit of the Goldhawk Road.
It's probably the best place (with the exception of the excellent but astronomically expensive K West Hotel) for cocktails in Shepherds Bush, and the staff are always nice.
The food has never really lived up to the coolness of the warehouse like restaurant, for me. I've had a pretty rotten spinach and filo veggie option that was very claggy and not very nice, and some rather dry chicken. It all looks nice, but I'm not sure they've got a great chef. Maybe you'll be lucky, but I'd recommend the place as a bar rather than for food.
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Review of Ikkyu
31 Jul 07, 17:10
Japanese a la 1987 
This place in a dark basement next to Goodge Street station has genuinely not changed since the late eighties. It feels genuinely like you have walked into a scene from the Karate Kid. No sleek lines of 1990s minimalism here. The food is really excellent and the large number of Japanese people eating here are a good indication of authenticity. Ring before you go, as the opening hours can be a bit erratic. Great sushi, sashimi and all the cooked goodies too. Very fresh and prepared as you watch.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Snooty Fox
20 Jul 07, 15:06
Good Quiz 
What Catherine's said is all true, apart from the smoking, which ain't allowed any more despite the landlord's bar sign saying "Non-Smokers will be served". It's better at night, as it feels a bit cluttered during the day.
There's a quiz on Tuesdays at the moment which is at a really nice level - a wide range of popular and specialist knowledge. Very good fun.
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Review of Sir John Soanes Museum
20 Jul 07, 14:56
Cool little place
When you've done lots of the big set-piece museums in London it is a delight to find this townhouse sitting unobtrusively on Lincoln's Inn Fields.
John Soane was a renowned architect - he designed the bank of England and did some crazy but never completed designs for London including Buckingham Palace. He was pals with lots of 18th century noteables and became a big collector of art and artifacts. This is what now makes up the collection, along with his furniture and personal possessions.
There is a lot of stuff from ancient Eygpt and Greece, from around the time when Brits were digging it all up. There is also a fantastic collection of Hogarth oil paintings - so many he had a room designed with hinged walls so he could keep them hanging in layers. Crazy guy.
It's cheap if not free to get in, and well worth a look on a rainy afternoon.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of The Sampler
20 Jul 07, 13:13
Try then buy
I've not seen another place like this. They have racks of bottles with suction systems that allow you to buy a small sample to taste before you go the whole hog and buy the bottle. It means you can taste some very expensive wines you wouldn't normally be able to afford, or check out some mid-range wines before you buy them for this evening's drinking. The staff are helpful and knowledgable.
The selection isn't as large as you would get with a standard wine merchant, but the fun of purchasing makes it worth it. They also run tutored tasting evenings.
NB it's very short on cheaper wines.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Aperitivo
20 Jul 07, 11:28
Italian Tapas 
Really good little haunt of media types, this. The Italian tapas idea is excellent, as the food lends itself to small, shareable taster plates.
The restaurant is small and narrow with some couches at the front - don't go downstairs unless you have to. Service is polite and efficient. The wine list is tasty, even at the cheap end, and the food is really delicious. Layered aubergine, chicken wrapped in parma ham, veal and black olive meatballs, various pasta dishes, lots of prawns and calamari and various vegetable dishes are all excellent. Try and save room for the Italian cheese plate at the end.
Even if you only go for the cheaper options, you'll struggle to escape without spending £30 a head, but it's well worth it.
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Review of The Anglesea Arms
20 Jul 07, 11:18
Lovely
The pub retains its old fittings and charm and you can buy a good selection of ales and beers. Staff are friendly and it seems to be privately owned.
There are lots of BBC types and yuppies from "Brackenbury Village", but the atmosphere remains jovial.
The food is delicious, simple fare. Pints of prawns, oysters and cheeses are available as bar snacks, while the restaurant does great meats, fish and deserts. It's the best pub in this area, and it's position well back from the Goldhawk Road lets you forget you are still basically in Shepherds Bush.
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Review of Goldhawk Tavern
20 Jul 07, 11:09
Not quite gastro
It's not gastro, but it's not an old man pub either. Cool paintings, big dangly lights and lots of comfortable leather sofas make this a good week-night destination for locals, although it's a bit far from the action at the weekend.
The food is standard modern pub fare - burgers, wedges etc. and is OK.
In the summer you can sit outside the front enjoying the beautiful views of the Goldhawk Road (hmmm).
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Review of Ginglik
20 Jul 07, 11:05
Beyond expectations for a toilet
Ginglik is in the old victorian toilet underground on Shepherds Bush Green, right in front of the Central Line Tube station. It's very cool and manages a level of exclusivity by making people become members. It's easy and free, just bring some ID when you first come.
Music range is really wide and generally live, mainly bands and DJs. The stage area is small, intimate and dark but great for dancing. Look up what's on online to get something you'll like.
They also do a very good comedy night during the week and a cinema screening (Sundays I think). The atmosphere is relaxed and bohemian.
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Review of The Marquess Tavern
20 Jul 07, 10:58
Tasty Canonbury Gastropub
This doesn't get five stars because I'm a bit mean. It's a lovely gastro pub with very good restaurant food and bar food at the front. The service is extremely good - almost over friendly and attentive. There's bar billiards and a little seating area outside at the front.
They take the food and drink quite seriously, with a great wine list including some English wines, an extensive beer list and food that includes sea bass, steak, veal, chicken etc. all with interesting accompaniments.
You must book at the weekends if you want to sit in the restaurant, although they'll try and accommodate you in the bar.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.