Joelle M.

Review of North Bar

07 Dec 07, 11:21

Actually my all time favourite bar, anywhere, ever

North Bar, North Bar, how do I count the reasons why I love you?

1. It's the place that educated me, and much of Leeds, to learn about the world beyond bland lager. They stock all sorts of interesting beers sourced from small breweries in Belgium, Germany, the US and elsewhere and are always able to recommend things.

2. On one of my last visits, a Morris dance troupe came in for a drink, each with their own special tankard that they had filled up with ale. Truly a mixed crowd in here from young arty types to hearty ale drinkers.

3. It's one of the few bars as opposed to pubs that wins CAMRA awards, with regularly changing and well kept guest ales from independent breweries always available.

4. The staff are dead friendly.

5. The annual joy of the Christmas beer Gluhkriek - spiced cherry beer served warm!

6. Non-beer drinkers will also find that the bar knows its spirits too - all the booze is well chosen.

7. Meat, bread and cheese on the side, like in Holland.

8. It deservedly won the Observer Food Monthly annual award for best place to drink in the whole country last year.

9. Charming paraphernalia is dotted around the bar, especially if you like Belgian cycling souvenirs and hit and miss art exhibitions.

10. It's relaxed, unpretentious, cosy and cool. Are rare combination.

Really, aside from seeing my parents, this is the main attraction for me in heading back to my home county of Yorkshire, and it makes me feel homesick. It's frequently the first place my husband and I head to as soon as we're off the train. I heartily recommend it to anyone who prefers their boozers not to be bland or pretentious.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Mangal Turkish Pizza

15 Oct 07, 13:08

Best fast food in London

Proximity to this place is one of my favourite things about living where I do.

If you've never tried lamachun, you must, and this is the absolute best place to do it, because they have the proper stone oven to make it in. Lamachun is a kind of Turkish pizza: flat bread spread with minced lamb, tomato and herbs, cooked and served with crunchy salad and a chunk of lemon. You can either have it rolled up with the salad wrapped inside, or served alongside to pile on yourself. It is wonderful and marvellously cheap, around £1.50 for a roll.

There's quite a lot of good Turkish food on the menu. I've tried the pide in here which are good too - a thicker pizza base shaped around a wider choice of fillings - but I have to say it's the lamachun that brings me back time after time. You'd think by now they might recognise me and be a bit friendlier but nevermind. The customers are often friendlier. One evening my husband and I came in and there was a big local Turkish family in there having a birthday celebration for their daughter, and who insisted we share their chocolate cake!

There's a real mix of people in the know about this place - Turkish locals, students, foodies hunting a bargain. I'd recommend you join them.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Spence Cafe

15 Oct 07, 12:40

Yummmmmmmmmmm

I always thought how cosy and inviting this little cafe looks, and figured it would have some pretty tasty fare since it's linked to the excellent Spence bakery opposite. And I was right. It's also dead friendly, and miles cheaper than I'd imagine such a nice place to be. In an ideal world all cafes would charge just £2 for a pot of Earl Grey and a heavenly homemade date scone. Even my somewhat hard to please mother in law was well impressed. It's just really really nice.

Now I just have to figure out how to become one of those lucky people I see sitting having a leisurely breakfast in there each weekday morning. Don't they have jobs to go to?

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.