Latest favourites and wishlist by Adisa75

Alounak - review by curlynewf

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:11:37 +0000

Alounak - review by curlynewf

Rating: 4.5

Location: 44 Westbourne Grove, W2 5SH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7229 4158

Website: http://www.alounak.com

Tags: lively, family & home feel, good value, crowded

As soon as we sat down, the waitress was on us, pad in hand.

"You know what you want?"

"Sorry, can we just have a minute?" I asked.

"OK, no problem." (Fake smile)

2 minutes later...

"You ready now?"

"Sorry, just a few more minutes."

(Big sigh, turn on heal, complain to fellow waitress, cold stare)

I knew they had a 2 hr table limit but I didn't realize the clock started ticking as soon as our bums were on seats! (Interestingly though, once we *were* ready, she avoided our gaze and wouldn't take our order right away and when she finally did come back we got the silent treatment. That'll teach us!)

We had the mixed starter for two, bread and a tzatziki-style yoghurt and cucumber dip that was really divine. We split the lamb and chicken skewer main with rice - plenty for two people. The meat was really flavorsome and the texture was pretty perfect.

It is as busy as everyone says, and the food was tasty and filling but they forgot one or two things and we had to ask for more bread a few times before it eventually came.

I'd give it 4 stars if it wasn't for the pushy, forgetful service and the shooing us out the door afterwards. It felt rushed and unrelaxed, which is a shame, but the food itself was a nice treat.

Cafe 1001 - review by CristinaA

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:09:30 +0000

Cafe 1001 - review by CristinaA

Rating: 4.1

Location: 101 Brick Lane, E1 6SE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7247 9679

Cafe 1001 is one of the most gorgeous places in which I ever been in London. I'm not talking about elegant restaurants or snobby clubs, Cafe 1001 is a relaxing place where you can listen to very good music, from reggae to house or electro house, and just rest in the faboulous sofas, all lit by aromatic candles.

Hookah Lounge - review by CristinaA

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:38:16 +0000

Hookah Lounge - review by CristinaA

Rating: 3.3

Location: 133 Brick Lane, E1 6SB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7033 4072

Tags: cosy, good brew

This place came about because of a love of the book, Alice in Wonderland. The staff will even admit it's their favourite book.

It interior is beautiful and magical and the selection of teas and tobaccos is quite good.

Favela Chic - review by CristinaA

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:31:58 +0000

Favela Chic - review by CristinaA

Rating: 3.5

Location: 91-93 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HZ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7613 5228

Website: http://www.favelachic.com

Tags: brazilian, crowded, expensive, lively

French Brazilian, there's nowhere like this place in London. Interior has been creatively put together using re-cycled materials, tables are old school desks, matched up with chairs and disused benches, hanging mobiles with parrots, mirrors and dried flowers. They do their own take of delicious Brazilian cantina food.

I recommend Feijoda washed down with one of their perfect mojitos- www.favelachic.com

Music is eclectic,and mid week they usually have a live band playing.

Canela - review by lentament

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:09:35 +0000

Canela - review by lentament

Rating: 3.8

Location: 33 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LS, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 6926

Tags: cosy, quiet & relaxed

They have great range of wine, especially the Roses taste so fresh and wonderful. Food is great also but is not cheap for its portions. Great place for aperitivo or a morning coffee witha brazilian sweets.

Cafe 1001 - review by gregwo

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:15:21 +0000

Cafe 1001 - review by gregwo

Rating: 4.1

Location: 101 Brick Lane, E1 6SE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7247 9679

Tags: lively, quick bite

Cafe 1001 has some good tunes to warm up the night with or to hit later on in the evening. It's quite grungy, but that adds to the atmosphere for the most part. It's quite laid back and the dancing is usually good. One piece of advice-- always keep your bag with you. Since there's no cover charge people go in just to steal bags and leave. It happened to a friend of mine while she was just a few feet away from her bag, so be careful!!

It's also a nice cafe during the day with nice baked goods and food in the always amazing atmosphere of Brick Lane. Check it out!

Cafe 1001 - review by Sami

Sat, 17 May 2008 19:08:26 +0000

Cafe 1001 - review by Sami

Rating: 4.1

Location: 101 Brick Lane, E1 6SE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7247 9679

Tags: lively, young crowd., picnic tables, Brick Lane, average brew, Shoreditch, outdoor seating, quick bite

Slight grotty but wicked just the same, Cafe 1001 is a really good place to stop over when you're wandering around the Brick Lane area.

Most evenings you'll find it is absolutely packed as it is also a music venue with a variety of different gigs going on; it can get so busy outside the club that you'll have a hard time navigating through the crowds smoking, chatting and standing around and sitting on the numerous picnic tables just outside the front door.

The burger stand and other food available is pretty good for street food, although on the week-ends you are spoiled for choice as you can go right around the corner to the Sunday Upmarket and sample a variety of world cuisine and do a bit of indie shopping as well.

And any place that serves Red Stripe in "tall boy" cans receives extra brownie points in my book!

It's worth a shot to check their myspace to find out what's on in the evening as they don't update their gig listings on their site too often.

Alounak - review by draegermk

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:11:37 +0000

Alounak - review by draegermk

Rating: 4.5

Location: 44 Westbourne Grove, W2 5SH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7229 4158

Website: http://www.alounak.com

Tags: lively, middle eastern, good value

We dined at Alounak last Friday evening. The traditional Iranian kebabs and the bread were very good, and we also enjoyed two of the day's special dishes (Gormeh Sabzee and Bamyeh), which are rotated on a daily basis.

There were three waitresses circling the tables, so the service was attentive, friendly and prompt.

By the time we were ready to leave there was a queue at the door (always a good indication), so I would recommend arriving early on a Friday night.

Favela Chic - review by OrsoFilippi

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:23:05 +0000

Favela Chic - review by OrsoFilippi

Rating: 3.5

Location: 91-93 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HZ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7613 5228

Website: http://www.favelachic.com

Favela Chic was created in PAris many years ago. I 've been there many times, alone, with friends, with a girlfriend, looking for tenderness or for fun... Everytimes it was great. Good wine, good mojitos and big lates of food ... And the music is inventive, funky, DJ-global-nostalgic-romantic-kinky-magic-and-so-and-so...After those night I went in an hotel (different each night I spent in PAris) that I found on http://www.hoosta.com,a website with fabulous addresses of hotels, not all expensive, but all unforgettables;

Cafe 1001 - review by brookeleanne

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:02:42 +0000

Cafe 1001 - review by brookeleanne

Rating: 4.1

Location: 101 Brick Lane, E1 6SE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7247 9679

Tags: relaxed

I love Cafe 1001! The atmosphere is very relaxed, the people are always friendly, its great to chill out in the afternoon or for drinks and dancing in the night. The food is great and very cheap and it just has a really great vibe. I would really reccommend anyone going there.

Favela Chic - review by alba

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:34:01 +0000

Favela Chic - review by alba

Rating: 3.5

Location: 91-93 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HZ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7613 5228

Website: http://www.favelachic.com

Tags: cool, cool & smart, friendly

I thought that the food was going to be a complete disaster but I was surprised. I oirdere fish and it was amazing. The only thing is that you'd better go very early to have dinner otherwise it will be impossible to have a decent conversation. The caipirinhas were not very good from my point of view and they difer from what a caipirinha should be. However the place is great and the atmosphere it's good!

Favela Chic - review by MaxVinicius

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:46:30 +0000

Favela Chic - review by MaxVinicius

Rating: 3.5

Location: 91-93 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HZ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7613 5228

Website: http://www.favelachic.com

Ok. You will not believe this.
Six friends eating awful overpriced food, but trying to enjoy it any way, after all when friends get together is always fun.
Until some waitress kick you out of the table because a bigger group has showed up to eat.
I got told off, because I was taking to long to pay the bill, while my friend was trying to chew the supposed sirloin steak
Â£40 per head and kick out of the table, fantastic!
Please do never compare that place with Brazil; the real favela can be friendlier.

Canela - review by sheilaellen

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:00:06 +0000

Canela - review by sheilaellen

Rating: 3.8

Location: 33 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LS, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 6926

Lovely food (if a little pricey) and chilled out atmosphere.

Alounak - review by Amel

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 09:19:10 +0000

Alounak - review by Amel

Rating: 4.5

Location: 44 Westbourne Grove, W2 5SH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7229 4158

Website: http://www.alounak.com

Tags: romantic, family & home feel, middle eastern, good value

By far the favourite Persian restaurant in town and conveniently located in central London. Great meat (all of it is great, chicken or lamb, diced, sliced or minced!). Lovely saffron rice. Again great Naan bread - a must for a persian restaurant in my view! The best of all is the Mast-o-khiar (like Tzaziki) cucumbers, thick yoghurt, garlic and mint. And the Torshi (pickles). For a persian restaurant the starters are delicious, as Persian food tends to focus more on the main course. Also try the herb salad with feta cheese and walnuts (Paneer Sabzi).

A meal will cost you about £20 double a meal in Behesht but its worth it. Food never disappoints, service is great, location is much more accessible and there's plenty to do after dinner in the area.

Downside? Always busy and restaurant doesn't accept reservations. Difficult to accommodate big groups but great for a date or a small group 2-6. Sometimes you have to wait outside until a table is free. Also no alcohol served :(

Also if anyone is interested there's a great book shop nearby next to the Kufa Gallery called Al Saqi which has a variety of Arabic and English books centered around Middle Eastern culture, politics, poetry etc.. :)

Canela - review by giorgiov

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:39:55 +0000

Canela - review by giorgiov

Rating: 3.8

Location: 33 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LS, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 6926

That was quite okay, but they didn't have my all-time favourite: mohito!