Claire's reviews
Review of Shochu Lounge
18 Oct 07, 19:13
Show me the Shochu 
I touched on this place briefly in my review of Roka, but it's worthy of its own. While a lot of people will only see it fleetingly while waiting for a table, if you want a sleek evening in slick surroundings, it definitely fits the bill.
Although I've never eaten down here, they apparently they also serve the full Roka menu so if you can't get a table upstairs, see if you can sneak in downstairs.
The dark, subterranean lounge has a bit of Bond feel to it. You can just imagine a seductive Bond girl being plied with a shot or two of Shochu before the baddies pile in and James is forced to impale a couple of evil geniuses on chopsticks, before returning to sweep her away to some silk-sheeted bed.
Anyway, delicious cocktails come at a price, so unless someone else is paying, it's probably best to restrict yourself to just one. I'm a particular fan of the Lychee Martini but whichever of their fresh fruit / alcoholic combos you choose, you're probably not going to be disappointed.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
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.
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 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.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.