Claire C.

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.

1 out of 1 person 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

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.