Latest reviews by LuluMcC

Andrew Edmunds

LuluMcC — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:56:11 +0000

Rating: 4.6

Location: 46 Lexington Street, W1F 0LP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7437 5708

Tags: romantic, dog friendly, good value, french

Every meal I have had here has been first class. A cosy, friendly, laid back bistro feel.

And it's dog friendly...

The Holly Bush

LuluMcC — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:49:36 +0000

Rating: 4.2

Location: 22 Holly Mount, NW3 6SG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7435 2892

Website: http://www.hollybushpub.com/

Tags: good value, dog friendly, british, family & home feel, traditional pub

Hampstead hide awayThis pub is exactly what a British pub should be. This does make it a bit of a tourist trap in the high summer - full of people on Hampstead walking tours - but if you time it right it's an old school drinking hole.

In the winter the open fires are lit and the booths are cosy. There is a healthy choice of beers and the food is real comfort food - pies a house special. This pub is the kind of place you will want to come with the Sunday papers and stay all day. Equally it's full of dark corners for a romantic pint (is that possible?!) after a walk on the heath.

Plus, best of all in my book, its extremely dog friendly.

The Anchor & Hope

LuluMcC — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:24:34 +0000

Rating: 4.3

Location: 36 The Cut, SE1 8LP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7633 9144

Tags: good value, dog friendly, british, family & home feel

Dog friendly gastro pubFood here is hearty and homey. Fish pies to share, lamb shank - that kind of thing.

Plus you can take (well behaved and small)dogs in!

This may be a turn off to most but a god send to dog owners who don't want to be parted from their pets over dinner...

Bonnington Cafe

LuluMcC — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 17:55:24 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 11 Vauxhall Grove, SW8 1TD, London, United Kingdom

Tags: vegetarian, vegan veggie boho laid-back, family & home feel, cheap eat

Veggie Boho HeavenThe Bonnington Cafe is truly an aquired taste but if you can get past the fact that upon turning into Vauxhall Grove you think that your destination might be a squat, then you will are promised a unique night out.

The Bonnington Cafe was originally set up as a kitchen for the use of local squatters who inhabited the buildings nestling around the square. Over time it has become one of London's most recommended vegetarian restaurants.

The building is a bit spit and saw-dust in nature - but the walls are often covered in original art works and candle light illuminates the room as the night falls. The atmosphere is bohemian and laid back. Most nights there is some live music - usually from local musicians - and the whole feel is more like being in someone's home than in a restaurant.

Each night of the week the food is prepared by a different local chef. All the food is veggie and Thursday nights are vegan. In order to book you go to the Bonnington website and each month the email address of each chef is posted. You then contact the chef directly for your booking - its that homey! The place is usually heaving, so you do have to book ahead for Thursdays through to Sundays.

The food is always inventive and fresh. There is little choice on the menu but everytime Ive been its been terrific. Its not haute cuisine but what you don't get in style and sophistication you make up for in a home-cooking kind of way. The restuarant has no licence but you can take your own drinks in and if you forget there is an off licence opposite. Best of all the menu is consistantly under £10 for three courses. Not a reflection on the quality of the food but rather on the community nature of the restaurant.

If you want a "different" night out, a bit laid back, a bit boho and someone almost no one you know will have heard about head to the Bonnington Cafe. It's so great I wish I could keep it a secret...but I can't resist telling you.

Amano Cafe

LuluMcC — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 12:29:39 +0000

Rating: 4.2

Location: Victor Wharf, SE1 9DG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7234 0000

Website: http://www.amanocafe.com

Tags: italian, cheap eats, pizza

Amano - pizza!I love this place. It's a fail safe restaurant for a quick supper. Stick to the pizzas which in my opinion are rocking. Thin and crisp bases with toppings such as smoked mozarella, gorgonzola and rosemary - super super tasty. This place is a stones throw from the river and Borough Market but a world away from some of the over priced, knock off joints that it rubs shoulders with.

Its tucked away a bit but that makes it all the better. Enjoy!

Shunt Vaults

LuluMcC — Mon, 21 May 2007 14:38:20 +0000

Rating: 4.6

Location: 20 Stainer Street, SE1 9RL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7378 7776

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

Enter through a hole in the wall in London Bridge tube station (next to a vending machine is all I will say) and you enter a totally new world.

If you can find this place you are in for a surprise. One minute you are surrounded by commuters, the next plunged into damp darkness...but in a good way.

If you aren't freaked out by the pitch black vaults you will eventually pass some interesting art installations, the odd live performance or perhaps a theatrical "happening". When you finaly reach the bar the drinks are reasonably priced and the crowd friendly.

If you are looking for something out of the ordinary in SE1 then check it out.