Latest reviews by ouce100

Hache Burger Connoisseurs

ouce100 — Sun, 27 May 2007 20:55:21 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 24 Inverness St, NW1 7HJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7485 9100

Ouce100: Can I get some chips with my order
HachÃ© waiter: do you want chunky or French fries
Ouce100: Iâ¬"ll have one of each (I have to add here that I was ordering these for three people and not just for myself)
HachÃ© waiter: so youâ¬"ll have a Russian then?
Queue confused expressions amongst the diners
Ouce100: What do you mean weâ¬"ll have a Russian?
HachÃ© waiter: You said youâ¬"ll have oneovich

Ok. So it was a head in hands moment and technically speaking, someone with a name like onovich is more likely to come from (the former) Yugoslavia than from Russia, but I am a bit of a sucka for service with a bit of banterâ¬¦.even if it is in the form of a rubbish joke. For me, this episode sums up my experience of Hache. It is pretty laid back, unassuming, unpretentious etc. The burgers too are ok. I mean, theyâ¬"re not world beaters but theyâ¬"re decent. Itâ¬"s in a sort of simply decorated restaurant. Seating is slouchworthy (this is a word that should exist). Music was good but pretty low so every now and then I caught the sound of some cool track that I hadnâ¬"t heard in a while and then drift off back to my conversation. I was able to have a nice burger, in a pleasant enough atmosphere whilst have a good conversation with a few mates. For me, it is a pretty good option when there is a few of you and you just want to have a chat and some decent food in a relaxed place.

Barrafina

ouce100 — Sun, 27 May 2007 20:33:14 +0000

Rating: 4.5

Location: 54 Frith St, W1D 4SL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7813 8010

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

The things that stand out for me about this place is the food and the service. It really does make a great difference if you have friendly waiters/waitresses who actually are very knowledgeable on both the wine and the food. I also think it helps their jobs quite a bit if the actual drinks and food being served is decent and the food and drink at this place is pretty damn good. The seating is very similar to a sushi bar where you sit facing the kitchen and watching the cooks prepare the meals. I always find that there is something extremely reassuring about this. However, this means that the restaurant is not really set up for large groups of people. This is more something to be aware of than a flaw. Also be aware that a meal for two with a decent bottle of wine would set you back about Â£60 - Â£70 so not really within the cheap and cheerful range of tapas but is definitely excellent value for money.

Tokyo Joe's

ouce100 — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 21:14:39 +0000

Rating: 2.0

Location: Church Street, PR1 3BU, Preston, United Kingdom

Tags: cheesy, obnoxious, disgusting, loud

On second thoughts I like the galleryWhen I said that the gallery in York was the workst place on earth I had been a little bit hasty. I'm sure Freud has a phrase for the repression of distressing events. Events such as my one and only entry into 'the world famous tokyo joes'.
To start with the gallery had lots of little endearing things about it. I would liken it to a bad mullet. Nasty but you gotta love em. This place I would liken to pussey sore. There's not really anything endearing about it.
Firstly, a well dressed gentleman could be turned away at the door whereas thuggish drunk crop top hooligan types... because the former was wearing trainers and the latter rockports (to be fair this is like most places in Preston). Once you get in you are confronted by ....the words escape me. Apart from the fact that everyone is underage and p#ssed out of their heads they all look the same. All the guys are wearing the same stuff and have the same haircuts and talk the same and are all doing the same stupid dances whilst trying to cop of with the underage skimpily clad girls. Danté would have promoted this place to a special place in pugartory. I'm so disgusted that I quit this review in disgust.

Visible

ouce100 — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 09:39:28 +0000

Rating: 4.3

Location: 299 Portobello Road, W10 5TD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8969 0333

Tags: cool, good value, trendy, tapas

Some chow or just a few drinksQuality place for a bite to eat. The tapas is good, the service is good, the decour is good, the atmosphere is relaxed, the music is pretty good too, even the dishes that the food is served in is pretty cool. Nothing bad to say about this place at all.

The Gallery

ouce100 — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 09:33:59 +0000

Rating: 1.1

Location: 12 Clifford St, YO1 9RD, York, United Kingdom

Phone: 01904 647947

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

Tags: cheesy, disgusting, horrible, rubbish

Hell's not so badIf you didn't enjoy this place you just weren't drunk enough....I'm talking double figures in watered down pints. Once you're drunk enough the now 25 hits blearing out and the legless old slappers stumbling along to them becomes quite....artistic. Everything becomes more beautiful. When you're drunk enough even the dj constant babbling over the music has almost an (allbeit northern) eminem freestyling feel to it.
Two words of warning:
1. Stay close to your friends. The legless slappers usually hunt in packs and if you become isolated....you're finished. You could end up with one of the devils mignons...and then you'll be in a world of pain. Your friends love you and can be your only form of defence.
2. Don't go there sober. I did once. It caused quite a step change in my view of humanity. For that lesson in life the gallery gets my one star

Caipirinha Jazz Bar

ouce100 — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 15:24:51 +0000

Rating: 3.8

Location: 177 Archway Road, N6 5BL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7287 1269

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

Tags: Brazilian, Jazz,, Staff,, Friendly, Relaxed,

New Brazilian themed barThis place has a nice feel to it. It is completely unpretentious and seems to have a genuine Brazilian feel to it (all the clients conversing in Portuguese and singing along to the Brazilian songs gives it a pretty genuine feel). It is completely new so it seems to be finding its feet in terms of the atmosphere. However the music is good (live bands play), bar staff are nice and the decor is quite eye catching. Well worth a look.

The Dartmouth Arms

ouce100 — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 01:23:42 +0000

Rating: 3.7

Location: 35 York Rise, NW5 1SP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7485 3267

Tags: chilled, old school, dosy

Lots of Copper Great non-pretentious little pub where you can go for a quiet chat or just to watch the footie. Staff are friendly, clientelle are friendly. Good place to go and read the paper on a sunday afternoon.

Favela Chic

ouce100 — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 01:19:21 +0000

Rating: 3.4

Location: 91-93 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HZ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7613 5228

Website: http://www.favelachic.com

Tags: brazilian, trendy

Brazilian CoolIt seems that the success of favella chic has brought in a certain kind of clientelle who maybe just come to pull or just to be seen. Feel that it is slightly pretentious. Now more likely to get agro from the bouncers and get turned away. Usually when you do get in it is too packed and a bit too hot. Still can't get over the oxymoronic name. However the music is good and the ladeez....

Monkey Chews

ouce100 — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 01:17:29 +0000

Rating: 3.4

Location: 2 Queens Cresent, NW5 4EP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7267 6406

Website: http://www.monkeychews.com

Tags: relaxed, friendly

Monkies Great bar with a really relaxed cool atmosphere. Music is very varied but always outstanding. Decour is also very original.

Belgo Noord

ouce100 — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 01:13:18 +0000

Rating: 4.2

Location: 72 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AN, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7267 0718

Website: http://www.belgo-restaurants.com

Tags: good food

Great Steak in Chalk FarmI understand this is a chain but the whole experience at the Camden branch was extremely good. The food was excellent as were the staff. Thoroughly recomendable

Plan B

ouce100 — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 01:11:55 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 418 Brixton Road, SW9 7AY, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7733 0926

Website: http://www.plan-brixton.co.uk

Tags: great music

Got no plans?Plan B has a very good vibe to it. The clientelle are very mixed (as many gangsta wanabes as there are young professionals) all seem to be brought together by great music. Gets very difficult to not dance and with me knees it gets down right dangerous. Don't think I've ever had a bad night at this place.