Latest favourites and wishlist by janie_lou

Ciao Bella - review by mazphd

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:19:15 +0000

Ciao Bella - review by mazphd

Rating: 4.7

Location: 90 Lambs Conduit Street, WC1N 3LZ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 4119

Tags: italian, good value, crowded, romantic, lively

favoloso as the Italians say. This place is a great little venue in such an upcoming and 'trendy' part of town. Overspill onto the street to people watch. But best of all before you even set sights on this eaterie as you turn down Guilford Place there's a wonderful aroma in the air, spices, garlic and tomatoes. All the best of home cooked Italian.

Best of all the menu's a sweet treat of the mostly sterotypical made just like mama dishes. Pasta and Pizza feature heavily and everything is freshly prepared and with such zeal ! I saw one waiter so charming with his service that the couple who had come only for coffee stayed for a three course luncheon, complete with a bottle of wine. If only we were all so easily swayed.

Wine here could be better. But prices are so reasonable that one can overlook this.

I'm looking forward to being in this part of the city again, so i can follow my nose and catch the real italian spices in the air again. Yum

Hare & Tortoise - review by ChloeBuxton

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:05:35 +0000

Hare & Tortoise - review by ChloeBuxton

Rating: 4.0

Location: 15-17 Brunswick Centre, WC1N 1AF, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7278 9799

Website: http://www.hareandtortoise-restaurants.co.uk

Some of the best Asian food I have had in a long time, but I have always ordered takeaway so can't comment on the service.

Le Mercury - review by Guerilla1

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:29:24 +0000

Le Mercury - review by Guerilla1

Rating: 4.1

Location: 140A Upper Street, N1 1QY, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7354 4088

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

Tags: romantic, cheap eat, good value, french

Romantic, fantastic food, great staff and CHEAP.

The Marquis Of Cornwallis - review by mazphd

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:47:24 +0000

The Marquis Of Cornwallis - review by mazphd

Rating: 3.0

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

Phone: 020 7923 5961

Tags: standard pub food, pub chain

Like Janie_lou mentioned what you have here is a indeed a chain pub... BUT the scope and range of wines that is available on tap is a marked improvement on the dross being served just over the road.

Also there's a more than competent range of pub foods, from the pub-centric fish n chips, to nicer range of tapas style nibbles.

Ive been here with a range of people and it fits with various crowds, from the 'uni lot', to after workers over drinkers to even my father. So a fits for all place.

The leather sofa's give things a cosy and its not without atmosphere, even if this is artificially created. Sometimes artificial can work though and in this case it provides a 'nice' backdrop to the 'nice' bar area and 'nice' food. But thats as exciting as it gets!

So if you want to play it 'nice' and safe, and to avoid O'Neils etc over the road, you may as well drop in here - you won't be disappointed and youll be sure to have a 'nice' evening.

Dragon Castle - review by justintoh

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:31:00 +0000

Dragon Castle - review by justintoh

Rating: 3.3

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

Phone: 020 7277 3388

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

Tags: Chinese, Good value

I've only been here during the daytime, in part because the area (and in particular the tunnels around the roundabouts) isn't so inviting during at night, and in part because the dim sum is what draws me here.

The restaurant itself is easy to miss, as there's nothing that screams 'chinese restaurant' until you get to the two big red doors (which are always closed). The decor is simple inside, with large windows letting in a lovely view of the Walworth Road.

Pluses
+ the dishes are cheap: we once ordered so much that we couldn't see over the steamers
+ good selection of dishes, with some more fusion-inspired specials (these don't always work)
+ you can book a table, which is rare for good yum cha
+ the restaurant is large enough for a table of ~15

Minuses
- service isn't particularly friendly
- no trolley service (although this is the norm for london)

In all, I'd recommend this place for yum cha, especially for those with large groups of people who don't mind travelling from the usual dim sum hotspots to avoid a queue.

The Marquis Of Cornwallis - review by janie_lou

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 17:05:21 +0000

The Marquis Of Cornwallis - review by janie_lou

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

This 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 - review by janie_lou

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:27:11 +0000

The Montague Arms - review by janie_lou

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

This 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.

Cafe Bintang - review by azriel84

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 15:36:00 +0000

Cafe Bintang - review by azriel84

Rating: 3.8

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

Phone: 020 7428 9603

Was there yesterday too with Poromenos...I was the lucky one to order the duck (pwned Poro:P). No, seriously, it's a really nice place, quiet and tasteful, ideal for relax after a day's hard work. Atmosphere is nice, although the use of candles provides limited lighting to the place, had to use my mobile's screen to read the catalogue. Service was excellent and fast, food was what I expected from a Thai restaurant and even better if I may say so but avoid chicken in this place at any cost. Both in Poromenos' plate and in the appetizers, chicken was a huge dissapointment. So as Poro said, nice place, don't order chicken though for any reason:)

Cafe Bintang - review by Poromenos

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 14:28:29 +0000

Cafe Bintang - review by Poromenos

Rating: 3.8

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

Phone: 020 7428 9603

Went there yesteday. Charming atmosphere, good service. Had the Gili Gili chicken, I doubt it was either Gili Gili or chicken.
It was probably the foulest thing I have ever tasted, but I thank Cafe Bintang for the character-building experience. Having eaten that, I will never again go hungry. Rats must taste better.
I tried their spicy duck, THAT was a nice dish. I should have sent my plate of offal back but I was afraid that the chef might castrate me and feed my testicles to me, Gili Gili style.

To sum up, DO NOT ORDER THE GILI GILI CHICKEN FOR ANY REASON. Otherwise, nice place.

Dragon Castle - review by lenalouise

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:21:44 +0000

Dragon Castle - review by lenalouise

Rating: 3.3

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

Phone: 020 7277 3388

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

Tags: posh, dim sum, traditional, chinese, expensive

I came here for dinner with my mum not long after it opened and I remember being distinctly unimpressed. To be fair, the quality of the food is somewhat slighlty better than your average greasy chinese but it's not amazing. The portions are smaller than usual, the staff are a bit snobbish and it's more expensive aswell.

Having a chinese meal is all about sharing tantalising dishes in the middle of the table with everyone digging in, having a good natter and generally having a good time but you feel like you can't do that here when you have 2 waiters staring over at your table! I don't like the pretentiousness of the place. The quality of the food is nowhere as near as delectable as the stuff I get back home.

Dragon Castle - review by janie_lou

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

Dragon Castle - review by janie_lou

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

I'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 - review by janie_lou

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

Cafe Bintang - review by janie_lou

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

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.

Harrison Arms - review by janie_lou

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

Harrison Arms - review by janie_lou

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

The 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.

Lord John Russell - review by Hopkirk

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 18:13:11 +0000

Lord John Russell - review by Hopkirk

Rating: 4.0

Location: 96 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7388 0500

Tags: independent pub, standard pub food, traditional pub

The title is rather misleading as I have never had any shots in the Lord John but I thought it made for a snappy tag line.

When I moved into the area in 2000 I tried several of the other 'local' pubs in the Russell Sq area and found them to be a mixture ranging from utterly crap to p**s poor (this has improved slightly although many are of the p-poor rating stil).

For some reason the LJR stood out. The bar staff were always attentive & friendly (although the previous landlord took some getting used to - he was lovely when you got to know him).

The pub is now run by a new couple (Chas and the lovely Caroline) who have taken the pub on and improved it with 'basic' changes like changing the decor, putting up newer/better pictures etc.

Good range of beers (hand pump or keg), atmosphere is always relaxed and a good mixture between locals, office workers and passing trade makes for pleasant evenings (or days if you're a drunkard).

If I had one gripe it would be that there is a lack of 'decent' music played at an audible level.

If you're passing, drop in and give it a go, I think you'll like it.

Ciao Bella - review by qwghlm

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 23:49:19 +0000

Ciao Bella - review by qwghlm

Rating: 4.7

Location: 90 Lambs Conduit Street, WC1N 3LZ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 4119

I like this place a lot - yes it does dive slightly into Italian stereotypes but the food is wonderful and very reasonably priced. Sitting out on the street on a summer's day enjoying meatballs and a glass of wine - heaven. Plenty of choice and tasty enough to keep even my picky relatives happy, so they must be doing something right.