Latest reviews in Islington, London, United Kingdom

Tortilla - Great burrito by Gavin83

Gavin83 — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:27:37 +0000

Review by Gavin83

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7833 3103

Website: http://www.tortilla.co.uk/

Scrumptious , freshly prepared authentic Mexican food in a simple setting. Such a shame that guacamole costs an extra 50 p, but it's definitely worth it. Nice atmosphere with friendly staff , cool beers and crunchy tortilla chips - enjoy!Scrumptious , freshly prepared authentic Mexican food in a simple setting. Such a shame that guacamole costs an extra 50 p, but it's definitely worth it. Nice atmosphere with friendly staff , cool beers and crunchy tortilla chips - enjoy!

Cafe Gallipoli - what a let down by FoodSlut

FoodSlut — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:58:36 +0000

Review by FoodSlut

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7359 0630

Website: http://www.gallipolicafe.com/

Tags: turkish, lively, expensive

Could be so much better. Mezze was a joke. Meats were greasy. Service was arrogant.
Four times i was asked if i wanted bread. As it happens I didnt becuae it fills you up to much. But any turkish restaurant ive been in brings you bread immediately. This place wanted to charge.
The bill waswhat youd expect in Upper Street but the food wasnt worththe money. Why not just do it properly?
Obviously a business has to make money but when a restaurant is run by businessmen rather than caterers this is what usually happens.Could be so much better. Mezze was a joke. Meats were greasy. Service was arrogant.
Four times i was asked if i wanted bread. As it happens I didnt becuae it fills you up to much. But any turkish restaurant ive been in brings you bread immediately. This place wanted to charge.
The bill waswhat youd expect in Upper Street but the food wasnt worththe money. Why not just do it properly?
Obviously a business has to make money but when a restaurant is run by businessmen rather than caterers this is what usually happens.

Beauty By Zan - The Best Body Wax and Electrolysis by lisamsmith

lisamsmith — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:26:08 +0000

Review by lisamsmith

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7607 2049

Website: www.beautybyzan.co.uk

Tags: massage waxing islington elecrolysis beauty zan threading indian

I had a body wax and electrolysis session with Zan and it was wonderfully pain free and very professional. Highly recommendedI had a body wax and electrolysis session with Zan and it was wonderfully pain free and very professional. Highly recommended

F Cooke - Pie and MAsh heaven by thecure

thecure — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:11:33 +0000

Review by thecure

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7729 7718

Tags: lively, english, cheap eat

Pie and Mash. If you have eaten it before, then you know the whole experience goes with the food. It has to have the right feeling in the place where the food is served. I love pie houses that take you back to the basics and a way of life that has pretty much diminished. Cooke's is the perfect Pie and Mash experience. I have been eating Pie and Mash for over twenty years and this place still sticks in my mind as one of the best.Pie and Mash. If you have eaten it before, then you know the whole experience goes with the food. It has to have the right feeling in the place where the food is served. I love pie houses that take you back to the basics and a way of life that has pretty much diminished. Cooke's is the perfect Pie and Mash experience. I have been eating Pie and Mash for over twenty years and this place still sticks in my mind as one of the best.

Cafe Kick - by sokratis

sokratis — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:31:12 +0000

Review by sokratis

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7837 8077

Website: http://www.cafekick.co.uk

Tags: friendly, relaxed, young and fun

Celebratory drinks at Cafe Kick last night. Made some new friends: Hunny Bunny and...can't remember the other one, but had rasberry and straweberry. Another great night.Celebratory drinks at Cafe Kick last night. Made some new friends: Hunny Bunny and...can't remember the other one, but had rasberry and straweberry. Another great night.

Roman Cafe Bistro - Out Of This World by pinkbubblegum

pinkbubblegum — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:19:05 +0000

Review by pinkbubblegum

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7609 9074

Tags: cosy, cultured, amazing brew

Its not there anymore, but when it was it was brilliant. The food was fantastic, the staff were delightful. Whatever occupies that site next, will never live up to these standards.

I can honestly say I've never found anywhere like it since.

You couldn't wish for a better place.

It was a secret treasure of London.Its not there anymore, but when it was it was brilliant. The food was fantastic, the staff were delightful. Whatever occupies that site next, will never live up to these standards.

I can honestly say I've never found anywhere like it since.

You couldn't wish for a better place.

It was a secret treasure of London.

The Well - the well by LittleIsla

LittleIsla — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:45:59 +0000

Review by LittleIsla

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7251 9363

Website: http://www.downthewell.com

Tags: french, smoking, special occasion

I really enjoy a post work drink here. It has a nice atmosphere, lots of lovely old wooden chairs and tables, and a great drink selection. They have some really nice beers, wines, and cocktails, or tasty juices if you are being good. The other end of St Johns Street, is all a bit much for me after work..I really enjoy a post work drink here. It has a nice atmosphere, lots of lovely old wooden chairs and tables, and a great drink selection. They have some really nice beers, wines, and cocktails, or tasty juices if you are being good. The other end of St Johns Street, is all a bit much for me after work..

The Commissary - worth the walk.. by HelenR

HelenR — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:28:15 +0000

Review by HelenR

Rating: 4.00

Tags: good value, british

This is a nice little hidden away place near Old Street, but just far enough away that it's not stupidly busy like most places in the area. It's along the canal too, which is an added bonus. :)This is a nice little hidden away place near Old Street, but just far enough away that it's not stupidly busy like most places in the area. It's along the canal too, which is an added bonus. :)

Fredericks - Disappointing by rtf009

rtf009 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:58:51 +0000

Review by rtf009

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7359 2888

Website: www.fredericks.co.uk

Tags: expensive, french, smoking

This restaurant was a real disappointment, the service was absolutely terrible and the food somewhat lacking, good thing I took good company or the evening would have been a total write-off!This restaurant was a real disappointment, the service was absolutely terrible and the food somewhat lacking, good thing I took good company or the evening would have been a total write-off!

Cuba Libre & Bar Havana - by hhrtmnn

hhrtmnn — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:20:05 +0000

Review by hhrtmnn

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7354 9998

Tags: lively, spanish, restaurant

Avoid like the plague.
Do not waste your time or money here.

We were planning to start with a drink before our friends arrived and then all enjoy a Cuban meal here. One drink was more than enough to convince us to call our friends and head elsewhere.

I agree with another reviewer who said that the drinks were expensive and that the staff were phenomenally rude - even arrogant.

Whilst finishing our one drink we watched as two other tables enquired about dining but left before ordering a single thing.

How long a business can operate like this waits to be seen in current economy.

I say this prime spot would be much better occupied by a worthy establishment.

Everything is so dirty and slapdash that I would not dare even taste a morsel of their food.Avoid like the plague.
Do not waste your time or money here.

We were planning to start with a drink before our friends arrived and then all enjoy a Cuban meal here. One drink was more than enough to convince us to call our friends and head elsewhere.

I agree with another reviewer who said that the drinks were expensive and that the staff were phenomenally rude - even arrogant.

Whilst finishing our one drink we watched as two other tables enquired about dining but left before ordering a single thing.

How long a business can operate like this waits to be seen in current economy.

I say this prime spot would be much better occupied by a worthy establishment.

Everything is so dirty and slapdash that I would not dare even taste a morsel of their food.

Moro - by dafinki

dafinki — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:15:00 +0000

Review by dafinki

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7833 8336

Website: http://www.moro.co.uk/

Tags: spanish, lively, good value

Just thought I'd mention the Moro stall on Exmouth market which is there at lunchtimesÂ â¬ brilliant! Lunch for Â£5, today it was flatbread topped with couscous, free range chicken, lentils, aubergines and salad with a beetroot dressing. Last week it was flatbread with lamb and couscous with a yoghurt dressing...delicious!Just thought I'd mention the Moro stall on Exmouth market which is there at lunchtimesÂ â¬ brilliant! Lunch for Â£5, today it was flatbread topped with couscous, free range chicken, lentils, aubergines and salad with a beetroot dressing. Last week it was flatbread with lamb and couscous with a yoghurt dressing...delicious!

New River Express Fitness for Women - I love it! by rainbowbrite27

rainbowbrite27 — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:37:44 +0000

Review by rainbowbrite27

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 0207 226 5444

Website: www.newriverfitness.co.uk

Tags: women's gym, gym, helpful staff

I have recently joined this women only gym as I have 2 children and it has a (rare) kids corner for me to bring my youngest who can play and still see me while I work out and the 30 min exercise routine appealed to me.

I am 27 and ashamed to say have never exercised before (I thought pushing a pram or swing was exercise)!!

My induction was great they weighed me took my blood pressure etc while I stood on the beautiful under heated floors not wanting to drag myself out to the scary looking equipment! I was shown how to use every machine correctly (they are not so scary now) and shown cardio to do in between stations to keep my heart rate up.
They have funky music (which a pre-recoded voice will tell you over it to move on to the next station so you know when to move on).

The changing rooms are fab, clean with lovely showers and hairdryers and hair straighteners free of charge. The staff are friendly and will help you if needed. I didn't appreciate how nice the gym was and how comfortable I felt there till I took my daughter swimming lessons and had to sit on the side near their sports gym and realised if I had signed up for that gym I would never go as it just didn't appeal to me, as it happens I have gone from never having done a days exercise to attending nearly everyday!

I start powerplate classes on Wednesday and am really excited, something I thought I would NEVER say!I have recently joined this women only gym as I have 2 children and it has a (rare) kids corner for me to bring my youngest who can play and still see me while I work out and the 30 min exercise routine appealed to me.

I am 27 and ashamed to say have never exercised before (I thought pushing a pram or swing was exercise)!!

My induction was great they weighed me took my blood pressure etc while I stood on the beautiful under heated floors not wanting to drag myself out to the scary looking equipment! I was shown how to use every machine correctly (they are not so scary now) and shown cardio to do in between stations to keep my heart rate up.
They have funky music (which a pre-recoded voice will tell you over it to move on to the next station so you know when to move on).

The changing rooms are fab, clean with lovely showers and hairdryers and hair straighteners free of charge. The staff are friendly and will help you if needed. I didn't appreciate how nice the gym was and how comfortable I felt there till I took my daughter swimming lessons and had to sit on the side near their sports gym and realised if I had signed up for that gym I would never go as it just didn't appeal to me, as it happens I have gone from never having done a days exercise to attending nearly everyday!

I start powerplate classes on Wednesday and am really excited, something I thought I would NEVER say!

Charlies Sandwich & Cafe Bar - Charming local cafe by Eclectic

Eclectic — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:24:16 +0000

Review by Eclectic

Rating: 4.00

Tags: cosy, good brew, quiet & relaxed

Charlies is a great little local cafe with friendly staff and an eclectic mix of clientele... It offers a range of freshly-cooked food and paninis some with a mediterranean flavour. It is the perfect place to linger at the weekend with a cooked breakfast and a pile of newspapers or to take advantage of its free wifi over a cup of fresh coffee and a pastry. It is also handily located near Highbury Fields which makes it an ideal place to grab some takeaway meze for an impromptu picnic.Charlies is a great little local cafe with friendly staff and an eclectic mix of clientele... It offers a range of freshly-cooked food and paninis some with a mediterranean flavour. It is the perfect place to linger at the weekend with a cooked breakfast and a pile of newspapers or to take advantage of its free wifi over a cup of fresh coffee and a pastry. It is also handily located near Highbury Fields which makes it an ideal place to grab some takeaway meze for an impromptu picnic.

Ottolenghi - Possibly the best take away food in London by tojulius

tojulius — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:51:43 +0000

Review by tojulius

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7288 1454

Website: http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk

Tags: expensive, breakfast, rare finds

Fantastic quality of food and incredibly sophisticated cuisine in a great business model. You won't be able to eat in unless it's sunny so you can enjoy the small tables outside.

Great Tuna and fantastic sweets. Not a great coffee, but I am very picky.Fantastic quality of food and incredibly sophisticated cuisine in a great business model. You won't be able to eat in unless it's sunny so you can enjoy the small tables outside.

Great Tuna and fantastic sweets. Not a great coffee, but I am very picky.

Cafe Olive at Night - All you need for a good night out by jviltuznik

jviltuznik — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:08:41 +0000

Review by jviltuznik

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 77136888

Website: www.cafeolive.co.uk

Tags: mediterranean, good value, vegetarian

This place was recommended by a friend. And lucky for me that he did! A charming bistro off the high street where I found a small but delightful menu. The food was delicious with great quality ingredients. The staff are charming and friendly - nothing is too much for them. House wine was excellent (red). Reasonable prices too. All accompanied by good background music and interesting art. I highly recommend this place. We will definitely making this a local haunt!!This place was recommended by a friend. And lucky for me that he did! A charming bistro off the high street where I found a small but delightful menu. The food was delicious with great quality ingredients. The staff are charming and friendly - nothing is too much for them. House wine was excellent (red). Reasonable prices too. All accompanied by good background music and interesting art. I highly recommend this place. We will definitely making this a local haunt!!

Colebrooke's - Not all it's cracked up to be by chrisp

chrisp — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:48:48 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7226 7517

Website: http://www.colebrookes.co.uk

Tags: jazz, live music, posh

A few days ago, Timeout London announced the results of their Eating & Drinking Awards 2009. Like most of these 'best of' awards it's a mixture of the bafflingly arbitrary and downright predictable - there are very few people I know who would argue that the brilliant Harwood Arms shouldn't have won Best New Gastropub this year, but Lola Rojo on Northcote Road for best Spanish Restaurant over any of the Brindisa joints? Last time I went to Lola Rojo I paid Â£10 for a very odd plate of potato soufflÃ©s and tomato foam which they laughably called 'patatas bravas'. It was like tapas re-imagined by someone who'd applied to work at El Bulli but was rejected for being too pointlessly experimental.

But it's the choice of Best Bar that, perhaps inevitably, causes the most controversy. The crucial difference in bars as opposed to restaurants is that you can get pretty much the complete experience just popping in for 15 minutes and ordering a martini, whereas you can't really say you've 'eaten at' a restaurant unless you've sat down to a three course meal over a few hours. So whichever criteria you consider to be the most important in a bar (dÃ©cor, clientele or the way the barman twists his lemon peel), it's likely you have the budget to visit far more of them in the space of a year than you can mid to high-end restaurants. And more customers means more opinion. And more opinion means more controversy.

And there ends my disclaimer for the decision behind this year's Timeout Best Bar, because I really can't see what the judges saw in 69 Colebrook Row. It's perfectly good, of course - a tiny little neighbourhood bar, a well stocked drinks cabinet and staff who if not experts are at least fairly competent. But it was when I saw the barman timidly pouring out a shot of gin into a little metal measuring cup before dumping it in the shaker that I knew this could never be up there with the best of them. The drinks, too, were timid - a bland house martini using Martini Extra Dry and a cerignola olive instead of the far more tasty combination of Noilly Prat and a twist of lemon, and a champagne cocktail which omitted the usual angostura-soaked sugar cube and brandy for a subtle floral note. Maybe it's just that I'm not a Tony Conigliaro fan; I was similarly nonplussed with the praised heaped upon the Shochu Lounge beneath Roka on Charlotte Street - when everyone was talking about molecular mixology all I noticed was overfussy and overpriced fruit cocktails. Or maybe I'm just far more difficult to please these days. I blame Rules.A few days ago, Timeout London announced the results of their Eating & Drinking Awards 2009. Like most of these 'best of' awards it's a mixture of the bafflingly arbitrary and downright predictable - there are very few people I know who would argue that the brilliant Harwood Arms shouldn't have won Best New Gastropub this year, but Lola Rojo on Northcote Road for best Spanish Restaurant over any of the Brindisa joints? Last time I went to Lola Rojo I paid Â£10 for a very odd plate of potato soufflÃ©s and tomato foam which they laughably called 'patatas bravas'. It was like tapas re-imagined by someone who'd applied to work at El Bulli but was rejected for being too pointlessly experimental.

But it's the choice of Best Bar that, perhaps inevitably, causes the most controversy. The crucial difference in bars as opposed to restaurants is that you can get pretty much the complete experience just popping in for 15 minutes and ordering a martini, whereas you can't really say you've 'eaten at' a restaurant unless you've sat down to a three course meal over a few hours. So whichever criteria you consider to be the most important in a bar (dÃ©cor, clientele or the way the barman twists his lemon peel), it's likely you have the budget to visit far more of them in the space of a year than you can mid to high-end restaurants. And more customers means more opinion. And more opinion means more controversy.

And there ends my disclaimer for the decision behind this year's Timeout Best Bar, because I really can't see what the judges saw in 69 Colebrook Row. It's perfectly good, of course - a tiny little neighbourhood bar, a well stocked drinks cabinet and staff who if not experts are at least fairly competent. But it was when I saw the barman timidly pouring out a shot of gin into a little metal measuring cup before dumping it in the shaker that I knew this could never be up there with the best of them. The drinks, too, were timid - a bland house martini using Martini Extra Dry and a cerignola olive instead of the far more tasty combination of Noilly Prat and a twist of lemon, and a champagne cocktail which omitted the usual angostura-soaked sugar cube and brandy for a subtle floral note. Maybe it's just that I'm not a Tony Conigliaro fan; I was similarly nonplussed with the praised heaped upon the Shochu Lounge beneath Roka on Charlotte Street - when everyone was talking about molecular mixology all I noticed was overfussy and overpriced fruit cocktails. Or maybe I'm just far more difficult to please these days. I blame Rules.

Canal 125 - Oh dear by MrEater

MrEater — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:18:31 +0000

Review by MrEater

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7837 1924

Tags: international, friendly, good value

Ive been there a few times - the owners are incredibly rude - however, the staff are smiley and friendly.
There are mice upstairs happily scurrying around - on two different occasions Ive seen it (or them!)
Food is good, though...Ive been there a few times - the owners are incredibly rude - however, the staff are smiley and friendly.
There are mice upstairs happily scurrying around - on two different occasions Ive seen it (or them!)
Food is good, though...

333 Club - by Pip_skip

Pip_skip — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:33:04 +0000

Review by Pip_skip

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7739 5949

Tags: trendy, reasonably priced, live music

Fun place to go. Although also had trouble with thieves in the bar. Lost my card and Â£500 was taken out of my account. The management needs to do something about this.Fun place to go. Although also had trouble with thieves in the bar. Lost my card and Â£500 was taken out of my account. The management needs to do something about this.

Gourmet Buffet - by Fooooood

Fooooood — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:42:19 +0000

Review by Fooooood

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7359 8804

Website: http://www.gourmetbuffet.co.uk

Tags: chinese, cheap eat, takeaway

Delicious! The spring rolls and samosas in particular are amazing. Very cheap too. Great.Delicious! The spring rolls and samosas in particular are amazing. Very cheap too. Great.

Alwyne Castle - by jimmyd

jimmyd — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:08:44 +0000

Review by jimmyd

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7288 9861

Tags: live music, posh, relaxed

One of my favourite pubs in north London. It's big, has sofas, lots of outside space, great beers, and a pretty damn good Sunday roast.One of my favourite pubs in north London. It's big, has sofas, lots of outside space, great beers, and a pretty damn good Sunday roast.