Rob M.

Review of Patisserie Valerie

21 Aug 07, 14:08

Lovely little cafe

This is a kind of 7/10 type place, rather than 8/10. I used to meet friends here for breakfast, when I had no other time to spare and it does great tea, coffee and other "continental" style accountrements. Their cakes, as another reviewer has mentioned, are divine and it's just a lovely calm place to escape the hustle and bustle of Soho. Recommended!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Karaoke Box

09 Aug 07, 11:56

Does what it says on the tin

There are karaoke joints springing up a-plenty in old London town. This one has been around a while and definitely isn't the most glamorous or glitzy in the centre of town, but it gives you exactly what you want: small booths that you can crowd into and sing your little cotton socks off. There's a massive selection of songs, so even the biggest metaller, or laidback folkie will find something to suit their tastes. There's fairly OK wine, beer and snacks on offer at not too exorbitant price and, if you don't have a good time, you're doing something very wrong. Just don't expect to go along and sing to an audience of hundreds!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Liberty Flowers by Paula Pryke

07 Aug 07, 21:41

Expensive, but classy!

If you want to spend a fiver on a bunch of chrysanths, then don't even think about coming here. However, Paula Pryke is the doyenne of flowers and the selection here is dazzling. They're put together with care and attention to detail and the look fantastic. Buy some from here and your missus won't fail to be impressed!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Phoenix Artist Club

04 Aug 07, 19:21

Late-night haunt

This subterranean jewel is a favourite of those "in the know", smack-bang in the centre of Theatreland and Soho. Situated directly under the Phoenix Theatre on Charing Cross Road and accessed by an unobtrusive door down a side road, this is somewhere to drink until the wee hours. It's actually a members' club, but anyone is allowed in before 8pm and can stay as long as they like. If you arrive after then, you have to show your card! Delightfully unmodernised and run by the mildly eccentric Morris, it sells average-priced beer, wine and spirits and has an average menu. Its selling point, though, is its anonymity and late-night status. Don't go expecting plush surroundings - do go in anticipation of a long, enjoyable night out!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Review of Eagle Bar Diner

31 Jul 07, 09:07

Great burger and thick chips

You could be forgiven for missing the Eagle Bar Diner, bearing in mind how unassuming and tucked away it is. A mere 2 minutes walk from Oxford Street, it offers some of the best burgers and chunky chips I've had anywhere. A large selection of different beers and a great US-style diner interior, makes EBD worth a visit. You can nearly always get a seat during the day and the service is good, if a little surly. It turns into a chic and sophisticated cocktail bar in the evenings and gets really busy. Try it - you might be surprised

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of H K Diner

27 Jul 07, 21:23

Quick and functional

The food is pretty good, it comes quickly, it's not expensive and there are usually a lot of Chinese eating here (especially downstairs), which I usually take as a good sign.

You won't get the greatest Chinese meal ever, but if you fancy a quick bite in Chinatown and don't know where to go, you could do a lot worse than HK Diner.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.