Claire's reviews
Review of The White House
23 Sep 07, 22:26
Pretentious people's playground 
I'm really not a fan of this place - it's got the sort of attitude and prices that suggest it's Jewel or Chinawhite, but it's The White House, and it's Clapham.
It would like to think that it's the Manchester United of Clapham clubs, lording it over the Rushden & Diamonds that is Infernos. Sadly they're both really languishing in the relegation zone of the Second Division.
Football analogies are quite appropriate - this place seems to attract footballer wannabes and the sort of women who like them.
Expensive entry, expensive drinks and a lot of posers - but hey, some people like that sort of thing.
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Review of Evo
23 Sep 07, 22:13
China in your hand
You'd be surprised how few eat-in Chinese restaurants there are in Clapham - if anyone knows of any more, do feel free to share.
Anyway, stumbled upon this place and thought I'd give it a go. First up, it has what is possibly some of the worst background music I have ever heard - sort of plinky plonky Oriental-esque stuff and soft rock ballads in a foreign language. But, that's pretty much my only complaint.
Decor is what you'd expect - a bit of red and the odd dragon, nothing too special but nothing too offensive either. The menu is extensive - all your favourites are there, plus a few Thai-style noodle dishes (and, if you insist, curry and chips too).
It seems popular with the Abbeville Village crowd - even on a Sunday evening there were a fair few tables full, and a constant stream of visitors picking up a takeaway.
Staff were lovely, and prices were pretty good - a quarter crispy duck, seaweed, lemon chicken, stir fried veg in oyster sauce, beef with ginger and spring onions and four beers came to around £40 without service.
Hakkasan, it ain't, but, in a surprisingly Chinese restaurat-free area, it's a reliable local Chinese - no surprises, but nothing to disappoint either. If you're craving crispy duck, or something sweet 'n' sour on your doorstep, it does the job.
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Review of Robert Gastro
11 Aug 07, 10:48
Mais oui! 
This is the sort of place that Francophiles would wax lyrical about if they found it in a tiny backstreet near Montmartre, but because it's round the corner from Clapham Common tube station, people get a bit sniffy about it.
But I think it's great - typical French food in the sort of shabby chic surroundings that seem genuine rather than contrived. Whether you're passing in the morning and need a restorative croque monsieur and a cafe au lait, or fancy a very good steak-frites later that night.
Staff are also French which adds to the atmosphere (although occasionally you may get the downside of French staff, in the form of a slightly brusque manner), on the whole though, as long as you don't have a hatred for all things Gallic, you can't really fail to like this place.
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Review of The Firefly
05 Aug 07, 19:47
Reliable midweek drinking den
This place has become a bit of a mid-week staple for my crowd of friends. You can usually get somewhere to sit and the service tends to be friendly.
There's a bit of bare brick New York style decor going on, and some occasionally questionable artwork, but all in all, there's a really nice laidback vibe which turns what could be a thin, narrow corridor into a bar that's worth a look.
Food is good, not necessarily somewhere I'd recommend as a restaurant over a bar, but it does the job if you want something snacky or gastropub-esque to soak up the beers.
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Review of Willie Smarts
05 Aug 07, 14:37
High style off the High Street
This place seems to manage to straddle being a local hairdressers where people know each other, and being a suburban snippers where they haven't got a clue about the latest looks.
The colour and cuts that I've had there over the years easily rival in quality a lot of those I've received from big name salons in the West End.
The decor is quirky which gives the place a sense of individuality that is reflected in the people who work there. Obviously what you get depends on who you get - I like Curtis - but for a local hairdressers, I think it's a good bet.
If they're busy, you might find yourself waiting a little while, but there tend to be enough mags to keep you occupied and, the calming fragrance of the aforementioned Aveda products mean it's not too much of a hardship.
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Review of The Pepper Tree
05 Aug 07, 01:08
Cheap & cheerful
Wagamama-esque but with an element of individuality that somehow makes it more appealing.
Ideal for a quick, cheap meal after a bit of afternoon drinking, especially if you can get in before the rush. The queue can stretch out the door on Friday and Saturday nights but in ts defence, it moves quite quickly.
Communal seating, a no bookings policy and a high turnover of customers mean it has a bustling, canteeny vibe.
Once inside, the menu offers basic Thai dishes that are well executed and tasty - and generally served very quickly and efficiently. Gourmet Thai, this ain't, bit for around £6 a head, it hits the spot for a flavoursome and filling pre or post drinking meal.
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