Rik L.

Review of Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes

14 Jan 08, 22:05

Lots of fun

Situated in the middle of Bloomsbury, underneath a smart-looking hotel lies Bloomsbury Bowling, a 50s-style bowling alley, featuring everything from pool and arcade games to karaoke and burgers. And of course, lots of bowling.

My only real experience of bowling in recent times has been Wii Bowling, and that hasn't particularly improved my skills a great deal, and although the Wii is a good laugh, you don't get that great feeling when you get a strike, and the more likely disappointment of missing all the pins, in real life.

Bloomsbury Bowling isn't particularly high tech - it still has the 1980s computer screens and plastic benches that you probably associate more with your childhood, but that doesn't matter, as these things are all superficial when it comes to the pure fun and enjoyment of bowling.

Apart from the bowling itself, the bar doesn't have a great range of drinks - a massive choice of three beers on offer - but they do have a good selection of foods, mainly American themed.

If you're looking for something to do, a good plan is to get some friends and take them bowling! It's tons of fun!

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Holloway Sports

07 Jan 08, 14:28

Good little sports shop

Unlike JD Sports across the road, Holloway Sports actually know a thing or two about sporting equipment, rather than just selling the latest line of "leisure wear" for the more discerning scally.

Proof of this comes when I went to JD Sports and asked for shin pads, and they didn't do them. They do thousands of tracksuits but no shin pads... anyway, that's not the point.

Holloway Sports seem to have a good range of equipment and the staff all seem rather friendly and know what they're talking about. Plus they'll give you 10% off if you have a loyalty card which is a great little bonus!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review of Tommy Guns

15 Dec 07, 12:41

Good haircut though

After the debacle of my messed up appointment (see the other review), I finally got my hair cut at Tommy Guns and surprisingly, they've done it really well.

I was always a bit worried about getting a haircut in Hoxton and coming out with a Nathan Barley hairdo. This worry wasn't helped when the girl cutting my hair had a bit of overly-trendy haircut herself, but she definitely knew what she was doing as I came out with one of the better cuts that I've had in London.

The only downside was the price, it is a bit on the expensive side at £38 for a wash and hair cut, but it is always better to pay more for a good hair cut than be cheap and get a crap cut.

I would recommend Tommy Guns, just make sure they get your appointment correct...

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Le Mercury

09 Dec 07, 21:17

Great french food

For some reason, I'd always thought that Le Mercury was an expensive French restaurant. I don't know why, maybe to do with the rather nice exterior and being situated bang in the middle of Upper Street. When I checked out the prices, I knew that I had to go in! It's a great idea to price all main courses (and starters too) at the same cost, and at only £6.45 for a main, it's great value for money.

I ordered the tilapia with couscous and fruit. When it arrived, it didn't look too great, but it tasted delicious. The combination of tangerine segments and fish may not have sounded too nice, it worked particularly well.

We managed to get two sets of starters, mains and side vegetables for under £30, which is an absolute bargain. Definitely worth going.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Pick More Daisies

09 Dec 07, 18:17

Amazing burgers!

I went here not only based on the great reviews, but because I love burgers. I'm a big burger fan, and when the restaurant has an accolade of Best Burger in London, I just had to try it.

Usually I wouldn't go for the most expensive thing on the menu (mainly because I'm tight), but I thought I'd go crazy and try the 10oz Kobe Beef burger, and I'm so glad I did. It was indeed the best burger that I've had in London, and the best burger I've had anywhere else in fact. An absolutely amazing burger. Really juicy, succulent and the taste was delicious.

On the very slight down side, and these are just minor criticisms, I have had better chips before (even at Fine Burger Co) and tastier milkshakes. That's definitely not to say that the chips and milkshakes were bad, they were very good, but I've had better.

If you're looking for a good burger or just a great American restaurant, then it's definitely worth the trek out to Crouch End to have the best burger in London.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Unpackaged

05 Dec 07, 14:30

100% organic

Unpackaged is a great little shop on Amwell Street that sells eco-friendly, Fair Trade and organic products. The concept is quite simple, you bring your own containers from home and fill them up with whatever you need - no need to get more than you require. They sell foods from fruit and veg, to seeds and even chocolate!

The staff are really friendly and helpful, and they are genuinely passionate about providing the best quality products. I bought quite a few vegetables from them and it's far superior in quality and taste than anything at Sainsburys or Tescos. By far, the best red pepper I've had is from here.

When people think of organic food, they think of the price. Luckily Unpackaged is really reasonable, especially for what you get. The only reason I've give it four, rather than five, is that I wish they did more products, maybe some organic meat products for instance, but the shop is still really young, so maybe it's on the agenda.

If you're a fan of high-quality, reasonably price, incredibly tasty food, then Unpackaged is the place for you.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Magma

24 Oct 07, 10:00

Arty toy shop!

This isn't a toy shop for kids... this place sells toys for adults... no, not those sort of adult toys, but design and art style toys. Everything from stationary and cards to fashion accessories and games - "anything that bears the stamp of creativity and intelligence" according to the founder.

Compared to the other Magma a few shops down the street, this place is great, it's spacious and well set out. The products are great too, I was like a kid in a toy shop... hohoho... but seriously, the range is fantastic and I did want to buy half the stuff in the shop. The prices are still on the expensive side, but as you're buying premium quality designer good, you kind of expect it to be.

If ever you want anything for your desk at work, something for the home, or you're looking for a great present, this is the place to go.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Bread and Honey

14 Oct 07, 22:47

Great little clothes shop

Bread and Honey is a small independent clothes shop that does both men's and women's clothing. Being based near Old Street, you do get the odd Nathan Barley style clothing but on the whole, the range is a lot better than what you get at Topman or Urban Outfitters.

The price of the clothes are quite similar to Urban Outfitters actually, you wouldn't buy all your clothes there, but maybe one or two nice things every so often. I bought a rather smashing stripey woolen jumper from here - very nice I must say. But the price is the downside, if it was a tad cheaper, I would buy a lot more things.

The guys who work here are as genuine as anywhere in London. They're actually bothered about what clothes you get and are always incredibly helpful and pleasant. Full marks to the staff.

If you're after a fetching jumper or a snazzy t-shirt, this is the place to get it.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Zoom In

19 Sep 07, 16:08

Good photography school

When I got my SLR camera a while back, it took me a while to get used to it - knowing what all the dials did was only part of the problem. Getting skillful with a camera is difficult and Zoom In is a great little school for helping you.

There's all manner of courses from beginners photography to advanced darkroom techniques, and all the courses are pretty cheap as the school is not for profit.

The classes are pretty small, I was in a class of about ten, so you get a lot of time talking with the teachers, who are all nice, knowledgeable, and very good photographers.

Even if you think you're a good picture taker, Zoom In will help you develop (no pun intended) your skills even further!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Virgin Active

12 Sep 07, 12:11

More enjoyable than I thought

Being one of these people who sit at a computer all day, both at work and at home too, I thought I'd get rid of the belly and join a gym. I also managed to get the missus to come along too, so I had someone to go with.

We checked out the prices online first, it's pretty expensive to be a member of a gym, but they have some off-peak plans which can be more suitable too. When we arrived to join, the salesperson didn't mention the other plans and tried to get us on the most expensive one. It was lucky we'd done our research, otherwise we'd be £20 a month down.

Anyway, we were both impressed with gym facilities, there's lots of running machines, weights, a 25m pool, spa, sauna and loads more. Everything is modern, high-tech and clean.

When we got inducted, the staff member "didn't have time" and only showed us a couple of cardiovascular machines, not the best intro to the gym, we would have liked to be shown more but everything is simple to pick up.

The gym can get busy, especially at the weekends and during the first few days of the week when people can be bothered to go, but there's enough machines for everyone and I've not been left waiting for anything so far.

The missus thought she wouldn't enjoy the gym at all, but now she actually enjoys it and says "it's easier than boring dieting". I enjoy it too, and would recommend Virgin Active to anyone wanting to get fit.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Timpson

05 Sep 07, 11:36

Good shoes

I always find it amusing how these places all do the same services - shoe repairs, key cutting and trophy making. What would they do if you took key-shaped shoes? Repair them or make you another pair?

Anyway, I digress. I took my broken shoes here to get their heals fixed. The price was only £13 to get them completely fixed by the next day. The workmanship seems very good, they look as good as new now and I can walk around without hobbling, so it's all good!

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Bierodrome

31 Jul 07, 17:47

Beers that don't taste of piss

If you like your beer to be a little more different to the standard pub fare of Stella, Fosters and Carling, then Bierodrome is the place to go. They mainly sell Belgian and other European beers that are so obscure that you try them based solely on their strange names. I tried about 5 different beers and all of them were much nicer than the beers on offer at the local Wetherspoons... i.e. they don't taste of piss.

The bar is very relaxed and pleasant, and has a very modern interior with its brushed metal bar and spacious seating. It's a great place to be very European - sit back and enjoy your selection of weird-sounding beer, rather drinking as much as physically possible and fighting the nearest person.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Simply Salad

17 Jul 07, 17:45

Simply good salads

When you think of salad, one generally thinks of lettuce with a bit of shaved carrot on top. Maybe a bit of cucumber. If you're lucky. Some may call this rabbit food, but salad doesn't need to be boring, does it?

Simply Salad has a massive pick-and-mix salad bar that has everything from your more boring items, such as lettuce, to stranger items, such as crab sticks and stuffed vine leaves. All in all, the salad I get are always very tasty and pretty good value at only £2 for a small box and £3 for a big box. The big box has a very satisfying amount of food, filling but not too filling.

The best thing that Simply Salads does is the Crispy Cornflake which is, as the name suggests, a chocholate cornflake flapjack/cake thing, and it's the nicest thing in the world that costs 89p.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Angel Flowers

04 Jul 07, 13:40

Very helpful

Today, I wanted to add things to my ever-expanding collection of things on my desk by buying a plant. I don't really know the first thing about plants, so I thought I'd go somewhere they did know.

Fortunately, the staff at Angel Flowers were pretty helpful. They told me what I should be looking for and showed me what would be suitable. I left with a very nice red cactus that's sitting on my desk as we speak.

The shop is pretty small but there seems to be quite a choice of flowers, and everyone seems really nice, so it's an enjoyable experience to go there.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review of KFC

24 Jun 07, 22:42

Pleasantly surprised

Okay, I know KFC is never going to be some kind of gourmet food that only really posh people have, but it is rather tasty fast food. I wouldn't normally review a fast food restaurant, mainly because I don't usually go to them, but this branch of KFC was particularly good.

I've been to KFCs in the past which have been dirty and greasy, something that this branch didn't suffer from. The place was very clean, you could almost eat your food from the surfaces. The staff were pleasant and didn't seem to be the stereotypical "McJob" type of people. A very nice surprise really.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Loewy Vintage Clothing

21 Jun 07, 23:50

Very cool t-shirts for low Loewy prices

There's a bit of a fashion for retro t-shirts going around at the moment. All the major clothes stores are making their own vintage t-shirts, but instead of buying something that's pretend-vintage, why not buy a really cool t-shirt that is actually vintage?

Loewy is a great place for buying vintage clothes. If you're one of these people who get a bit worried by wearing second-hand clothes, then don't panic because the clothes are all of the highest quality - some might say better than high-street originals!

The price is particularly cheap too, with most t-shirts cost around the £10 mark, which is a bargain considering Urban Outfitters would sell you a similar t-shirt for triple.

The reason why the place isn't getting five stars is only because you have to do a lot of searching to find something you like. There can be a lot of tat sometimes, especially when it comes to non-t-shirt things like coats and jackets, but with perseverance, you can find really cool things.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Bodeans BBQ

08 Jun 07, 12:48

Meaticious

Forget McDonalds, KFC and Burger King, this is the only place to go for proper hardcore fast food action. This is not a place to go if you're on a diet, feeling healthy or a vegetarian - this is meat central. Even their chips are made from meat... probably...

Seriously though, if you're after a bap with just a ton of meat in it, be it pork or chicken, topped with Bodean's own special sauce, with a side of chips (or fries as they call them) and a bit of coleslaw to make you not feel like you're not a complete pig, then this is the only place for you to go to.

Usually, I go for the chicken breast bun things which have the largest breasts I've seen this side of Jordan, but every so often I go for a pulled pork bun which is also really nice. To top it all off, you can't beat a nice ginger beer to wash it all down.

I wouldn't go to this place every week, otherwise I'd be so fat that I'd have my own gravity field. It's one of those places you go for a treat, when you're feeling manly and need to eat a large portion of dead animal, topped with lovely sauce.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Black Tulip

01 Jun 07, 17:24

Friendly Florist

I pass this place on my way home every night. Lots of choice and nice pre-made bouquets and vases on offer. The staff were friendly, helpful and informative. The roses from here were a lovely colour that lasted a week. Great place for flowers!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Tate Modern

29 May 07, 23:56

Modern art makes me want to rock out

I am a modern art fan, I thought I'd get that out of the way before I started. Yes, this does mean I like weird paintings of two block colours and abstract dribble paintings that don't look like anything.

You do get your fair share of people that visit the Tate who will not get modern art. "Why can't they just paint a normal picture?", "I don't get what it means", "I could do better in my shed", etc. You can usually tell who they are, walking around, usually tagging along with a partner, looking bored and slightly confused. You either get modern art or you don't.

Even if you don't get modern art, the Tate is still a good day out. It's always interesting to find out the artists behind the work - how they grew up, their inspirations and what makes them tick. Even the most ardent anti-modern fan would be interested in why a particular painting is like it is, which is what the Tate does very well. It gives a great background by providing detailed analysis in every room and by each image, and it's set out in such a logical, well-organized way that it's difficult to get disorientated.

Another great thing is that it's free (barring a donation, which I suggest visitors give to help the gallery). Considering the amount of famous artwork that they have here, you'd be expecting to pay a considerable amount to enter if this was in any other country.

On the down side, the gallery does get particularly busy at the weekends and it can be hard to appreciate art when a tourist is backing into you with a large rucksack, or when someone decides to answer their phone in the middle of a packed, but silent, room.

If you don't think you don't really like modern art, please go. You might be surprised, you may even gain some culture and come away with a new appreciation for modern art. And if you come away not liking modern art, then at least you've had a nice day out at one of the worlds largest galleries.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Bear

24 May 07, 22:20

Friendly and relaxed

The first thing a colleague said when walking into the Bear was "Is this a gay bar?". While the place did have a lot of camp tendencies - Scottie dog in the middle of the room, men with moustaches, etc. - it isn't just a place for men who like other men. Being just off the main road, on St. John's Square, gives the outside of the Bear a rather nice relaxed feel to it and is quite pleasant to sit outside in the warm weather. There was a DJ on when I went, which seemed a bit pointless, mainly because everyone was trying to talk over the loud and rather dull R'n'B music. The staff behind the bar are nice enough, although I did feel a bit sorry for the barmaid who had 70% of the welovelocal staff trying to look down her top. Definitely one of the nicer bars in the Farringdon and Clerkenwell area, and one not completely full of men in suits. Plus it's the only bar I've ever been to with a Stannah stair lift.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Eat

21 May 07, 21:20

Better than Pret

Eat is a nice chain of sandwich and soup shops which food is made fresh. It's quite similar to Pret A Manger really. I actually enjoy Eat's food more than Pret's, mainly because I think Eat has more taste to its food. It takes like you're eating a sandwich for its taste rather than eating it because it's fresh. Anyway, if you get a chance, try Eat's soups. They range from quite tasty to really tasty, especially the Chicken Pot Pie and Hungarian Goulash soups. Mmm mmm. I dribble just thinking about them. The place is quite nice in decor, nothing special though. The staff are quite friendly, although occasionally a bit dozy (no spoons with soup, that kind of thing), and the price is fairly reasonable. It's a very nice place to go for a quick lunch time snack.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Zizzi

17 May 07, 19:31

Nicely surprised

It was my leaving do and I didn't really have any plans apart from go to the pub and then maybe get some food later. Secretly, I wanted a curry or something spicy, but I got dragged into going for an Italian by a workmate who recommended it. Yeah go on then, I said, why not? Luckily, for me, and the rest of my workmates, the place was rather good. For the price, you get very tasty food in generous portions. The place looks really nice too, maybe a bit too generic-posh-restaurant, but it does kinda work. The staff are helpful, nice and pretty quick. I have been back a few times since.

One of the downsides is how hot it can get in there. I went there one summer evening and it was roasting hot. Literally sweat dripping down my face. It's not going to impress the ladies desperately trying to eat spaghetti and wipe your face from sweat at the same time. Hopefully they'll have air-conditioning soon! Anyway, it's a rather nice place to eat tasty Italian food without forking out loads of money.

Oh, and if you're wondering, yes, this is the place where a guy went mental and cut his penis off. But don't let that put you off!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of The London Graphic Centre

17 May 07, 17:25

Great place for art supplies

The London Graphic Centre is a great place for art supplies. It's such a big place that whatever obscure product you need, from sketch pads and pencils to acrylic paints and easels, will be stocked here.

Whilst the place is large, it's also well laid out. It's easy to walk around the store without knocking things over or getting lost. The staff are friendly too and always helpful.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Screen On The Green

16 May 07, 11:54

Alt/Indie Cinema

Although the Screen on the Green isn't as large or as comfortable as the Vue cinema down the road, it's certainly a lot better in other ways.

They show the best independent films which is great if you fancy something stimulating rather than Die Hard 4 or Spiderman 3. You actually feel like you've paid for something worth watching. The price is nowhere near the rip off pieces of Vue, but is still quite expensive.

The owners and staff seem to love film and are interested in catering to an audience that want to see alternative films, which is genuinely refreshing to see.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Trattoria Lucca

15 May 07, 16:33

A little bit of Italy in Camden

Going to Trattoria Lucca is a lot different to any of the fancy anglicized Italians such as Strada and Pizza Express. This is the authentic Italian experience with proper, real-life Italians running this place.

The food is lovely, I had a massive Italian version of a chicken kiev, whilst the missus had a chicken casserole. If you're more a pizza and pasta fan, don't panic, they do these too.

The price is low, the service is friendly and the ambience is relaxed. It's a lovely little restaurant.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Rasa Samudra

15 May 07, 11:26

Get what you pay for: proper Indian food

The first thing you can't help but notice is the bright pink exterior of Rasa's restaurant. It looks like it should be on Old Compton Street, and doesn't quite fit in with all the posh but sterile bars around Charlotte Street. But, y'know, it gives the place some character, which I like.

The food here is not your average Brick Lane affair. It's proper Indian, rather than British Indian. Real curry made properly. It's also a fish and vegetarian restaurant too, so if you are looking for a lamb masala or chicken tikka bhuna, don't go here. Actually, do go here, you might then realise how good curries can actually be. Food is really good here, I can't remember what I've had in the past, but a lot of the fish dishes are very good. You don't be disappointed.

I'm not usually a wine buff either, but the house wine here is particularly good. The restaurant is usually pretty busy but always quite quiet in terms of noise, which means you will have a meal in relative peace without some guy in a suit talking into his mobile. The staff are friendly and helpful too, and will actually not talk down to you, even if you are a bit confused by the exotic menu.

The price is definitely on the expensive side, you can easily spend about £25 per person here (including wine, starters, afters), but you do get what you pay for, which is high quality, proper Indian food.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Walkabout Inn

12 May 07, 10:53

Cheesetastic

As with most clubs, nights out are what you make of them. Some people can enjoy any clubs no matter how bad the places are, some people will hate going to even the best club. Walkabout, the chain of Australian 'sports' bars dotted around the country, is no different.

This Walkabout is based in a rather large chapel from the 18th Century which could have given the place a rather strange, spooky place to be, but they've managed to make it a friendly, comfortable setting to drink and dance.

The music is pure cheese. If you don't like cheese then there's a million different places to go, but if you do enjoy a bit of cheese, the quality is pretty high here. Tunes that will make drunken girls go "ohmygodohmygod" really quickly, over and over again. Drinks are pretty cheap for Soho but especially on the weekends, it can take a while to get served.

Seems to be a good place to pull too, seeing as two out of two of my single mates did within half an hour of being there. This might sound like there's a load of rough slappers, but the people who go there seem nice and friendly, and you don't feel like guarding your wallet all night. I would go there again, despite not being a 'club' sort of guy, I had a surprisingly good night there.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.