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Beach Blanket Babylon - review by Browners

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 11:22:04 +0000

Beach Blanket Babylon - review by Browners

Rating: 3.4

Location: 45 Ledbury Road, W11 2AA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7229 2907

Beach Blanket Babylon is one of London's trendiest bars and has a buzzing restaurant. It is beloved by the Notting Hill set and typifices the idea of style over substance. Which is why we went there in the first place!

Your senses are blown away by the over the top decorations - it couldn't be more rococo if it tried.

No matter how trendy or posh you think your restaurant is... there are some basic catering rules that you can't break. Such as don't swear at the customers. Don't serve unhygenic food. Make sure there aren't any mouse-traps on show... etc. Common sense basically.

3 plates of perfectly good sushi arrived at our table along with some sets of chopsticks. The light wasn't great... but it was bright enough to detect a luminous green glow. On closer inspection we realised that the chopsticks were covered in a furry green mould. Gross! The elegant waitress simply took them back and didn't even consider apologising for it!

Our next course was very tasty... but sadly undermined by such a major lapse.

Coffee, Cake & Kink - review by messydesk

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:16:01 +0000

Coffee, Cake & Kink - review by messydesk

Rating: 3.3

Location: 61 Endell Street, WC2H 9AJ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7419 2996

Website: http://www.coffeecakeandkink.com

Tags: lively, amazing brew, crowded

This odd little place near the Tottenham court Road end of Covent Garden had not yet closed down, despite the notice on the info part of this page. Apparently, (eavesdropping ago-go) their lease won't be continued after the current one lapses but the landlord doesn't seem in too much of a hurry to boot them out. Anyway Coffee, Cake and Kink is a fetish and S/M styled coffee shop, the upstairs has lots of books and other sex positive paraphernalia lining the walls with a few tables and chairs dotted here and there, it's really quite pleasant and has a good, relaxed vibe. The majority of the seating however is downstairs, which is a bit of a different story. You have to negotiate the most difficult and dangerous set of stairs I've ever come across, so much so that the staff won't let you carry your own food down with you. They've done their level best to make it bareable in the low-ceilinged, windowless basement but to my taste they've not succeeded. Apart from two sofas the seating is very uncomfortable and every table or footstool area is too close to the next, couple that with the claustrophobic, natural light free feel of the room and it becomes just too oppressive. They have different erotic art exhibitions decorating the walls but both of the times I've visited the quality has been extremely low favouring cheesy, fantasy-esque and entirely predictable styles when they could have gone in a more interesting path.
The coffee is really, really good in large cups but the cake is bad, dry and overpriced. The chocolate fondue is a great idea but in reality tastes of wax to the extent that it's inedible. It's a fun place to go, but avoid the food and stay upstairs.

Edinboro Castle - review by ben1982

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:15:32 +0000

Edinboro Castle - review by ben1982

Rating: 3.5

Location: 57 Mornington Terrace, NW1 7RU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7255 9651

A huge terrace, stylish wallpapered interior, great selection of beers and a barbecue throughout the summer are all reasons to pay a visit to this pub. But be ready for some of London's slowest moving bar staff. The sheer volume of people justifiably found here on any sunny evening coupled with a small(ish) bar mean it takes an age to get served, but this is the only problem with what is otherwise a great great pub.

Lamb & Flag - review by Navajo_Pete

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:28:21 +0000

Lamb & Flag - review by Navajo_Pete

Rating: 3.6

Location: 33 Rose Street, WC2E 9EB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7497 9504

Tags: traditional pub

Slightly hidden away, between Leicester Square and Covent Garden, but soon detected on a pleasant evening (by the huge crowds standing around outside). This is a nice, old pub - one of the many 'oldest pub in London' pubs and visibly antiquated. Inside, the pub has a cosy atmosphere, with lots of ancient timber beams and panelling, and a fire at the back. Regardless of it being old and 'listed', the owners have ripped part of the traditional shopfront out and replaced it with an opening and folding window.

The first floor bar tends to be a bit quieter, as most people seem to prefer to stand outside (and be seen!). The bar menu is basic and largely cooked on site. The beer is variable, although a range of decent bitters (in reasonable condition) are usually available. The owners have introduced some crowd control, in order to keep the passageway to Floral Street open, but large groups of punters pay little regard.

Nice, little pub that tends to be a bit overrated. Its success as a tourist honey trap is hampered by its extremely busy and slightly unfriendly atmosphere. I wouldn't go here for the quality of the beer, but great for people watching!

Beach Blanket Babylon - review by pindulgence

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:34:27 +0000

Beach Blanket Babylon - review by pindulgence

Rating: 3.4

Location: 45 Ledbury Road, W11 2AA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7229 2907

Tags: expensive, international, pretentious, crowded

I really wanted to love the Beach Blanket Babylon, it has a reputation for the decor which is most definately deserved. However once you get past the spectaular decor, you are left with a bar and restuarant which loves itself so much it literally has its head where the sun doesn't shine. When we first arrived it was packed. It took ages to served by an obnoxious and quite literally rude member of staff. We were seated for our meal by an equally obnoxious and rule waiter who unfortunately continued to get rude throughout the evening. To top it off, we were forced to pay the service charge for that rudeness. You will NOT be allowed to get away without paying the automatically added charge. An utter disgrace.

Brick Lane Beigel Bake - review by foodbymark

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:32:35 +0000

Brick Lane Beigel Bake - review by foodbymark

Rating: 4.6

Location: 159 Brick Lane, E1 6SB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7729 0826

Tags: delicatessen, jewish history

Little remains of Brick Lane's Jewish past except for the famous two remaining bagel shops that neighbour each other at the end of the street. 24 hours a day you can satisfy your hunger with bagels filled with of mounds of soft delicious salt beef or smoked salmon and cream cheese, and again, 24 hours a day!

Late night drinking at Shoreditch house can often lead to a stumble to the busy bakery and waking up at home with 20 bagels and a shirt covered in English mustard (Have you ever tried to pay a cabbie in bagels... I am told I have more than once). The salt beef here is good, but certainly not the best in London. The Brass Rail Salt Beef Bar at Selfridges ranks highly as does B&K in Edgware. Harry Morgans chain not nearly as good as either but still quality. The staff are typically East London and I love it.

As far as a comparison between the two bakeries, I am a Beigel Bake man.

La Fromagerie - review by Niamheen

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:56:18 +0000

La Fromagerie - review by Niamheen

Rating: 4.8

Location: 2-4 Moxon Street, W1U 4EW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7935 0341

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

La Fromagerie is a fantastic cheese shop with a cheese room and lots of other bits and pieces - seasonal veg, great meats, chocolate, cakes, honey - all presented beautifully. Itâ¬"s one of the few places in London that sells buffalo ricotta, which for a lactose intolerant like me, is a real treat.

You can eat there too around an enormous rustic table or in the new extension to the side. There are big bowls of salads, platters of cheese, salamis and meats, a wide choice of wines & juices. It's lovely.

I tease myself by receiving their mailing list of Slow Food and other events. The last time I went, I went to purchase not to eat. I was looking for some Bayonne ham but they didnâ¬"t have any, so I was advised to try the Granada ham, which was good at that time of year. They gave me a little taste and it was all I could do to stop myself grabbing the leg and running with it, so I got 12 slices and tried to stop myself pulling it off the slicer as it was sliced. Whilst waiting and reviewing the other meats I decided that I would try some pata negra chorizo also. I wasnâ¬"t disappointed.

La Fromagerie is one of those special places full of treats and indulgences. It's not an everyday place, but for those days that aren't everyday, it's really special.

National Portrait Gallery - review by PinkPink

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:31:29 +0000

National Portrait Gallery - review by PinkPink

Rating: 4.3

Location: St Martin's Place, WC2H 0HE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7306 0055

Website: http://www.npg.org.uk

I really, really loved this gallery. It is pretty easy to find and inside houses many, many magnificent paintings. You can find paintings of contemporary celebrities such as Judi Dench and JK Rowling. The entry fee is free and there is so much to see that it is worth the travel money to get there. Apart from paintings, they also have areas of the gallery devoted to stunning photographs.

Last time I went, there was a Vanity Fair Exhibition, I did want to see this, as it had been quite publicised and the photographs looked beautiful, but the entry fee was over Â£8!

Canteen - review by paul1979

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:23:00 +0000

Canteen - review by paul1979

Rating: 3.3

Location: 2 Crispin Place, E1 6DW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 0845 686 1122

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

Love this place. Have the devilled kidneys everytime i go and they are amazing!! They also do nice salads (warm beetroot and goats cheese) and lovely pies and bakes. Fresh and delicous. Yum

Balans - review by emmanx

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:06:39 +0000

Balans - review by emmanx

Rating: 3.9

Location: 34 Old Compton Street, W1D 4TR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7439 3309

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

Tags: lively, international, crowded

I used to live just around the corner from Balans and for a year or so it was my local. The staff is friendly and personable but I noticed an inconsistency with food quality on few occasions.

My favourite dish, the veggie club, went from loaded with roast vegetables, goat cheese and a side of fresh chips to a mush of hardly toasted bread, some half-grilled pepers and stale crisps.

Nonetheless, the kitchen is practically open 24/7, it's fully licenced and some of the other dishes are quite nice, especially after a few pints of vodka.

La Fromagerie - review by joslyoung

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:49:55 +0000

La Fromagerie - review by joslyoung

Rating: 4.8

Location: 2-4 Moxon Street, W1U 4EW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7935 0341

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

It really is one of the best. While I still use Neil's Yard when I'm in the West End (I just find the staff there really friendly and helpful), the north London shop is ace and I use it frequently. Like all proper cheese shops, it's not cheap, but the range is fantastic, and the enthusiasm is faultless. You can't call yourself a cheese lover and not shop here, even if it's just the once.

Ping Pong Dim Sum - review by misstravelbug

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:55:23 +0000

Ping Pong Dim Sum - review by misstravelbug

Rating: 3.3

Location: 45 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7JL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7851 6969

Website: http://www.pingpongdimsum.com

Tags: lively, chinese

So it's not the most authentic chinese dim sum restaurant it's more asian fusion and caters to western tastes. The decor is always cool and the service is great. The dim sums are fairly hit and miss...a bit overpriced for what you get. The jasmin tea with the opening flowers is pretty cool. It's a classier joint that your typical chinatown dim sum restaurant.

National Portrait Gallery - review by Artemidor

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:29:42 +0000

National Portrait Gallery - review by Artemidor

Rating: 4.3

Location: St Martin's Place, WC2H 0HE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7306 0055

Website: http://www.npg.org.uk

Tags: paintings, photographic exhibition

Compulsory visit if you are visiting London. The Museum is free, so it is great if you are squint at the end of the month. You can begin by visiting the permanent collection, which includes some great portraits since 15th century onwards. Do not miss the twin sisters with their daughters (both of them born on the same day), 15th century. Afterwards, you can navigate from great 19th century portraiture to contemporary artists, such as Bacon. I love the photography section, with great pictures of the Beatles, very natural style.
They are now hosting the BP Portrait Award, a great way to see what contemporary art is doing right now in terms of respresenting people.

Their cafÃ© offers good quality coffee and hot chocolate. Wine as well.

Brick Lane Beigel Bake - review by Artemidor

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:31:32 +0000

Brick Lane Beigel Bake - review by Artemidor

Rating: 4.6

Location: 159 Brick Lane, E1 6SB, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7729 0826

Tags: bargain

I love beigels. And this bakery is everything waiting for. The queues can be huge, especially at night. It is full of taxi drivers and late clubbers. But the foodâ¬¦ ah, the salted beef beigel is my best snack in London. The beef is absolutely tasty (not something that you can find elsewhere).

I would like to add that they also sell cakes. I tried a chocolate fudge cake and it almost melted in my hand. It was absolutely lovely. I think I saw some Jewish cakes (or similar), but I had no more cash at hand! So, my advice: go for a salted beef beigel and a cake.

Beach Blanket Babylon - review by WB1

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:37:57 +0000

Beach Blanket Babylon - review by WB1

Rating: 3.4

Location: 45 Ledbury Road, W11 2AA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7229 2907

Tags: expensive, pretentious

I had heard great things about this venue and went to the bar on a Saturday night with some friends for a treat. We were disappointed to say the least! The decor was as spectacular as I had been led to believe with chandeliers, nook and crannies, cabinets with jewels, ornate tables and chairs etc and really has to be seen to be believed. Unfortunately that was as good as it got. The bar was packed and it took an age to get served. When we eventually did get to the bar we almost wished we hadn't - the prices are astronomical. The crowd around the bar were snooty, pretentious and often downright rude. The staff seemed rather harassed (unsurprising) but were pleasent enough. Having got our drinks we squeezed ourselves into a little nook between two tables (I think you would have to get there very early to find somewhere to sit) and spent an unpleasant couple of hours being jostled by the crowds. I will not be going back. I have not visited the restaurant so cannot comment on that area.