Latest reviews by janie_lou

Ye Olde Watling

janie_lou — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:25:18 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 29 Watling Street, EC4M 9BR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7653 9971

Tags: friendly, pub chain, excellent pub food, traditional pub, good value

Lovely olde worlde pubbe in the cittie of LondoneeSorry, got a bit carried away there! This is a gem of pub on a little cobbled alleyway, the sort which would make you feel like you lived in Dickensian times if it wasn't for all the typical high street food and clothes stores which line this street.

So amongst all these its a nice surprise to find this quaint old pub, with lots of original features including exposed beams which date back to the 17th century (I think, if not they are nonetheless very old indeed). The floors are wonky and the staircases steep and scary. Exactly the sort of character that a building this old should deliver.*

The bar is ideal for people-watching and is usually quite busy. Men who like to drink pints whilst standing up favour this part of the pub. I like the back room, which has mixed level (and mixed comfort) seating, and is much cosier with its soft lighting and candles.

On my first visit was I surprised to notice that this was actually a chain pub - a Nicholson's - as it retains so much charm! The hallmarks of its ownership are only evident really in its uniformed staff, the food menus and those chalk boards with food and drink specials.

This has been my favourite pub for post-work drinks for a good while now but as we've just recently booked this venue for our work christmas party we thought we'd drop by for lunch today to 'officially' check out the food. Work refused to pick up the tab, sadly. The upstairs dining area (also the function room) was open so we ate up there. The waiting staff were friendly and efficient, if perhaps a little too efficient - asking me whether I was ready to order my food and I'd not even had chance to look at a menu! Sausages are meant to be the speciality at this place, so it would've been rude not to order the toad in the hole. It didn't disappoint - an enormous crispy yorkshire pudding was filled to the brim with steaming hot buttery mash, two great big fat meaty sausages, perfectly cooked veggies - all smothered in gravy. Oooh, I could eat it all over again!

I did my usual trick of ignoring my dining companions for a while to nose around at other people's food and everything looked well tasty. All portions were massive, all prices were reasonable, all people looked very happy! Especially that couple sat at the next table who shared a huge slab of gooey looking chocolate cake served with a big dollop of ice-cream. Mmmm.

To sum up the food - its very good value, very tasty, and upstairs at Ye Olde Watling it is served with the efficiency and care you'd get at a restaurant but at a fraction of the cost. I'm sure the service downstairs is pretty decent though.

The pub itself is consistently good, no complaints from me.

* Just had a thought - it does have a disabled toilet and wide doorways so whilst it is quirky and wobbly and olde worlde, it is accessible to all.

Studio Six

janie_lou — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:14:00 +0000

Rating: 3.5

Location: Gabriels Wharf, SE1 9PP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7928 6243

Tags: lively, Cuisine: a bit of everything, good value

Friendly lively dinners!I'm ashamed to say Gabriel's Wharf was unbeknownst to me until last Thursday, when some friends suggested it as a place to go after we'd had a few drinks. It's like being on holiday down there! All that tongue and groove, the beach-hut colours, fairy lights and the smell of the sea...ok I mean river. We were too late to have a look round the shops so we made a bee-line for this Studio Six place. It wasn't that busy, and despite it being a bit cool we sat outside to soak up the atmosphere (although indoors looked perfectly atmospheric to me...)

Our waiter was great: humourous and attentive. So that's always nice. I wish I could report on a variety of dishes but I must confess that we all ordered the same thing - burger and chips. I nearly went for the chicken noodles but I would've have massive food jealousy when I saw the big juicy burger and the crunchy chips that came with it. My tummy is rumbling now at the thought of it! Mmmm. It was delicious, and I polished off the lot so let that be testament to how good it was.

I did have a good nosy at the food on other tables (as ever) and it all looked pretty good, decent enough portions, people with happy faces, etc. Its quite a varied mix of food, and I'm sure it probably changes a bit but I'm sure it would usually offer some kind of sausage or pie and mash, noodles, curry, risotto and pasta, as well as the usual burgers, steak and veggie options. No one should have a problem finding something they like. The prices aren't bad, especially given the location.

Definitely a good choice if you're meeting a few friends and want something to suit everyone and don't fancy the faceless chain restaurants.

New Tayyabs

janie_lou — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:57:00 +0000

Rating: 4.7

Location: 83-89 Fieldgate St, E1 1JU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7247 9543

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

Tags: lively, cheap eat, good value, crowded, indian

Cracking food so make sure you book!We took my parents here a few months back. They have been to Brick Lane quick a few times and were a bit nervous about trying somewhere slightly away from familiar curry territory, even though it was on the recommendation of a trusted friend. To be honest, I was a bit nervous too, but I hate getting dragged into curry houses against my will as is the case on Brick Lane (I'm weak) and wanted to try somewhere new!

It was a bit cramped and very busy, although there appeared to be a few large groups in. Luckily we had booked and were immediately seated. I was jammed in against the wall and an awkward bit of alcove, but seeing how busy it was I was just pleased that we'd been able to make a booking! Any other BYO place I've been to keeps your drinks in the fridge but we had to keep our BYO wines under the table. The waiters seemed too busy to take them off our hands but we didn't like to pester them about it. Thankfully we had got cold ones.

The menu was varied and there were a couple of things that seemed unfamiliar. We picked plenty of starters and main courses so that we could try a bit of everything. Most dishes were slightly hotter than we expected but that's authenticity for you. None of us are particularly sensitive about heat but be careful what you order if you normally struggle with a korma! The quality was great and we were stuffed to the eyeballs. And taking into account that there were no drink charges (other than a small corkage fee) it was really quite a bargain.

My parents, who like to cook their own Indian food at home, were most impressed. As were we. This is now certainly my first choice restaurant over places in Brick Lane. I can't wait to go back and try out some of the other dishes.

By the way...remember I said it was busy? Well our table was booked for 7.30pm. By the time we left at about 9.30pm, there was a queue snaking through the restaurant and out into the street. Some of this could have been for takeaway food, I'm not sure. Either way this is clearly a very popular place.

The Marquis Of Cornwallis

janie_lou — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 17:05:20 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 31 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7923 5961

Tags: airy, extensive range of lager, chunky chips, nice staff, pub chain, late license, standard pub food, comfy sofas

Still a chain-pub, but a marked improvement on the last oneThis pub's previous incarnation - the Goose & Granite - was truly HORRID! But with its proximity to the new and improved Brunswick Centre it was only a matter of time before it was closed down to be given a make-over.

Still owned by Mitchells & Butlers this is now an unbranded pub, filled with battered leather couches, scrubbed down tables and chairs, lots of cutesy knick-knacks, tatty lamp shades and serving up a gastro-style menu with plenty of old favourites such as ham, egg and chips.

There's plenty of tables and chairs on the ground floor as well as an upstairs room (which can be hired out for functions)and some tables and chairs outside. There is an extensive selection of spirits, wines, lagers, along with a few ales and flavoured beers, and the staff are efficient and usually quite good fun.

I've had a couple of ropey drinks (the Kriek and the Timothy Taylor Landlord) but I suspect they were the first ones out of the pump that day. Everything seems fairly well-kept otherwise.

The clientele is a bit more desirable these days, and is formed mainly of locals, workers, students...the usual crowd for this area really.

It does still grate on me a bit that it's a M&B pub, but when you weigh it up against the O'Neills opposite and the ghastly London Pub across on Woburn Place then you realise that M&B have done a pretty good job with this place. And as I say, its so much better than the Goose and Granite.

The Montague Arms

janie_lou — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:27:10 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 289 Queens Road, SE15 2PA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7639 4923

Tags: live music, band nights, unusual venue, board games, late license, independent pub

Beer served by grannies in Stepoe and Son's scrapyardThis is a truly eclectic pub/music venue. The interior is in some ways reminiscent of a pirate's ship, with its candlesticks, skulls, flags...but also of Steptoe and Son's scrapyard: a horse-drawn carriage is stationed at the far end of the pub, filled with tatty board games to which you can help yourself. There's clutter everywhere, and its great.

At the bar you'll not be served by anyone under the age of 65. The lovely ladies pour a great pint and will always have quick natter if they're not rushed off their feet, which they often are as this place can get packed to the rafters on band nights.

The bands vary from ok to excellent, and many making a name for themselves now have played here. Its never more than a fiver to get in, and its cheaper for students as far as I'm aware.

Its not glamorous, there's no heated seating area outside, no telly, and the toilets are a bit grim. But this place is one of a dying breed of unique pubs. Many of the old New Cross drinking dens have been sterilized (Goldsmiths' Tavern, RIP) so visit this place whilst we're still lucky enough to have it.

Ye Olde Inn

janie_lou — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 17:22:31 +0000

Rating: 2.0

Location: Camrose, SA62 6HY, Haverfordwest, United Kingdom

Tags: real ale, car park, rural, bar food, local boozer, standard pub food, beer garden, traditional pub, independent pub

Lovely little local boozer, disappointing foodI didn't expect to find this place on Trusted Places...its in the depths of West Wales!

This is a quaint little two-room pub with a cosy atmosphere provided by its open fire and sofas, and there's plenty of newspapers and listings mags to read. Its very much a locals' local but I don't think they object when the odd tourist stops by - they're all pretty friendly in there.

There's a reasonable selection of ales and lagers, and they do food which you can eat in the bar or in a small attached dining room. My parents had been raving about this place to us for ages - the chips were of the real-potato-hand-peeled-and-cut-that-day variety and cooked so well that they were going for a weekly fix!

I couldn't wait to try it - however, when we came along something had clearly gone wrong in the kitchen. Everything looked and tasted like it was from the frozen food section of Macro. Even Wetherspoons do a better scampi and chips and for less money. My poor parents were mortifed that they'd brought us here after saying how good it had been.

They gave it a couple more chances in the weeks following but nothing had changed and they've stopped going now. Its a real pity as it had been building up a good reputation for food and it was bringing trade to an otherwise really rather nice little pub.

Hanoi Cafe

janie_lou — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:58:15 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 98 Kingsland Road, E2 8DP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7729 5610

Tags: Vietnamese, dumplings, basic decor, cheap eat, good value, noodles, quick bite, friendly staff

Cheap eat VietnameseHanoi Cafe isn't much to look at really. I thought it was stark and very basic, but it didn't help that it was empty - no doubt because it was mid-afternoon on one of the hottest days of the year.

That said, that decor is pretty much the standard for Vietnamese dining on Kingsland Road and I say good for them for keeping the likes of Wagamama at bay. (No offence Wagamama, I like your noodles, but you don't belong to this area).

We were greeted warmly and left to ponder the menu at our leisure. We started with spring rolls and vegetable tempura - crispy light batter and tasty dipping sauces. Next, a traditional chicken curry served in a clay pot - perfectly delicate flavours and the right amount of heat - and chicken stir-fried with ginger and spring onions, all served with a big bowl of sticky rice.

Too full for any dessert.

It was really simple food but done to a high standard and with what seemed like good quality ingredients - nice, clean flavours. The cook and waitress were a lovely pair of ladies who made us feel most welcome.

I really enjoyed it and will definitely return when I get the chance - there's a lot of things on that menu which I think I need to sample!

PS Did I say that it was really cheap too?

Dragon Castle

janie_lou — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:57:54 +0000

Rating: 3.3

Location: 114 Walworth Road, SE17 1JL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7277 3388

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

Tags: good service, traditional chinese decoration, elegant dining, dim sum, business, good value, chinese, airy

Good quality Chinese restaurant in (slowly) up and coming areaI've been here a few times now and can honestly say its a top notch Chinese restaurant. And I'm not normally a fan of Chinese food (too greasy for me) so it was with a slight feeling of trepidation that I went there last year as a guinea pig to see if it would be any good for a work Christmas party. (It was, and it was enjoyed by all)

Their daytime menu includes dim-sum, which I have yet to try, but is apparently pretty darn good. In the evening you can order a la carte or they have an extensive range of set menus. Last time I was there I had the £22.50 menu and very nearly ruptured my stomach trying to cram it all in.

All the usual suspects appear on the menu, king prawn kung po, chicken with cashew nuts, chilli shredded beef, as well as some more obscure (and in my opinion, scary!) seafood and meat dishes.

The roasted duck is melt-in-the-mouth delicious and the best I've ever tasted, and with not a single bit of fat or grease or gristle. They shred it at your table and you're practically drooling by the time they let you at it.

The dishes seem expensive but thats because its all too easy to compare prices with the local back-street take-away and forget that this is a restaurant! I couldn't help but grumble at first but I soon realised they'd used quality ingredients and invested time, thought and effort into the preparation of each dish. Add this to the elegant dining area and good service and I think you've got good value.

There's an extensive wine list and whilst I'm no wine connoisseur I can say that very much enjoyed the bottle of third-least-expensive wine which we selected. Draught and bottled beer is available, and a full selection of spirits for any aperitif you might fancy.

It is in an odd area but not far from Elephant and Castle tube, and this area is undergoing huge regeneration at present. This doesn't seem to have hindered its popularity.

I don't know if I'd suggest hiking over here from, say, Cricklewood or Richmond - but if you're not a million miles away and fancy a nice sit-down Chinese dinner without the bustle and brisk service you get in Chinatown then give Dragon Castle a whirl.

Cafe Bintang

janie_lou — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:05:54 +0000

Rating: 3.8

Location: 93 Kentish Town Road, NW1 8NY, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7428 9603

Tags: cosy, lovely garden, cheap eat, candlelit, good value, authentic, thai, malaysian, cozy

If you only go to one place I ever recommend GO HERE!I LOVE BINTANG!

It doesn't look much from the outside and its on a bleak stretch of Kentish Town Road next to a few run-down shops. Yet inside it really reminds me of a Thai beach bar. They've clearly put a lot of effort into getting the right atmosphere. There's bamboo all over the walls and some bizarre wall hangings. Pancake's Review pretty much hit the nail on the head with that description!

The tables are a bit, erm, compact and at the weekends it can get quite busy. You should probably always book anyway, it doesn't hurt and saves disappointment. The ground floor takes only about 20 covers but there is a basement eating area which is larger, and in summer....a garden! Its really peaceful back there and there's plenty of room. I recently enjoyed a good old Bintang feast outside!

The menu is quite typical south-east Asian fare, lots of different curries, various noodle and rice dishes, and great starters. One particular favourite is the whole chicken. Excellent value for money and delicious too.

You will need to bring your own booze (there is a small corkage charge) but if you've forgotten there is an off-licence a little further up the road.

There probably are better Thai places but Bintang feels authentic and quirky. The staff are fantastic and very patient when you sit there for about 4 hours trying to decide what to have. I've never had a bad experience here. Or even a slightly poor one for that matter. Its consistently good and has been for the 3 years that I've been coming here.

Its a great little place and I'm sure it has a lot of fiercely loyal customers who just can't beat a bit of Bintang.

The Crown & Goose

janie_lou — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:38:50 +0000

Rating: 4.5

Location: 100 Arlington Road, NW1 7HP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7485 8008

I'd forgotten all about this place until I saw Kaliova's review!

I've only been once but I thought this pub was like a breath of fresh air in Camden. Its central yet it attracts a good crowd who are well-looked after by the friendly staff serving a pretty good choice of beers if I remember rightly. Nice decor and nice atmosphere!

I really must remember to come here next time I'm in Camden.

Pitcher & Piano

janie_lou — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:58:32 +0000

Rating: 3.5

Location: High Pavement, NG1 1HN, Nottingham, United Kingdom

Phone: 0115 958 6081

Website: http://www.pitcherandpiano.com

Tags: busy, amazing building, meat market, pop, young and fun, loud, outdoor seating

The Church of BingelandI've seen numerous flats and galleries and studios built in converted churches but until now I'd not come across a drinking den in a former 'casa del god'.

It is breathtaking. You step inside the doors and the magnitude of the places knocks you for six. The architects have done an outstanding job of converting this for use in the most sympathetic style possible, i.e. it still looks like a church.

As you might imagine, the clientele is far, far removed from the cake-baking blue rinse brigade who graced its pews so many years ago. Today's churchgoers demand bloody marys not the blood of christ. The music is loud and mainstream, the drinks are expensive, there's barely enough room to breathe, and there's a whiff of meat market in the air. Needless to say, its a must-go-venue on the hen/stag circuit.

Personally I can't stand this sort of venue - I hate security guards telling me off because I've walked through the wrong door, having to jostle my way to the bar, girls screeching in the toilet because one of them has lost a sequin off her handbag....

However, this IS one fantastic looking place. You can hire/reserve sections of the building, including one area which has its own seperate bar. The food doesn't look half bad, and the toilets were clean. The staff were pretty nice too - which was unexpected for this sort of venue and crowd.

Its worth going once, if only to have a gawp at the building. I would suggest going in the daytime - much quieter and really not a bad spot for a few beers on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Horse

janie_lou — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 17:26:35 +0000

Rating: 2.0

Location: 122-124 Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7RW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7928 6277

Tags: modern pub

Good looking pub ruined by incompetent bar staffApologies in advance - I'm not sure whether this counts as a review or a rant!

I visited the Horse for after-work drinks on a Friday. I thought it looked alright - high ceilings, nice wallpaper, neutral tones, mixed seating.

I was told by two of my friends that they'd got down there when it was pretty much empty and had had a pint of Guinness. They finished that and approached the bar for another. The girl was already pouring a pint of the black stuff. Great service, they thought. She then stood to one side and started drinking it. She looked at them, standing at an empty bar with their empty glasses, but said nothing. Strike one.

By the time I arrived it was a bit busier but not rammed by any means. We waited a while to get served, and I asked this same girl for small white wine spritzer using soda in a long glass. I got it in a large wine glass, but couldn't be bothered splitting hairs. It didn't taste too wine-heavy as it turned out, I figured it was a very tame house white number! The next time I clearly said "in a long glass" and watched what she was doing. She took a half pint tumbler, filled it half with ice, took a pre-filled 250ml glass of wine and slopped what looked to me like about a quarter of it into this tumbler, which then needed to be topped up with soda from the middle.

My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw this. When she put it in front of me I asked her whether it had a full 175ml measure in it, to which she replied with a torrent of absolute twaddle! The highlight was: "In the clubs you get cocktails and they do free-pour, a spritzer is like a cocktail so we do free-pour, see?" I told her that this was not a club it was a pub and she was legally obliged to give me the 175ml measure which I had paid for. Spritzers are not sold as cocktails. (If they'd thought about that they would've charged me a hell of a lot more than £2.60 for it!)

She saw I wasn't budging from the bar and got the manager. She asked me what the problem was with my drink and started up with similar excuses to the barmaid but with the added extra of prodding my hand which was on the bar. Twice I told her to stop touching me, and explained that I knew the legality of the situation but she just wouldn't listen. Eventually my friend boomed out "Look, she wasn't given the full measure!". She tipped away the drink and poured me a new one right in front of me. Not other word, and certainly not an apology.

I'm sure this place is fine if you want after-work beers (I would be evil if I didn't admit that their potato wedges were divine!) but for christ's sake keep a stern eye on their measures.

North Sea Fish Restaurant

janie_lou — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:47:18 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 7-8 Leigh Street, WC1H 9EW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7387 5892

Tags: fish and chips, british, cheap eat

Traditional fish and chips, take away or in eat in (if you're rich!)This is a restaurant and chip shop all in one. The fish and chips are delicious and big and chunky and cheap! The lads who work in there seem a jovial bunch and its very popular with the locals.

The restaurant, however, is a another kettle of fish... (boom, boom!). Now, I am quite cautious of blighting a place with one 'horror story' as you just don't know whether you were the one in every 1 million who has a bad experience. Its not exactly a horror story, but we felt very disappointed with the plaice... (sorry - had to do it)

It doesn't seem to have been decorated in about 40 years, so it almost has a chintzy version of pie and mash shop feel to it. Charming, in a way. What was NOT charming was looking at the menu and realising we were about to pay an extra £8 for the same dinner we could have got to take away. Except with less chips...a LOT less chips.

I have been raised the northern way and in my book you should not still be hungry when you've paid good money for your dinner. Especially not fish and chips!

We decided to get the bill. "How much tip are you leaving?" asked the waitress. WHAT?? I was tempted to say "b*gger all" but I'm far too polite for that and left 10% when really I should have spent the tip on an extra bag of chips from next door.

My advice is to stick to the takeaway branch of this outlet and leave the restaurant to people who have more money than sense.

Pierre Victoire

janie_lou — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:23:52 +0000

Rating: 3.8

Location: 5 Dean Street, W1D 3RQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7287 4250

Tags: french, cheap eat, good value, mediterranean, brasserie

Nice enough little Soho bistroA couple of my friends had been raving about this place for ages and finally we got the chance to go the other week. They said that there was a set menu before 7pm, and as we all like a bargain, we legged it down there just in the nick of time.

Its a nice looking place, good light is provided by the large windows at the front and is aided by white walls. Nice chunky wooden tables and a tiled floor help give it that 'rustic French bistro' look. Sadly the piano player was not on that night so I cannot comment on that. The waiters had good words to say about him though.

Assuming, then, that it was a French bistro, I was somewhat surprised that the menu was biased towards Mediterranean rather than French cuisine. A bit of a disappointment, but no major problem.

To begin, I had the falafels (very nice, decent portion) whilst my friends had the duck pate on brioche. The pate was good, however the brioche looked and tasted more like a toasted slice of Mother's Pride. This was followed by a reasonable enough lamb burger masquerading as lamb kofte (correct me if I'm wrong but a kofte is a long thing, right?) served on a nice fresh greek salad with feta. Great olives. One friend had the fish and vegetable skewer with rice. I nearly went for this but I'm glad I didn't - it was bland as you like, in looks and taste. I think this is probably the only red herring of a dish though, gawping at other diners' dinners I would say most other choices looked pretty reasonable.

In summary, the service was ok, the wine was ok, the food was ok....I don't think you could say that it was remarkable, or even memorable, but if you want some basic bistro food then this place does it well and doesn't charge over the odds. Everyone seems happy enough with their food and their surroundings, and it is good value for money - you could do a lot worse in Soho.

Harrison Arms

janie_lou — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:44:13 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 28 Harrison Street, WC1H 8JF, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7916 3113

Tags: live music, excellent pub food, independent pub, outdoor seating

great little pub with live music on sundaysThe Harrison is a bit of a newcomer to the area. We'd probably have missed it had it not been on our jogging route. Its worth seeking out though.

Its one of these wooden floored, leather sofa and brushed down table sort of places. And yet it doesn't feel like the refit consisted of an Ikea-gastro-pub-kit sent down from the brewery HQ - so I would urge you not to think of it as a gastro pub. That said, it does a cracking roast dinner and some pretty tasty food at other times. In fact, it sets standards for food that other pubs in the area ought to aspire to and yet this place is no more expensive.

They've got a good selection of music playing at all times, and there is a DJ on Friday nights so I'm told. The highlight, though, is their Sunday afternoon music sessions. Check out their myspace site or put 'In the Pines' into Google. They had King Creosote and Euros Child play last year, and it was only about £3 to get it.

The staff are friendly and fun, and its a really relaxed sort of place. Cozy in the evenings with lots of candles and low lighting. I should go here more often but laziness kicks in and I end up going to the pubs which are a bit closer (not much though, we're talking a few minutes walk here) and yet this place is a lot more deserving of the business.