Kunaal S.

Review of Tonky Gorilla

09 Jun 08, 15:41

Nice venue let down by rubbish staff

I can't echoe the above review enough, I was only 18 when I first came here and wasn't asked for ID at all!! But when I returned recently (I'm now 20) i was asked for ID, luckily I had it on me, but I was shocked to say the least. The place itself is nice, and it's a cool environment to be with, the dance floor is a little small though. The characters inside used to be a little on the funny side, but I guess the stricter door policy has helped counter this. The food is decent but prices are high and to be honest, there are other more established venues on offer which are much, much better. Spice Rack is one of them, better food, better prices, better people. The door staff are frankly, a waste of space and think they're working for something far better than what Tonky Gorilla actually is. Let me break it down, it's a nice looking bar/restaurant/club in a really rubbish area on a really rubbish street where you wouldn't really like to go out, so they should lose their ego and and get their act together.

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Review of Blue Ginger Bar & Restaurant

09 Jun 08, 15:36

Massive. Massive. Massive

As soon as you step into this venue, the biggest thing that hits you is the sheer size of the place. It stretches on and on, and you feel like you've been invited to a mansion rather than a retaurant. I don't know quite how many people they fit into that place, but they fit them in a classy surrounding whilst keeping a top notch service too. There are too many converted pub into Indian bar/restaurants in London and they seem to get stuck when it comes to decorating; often Asian decoration doesn't clash too well with traditional pub decor; it's weird. But Blue Ginger have completely overhauled the whole thing with the biggest bar I've ever seen, all shiny and erm blue. The carpets are blue, the lights are blue, it's all in the name really! The food is good, not spectacular but you won't be complaining either. Just be warned some dishes can be disspointingly watery or bland, so be sure to ask the waiter for a recommendation. This place features massive tables, lounge seats with low slung coffee tables and bar stools ensuring everybody is comfy! It is always fully booked on a weekend (always a decent indication of how good a place is!) It's a fantastic place for a big group of people, think corporate meal or trying to impress a client and your going along the right lines. It's also a fantastic place if you want to catch a game of football with your mates, or go out for some general banter in the relaxed lounge style seating area. Prices are average, about 40 to 50 pounds for four people.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Ash Bar

20 Mar 08, 10:41

So much potential, filled with idiots

It annoys me when the owner spends an obvious amount of time and money refurbishing and improving this bar/nightclub/restaurant but then lets it down by allowing underage kids and complete idiots through the door. The restaurant and bar area is nice, with tasteful style and funky lighting. The nightclub has an interesting layout with a massive sunken dance floor, a large round bar and an additional seating area. The highlight of this place though is the sheltered and patio-heated Shisha area in the back. Following the smoking ban last year which decided to cut even Shisha out of public indoor spaces (putting edgware road out of business), many bars have begun to specialise in outdoor areas such as these which give the essence that you're in a warmer climate sitting in classy surroundings. The quality of the sheesha is decent and the food is also above par. Drinks include the normal beverages as well as fantastic Milkshakes. The service is crap though, if you order or ask for something you have to keep checking up on them. Not only that, but the stupid waiter dropped a piece of charcoal which had to land on my new 80 quid jacket and burn a hole through the shoulder...i only found out when i got home though so there was nothing i could do. overall though, the place itself is lovely but the nightclub is a no=go area full of little noisy kids. the bar and restaurant is just about barable...i say, go for the sheesha with some mates and you can't go wrong. Brilliant idea, stupidly executed.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Mahiki

07 Feb 08, 13:07

Nice place, Horrible people

I've never had a night in London as bad as this one. My friend had arranged his Birthday celebrations here and even sorted and agreed a guestlist at this venue. About 50 people who turned up first got in, the other odd 100 were forced to que in the cold outside dressed in suits and cocktail dresses. Whatever could happen next? Along come random girls in short skirts, and a little bit of flirt is all it took to get through the door man. I would have tried, but he wasn't my type lol. Seriously, they then began to "randomly" split the ques up to either side of the club and surprise, surprise, everyone could see that we were being segregated! I know it sounds so stupid, but I almost couldn't beleive it with my own eyes. In fact, my own mates who happened to be white were put in a different que which was slowly being fed through into the club whilst everyone who had black/asian origin was left on the other side. Eventually after approx an hour of freezing my ass off, some little lady came out and said that the club was at capacity. We gave them a piece of our mind and I couldn't fathom how this was happening in an upmarket area of London in the 21st Century. I have never had such an experience in my life, and what is sad is Mahiki IS a nice venue as I had been there before and loved it. But the second time proved the bouncers and management's true colours. Definitely a slap on the face! Anyway, there's so many better upmarket bars/clubs that Mahikis off my list doesn't warrant any sleep lost on my part.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Sway

07 Feb 08, 12:59

Good night out!

I used to come here every Monday during my first year of uni. It was always guaranteed to be a good night out thanks to tasteful music choice, multiple rooms, a common university crowd and cheap drinks thanks to Vodka Island's promotion (£2 for a double vodka anything, that's a tenner for the night and I was sorted.) Apart from this, the interior is nicely decorated, recently refurbished I might add and there are nice VIP areas which are extremely comfy. The main area with the bar is always a treat and later on becomes the dance area, however the room next door is more like an empty school hall with a ball and a massive Dj booth which is where the real party starts. Upstairs you can quiet down in the restaurant area, and you can still grab a drink here. Last but not least, the toilets are always in good condition and come complete with the annoying guy who wants money to give you soap; but he does offer aftershave, chewing gum and lolly pops (um..why?) if you need them in desperate times.

A good night out, I've been on none student nights and it's better because it is generally cleaner, less packed and more classy. I haven't ever been there during the day however, apparently it's a bar/restaurant or something...

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Best Kebabs

07 Feb 08, 12:23

Lovely when drunk

I used to love coming here after a night out and basically when you are under the influence, the name BEST KEBABS only stands out even more. Their layout is a simple kebab shop recipe, take two semi-friendly Turkish guys, two doners rolling about, a UV bug killer light, and tables which always remain empty and the coke drinks fridge. I don't care what they say about doner, that's exactly what I'm in the mood for when the time is right. They also do chips, burgers, and more sophisticated Kebabs and 'maize' dishes such as houmous. Last but not least, they have added pizzas to their menu though I am yet to try it out. And on a serious note, you don't have to be drunk to appreciate their food, it is the standard kebab shop stuff :-)

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of The Larder

07 Feb 08, 12:15

my new fatal attraction

I am properly screwed now because I'm hooked on this place meaning I will happily go there and pay around 7 quid for quality sandwiches, pizza slices, unnecessarily posh crisps and 2 pound glass bottled drinks. But when it tastes this good, I really don't care. The bread is so soft and succulent, you can tell how freshly baked it is. Then, the ingredients top it off to make every lunch time feel like a little piece of heaven. I actually don't care if I run out of money anymore, it's a stomach over head decision at this place. Saying that, if your appetite is like a normal persons, you can eat well for under a fiver.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Nandos

07 Feb 08, 12:05

always amazing, every time

I've been a die hard fan of Nandos ever since it first opened up years and years back, I think I was about 12 or something. Anyway, what can i say about Nandos that most of you already know? The conept is brilliant, you order and pay before you eat, something I wish I could do in all restaurants because waiting for the bill is a pain in the a*se when you're in a hurry to leave. The service is always good, you grab yer own drinks (refillable), sauces (yum), knives and forks and tissues etc etc. But even without all of this, I would still give this place a 5-star review. Who would have thought something so simple as a grilled chicken can overtake most other forms of food! Simple, healthy and beautifully spicy this is a firm favourite amongst those who love their food with that zesty snap you can't find anywhere else! I actually have mates at uni who make it a point to visit here at least 3 times a week, it's not a joke. And you get loyalty points when you go, so stamp up your card and you get free chicken. I tried the salad, it's nice and so are the burgers...but for the real nandos experience go for the half or quarter chicken with Peri-Peri chips...and make sure you choose your spice carefully, i normally go for HOT, but if you are really tame go for medium or "lemon and herb" which might as well stand for "why are u eating here anyway?" I also tried the vege pitta thing, not too sure why, but it was good as well. Still definitely the place to come if you love chicken more than your life.

average price of a meal per person ranges from about 7 to 12 pounds

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Panom Thai Restaurant

06 Feb 08, 17:45

Critical Acclaim can't be wrong!

This place has received a fleet of positive reviews and many rave about the quality of food here. I am no different. The ingredients are so fresh that you can taste every little bit of effort they have put into your dishes. Not only that, but the service is second to none and they are extremely friendly. My favourite dish is the Red Chicken Curry with rice which tastes like no other; this place is not cheap but you do not have to pay through the roof for it either. I am sympathetic towards the management due to the location however, it is situated down the road from me notably next to a tiny Pizza Hut delivery and an Oriental Takeaway joint. It is unfortunate that the area does not do the restaurant justice and it is proof that you cannot judge a book by its cover. The area is not really the best at night, and there's not a fantastic amount of available parking either. The restaurant is small inside, and very dark to set the mood with loads of ornaments and elaborate Thai (i'm guessing...) decorations. I wish it would move to a better location one day, but still a poor location can't mask an excellent restaurant. Read the 'professional' reviews if you don't beleive me, better yet make a trip there. Oh, and they're keen to do take-away unlike many other Thai restaurants too.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.