Latest reviews by helen's friends

Fabrizio - review by nighthawkdiner

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:54:38 +0000

Fabrizio - review by nighthawkdiner

Rating: 4.3

Location: 30 St. Cross Street, EC1N 8UH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7430 1503

Website: http://fabriziorestaurant.co.uk

As Walid says: one of those places you walk past every day without noticing. I did exactly that for a year when I worked round the corner.

But then that's what this website is all about!

A fine venue for the Trusted Places Christmas Party 2006

Cafe Emm - review by nighthawkdiner

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 19:30:09 +0000

Cafe Emm - review by nighthawkdiner

Rating: 3.3

Location: 17 Frith St, W1D 4RG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7437 0723

Website: http://www.cafeemm.com

Tags: "family & home feel", British, "good value"

I know that English food isn't exactly revered around the world, but we have got a couple of dishes that fit the bill like sausage and mash, toad in the hole, a full roast dinner, steak and ale pie with chunky chips and ketchup&the list goes on. Certainly our food is not complicated like Thai or Indian (my favourites), not fresh and cleverly simple like Italian, nor rich and sumptuous like French. Just good, nutritious, tasty, filling, hearty and honest.

If you want that old nostalgic home-cooked kind of food then this place always does it just right, in a great location - it's not quite cheap as chips...but very reasonable none-the-less. It probably maintains it's character by being family-run, so it's the real McCoy.

It's also got some International favourites on the menu, but again, the type you grew up with like Lasagne.

The Roxy - review by vpiner

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 18:36:54 +0000

The Roxy - review by vpiner

Rating: 2.8

Location: 3 Rathbone Place, W1T 1HJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7255 1098

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

Tags: club, students, sexy, trendy, bar, cool

Although quite small, the roxy definately has character. Happy hour is always good, as are Wednesday nights for students..
Coctails are great, although admittedly their strength can be dependant on how much you flirt with the barmen!!
The music is varied, and a nice mix, but personally prefer goin in larger group as very occasionally it can take a while to fill.(normally a queue later on)
Overall a good night out, or just as good for some early evening drinks before going on somewhere else!

Potters Bar Tandoori - review by RVCBCFundraisin

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 13:30:03 +0000

Potters Bar Tandoori - review by RVCBCFundraisin

Rating: 3.0

Location: 5 Princes Parade, EN6 5AE, Potters Bar, United Kingdom

Tags: indian, takeaway, friendly staff

I've visited the pb tandoori on numerous occasions and wouldnt keep coming back if it wasnt some of the best indian food I've ever tasted!
I'd say this was a great venue for any night out with friends. Not so much for intimate dinners! It is well frequented by college clubs, and the waiters are always game for a laugh. Its not the biggest place, so if possible book ahead if there are large groups of you. I can especially reccomend the chicken dupiaza, delicious!

Bar Kick - review by nighthawkdiner

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 10:55:51 +0000

Bar Kick - review by nighthawkdiner

Rating: 4.4

Location: 127 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7739 8700

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

Tags: cool, students, trendy, friendly

This is the hub of all Bonzini (French-style foosball tables) activity in the UK. On a Thursday night you'll find all the best players (sometimes even me!) showing off their skills; and it's a cool French-style bar with good cocktails, nice sitting around areas, tasty food, good music and did I mention the foosball? - if it's full, hop in a cab and go to Cafe Kick for a dinkier version of the same...

The Bridgehouse - review by RVCBCFundraisin

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 09:57:04 +0000

The Bridgehouse - review by RVCBCFundraisin

Rating: 3.0

Location: 168 Mutton la, EN6 2AW, Potters Bar, United Kingdom

Tags: Pub, beer, local

The Bridgehouse is your archetypal British local pub. As you would expect, the dartboard and pool table are present! The dartboard will forever be imprinted on my mind, as this pub was where I won my first ever game of darts! There is also a computerized jukebox which plays a large selection of music. But this is definitely not the place to come if you're lookign for excitement! More the place to go in the evening for a few pints or even food (I've had the steak here - very reasonably priced and not at all bad!).
If you're looking for some intellectual stimulation,the pub holds a quiz night every Tuesday, starting around 9-9.30 ish. At this time the pub fills with knowledgeable locals - no easy wins here!
All in all a very nice local place.

La Porchetta - review by RVCBCFundraisin

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 09:53:31 +0000

La Porchetta - review by RVCBCFundraisin

Rating: 4.1

Location: 33 Boswell Street, WC1N 3BP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 2434

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

Tags: Italian, good value, wine, friendly staff, restaurant

La porchetta is a legend in its own time to all Royal vet college rowers, and to a lesser exent the whole of the college. Host to many rowdy socials, I agree with the previous reviewer in that noise is definitely the order of the day!

The atmosphere is simply amazing. The lower level of the restaurant is definately the place to be, although the cave-like end section can get stuffy and claustrophobic if it fills up. All the italian waiters are always up for a laugh and a very friendly lot.

The food does not disappoint either. I can eat more than most at one sitting, and find that a lot of pizza restaurants leave me feeling like I could eat double the meagre portions they provide. Not la porchetta! The pizzas are huge and delicious, especially the "Calzone" - a folded pizza containing mushrooms, pepperoni and ham.
If you're looking for an alternative to pizza, try the squid ink pasta or charmingly named "Stinco di porco" for more authentic tastes of Italy.

Finally, we must get to the wine. I doubt you can buy a litre of house wine any cheaper in the whole of London. This makes it perfect for any club/lads nights out where the aim is to get somewhat tipsy (note: I in no way condone alcohol abuse in any way!).

All in all, 5 stars. Excellent food, cheap wine, friendly staff, what more can you really ask for?

La Bouchee - review by RVCBCFundraisin

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 13:46:10 +0000

La Bouchee - review by RVCBCFundraisin

Rating: 3.8

Location: 56 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3DY, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7589 1929

Tags: restaurant, steak, authentic, French

I visited this restaurant for lunch on a Friday, and was very impressed overall. We ate from a delicious set menu that included a tomato salad to start and steak with chips for the main.
I have to say the steak was one of the nicest I've had in a fair while, and the chips were thin and crispy in the authentic French style.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was cosy, it could possibly be too cramped if you decided to visit with more than a few people. However, if you're looking for an authentic French restaurant to visit with a few friends in South Kensington, La bouchee would be ideal.

Absolut Icebar - review by nighthawkdiner

Sun, 19 Nov 2006 19:19:51 +0000

Absolut Icebar - review by nighthawkdiner

Rating: 4.3

Location: 31-33 Heddon Street, W1B 4BN, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7287 9192

Website: http://www.belowzerolondon.com

Tags: trendy, Cold, cool & smart, sexy

It's a bar that is set at minus 5. You get kitted up with a fetching silver poncho to stay warm and you're given 40 minutes to drink cocktails from a glass made of ice. It's an over-priced gimmick bar, sure, but hey - there are only a few of these things in the world.

My question is - how do they clean up spills? surely they freeze?

London Eye - review by nighthawkdiner

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 20:03:40 +0000

London Eye - review by nighthawkdiner

Rating: 4.2

Location: County Hall, SE1 7PB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 0870 500 0600

Website: http://www.ba-londoneye.com

Tags: "Buena Vista"

It takes 30 mins a revolution - you may want to aim to have sunset occur 10 mins after you start...

http://www.britishinformation.com/sunrise-and-sunset-times/

Ain't Nothin But the Blues - review by nighthawkdiner

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 10:45:50 +0000

Ain't Nothin But the Blues - review by nighthawkdiner

Rating: 3.8

Location: 20 Kingly Street, W1B 5PZ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7287 0514

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

Tags: cool, students, trendy, friendly, relaxed

The Ronnie Scott's of the Blues - and it's not just the slow 12-bar my-cat-ran-off-with-the-milkman stuff - you are just as likely to hear the more hard-edged, rock-y, Jimi Hendrix-y stuff as well. One night I went in with some music-loving buddies; it was packed to the hilt, the band was on top form and the crowd were in party mode - the joint, as they say in Bluesville, was literally jumping.

If you know of it's better then please feel free to tell me.

Shepherds Bush Empire - review by nighthawkdiner

Sun, 19 Nov 2006 22:45:39 +0000

Shepherds Bush Empire - review by nighthawkdiner

Rating: 4.7

Location: Shepherd's Bush Green, W12 8TT, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 0870 771 2000

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

Tags: "Music to your ears"

Just a great place for music-lovers; here's where you catch the next best thing just when they are well-reviewed enough to fill this 2000-person venue (and you can get really close up) - but not so famous yet that they can play less intimate venues...if you were lucky enough to see Sigur Ros there in 2001, you'll know what I'm saying

London Aquarium - review by nighthawkdiner

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 14:44:06 +0000

London Aquarium - review by nighthawkdiner

Rating: 4.1

Location: County Hall, SE1 7PB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7967 8000

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

Tags: Fish, Sting Ray

Not the best aquarium in the world (try Sydney) and not the worst (try Nha Trang) - but what makes it great is the ray pool where you can tickle sting rays to your hearts content - and they love it - I once had two...one on each hand, Matron

The Trocadero Centre - review by nighthawkdiner

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 16:31:24 +0000

The Trocadero Centre - review by nighthawkdiner

Rating: 1.8

Location: 13 Coventry Street, W1D 7ER, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7439 1791

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

Tags: "Air Hockey"

This place is a shocker, except for - two words - Air Hockey.

If you're meeting someone for a night out in town, then by the Air Hockey tables at the Trocadero is better than Eros (and it's warm in the winter) and you can start the evening off with an Air Hockey tournament and maybe throw in a little Daytona. Just be sure to leave as soon as you're done, don't buy anything, don't speak to anyone, don't tell anyone you went there and - for the love of god! - please don't eat anything there.

The Skiddaw - review by nighthawkdiner

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 13:56:26 +0000

The Skiddaw - review by nighthawkdiner

Rating: 4.0

Location: 46 Chippenham Road, W9 2AF, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7432 1341

Tags: "traditional pub", "modern pub"

Used to be an old Irish alcoholics pub, then the kids moved in and scared them away by snorting coke off the bar and shouting racial abuse at the barman, then they closed it, completely refurbished it, stuck two bouncers on the door so the bad people didn't come back and now it's quite nice...you know, like a typical, yet slightly trendy, local pub should be. I miss the old Irish alcoholics though. My Top Tip: eat your Sunday roast somewhere else.

(by the way the map's not accurate - it's on the corner of Elgin Avenue and Chippenham Road W9)