Latest reviews in Ratcliff, London, United Kingdom

Thai Garden - Delicious Thai food by jes1uk

jes1uk — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 09:03:07 +0000

Review by jes1uk

Rating: 4.00This restaurant serves delicious authentic Thai food. It is located close to Limehouse Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and there are plenty of buses serving this area too. The restaurant is small and the decor is quite plain but the quality of the food more than makes up for it. The service is good and the staff are polite and helpful. The price of the food is reasonable and they do have special prices for the lunchtime menu and, at the time, in the evening they had an offer for about Â£15 where you could eat as much as you like!
Overall I'd recommend this restaurant.This restaurant serves delicious authentic Thai food. It is located close to Limehouse Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and there are plenty of buses serving this area too. The restaurant is small and the decor is quite plain but the quality of the food more than makes up for it. The service is good and the staff are polite and helpful. The price of the food is reasonable and they do have special prices for the lunchtime menu and, at the time, in the evening they had an offer for about Â£15 where you could eat as much as you like!
Overall I'd recommend this restaurant.

The Mariners - Lovely to hang out, eat and drink by CPaskell

CPaskell — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:23:56 +0000

Review by CPaskell

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7702 7082

Tags: friendly, reasonably priced

The Mariners is a pub with a local feel, it has its regular customers as well as people who pop in for a quick drink after work. It's welcoming though and the decor is clean and bright: painted wood wall panels and bare wooden benches at long tables. There are flowers on the tables and nice big windows looking onto the ever-busy Commercial Road. The staff here are really great and the owner will always have a chat at the bar about his life, your life and the lives of anyone else you don't know living locally. I like this as it gives Limehouse a sense of community that seems to be lacking in other areas of London. The food is really good, cooked from fresh ingredients and made to order in front of you - it's an open kitchen behind the bar. The prices are a bit higher than your average Wetherspoons but the quality is there (Sunday roast is excellent but Â£10, they also do very good pasta, lamb brochettes, steaks and cod, all between Â£7-Â£12). A pint of lager (peroni) is average London pub price nowadays at Â£4. The coffee and chocolate cake is great - again coffee is served in a percolator at your table, rather from out of a machine, so everything here really is the home-made real deal. Never super-busy, this is a welcoming place to meet friends and relax.The Mariners is a pub with a local feel, it has its regular customers as well as people who pop in for a quick drink after work. It's welcoming though and the decor is clean and bright: painted wood wall panels and bare wooden benches at long tables. There are flowers on the tables and nice big windows looking onto the ever-busy Commercial Road. The staff here are really great and the owner will always have a chat at the bar about his life, your life and the lives of anyone else you don't know living locally. I like this as it gives Limehouse a sense of community that seems to be lacking in other areas of London. The food is really good, cooked from fresh ingredients and made to order in front of you - it's an open kitchen behind the bar. The prices are a bit higher than your average Wetherspoons but the quality is there (Sunday roast is excellent but Â£10, they also do very good pasta, lamb brochettes, steaks and cod, all between Â£7-Â£12). A pint of lager (peroni) is average London pub price nowadays at Â£4. The coffee and chocolate cake is great - again coffee is served in a percolator at your table, rather from out of a machine, so everything here really is the home-made real deal. Never super-busy, this is a welcoming place to meet friends and relax.

The Half Moon - A friendly East End Pub by stitch

stitch — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:35:12 +0000

Review by stitch

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7790 6810

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

Tags: friendly, pub chain, relaxed

The Half Moon is a branch of the popular Wetherspoons Pub Chain, situated just a stones throw from Queen Mary College, University of London.

The Half Moon consists of two bars in separate rooms, with distinct atmospheres. One is very airy with very high ceilings and lots of glass walls and the other is painted dark red and is darker. There is a patio area for smokers, furnished with heaters.

Popular with students and locals alike, it offers low priced drinks that are a rarity in London. The food is of good quality and is served quickly. The menu is large and informative and changed afew tiems a year. I recommend the Chocolate Brownies for the Chocoholics out there! The staff are welcoming and chatty, often remembering the orders of locals.

As with all Wetherspoons, the tables are sticky and the place does seem dark, however it could not be described as dirty.

Overall it is a very friendly and welcoming pub, providing cheap drinks and good food.The Half Moon is a branch of the popular Wetherspoons Pub Chain, situated just a stones throw from Queen Mary College, University of London.

The Half Moon consists of two bars in separate rooms, with distinct atmospheres. One is very airy with very high ceilings and lots of glass walls and the other is painted dark red and is darker. There is a patio area for smokers, furnished with heaters.

Popular with students and locals alike, it offers low priced drinks that are a rarity in London. The food is of good quality and is served quickly. The menu is large and informative and changed afew tiems a year. I recommend the Chocolate Brownies for the Chocoholics out there! The staff are welcoming and chatty, often remembering the orders of locals.

As with all Wetherspoons, the tables are sticky and the place does seem dark, however it could not be described as dirty.

Overall it is a very friendly and welcoming pub, providing cheap drinks and good food.

The White Heart - Local pub for the workers by musikmessiah

musikmessiah — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:51:30 +0000

Review by musikmessiah

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7790 2894

Tags: relaxed, rock, friendly

In the last recent months this pub has had more changes to its staff than anywhere I've seen. Located in Whitechapel, the White Heart is a standard boozer pub. Full of local employees of the surrounding businesses. The prices of drinks are in line with other pubs. However the food range is limited and quite dear in price terms, around Â£7.50 for bangers and mash! With outside seating on hot summer days this is ideal for a pint with a bunch of mates. Footie is also shown which is a bonus after work. Staff are polite and well served. It's an ever improving pub and worth a visit in the area with its limited but unique ranges of food.In the last recent months this pub has had more changes to its staff than anywhere I've seen. Located in Whitechapel, the White Heart is a standard boozer pub. Full of local employees of the surrounding businesses. The prices of drinks are in line with other pubs. However the food range is limited and quite dear in price terms, around Â£7.50 for bangers and mash! With outside seating on hot summer days this is ideal for a pint with a bunch of mates. Footie is also shown which is a bonus after work. Staff are polite and well served. It's an ever improving pub and worth a visit in the area with its limited but unique ranges of food.

The Hayfield - Cheap and Cheerful by musikmessiah

musikmessiah — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:45:32 +0000

Review by musikmessiah

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7780 0011

Tags: cool, food, relaxed

Hayfield is part of the Scream range of pubs and bars. Located in the heart of East London, this pub offers customers a range of well catered food and drink. The place itself is nice, feels like a bachelors pad, with the array of pool tables, arcade games and also books along with board games. Hayfield comes alive on footie nights, with 2 screens showing a game or at times 2 games on popular nights. The staffs are nice and friendly however on busy days you'll be waiting for a while at the bar to get served. Located not too far from Queen Mary University, this is an ideal pub for students and can be filled with a lot of them. They have nice sofas and on quiet days you can take someone for a nice quiet drink.Hayfield is part of the Scream range of pubs and bars. Located in the heart of East London, this pub offers customers a range of well catered food and drink. The place itself is nice, feels like a bachelors pad, with the array of pool tables, arcade games and also books along with board games. Hayfield comes alive on footie nights, with 2 screens showing a game or at times 2 games on popular nights. The staffs are nice and friendly however on busy days you'll be waiting for a while at the bar to get served. Located not too far from Queen Mary University, this is an ideal pub for students and can be filled with a lot of them. They have nice sofas and on quiet days you can take someone for a nice quiet drink.

Zaytun Grill - Good by bobidiot

bobidiot — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:45:02 +0000

Review by bobidiot

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7790 5500

Tags: indian, takeaway

I would say this curry house is very good indeed. Easy to find but it was very crowded when we arrived, which is an indication of how good the food is there. We had a 15 minute wait before we could get a table, but the waiting area was very comfortable and relaxed, and they even gave us a complimentary drink each. How rare and unexpected is that! I have to say the food was worth the wait. Simply devine and as tasty as it gets. Everyone should come here for the wonderful service, every waiter had a smile on his face. We will be back this weekend, that is for sure. Very much recommended.I would say this curry house is very good indeed. Easy to find but it was very crowded when we arrived, which is an indication of how good the food is there. We had a 15 minute wait before we could get a table, but the waiting area was very comfortable and relaxed, and they even gave us a complimentary drink each. How rare and unexpected is that! I have to say the food was worth the wait. Simply devine and as tasty as it gets. Everyone should come here for the wonderful service, every waiter had a smile on his face. We will be back this weekend, that is for sure. Very much recommended.

Iceland.co.uk - Frozen food of course by Rhydster

Rhydster — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:48:14 +0000

Review by Rhydster

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7702 7872

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

Tags: delivery service, deli counter, frozen foods

The good: Iceland is the supermarket that specialises in frozen food. They have many varieties of frozen chips, chops, vegetables, all at reasonable prices. They stock non frozen foods as well, but it's the stuff with a long shelf life that you'll want to go here for. Of course they have a large range of readymade meals, with new varieties frequently stocked, many for as low as Â£2. They have a great range of ice cream, too.

The bad: other than frozen food, the options and quality are not great and it loses its value to go here. The staff do not smile very much and tend to rush you through.
The good: Iceland is the supermarket that specialises in frozen food. They have many varieties of frozen chips, chops, vegetables, all at reasonable prices. They stock non frozen foods as well, but it's the stuff with a long shelf life that you'll want to go here for. Of course they have a large range of readymade meals, with new varieties frequently stocked, many for as low as Â£2. They have a great range of ice cream, too.

The bad: other than frozen food, the options and quality are not great and it loses its value to go here. The staff do not smile very much and tend to rush you through.

Genesis Cinema - Nice local cinema by Rhydster

Rhydster — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:50:41 +0000

Review by Rhydster

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7780 2000

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

The good: itâ¬"s easy to get to between, well served by either Stepney Green or Aldgate East tube station, as well as major bus services 25 and 115 along the Mile End road. It usually has two or three of the latest movies, so for a small local, itâ¬"s very adequate. Tickets are inexpensive, varying at around Â£6-7, and snacks are not pricey. The screens are of good quality and size, as well as sound quality, altogether in reasonably sized auditoriums for decent atmosphere.

There are a number of fast food take away and nicer restaurants really close by, in particular Brick Lane, so itâ¬"s well located it to make it a meal and movie night.

The bad: sometimes there are queues due to the few ticket offices available.
The good: itâ¬"s easy to get to between, well served by either Stepney Green or Aldgate East tube station, as well as major bus services 25 and 115 along the Mile End road. It usually has two or three of the latest movies, so for a small local, itâ¬"s very adequate. Tickets are inexpensive, varying at around Â£6-7, and snacks are not pricey. The screens are of good quality and size, as well as sound quality, altogether in reasonably sized auditoriums for decent atmosphere.

There are a number of fast food take away and nicer restaurants really close by, in particular Brick Lane, so itâ¬"s well located it to make it a meal and movie night.

The bad: sometimes there are queues due to the few ticket offices available.

Blind Beggar - Trinity by trinity

trinity — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:53:17 +0000

Review by trinity

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7247 6195

Tags: live music, food, friendly

One of the most craziest places ive ever drank in, I love it here. Monday nights the Grat singing duo the Burns brother, Sat night's Garden DJ's, The staff and owner always up for a laugh, always someting on the go, only thing to bring.... your sense of humor, warm and cosy, Great beer garden.One of the most craziest places ive ever drank in, I love it here. Monday nights the Grat singing duo the Burns brother, Sat night's Garden DJ's, The staff and owner always up for a laugh, always someting on the go, only thing to bring.... your sense of humor, warm and cosy, Great beer garden.

The Black Horse - trinity by trinity

trinity — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:40:47 +0000

Review by trinity

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7790 1684

Tags: cool, young and fun, friendly

sunday night was great, drag queen Candy host's the karaoke, with her quick wit she makes it a great laughsunday night was great, drag queen Candy host's the karaoke, with her quick wit she makes it a great laugh

The Narrow - Not just your average pub? by vexille

vexille — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:45:02 +0000

Review by vexille

Rating: 3.00

Tags: good food, friendly, relaxed

With it being a 'Gordon Ramsey' pub, you'd expect it to be situated in the central of town and not by Limehouse, which unfortunately is a bit of a dive.

Still, doesn't do the pub any disservice, nicely situated by the river, so summer nights outside drinking and eating are great.

The menu is typically classic post English pub grub, all at remarkably reasonable prices. I actually came here when it had recently opened and the service was sub-standard. Gave it another chance a few months later and it was certainly better but by no means of Maze / Claridges standard, but then you can't expect that.

As a general pub for food and drink, it's excellent. As a Gordon Ramsey pub, it's a big of a let down.With it being a 'Gordon Ramsey' pub, you'd expect it to be situated in the central of town and not by Limehouse, which unfortunately is a bit of a dive.

Still, doesn't do the pub any disservice, nicely situated by the river, so summer nights outside drinking and eating are great.

The menu is typically classic post English pub grub, all at remarkably reasonable prices. I actually came here when it had recently opened and the service was sub-standard. Gave it another chance a few months later and it was certainly better but by no means of Maze / Claridges standard, but then you can't expect that.

As a general pub for food and drink, it's excellent. As a Gordon Ramsey pub, it's a big of a let down.

Pride Of Asia - real name of shame by wasi

wasi — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:38:55 +0000

Review by wasi

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7780 9321

Website: http://www.prideofasia.com

Tags: indian, vegetarian dishes, asian

this is one of the most un organised wedding management companys. they have not style of cooking and try to embed that they are the market leading companys. my family regret taking food from this company as they had ruined the element of the weeding by serving very poor standard food. i expected better from this company but regret to imform all you guys that it is a game they are playing. any way if i had to get food of these people it would never happen as they had lost their opportunity by running some one special day with un trained staff poor event management also very bad setup . they are not on time and the wedding was a shambles. now it is you choice to take food from these guysthis is one of the most un organised wedding management companys. they have not style of cooking and try to embed that they are the market leading companys. my family regret taking food from this company as they had ruined the element of the weeding by serving very poor standard food. i expected better from this company but regret to imform all you guys that it is a game they are playing. any way if i had to get food of these people it would never happen as they had lost their opportunity by running some one special day with un trained staff poor event management also very bad setup . they are not on time and the wedding was a shambles. now it is you choice to take food from these guys

L'Oasis - L'Oasis by mesh

mesh — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:00:17 +0000

Review by mesh

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7702 7051

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

Tags: food, good value, mediterranean

In an area not famed for its gastronomical delights, L'Oasis is true to its name. Out of the dingy drinking hole desert, arises L'Oasis that you have been looking for. Decent gastropub fare with a leaning on the Mediterranean (lovely gazpacho), with very large portions and a fair wine list. They also do mid-week wine tastings and it's also a stone's throw from 54 Mile End if you fancy a dance afterwards.

Only issue - try not to sit by the door - Stepney's multitude of passing sirens is sure to put you off any romantic sentiments as they can drown out the conversation a little.In an area not famed for its gastronomical delights, L'Oasis is true to its name. Out of the dingy drinking hole desert, arises L'Oasis that you have been looking for. Decent gastropub fare with a leaning on the Mediterranean (lovely gazpacho), with very large portions and a fair wine list. They also do mid-week wine tastings and it's also a stone's throw from 54 Mile End if you fancy a dance afterwards.

Only issue - try not to sit by the door - Stepney's multitude of passing sirens is sure to put you off any romantic sentiments as they can drown out the conversation a little.

Shadwell Grocers - Grocers by Amin

Amin — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 23:27:44 +0000

Review by Amin

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7790 1923

Tags: rare finds, bargain, healthy food

Best Asain Grocers in East LondonBest Asain Grocers in East London

The Grapes - Gorgeous, quaint little pub by mif

mif — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:43:46 +0000

Review by mif

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7987 4396

Tags: restaurant, traditional pub, sunday roast

This historic little pub is so quaint that it's worth dropping into if you're in the area and if there's room! Service is friendly, even the other diners who were there when we dropped by on a Sunday were friendly. They serve a delicious Sunday roast - it's either pork or lamb on alternate weekends. That Sunday it was pork's turn and it was so good we practically breathed it down with a few pints. There is a tiny veranda overlooking the Thames where it is incredibly relaxing to sit with a few mates and a few more pints on a sunny day. All the action is overseen by who I'm guessing is the resident mascot, Max, a German Shepherd inclined to mind his own business while happily doing the rounds in the place.This historic little pub is so quaint that it's worth dropping into if you're in the area and if there's room! Service is friendly, even the other diners who were there when we dropped by on a Sunday were friendly. They serve a delicious Sunday roast - it's either pork or lamb on alternate weekends. That Sunday it was pork's turn and it was so good we practically breathed it down with a few pints. There is a tiny veranda overlooking the Thames where it is incredibly relaxing to sit with a few mates and a few more pints on a sunny day. All the action is overseen by who I'm guessing is the resident mascot, Max, a German Shepherd inclined to mind his own business while happily doing the rounds in the place.

Melaka - Outstanding small restaurant by Rich_Stevenson

Rich_Stevenson — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 02:51:34 +0000

Review by Rich_Stevenson

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 75369256

Tags: romantic, good value, malaysian

It's very hard to find good Malaysian/Indonesian food even in London, but this place proves that it can be done. The restaurant is fairly small and definately laid back but the service is great and the food is outstanding.

Obviously lovers of this type of food are going to want to go for the rendangs and satay and other meat dishes, but to be honest the best thing about the restaurant is the seafood. Theres some outstanding stuff on the menu, loved the squid and the sea bass.

This is the sort of place where you don't have to dress up, its not pretentious. It's a food lovers hang out, and I'm now a regular. Would definately recomend it to anyone.It's very hard to find good Malaysian/Indonesian food even in London, but this place proves that it can be done. The restaurant is fairly small and definately laid back but the service is great and the food is outstanding.

Obviously lovers of this type of food are going to want to go for the rendangs and satay and other meat dishes, but to be honest the best thing about the restaurant is the seafood. Theres some outstanding stuff on the menu, loved the squid and the sea bass.

This is the sort of place where you don't have to dress up, its not pretentious. It's a food lovers hang out, and I'm now a regular. Would definately recomend it to anyone.

Lahore One Restaurant - Surreal place by lenalouise

lenalouise — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 21:04:11 +0000

Review by lenalouise

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7791 0112

Tags: cosy, takeaway, kebab

I almost never venture into East London so it's taken me a while to try this place out that my ex's dad always raves about. Bear in mind, this same person has taken me to Petrus and any fairly expensive places I've reviewed! I was so confused when I got there, there's a few lahores around commercial road and I wasn't sure we had the right one but apparently we had.

We walked in to a pretty run-down looking place. It looks like a cross between a takeaway kebab place, a cafe and a restaurant. There were mirrors along one side of the wall, the kitchen at the back and seating for about 15 people. Generally, somewhere you wouldn't really think twice about when you walk past it.

I looked at the menu and was so surprised at how cheap some of it was. You can get a piece of sheek kebab for 70p!! We tried the sheek kebab, chicken tikka (6 pieces), lamb biryani, saag aloo and keema naan. The rice in the lamb biryani was a bit bland on its own but when eaten with the lamb, it gave you the most complex flavours going around in your mouth.

The keema naan was different to how you normally get it. It was a lot more crispy and I've been told it's more authentic this way. The chicken tikka was good, decent sized pieces but pretty spicy and the saag aloo was acceptable. I saw someone have the karahai chicken which looked really good so I'll go for that next time.

The meal was really cheap. I saw a poster on the wall saying they'll give a free t-shirt out for orders over £20 and we didn't manage to make it! Haha. It only came to £16 (including 2 bottles of water) I think.I almost never venture into East London so it's taken me a while to try this place out that my ex's dad always raves about. Bear in mind, this same person has taken me to Petrus and any fairly expensive places I've reviewed! I was so confused when I got there, there's a few lahores around commercial road and I wasn't sure we had the right one but apparently we had.

We walked in to a pretty run-down looking place. It looks like a cross between a takeaway kebab place, a cafe and a restaurant. There were mirrors along one side of the wall, the kitchen at the back and seating for about 15 people. Generally, somewhere you wouldn't really think twice about when you walk past it.

I looked at the menu and was so surprised at how cheap some of it was. You can get a piece of sheek kebab for 70p!! We tried the sheek kebab, chicken tikka (6 pieces), lamb biryani, saag aloo and keema naan. The rice in the lamb biryani was a bit bland on its own but when eaten with the lamb, it gave you the most complex flavours going around in your mouth.

The keema naan was different to how you normally get it. It was a lot more crispy and I've been told it's more authentic this way. The chicken tikka was good, decent sized pieces but pretty spicy and the saag aloo was acceptable. I saw someone have the karahai chicken which looked really good so I'll go for that next time.

The meal was really cheap. I saw a poster on the wall saying they'll give a free t-shirt out for orders over £20 and we didn't manage to make it! Haha. It only came to £16 (including 2 bottles of water) I think.

River Spice - by ChrisTheobald

ChrisTheobald — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:47:58 +0000

Review by ChrisTheobald

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7488 4051

Tags: friendly, bright, indian

Good Value. Food Ok.Good Value. Food Ok.

Hunga Munga - The Arty Party without Arty Farties by idoru

idoru — Mon, 28 May 2007 21:25:26 +0000

Review by idoru

Rating: 4.00

Tags: art, messy, fun

If the words arts and crafts when coupled together cause a little flutter in your chest, then this is the place for you! Last Wednesday I had the absolute pleasure of attending Hunga Munga(£5) at Favela Chic in Old St. I was so excited when my friend invited me, I had visions of colourful pipe cleaners, plasticine, snips, glue and paper maiche. A once monthly event the next one is at the Bethnal Green Working Men's Club on June 14th.

This is not an event for people who are afraid to get paint on their shoes, and it introduces a sense of togetherness you never see at your average music gig. Yes that right, live acts and djs preform as you create your mini masterpieces.

Their tagline on the their myspace page is "arty parties without the arty farties" so compared to PaintJam(£40) in Angel where you see a more professional crowd, and the Craft Night (£6) at Notting Hill Arts Club where you get a craft bag and everyone makes the same thing (sock puppets embroidery), Its free range creativity for the creatively inclined though not necessarily creatively gifted.

The best thing is watching a whole room of people sharing recycled bits and bobs, paint trays and scissors while being totally engrossed in what they are doing. You have a beer or two as props but for the first couple of hours I was all hands on and in the crafts. Oh and I mustn't forget the fairy cakes on the tables when we arrived and the BEST arts and crafts supply table you've ever seen (a million times better than kindy)

I created some kind of alien plant thing, my friend a tv head, another a miniature garden and another a mask. I painted a picture of seahorses for a friend who couldn't come and after that I was artied out and ready to party, so I wandered around comparing my art with others seeing if we could combine them in to mega installations. I even had a certain puffed chest pride when the Hung Munga photographer took pictures of my piece.

So if you want to have a wholesome night, meet a bunch of interesting people and feel generally good about yourself go and get lost in the world of arts and crafts for a couple of hours, you never know you might actually win a prize.
If the words arts and crafts when coupled together cause a little flutter in your chest, then this is the place for you! Last Wednesday I had the absolute pleasure of attending Hunga Munga(£5) at Favela Chic in Old St. I was so excited when my friend invited me, I had visions of colourful pipe cleaners, plasticine, snips, glue and paper maiche. A once monthly event the next one is at the Bethnal Green Working Men's Club on June 14th.

This is not an event for people who are afraid to get paint on their shoes, and it introduces a sense of togetherness you never see at your average music gig. Yes that right, live acts and djs preform as you create your mini masterpieces.

Their tagline on the their myspace page is "arty parties without the arty farties" so compared to PaintJam(£40) in Angel where you see a more professional crowd, and the Craft Night (£6) at Notting Hill Arts Club where you get a craft bag and everyone makes the same thing (sock puppets embroidery), Its free range creativity for the creatively inclined though not necessarily creatively gifted.

The best thing is watching a whole room of people sharing recycled bits and bobs, paint trays and scissors while being totally engrossed in what they are doing. You have a beer or two as props but for the first couple of hours I was all hands on and in the crafts. Oh and I mustn't forget the fairy cakes on the tables when we arrived and the BEST arts and crafts supply table you've ever seen (a million times better than kindy)

I created some kind of alien plant thing, my friend a tv head, another a miniature garden and another a mask. I painted a picture of seahorses for a friend who couldn't come and after that I was artied out and ready to party, so I wandered around comparing my art with others seeing if we could combine them in to mega installations. I even had a certain puffed chest pride when the Hung Munga photographer took pictures of my piece.

So if you want to have a wholesome night, meet a bunch of interesting people and feel generally good about yourself go and get lost in the world of arts and crafts for a couple of hours, you never know you might actually win a prize.

The George Tavern - by flashboy

flashboy — Fri, 18 May 2007 21:40:53 +0000

Review by flashboy

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7790 1763

Tags: live music, trendy, independent pub

Oh, the George. It's a mecca for various East London trendy sorts, which is both its greatest blessing and its greatest curse.

As to the place itself, what you get is a (yet another) high-ceilinged, threadbare, artfully run-down space, with what decor there is being an eccentric, boho mish-mash between original features and... well, other stuff. On the drinks front, there's nothing terribly exciting about the beer selection, but nothing terribly terrible either.

But its the George's association with a wide range of musicians and artsy types that draws the crowds - and there's a varied assortment of live and DJ gigs, as well as other events. This means that it's often filled with a lot of really interesting, fun and friendly people. Of course, it also means its sometimes full of prize pillocks.

Of course, even most of the pillocks are harmless (but sadly, not all). Matriarch Pauline normally does a fine job of ensuring an open and jolly atmosphere - you can have a truly great night here. But whether the George is the place for you really depends on your tolerance for a certain level of pretension, the mood you're in and the company you have with you.Oh, the George. It's a mecca for various East London trendy sorts, which is both its greatest blessing and its greatest curse.

As to the place itself, what you get is a (yet another) high-ceilinged, threadbare, artfully run-down space, with what decor there is being an eccentric, boho mish-mash between original features and... well, other stuff. On the drinks front, there's nothing terribly exciting about the beer selection, but nothing terribly terrible either.

But its the George's association with a wide range of musicians and artsy types that draws the crowds - and there's a varied assortment of live and DJ gigs, as well as other events. This means that it's often filled with a lot of really interesting, fun and friendly people. Of course, it also means its sometimes full of prize pillocks.

Of course, even most of the pillocks are harmless (but sadly, not all). Matriarch Pauline normally does a fine job of ensuring an open and jolly atmosphere - you can have a truly great night here. But whether the George is the place for you really depends on your tolerance for a certain level of pretension, the mood you're in and the company you have with you.