Claire's reviews
Review of Soho Gyms
23 Sep 07, 23:35
So No Gym 
Six months ago, I would have given this place four stars, now, it gets a paltry two.
Soho Gym used to be a slightly off beat alternative to the huge corporates that dominate the Clapham gym world. (Alright so there are three or four branches across London, but it's hardly Virgin Active or Fitness First).
It attracts a predominantly gay male clientele, but is straight-friendly and as long as you don't object to the macho posturing, is a great place to work out.
Upstairs is all the cardio equipment - a decent number of treadmills, cycles and cross trainers, plus a couple of rowing machines.
Downstairs it's free weights and plenty of machines, plus a studio for classes.
The biggest drawback is the lack of mat space - there's really only enough space for 3 or 4 people to exercise on the mats and that's just not enough, even when it's slightly busy.
Then there's the fact that there are barely any Swiss balls and the ones there are flat as pancakes.
There used to be a really big range of classes but they've now cut them back - and unfortunately in the process cut two of the ones I used to go to regularly.
All of these would be really minor niggles were it not for the fact that in the last two years, the monthly subscription has rocketed from around £45 to nearly £60. And when, unlike other gyms, they don't allow you to suspend your membership if you have to travel with work, that makes it at least £120 a year that I pay for precisely nothing.
This wasn't meant to be just a rant, it's just disappointing that what was a nice alternative to the money-grabbing Holmes Places and LA Fitnesses of this world seems to have prioritised cash over existing customers.
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Review of Blue Pumpkin
07 Aug 07, 00:12
Can't work out why but it doesn't work
For some reason, this place doesn't quite cut it and I can't work out why.
All the elements are there. There's a decent wine list, the food is fine, service can be a bit half-arsed but nothing dire, but it's just lacking in something.
The terrace outside is nice for a lazy brunch or sinking a few pints or bottles on a sunny afternoon, but local residents mean it's all inside fairly early on.
Inside, it's just a bit bland - part formal dining room, part bar with squishy sofas and low tables. Kind of a paint by numbers place that is decidedly less than the sum of its parts - head to Firefly if you want this sort of food and drink combo, it's just better.
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Review of The Moon Under Water
05 Aug 07, 20:00
Don't
If someone says they'll meet you in the pub opposite Balham station - dissuade them and suggest that they walk the extra hundred metres to either The Bedford or The Tup or The Firefly.
This is one of those cheapo pubs with the sort of drinks promotions that the Daily Mail rail against and accuse of being responsible for the collapse of our society. They may have a point.
The clientele seem predominantly composed of people who don't have to work during the day - old codgers, young geezers and anyone else who wants to pay as little as possible for a pint and doesn't care about the surroundings.
It's a step up from drinking a can of Special Brew in the park, but not a very steep step.
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