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.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Green & Blue
11 Aug 07, 10:27
Fine wining & dining 
This wine-bar-meets-cafe-meets-off-license-meets-deli has taken over the spot that used to be occupied by Vinifera but has a million times more appeal and atmosphere than that place.
It's the Clapham outpost of an idea that originated in Dulwich and their USP is great wines from small producers so you get loads of things that you won't see anywhere else - like a Pinot Noir from Luxembourg - but although the wine is fantastic, it's not all about the booze.
During the day, it's more of a cafe with organic coffee served with croissants stuffed with Serrano ham and Emmental for breakfast and then, throughout the day, a selection of really delicious things - it's like someone has gone to Borough Market and scooped up a load of the best things - from olives and cornichons to cheese-stuffed chillies, crab meat on chunky bread, and huge platters of cheese, meat, fish or vegetables, all really reasonably priced.
Four of us had a great meal, sharing two bottles of wine and four of their platters, and it only came to £15 a head. Apparently they've just started doing brunches and roasts at weekends and I'm really looking forward to sampling them.
In addition to great food and wine, the staff are lovely - friendly and enthusiastic, and knowledgeable about what they sell.
Top tip: go down on a Tuesday night when all their wine is sold at off license prices. (And, if you don't know your Merlot from your Muscat, they also hold wine tasting classes.)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Review of Apex Cycles
10 Aug 07, 15:11
Freewheeling 
I'm presuming these people must be suffering from the fact that Evans has just opened virtually opposite but I implore you to pick 'em over the big chain.
I've got an old bike I bought cheap off a mate for £20. The front brake stopped working; Evans told me I'd need an entire new brake handle that would take about a week to order in, and that it would cost about £35 including labour and parts to fix it. They offered a full service for £55.
Apex looked at it, told me they had the screw/washer it needed and it would cost £1.50. They fitted it for me there and then for nothing, helped me sort out the rear mudguard for free and told me that their services cost £42 but that that it wouldn't be worth paying that much for my old bike.
I know where I'll be going back to.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of The Falcon
06 Aug 07, 18:48
Al fresco boozing 
For a pub that's not on the High Street, this place does a good job of pulling in the punters.
Service is variable and, while the Thai and trad food is decent enough pub grub, the reason people make a beeline for this place is the beer garden.
There are tables out the front, if sitting on the main road is your thing, but most make for the back garden and hover in the hope that they'll be able to dive in and claim some space as people leave.
Occasionally you'll have to speak up as the Eurostar rattles past, but if you want some al fresco boozing, it's a good bet, especially when it's quieter on a sunny mid-week lunchtime.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Duke Of Edinburgh
06 Aug 07, 18:16
The secret garden of Brixton
Right, from the outside, this pub looks like the sort of place that you really shouldn't go in unless you've got a bull mastiff and lots of tattoos.
But, as they say, looks can be deceptive. Inside they seem a friendly enough bunch and it's pretty publike with TVs to watch football, and pool tables to chase balls around.
However, the really exciting bit is the absolutely humungous beer garden out the back. Alright so it's kind of close to the railway line but it's massive - you just don't get beer gardens this big - especially in London. The added draw of a barbecue means it can get busy on weekends, but if you can't be arsed to heft a picnic hamper to the common, this is a good place to be.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Tsunami
05 Aug 07, 19:39
Destination dining in Clapham North
What makes Tsunami particularly noteworthy is its diamond in the rough quality. There aren't many restaurants south of the river that North Londoners would travel to, but this, alongside Chez Bruce, is one of them.
The minimalist interior means that the accoustics aren't great and, on a busy night, can make for a noisy dining experience. And service isn't always what you'd hope for in a restaurant that's got such a 'must visit' reputation.
All this becomes irrelevant when you sample the food. This place is hailed as the Nobu of South London, and the sushi is outstanding. Sashimi and nigiri are great, but other slightly more off beat menu items, like the Sunkiss Salmon Sashimi and the Tuna Tataki are also noteworthy. The black cod in sweet miso sauce is a favourite of many, although some find it a little sweet.
It's not a cheap night out, but it doesn't have to be break the bank expensive if you stick to a glass or two of house wine and some carefully selected sashimi.
And, while you're not as likely to be rubbing shoulders with Posh 'n' Becks as you might be at Nobu, not everyone would think that was a bad thing.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Clapham North MOT
05 Aug 07, 14:31
MOT not OTT
Exactly what you want in a local garage. Honest, quick and efficient.
They do MOTs on cars and motorbikes and have a policy of treating customers they way they themselves would like to be treated. It seems to work. Having heard good reports about them, I took my car in for its MOT there and was really impressed with how quickly they did it and how good the level of service was.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of La Terraza
05 Aug 07, 14:23
Spain in SW4
This gaudy orange building doesn't look that promising from the outside but inside, it's a little bit like stepping into a bar on the outskirts of Madrid.
Invariably there's Spanish football on the televisions above the bar, and lots of guys at the bar, beer in one hand, boquerones in the other discussing the game.
The decor is simple and the predominantly Spanish waiters span the service scale, from avuncular friendliness to disinterest.
Spanish staples are what's on offer here and the big portions means that three or four carefully selected tapas can do two for a light meal.
Prices are cheap, but that sometimes means the food is too - Madrilenos might like the atmosphere but they'd probably have something to say about some of the menu items. There's probably better tapas to be had in the area - eg. El Rincon Latino, but if you just want a quick snack, it's not a bad option.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of El Rincon Latino
05 Aug 07, 14:14
Colombian?
Umm, WLL might think this is a Colombian restaurant, I thought it was just an above average Spanish tapas joint.
Tucked away off the High Street, it doesn't look like much from the outside but it's a bit of a tardis with loads of room on the inside and a relaxed and open attitude to big groups who are kept swiftly stocked with free flowing booze and tasty tapas.
There are no big surprises on the menu but what is there seems good and fresh without the mass deep fat frying that can pervade cheaper places.
However busy they are, they will always try and fit you in, and there's always the option to eat at the bar if there isn't a spare table.
Service is friendly and quick and prices aren't bad if you want a casual, mid-week meal.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Infernos Nightclub
05 Aug 07, 01:40
Grot 
If you're hankering after your student days, or even the days before you were a student and used to use fake ID to get into clubs with names like Ritzy's and Mirage, get yourself down here. If you're actually after a good night out, you're probably best looking elsewhere.
On a good night, it smells of cheesy feet, on a bad night, of vomit. You'll pay over the odds to get in and over the odds to get a drink. If you're in a big group, you might think you're doing it ironically and have a great night out, (like the hen parties and the rugby boys who you'll be sharing the dancefloor with) but, let's be honest, if you're over 18 and are even slightly bovvered about where you spend your time and your money, go elsewhere.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Fujiyama Noodle Bar
05 Aug 07, 01:31
Basic Japanese at basic prices
The seating and decor is basic here - small stools and hard benches don't encourage you to linger; but huge bowls of warming noodles, or slickly prepared sushi are the draw.
There are no real surprises on the menu here, but what you get is beautifully presented, fresh and tasty.
Service can be a bit brusque, but their delivery service is excellent and they regularly deliver within half an hour of receiving the order.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Moores
05 Aug 07, 01:23
A builder's merchant for everyone
I absolutely love this place. Forget going to Homebase and being looked at askance by a stoned 16 year old who doesn't know what masking tape is, let alone which type you should be using or, God forbid, where you might be able to find it in the shop, if you want building materials and a load of good advice, I just can't recommend this place highly enough.
The guys who work there are all so incredibly helpful; they don't patronise you for not knowing what you need and there have been several times when I've walked in, described the problem, without knowing any technical jargon or anything like that, and they've told me what I needed, and how to do it. Sometimes, they've not even sold me anything, just advised me on how to solve the problem.
Walking into a builder's merchant can be a very daunting experience for a woman - you're often worried you're going to be sold stuff you don't need or simply going to be ripped off, so it's a real pleasure to have found a trustworthy place on my doorstep.
If I'm brutally honest, you probably ARE going to end up paying more than you would in Homebase, but if you live locally and value service, knowledge and advice, it's a price worth paying.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.