<![CDATA[Greater London - Islington - Farringdon - Eating, Drinking and Nightlife - Restaurant Bars - Reviews]]> http://www.welovelocal.com Reviews from welovelocal.com en Great fun, but pricey http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/farringdon/restaurant-bars/volupte-lounge-ec4a1ej.html#r43676 I went to Volupte Lounge a few weeks ago to celebrate a friend's birthday. After a few extremely overpriced cocktails in the bar area, we were let into the basement lounge - and the programme was really spectacular. A word of advise though - be prepared to empty your wallet - this will not be a cheap fun. At £35 per person, I thought it was a bit over the top.

]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:32:54 BST cool work local http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/farringdon/restaurant-bars/the-fence-ec1m6pu.html#r15367 The Fence is probably one of my favourite pubs in Farringdon. It’s got quite a big outdoor space that fills up quickly in summer so be there early, especially on a Friday afternoon. I like the stylish interior with nice sofas and big armchairs. They’ve got great food, probably better then the usual pub food you get in other places.

]]> Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:21:32 BST Lovely Pub http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/farringdon/restaurant-bars/charterhouse-ec1m6jh.html#r12805 The building is such a cool shape, as you can see in the photo, and once you step inside it is bigger than you thought it would be. We used to go for hangover lunches here, for huge all day breakfast. Hence my review is more for a lazy Sunday meal than an evening's drinking, but definitely go and check this place out!

]]> Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:03:14 BST Dinner in the dark http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/farringdon/restaurant-bars/dans-le-noir-ec1r0du.html#r10015 What a fantastic experience! Eating a meal completely in the dark with waiters serving you who are blind. The experience really does give you insight into their lives. You can pick your food before going in or select the "suprise" menu which is designed to test your other senses. Very funny evening with conversations with random people sitting next to you. The meal will take a couple of hours but a great talking point. Costs about £50 a head with wine.

]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:31:42 BST Tres superb! http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/farringdon/restaurant-bars/club-gascon-ec1a9jx.html#r3634 Club Gascon is a gastromic delight, if you're afraid of nouvelle cuisine this may not be to your taste.

I genuinely believe that you could not put a foot wrong with your menu selections and we elected to have the sommelier 'surprise' us with the wine accompaniment. Absolutely exquisite seletions.

The meal was not cheap at £300 for 2 unlike the particularly common girl in the chav dress opposite our table who did not know how to behave in a restaurant of this calibre. Her lack of breeding was the only negative part of our meal and sadly, an element of which we had no control.

An excellent restaurant worthy of continued patronage.

]]> Sat, 27 Oct 2007 22:41:52 BST What great bar staff! http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/farringdon/restaurant-bars/charterhouse-ec1m6jh.html#r3429 Really surprised by the quality of the bar staff, friendly, know there stuff, and reasonably priced drinks to boot! A great local bar, try the B55 shot.

]]> Thu, 11 Oct 2007 22:58:42 BST Good atmosphere http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/farringdon/restaurant-bars/the-fence-ec1m6pu.html#r2567 I really enjoy this bar as it has a big outdoor area at the back which is always a good place to hangout after work in summer. It can get quite busy though so expect standing room only on a friday afternoon.

]]> Tue, 31 Jul 2007 22:54:22 BST Beduin is just great http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/farringdon/restaurant-bars/beduin-ec1m6ha.html#r2324 I came here with a friend of mine after I finished work and to be honest i was simply looking for somewhere with good atmosphere and where you can talk as I had a lot of catching up to do with my mate! Generally places to be very noisy so this would be ideal.

This place has a moroccan feel to it and quite vintage at the same time. The sofas are comfy and the overall atmosphere is just awesome. We ordered a few drinks and a mixture platter. It was truly amazing! The food was delicious... and the service unbelievably great.. But i guess this was because it was a Monday night and only 5 people at this bar (and that's including my friend and me!).. despite that we got free strawberries! and service with a smile which is alway a bonus!

Highly recommend it :-)

]]> Mon, 23 Jul 2007 10:57:58 BST Dining in the Dark: Je ne vois rien!! http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/farringdon/restaurant-bars/dans-le-noir-ec1r0du.html#r1714 I'll admit to being more than a little apprehensive about this eating in the pitch dark malarkey, and not just because I was worried the chef would somehow booby-trap my plate! But I faced my fear, and off I went with the rest of my housemates (all bar one, who happens to be the Chef at said establishment, hence the booby-trapping fear). We met in the entrance bar to pluck up some Dutch courage, and put all phones, cameras and even phosphorous watches in specially provided secure lockers- just to make sure there was NO source of light in the dark room whatsoever! For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, you basically eat your meal in a pitch dark room, and you cannot see ANYTHING!! Your eyes don't adjust, it's just like being blind. In fact, all the waiting staff there ARE blind, and they lead you in to the room in a kind of conga-line and sit you down, so no chance of missing the chair! Walking into the room is quite scary, it really is total blackness. You expect a step to appear from nowhere or something to jump out at you! The staff are fantastic though, and really attentive throughout the meal. They talk you through things and help you find your bearings (and the bread basket) so you feel in safe hands. As for the food, you don’t know what you’re ordering so just let your taste buds take their chances. There’s a seafood, meat, veggie or general option, which change according to season and the whim of the chef, but best described as a mix of French and International cuisine. Although the food is good, it’s really more about the experience. As you don’t know what you’re eating you spend most of the time figuring out what it is rather than worrying if it’s good or not (which it is, but I guess that’s just a bonus)! All in all, a fantastic and truly unique dining experience. So be brave, and do it. Just don’t wear anything white :oD

]]> Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:21:32 BST Dining in the Dark: Je ne vois rien!! http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/islington/farringdon/restaurant-bars/dans-le-noir-ec1r0du.html#r1714 I'll admit to being more than a little apprehensive about this eating in the pitch dark malarkey, and not just because I was worried the chef would somehow booby-trap my plate! But I faced my fear, and off I went with the rest of my housemates (all bar one, who happens to be the Chef at said establishment, hence the booby-trapping fear). We met in the entrance bar to pluck up some Dutch courage, and put all phones, cameras and even phosphorous watches in specially provided secure lockers- just to make sure there was NO source of light in the dark room whatsoever! For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, you basically eat your meal in a pitch dark room, and you cannot see ANYTHING!! Your eyes don't adjust, it's just like being blind. In fact, all the waiting staff there ARE blind, and they lead you in to the room in a kind of conga-line and sit you down, so no chance of missing the chair! Walking into the room is quite scary, it really is total blackness. You expect a step to appear from nowhere or something to jump out at you! The staff are fantastic though, and really attentive throughout the meal. They talk you through things and help you find your bearings (and the bread basket) so you feel in safe hands. As for the food, you don’t know what you’re ordering so just let your taste buds take their chances. There’s a seafood, meat, veggie or general option, which change according to season and the whim of the chef, but best described as a mix of French and International cuisine. Although the food is good, it’s really more about the experience. As you don’t know what you’re eating you spend most of the time figuring out what it is rather than worrying if it’s good or not (which it is, but I guess that’s just a bonus)! All in all, a fantastic and truly unique dining experience. So be brave, and do it. Just don’t wear anything white :oD

]]> Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:21:32 BST