Max J.

Review of Yum Yum

05 Dec 07, 10:36

Bi Kitsch Thai Restaurant

The first thing that strikes you about Yum Yum is its size. What looks like a small slight over-stylised/kitsch Thai restaurant opens out in a huge cavernous space which must sit hundreds.

We went on a super-busy Saturday night without a reservation and had to wait at the bar for 20 minutes or so until we could get a seat. Clearly a very popular local spot, even when we were leaving at 11pm the place was still packed with very few empty seats.

The food itself was ok - typical Thai dishes, my Green Curry wasn't dramatically special, nevertheless I think the main attraction of Yum Yum is for large group night outs, where food is of secondary importance. Would recommend to large group nights out, rather than for a quiet Thai dinner.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Paul A Young

19 Oct 07, 15:28

Haute Chocolatier

Tucked away on Camden Passage, Paul A Young serves up some seriously tasty and stylish chocolates.

If you're looking for a sweet tasting gift to trump them all, then Paul's your man. Equisitely packaged, Paul A Young's chocs are definitely within the 'haute couture' category for confectionary. While certainly not cheap, the quality of the chocolates and cakes on sale definitely warrant the price.

Better still, free taster samples are available in store.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Greenery

02 Oct 07, 12:29

So-so Vege Take-Out

All vegetarian take-out café. Portions are big, and food seems fresh, but service is so hectic and disorientating it is enough to consider not going back. Invariably, staff struggle to understand your order and service can be achingly slow when there is a queue.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Barbican Theatre

02 Oct 07, 12:28

No Leg Room

Less a review and more a note to future theatre goers. Avoid the seats in the heavens – particularly rows which enter double characters i.e. AA, BB or CC etc. Just saw the brilliant 'Disappearing Number', sadly the only tickets we could get were in row AA which are in a seriously vertiginous position, with no leg room. I can't believe these seats weren't an afterthought. I'm used to old London theatres designed for 5' 2'' midgets, but these seats took it to a new level. If you're over 5' invest in seats closer to the stage.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Paul Smith

02 Oct 07, 12:26

Sharp Inventive Clothing

I rarely buy anything from here, but always make a point of dropping in when in Covent garden, I got a suit here last year, and it has served me so well that I've struggled to justify buying another one to replace it. Like lots of good high end fashion stores, the best stuff always seems to enter a new tier of expense, this time, they had a great dinner jacket with loads of subtle but clever stitching around the pockets and cuff, which looked really tempting until I realized it was £1,200.

I love Paul Smith clothing, but always feel that the floral shirts and flourishes of colour suit someone older than me, so whenever I try any PS stuff on of it on it makes me look like someone trying too hard to impress, hence why I rarely buy anything from here (plus the price tags).

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Leon

02 Oct 07, 12:23

I've seen the future

I've been aware of Leons for quite a while, but there's never seemed to be one nearby when I'm looking for quick healthy lunch, however last Sunday on a break from the Designer's Bloc show finally had the chance to visit with friends to their Spittlefield Market branch.

Very impressive place, which gets a lot of things right. The menu is packed with healthy tasty meals, wraps, salads and smoothies that you rarely get in the UK but find all over the US. Better still the menu isn't limited to one type of cuisine, so you can get everything from a middle-eastern wrap or Indian Curry to an English breakfast.

The décor too takes the best of retro, nostaligic Britain/Americana/Continental style and gives it clean, modern update with big canteen style tables mixes with more intimate booths. Lastly and best of all, everything is super-affordable (most meals under a fiver). If they continue to open as many places as they have over the last year or so, 'd love to see Leon become a real Pret competitor.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Monkey Face

02 Oct 07, 12:21

The Only Empty Pub in London?

Came here straight from Bald Faced Stag (packed) three minutes down the road to this place to find it completely empty. While the white minimalist interior may work when packed, when completely empty, it only helped to accentuate the emptiness of the place. In five years in London, I can't actually recall ever going to a bar on a Saturday night that is completely empty.

Emptiness aside, the staff were happy for us to stay, and what could have turned into a major negative (no atmosphere) turned in to a positive as it meant we had the place to ourselves and the bar staff were happy to play our music requests and do table service. I'm sure this must have been a freak quiet night.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Bald Face Stag

02 Oct 07, 12:20

Great Gastro Pub

Ticks all the Gastro Pub Boxes, though perhaps too calculatingly so.

Quality range of ales and world beers, hearty quality food, dark wood paneling décor, 'random' mix of stools and chairs. Came here to celebrate a friend's birthday, and had a great time, and would certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a nice place to while away an evening in East Finchley. Service was super fast too, which is always a bonus.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Skylon

24 Sep 07, 16:28

Uber Modernist Restaurant

Beautiful restaurant as part of the Royal Festival Hall's recent refurbishment.

While not cheap (£37.50 for three courses), thanks in part to the beautiful decor it is worth a visit regardless. Sadly, we did not have a window seat, but the huge wall of glass which runs the length of the restaurant means you're unlikely to miss its stunning river view across the Thames.

The food itself was excellent - though the menu is very fish-heavy and vegetarians would struggle to find any real choice. Nonetheless, for a restaurant that is setting itself out on the 'finer' side of dining, the overall atmosphere relaxing and never stuffy, - indeed thanks to the uber-50's modernist design, low lighting and a lot of wine its a great place for a long relaxing meal.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.