Brad's reviews
Review of The Prince
27 Apr 08, 17:29
Great but for the Yorkshire... 
In this nice, off-the-high st pub, where local families and hipsters intermingle in equal proportions, lies a sleeping giant in the London Sunday Roast club.
Generous portions, quick service, and fresh ingredients point towards a superior meal. If only it wasn't for the doughy and burnt Yorkshire pudding they send along with the rest of the meal.
Reputedly their burgers (not served on Sundays, sadly) are also excellent, so this may turn out to be a new favoured local eating pub.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Oxford Retreat
29 Mar 08, 20:12
Great pub food
If it wasn't for the lads expedition at the bar, this would have been a great pub experience. That incident highlights the failing of the Oxford Retreat—the bar and eatery are literally right next to each other and share open space, meaning that all your typical bar noise trickles into your dining.
Other than the noise, the food itself was very tasty and of quite good quality, and the dessert was enormous and generous. The cocktail range was solid as well, making for a great low–key night out: for us, that is. Not for the lads, presumably.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Cycle Surgery
21 Oct 07, 22:04
Great - for a chain
As a somewhat specialist consumer (single speed converted track bikes), normal stores just don't appeal to me. There's something about fluorescent yellow jackets and gears that drives me away as quick as my single gear will carry me (quite fast, if you're counting).
However, on the way to my place of employment in Soho I had the misfortune of getting a flat tyre. Given that they were on my way I thought it best to stop off and get a fix.
The staff were quite helpful and the repairs were very competitively priced - and the up-sell of a puncture-proof inner tube was well worth the investment. They even had a few solitary single speeds in the store--although their primary trade was clearly of the commuter variety.
Great for all your "normal" bicycling needs.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Brick Lane Bikes
21 Oct 07, 21:58
Best place for single speed bikes 
If you, like me, prefer your bike to be of the elegant single speed variety, this is your mecca.
The store specialises in vintage, imported steel track frames and all the trimmings (multi-coloured Velocity Rims, road tyres etc.). They also sell a smaller variety of very well-made and maintained off-the-shelf track and fixed bicycles.
The staff are all very helpful and knowledgeable, and all work is done on the spot by their team to guarantee you walk out with the bike in the best possible condition. Their passion for bikes truly stands out as an asset, and this buyer was very pleased with the results.
Very highly recommended.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Lemongrass
30 Sep 07, 22:04
Home delivery not to even delivery quality 
I'll confess that I've never set foot in the restaurant itself. However, after ordering the home delivery service it seems unlikely that I'll bother.
The food was an hour in the making, and yet arrived in undersized portions swimming in grease. Even the prawn crackers were skimped on--it seemed like they provided just a single cracker per member of my party (4).
The price was competitive for delivery Thai food, but I'll be looking elsewhere for my favourite local.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Dove Freehouse and Kitchen
14 Jul 07, 15:47
Not really Belgian
The owners of this pub don't seem to actually be Belgian, and this shows in the quality and care taken in their food.
Thin gravy, too-fatty meat, and too noisy to enjoy a nice meal. Luckily the meal isn't so nice anyway.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Pub on the Park
14 Jul 07, 15:45
Nice if you can avoid the queues 
What a great spot. Decks on London Fields. Full of all the young "new media" types you could possibly want to see on a sunny London Fields day (the last sentence is said with only a hint of irony).
Sadly the bar service can be quite spotty, and the kitchen closes early on a Sunday.
Still a nice place to enjoy the sun--but stay away if it's raining.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The White Horse
14 Jul 07, 15:41
Great beers
This is a pub that truly takes beer seriously. With hundreds of beers on offer, and "rustic" decor, it's a really great location for a quick weekend drink.
The restaurant is expensive for a pub but of a very high quality--as mentioned the fish and chips is brilliant.
The clientele can leave a lot to be desired--singing Chelsea fans and "young professional" types down from South Kensington make up the primary numbers.
Bring your own friends, enjoy the park, the Pimms, and the beer!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Pride Of Siam
14 Jul 07, 15:36
Cheap and cheerful
For those of you from Sydney, you may be (like me) missing the traditional Newtown Thai meal. This is an excellent place to make up for it.
Similarly in-expensive decor, cheap alcohol, friendly service, and excellent food. All for a respectable price.
What more could you possibly want from a Thai restaurant?
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Fabric
08 Jul 07, 14:37
One of the very best
Fabric is world famous, much like London counterpart Ministry of Sound, but Fabric is famous for the right reasons.
With a truly killer sound system, the very best international talent, and a crowd of serious clubbers (always a must for a proper night out!), the atmosphere and feel of Fabric is second to none.
Drinks *are* expensive, and queues aren't fantastic--but I've never had a bad night at Fabric. Saturday nights are particularly good for some of the latest techno names, and Fridays alternate between drum 'n bass and breaks. Either way you're in for a treat.
Just a note: if you're out on the pull, please stay at Ministry of Sound. Fabric's for dancing and music.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.