Brad's reviews
Review of Rough Trade Shop
07 Jul 07, 15:02
Not just for alternative... 
Rough Trade also stocks a wide variety of marginally obscure and very recent electronica, making it a paradise for those in search of something your regular Virgin store wouldn't even look at.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Roka
08 Jul 07, 14:29
Excellent food and service
Recently went to Roka and decided to splash out on the tasting menu. The sushi is excellent, without a hint of the fishy taste (in the negative sense) so prevalent in regular London sushi. Presentation also receives top marks--sushi served on a block of ice?
All dishes were in fact excellent, bar the teriyaki dishes--which turned out to be more charcoal than teriyaki. This didn't disappoint me too much though, as I was never a big fan of teriyaki as a whole.
Wine list leaves a lot to be desired (by the glass, and 8 varietals only), but sports an excellent and exotic range of cocktails and Japanese drinks, as well as that Japanese favourite: scotch whiskey (despite this the couple at the table next to us attempted to order Jack Daniels and Coke!).
Dessert was also tasty and fresh, with fruit so fresh it was still tart.
Service was attentive, friendly, and very informative.
Overall the tasting menu was probably a little too expensive at £50/head, but the food was good enough that we'll be going back for 2-3 dishes next time!
2 out of 2 people 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.
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?
2 out of 2 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 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 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 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 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 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.