Latest favourites and wishlist by PaulMiller

Carnevale - review by blackpenwriter

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:16:42 +0000

Carnevale - review by blackpenwriter

Rating: 5.0

Location: 135 Whitecross St, EC1Y 8JL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7250 3452

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

I totally agree with the previous review. I'm a meat eater and proud, however this place has opened my eyes to the delights of vegan and vegetarian meals. The place itself is absolutely tiny, miniscule, couldn't swing a cat, but they still manage to crap in quite a few people without it feeling too cramped and the intimacy is still there. A bit like the tardis! The menu is huge and lots to choose from and even meat eaters will find lots they would like to sample. Service is really good too, you never have to wait long to be served. I really do like it here!

Carnevale - review by tightwad

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:07:24 +0000

Carnevale - review by tightwad

Rating: 5.0

Location: 135 Whitecross St, EC1Y 8JL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7250 3452

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

Tags: vegetarian, good value, mediterranean, crowded

First of all, i'd just like to announce i'm a huge meat eater. So when some friends of mine suggested we all go for a vegetarian / vegan meal you can imagine the words that came out of my mouth! However they persised and i went, abeit with a huge chip on my shoulder expecting the worst. Have to say i had to eat my words and will never live it down. The food here is DELICIOUS and much tastier than my usual meat dishes. You actually feel healthy once you have eaten this type of food, it gives you so much energy whereas meat based meals take that energy away due to the digestion...i assume. I'll never give up meat completely but Carnevale has shown me a different way! Thank you!

Carnevale - review by messydesk

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:30:28 +0000

Carnevale - review by messydesk

Rating: 5.0

Location: 135 Whitecross St, EC1Y 8JL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7250 3452

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

Tags: lively, greek, cheap eat, good value, mediterranean, spanish, vegetarian

I've been going to Carnevale for years now, it's one of my favourite places to eat in London and I never get tired of it. It's a tiny, tiny, incy-wincy place with a small, but green courtyard in the back. The food has always been without exception, marvellous and even my grumpy, meat-loving dad will agree to go there without too much arm-twisting. They seem actually to understand that there's slightly more to vegetarian cooking than either a meal with the meat simply removed or just replaced with a soya burger.The menu updates very regularly and there's always at least one interesting twist in its ranks, something the mushroom risotto and vegetable lasagne fatigued vegetarians of London will be pleased by. The staff are really friendly without getting in your face and it's always a pleasure to visit small, independent place run with such care and love.
I usually go in the evenings and have the set menu which is ridiculously cheep, but if I've had a rotten morning and feel like a treat I take myself over at lunchtime and eat from the a la carte menu. I can also really recommend the salads. Unlike a lot of places, the Carnevale chefs know how to make a salad that's a properly filling meal by itself, not just a few limp vegs covered in oil, the potato and broccoli versions are particularly awesome. (Good vegan choices as well).

The River Cafe - review by foodexplorer

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:37:03 +0000

The River Cafe - review by foodexplorer

Rating: 3.9

Location: Thames Wharf Studio, W6 9HA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7386 4200

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

Tags: italian, business, pretentious, crowded, expensive

I have to admit i was drawn into the hype and took the plunge of going to the River Cafe. Unfortunately as with most things, the real thing never lives up to the hype. This is the case with this restaurant as well. There is a not too bad selection of meals and specials, but clearly the emphasis is on quality and not quantity. And thats to say the least. I think the staff have also got caught up in the hype as i found them a little obnoxious and snooty. It must be such a shame for them to have to deal with the customers! Thats how i was made to feel anyway. The food is very expensive and i won't be going back!

Cafe Kick - review by ben1982

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:44:49 +0000

Cafe Kick - review by ben1982

Rating: 3.9

Location: 43 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7837 8077

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

Small and invariably overcrowded after work, this portuguese bar has an edge over many other local bars through the release of office stress possible through thrashing colleagues in table football. This plus cheap continental bottled beer during happy hours makes for an enjoyably rowdy atmosphere.

The Big Chill Bar - review by ocean0201

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:17:10 +0000

The Big Chill Bar - review by ocean0201

Rating: 4.2

Location: 91 Brick la, E1 6QL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7392 9180

Tags: relaxed, modern pub, cool & smart, standard pub food, young and fun, students, trendy, friendly

Big Chill is a very trendy bar/pub that is almost always full. Amazing cocktails are on offer and the staff are friendly/helpful.

The Crowd: Located off Brick Lane, big chill is frequented mostly by young crowd, you won't find much of the city-suits here. Most patron come here for a drink before they hit the clubs around the area.

Seating: The bar has an inside seating area and a outside covered area that allows smoking. The inside seating area is nice done with lots of corner areas for young couples to get cosy :). However, the place really gets crowded late and you can find many people standing outside. You are lucky if you get a seat!

Drinks: The bar has a decent selection of beers - Amstel, Heineken, and some german wheat beer (forgot the name sorry). But what really sets the place apart are the cocktails. Quite a few are available and they are absolutely tasty! My favourites being Rum & Ting (Wray & Nephew Rum, passionfruit syrup, fresh lime juice & Ting ) and Caipirinha. You can also order cocktails by pitcher.

Food: Never had food there. The fare seemed to be standard burgers etc. Did try a snack which had grilled Haloumi cheese, nice.

Staff: The staff are friendly and glad to talk.

Prices: The beers cost close to Â£3.50 and the cocktails cost around Â£6. Bit pricey

Overall, a nice place to unwind in the evening.

The Big Chill Bar - review by gregwo

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:20:04 +0000

The Big Chill Bar - review by gregwo

Rating: 4.2

Location: 91 Brick la, E1 6QL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7392 9180

Tags: relaxed, young professionals, different pub food, young and fun

I love the Big Chill Bar for it's atmosphere and tunes. On a weekend afternoon there's always a good crowd there and it's great to just chill inside with the big couches or outside. It's a very relaxed atmosphere and nice staff. There's a good selection of drinks on offer as well as very good food. I like to go with a group of friends and the beginning of the night-- it's a good place to get warmed up or to recover the next afternoon with a bit of the hair of the dog!

And it's situated in the great atmosphere of Brick Lane near many other great places to go!

Shunt Vaults - review by gregwo

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:04:58 +0000

Shunt Vaults - review by gregwo

Rating: 4.6

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

Phone: 020 7378 7776

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

Tags: relaxed, cool & smart, young and fun, underground, friendly

The Shunt Vaults have an atmosphere that can't be matched-- deep in the tunnels of London Bridge Shunt is making amazingly craetive work in the context of a members bar. It's a fantastic evening where you can enjoy some drinks and check out whatever is on offer that week to see-- bands performance art, theatre or a range of other things. The place has a great buzz about it and there's nothing that I know of like it around. The work they create there is so interesting and diverse, you'll always be in for something new every time you go!

Most definitely worth checking out!

Dove Free House & Kitchen - review by gregwo

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:29:00 +0000

Dove Free House & Kitchen - review by gregwo

Rating: 3.4

Location: 24-28 Broadway Market, E8 4QJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7275 7617

Tags: relaxed, excellent pub food, young and fun, friendly

The Dove is a great pub with a relaxed and rustic atmosphere. It's right on Broadway Market, so it's great to pop in for a drink on a Saturday afternoon when the market is on or in the evening. It's always a friendly crowd and there's a huge selection of beers and great guest ales.

My partner and I frequent the restaurant as well-- we seem to have become regulars as the food is so good and the restaurant staff extremely welcoming and friendly. I specificly recommend their selection of burgers and salmon fishcakes. The price is a little higher than cheap pub food, but you're getting good quality for it-- completely worth it. I definitely recommend The Dove!

Dove Free House & Kitchen - review by papayoyo

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:13:55 +0000

Dove Free House & Kitchen - review by papayoyo

Rating: 3.4

Location: 24-28 Broadway Market, E8 4QJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7275 7617

Tags: jazz, gastro pub, excellent pub food, cool & smart, live, young professionals, students, trendy, relaxed, cool, live music

The Dove, situated on Broadway Market beside London Fields, is a somewhat genteel and refined establishment, with a real coal fire, candle-lit tables, a wide selection of connaisseur beers and ales, board games, live jazz and a fine dining area. It has the widest range of beers I've ever seen in a pub including gems like Delerium Tremens which will soon have you falling of your seat at 9% alcohol, not to mention the Â£3.50 per glass. So it's a little expensive but offers a cosy but classy atmosphere to impress a date with. The food is excellent if again a bit pricey but the decor is all oak beams, antique artwork and it has, somewhat incongruently, the finest high-tech unisex bathroom of any pub I've seen. It's always quite packed with young artsy-media types but an enchanting experience any day of the week.

Cafe Kick - review by chrisp

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:41:07 +0000

Cafe Kick - review by chrisp

Rating: 3.9

Location: 43 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7837 8077

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

Tags: relaxed, excellent pub food, young and fun, friendly

A characterful, energetic little bar that serves excellent cocktails and spanish tapas (from Brindisa, no less, just across the road). The bar men & women seem to really know their stuff and the cocktail list is in a state of constant change, although people come back for expertly made mojitos and caipirinhas. Don't miss out on the food though, if you get a chance - the chorizo in white wine is delicious.

Carnevale - review by deadleg21

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:23:43 +0000

Carnevale - review by deadleg21

Rating: 5.0

Location: 135 Whitecross St, EC1Y 8JL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7250 3452

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

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

Great little restraunt which makes a change from the chains popping up everywhere which serve the same old food. I visited this place just before a concert, as i needed a quick meal before it started. The speed of service was excelent, which was suprising considering how busy the place was at the time.
It has an excellent menu which will certainly have a dish for everyone - even the pickiest eater like my daughter.
Great atmosphere and customer service round off the excellent food and value.
Highly recommended - will be visiting again when i move to london later this year!

The Big Chill Bar - review by Busi_78

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:23:26 +0000

The Big Chill Bar - review by Busi_78

Rating: 4.2

Location: 91 Brick la, E1 6QL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7392 9180

always really full...outside, hardly anyone inside. I really like this bar, but don't think it has any appeal outside shoreditch ppl

Shunt Vaults - review by girlswear

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:11:44 +0000

Shunt Vaults - review by girlswear

Rating: 4.6

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

Phone: 020 7378 7776

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

Tags: live music, indie, cool & smart, live, electronica, young and fun, pool, underground, trendy, friendly, cool

This is one of my favourite places in London. The Shunt Vaults situated beneath the London Bridge, you can still feel the dampness and musty air of this Victorian vault.

No matter how often you visit, it's a different experience on it's own, mainly because each week is curated by a different artist including art, performance art, dance, live band and DJs. Permanent area includes a small pinball arcade and pool. You can go into different rooms with different things happening, or find that secret vault with your friends. Shunt is a MUST experience if you've never been, and you'll be addicted.

Shunt Vaults - review by chrisp

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:02:31 +0000

Shunt Vaults - review by chrisp

Rating: 4.6

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

Phone: 020 7378 7776

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

Tags: trendy, cool & smart, young professionals, glamorous, young and fun, students, sexy

An extraordinary place, like stepping into a Jack-the-Ripper film set, only with alcohol and burlesque dancers. Set in a good acre of sooty disused railway arches and long-forgotten brick vaults underneath London Bridge station, Shunt is a completely unique experience and well worth the effort finding it (it's almost invisible from the outside). Drinks may be nothing special, and they didn't even serve food as far as I could tell, but you can have hours of fun just wandering through the grimy urban spaces, hiding in the shadows or dancing in the spotlights. There's nowhere else like it.