Latest reviews by opticnoodle's friends

New Park Fruiterers - review by tallpaul

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:34:11 +0000

New Park Fruiterers - review by tallpaul

Rating: 5.0

Location: 42 New Park Road, SW2 4UN, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8674 0454

Just off Brixton this is an excellent local greengrocers. Run by an chatty greengrocer with an excellent knowledge of what's fresh and good he's happy to share -- there is often stuff that might not look supermarket shiny but tastes great. A good organic selection, too + eggs + flowers.

Gosh! Comics - review by tallpaul

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:09:08 +0000

Gosh! Comics - review by tallpaul

Rating: 4.0

Location: 39 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NZ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7636 1011

Website: http://www.goshlondon.com

Tags: friendly staff, graphic novels, comics, books

Opposite the British Museum this is one of London's best comic shops. it is particularly strong on graphic novels and carries a selection of illustrated books as well as all the normal comic releases, manga and self published and indie comics.

The staff are very knowledge and friendly and won't have any truck with the sneering fanboy attitudes that can make comics shops a little unfriendly for anyone who hasn't spent the last ten years reading about men in underpants.

Crockatt & Powell - review by tallpaul

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:18:33 +0000

Crockatt & Powell - review by tallpaul

Rating: 5.0

Location: 119-120 Lower Marsh, SE1 7AE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7928 0234

Website: http://crockattandpowell.com/

Tags: literature, independent, bookshop, books

Tucked away behind Waterloo Station this independent bookshop is a book shop for book lovers to fall in love with.

You won't find piles of 2 for 1 offers here, (though you will find a generous discount scheme for regulars), nor displays of books whose prominence is determined by the amount the publisher is prepared to cough up (instead books chosen on merit whether they were published 50 yers ago or yesterday). You will find lovely staff fanatical about books and a great selection of books.

This is a bookshop based on the premise of catering for people who love books, and its selection reflects this. It is particularly strong on literary fiction and independent press titles. A place to lose yourself for an hour or three digging out newly discovered gems.

Has a good ordering service, 24 hours for most books, as well as an account with American wholesalers for Us titles. They also host regular events such as book launches and readings, as well as a book group.

Thier web site (and blog is here):http://crockattandpowell.com

Ritzy Picturehouse - review by tallpaul

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:01:41 +0000

Ritzy Picturehouse - review by tallpaul

Rating: 4.3

Location: Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7733 2229

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

Tags: bar, hollywood, independent, documentaries, alternative, cafe, music

Popular local independent cinema and venue with a lovely cafe (with free wifi). Has a good selection of films though it seems to be verging more towards the mainstream than the arthouse these days. Hosts autism friendly screenings, Silver Screen for elder folk etc The quality of the sound and screenings is pretty good. It is a membership cinema with good discounts (£2 off admission and 20% on food in the cafe).

Should pay their staff a decent living wage though.