• Added: 3rd of October 2008
• Area: Bloomsbury
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London WC1N 3AR
020 7837 5627

AlexWoods said
A new entry in the Top 5! Best ploughman's in town
I wrote this review, below, some time ago after quite a long, boozey lunch in the Queen's Larder (is that a euphemism?) and decided that it was probably drunken nonsense and best not to post it. Having reread it, and revisited the pub many times I've decided to post it! There is not a word of a lie, not a single exaggeration in that review. One of the best pubs in London!

"I don’t know how often you go to a restaurant or pub, or meet a new friend that you just love SO much that you want to tell everyone you know about it. But what then?! All of a sudden everyone knows about your new favourite place, everyone wants to hang out there, it gets busy, the place tarnishes, it’s no longer special, and beautiful and ALL YOUR VERY OWN! So, Phil and I don’t really talk to each other any more….

On a less creepy note, The Queens Larder is much like my former-friend Phil. Quite simply, it’s perfect. Tucked away off Southampton Row, Queen’s Square is like the Secret Garden, just with out any locked doors or creepy Franciscine boys conversing with robins – a little haven of peace and tranquillity, flowers and trees, complete with market squarette and the wrought iron gated Queen’s Square Gardens. Seriously, if Peter Pan had been a little less ambitious he could well have ended up by here instead. And, by Zeus’s beard! Is that a Green King boozer I spy?!

Now, you may have realised from the timbre of my musings that I have just been enjoying a rather lengthy and boozy lunch there. As a consequence I am in much trouble at work (despite a LARGE box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts to apologise for my late return and the delicate bouquet of ale and pickled onions I brought along) but I would gladly suffer the indignity all over again for the pleasure of sitting outside this charming old town boozer, in the sunshine, with the best Ploughman’s I have had in a long time, a good pint or two of Green King’s finest, and a facefull of sunshine.

On to some less abstract information – to drink. There is the standard selection of lagers, cider, etc plus a couple of Belgium “poncy” beers. Most important, there are three Green King cask beers (both the IPA and Sunchaser are top drawer) and a wine list which no pub should be ashamed to have (though I can see the wine bar brigade’s heckles bristling slightly…)

The food menu is to die for! I know this is a subject on which I have moaned before but there are so few pubs where you can go these days and have a proper pub lunch. I’m talking Ploughman’s, a proper Club Sandwich, pie and mash, a huge array of sandwiches which revolve largely around cheese and/or cold meats. Having seen a laden plate making it’s way to a neighbouring table my friends and I all went for a Ploughman’s, though for sake of variety we ordered one of each – ham, stilton, cheddar & brie. I also ordered a bowl of chips.

Although it wasn’t the most rapid service in the world, I don’t mind! There were plenty of other diners, and the food was evidently carefully prepared and beautifully presented. I’m impressed at their ability to get so much food onto one plate with out it looking like… well, a pile of food! The ham, home cooked, cut thick as y’tongue, delicious, juicy and flavoursome. The cheese was served in huge, door wedge chucks, mature, at the right temperature, just as it should be! All this was accompanied by pickled onions, pickled gherkins, a hard boiled egg, a generous helping of salad, discretely dressed, creamy soft butter, sweet pickle, a hot apple pie (move over sliced-of-Brabourne! You’re old news) and 4 generous slices of fresh, crusty bread. I don’t think that any one touched the chips. There was just no need.

• Added: 3rd of October 2008
• Area: Bankside
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE1 2PF

AlexWoods said
A cosy cavern!
Part of Davy's Tooley Street Empire, the Mug House is a charming and "characterful" little pub. But, much the same character as any other Davy's bar you've ever been in!
There is quite an emphasis on wine here, with an impressive, if over priced list.

Davy's Bitter and Old Wallop are kept reasonably well (if you wonder why it's called Old Wallop go have half a dozen pints and you'll understand. A session beer it ain't!) They also do their own lager which is surprisingly good, and that's coming from a chap who just don't do lager.

Good lunch menu though it is expensive and you don't get much for your money.

I like the place, but if you've been anywhere else, be it the Cooperage, Skinkers, Shampagne Sharlie's (or Champagne Charlie's. You can have it one way or t'other. That goes for you too Sean Bean. Or Shorn Born. Make y'damn mind up! Incidentally, I strongly advise you to go to one or all of the above. See review on Skinkers, to follow) then you're not going to have an especially new experience.

So. Do go for the quirky atmosphere (beer from a pewter tankard keeps much better! Note that lager boys. If you want to keep your tasteless p*ss fizzy so you can merrily burp your way home on the night bus, invest in a pewter pot.)
Don't go if you want a: a cheap night out or b: to drink y'main stream Fosters and John Smiths and other such grot - here it's Davy's way or the high way.
Davy's do what they do, and they do it well. You are guaranteed a unique experience. In any one of Davy's 9 identical bars.

• Added: 3rd of October 2008
• Area: Covent Garden
• Category: Restaurants

London WC2E 8JS
020 7240 2939

AlexWoods said
Pre-theatre dinner perfection
When ever I go to the theatre, opera, comedy store, anything in the West End really and need a quick and quality bite to eat I also dine at Palm Court.

It's a charming, well presented brasserie, always busy but presumably quite a high churn rate as I have never had to wait more than a few minutes for a table.

I have only ever eaten from the theatre menu. It's very straight forward. A pretty generic chicken with sauce/fish with sauce/vegetarian are you options for the main course but in my experience it has always been delicious and very well cooked. At least twice I have had chicken breast with tarragon sauce, which has now become a staple of my home cooking quick meals! I also recall a salmon in dill sauce which was just delicious.

They've really got it right as well. The food is always great, it is always served promptly and, most especially, they always get the portion size right! I have never come out of there feeling hungry, yet never too full either.

My one criticism is that the wine list is... off par. It would be nice also to see a little more available by the glass, to play further to their pre-theatre menu bag. a bottle pre-show between 2 or 3 is a touch OTT and the house wine sadly really isn't up to much.

I intend at some point to have a proper meal there as it is always busy, people speak very highly of it and it is a very cosy and romantic place.

To their credit, I once popped in with a friend before going to see Mousetrap (it was the... well, if you don't already know I'd hate to spoil it). We were running a little late so the conversation ran along the lines of;
"Can be in and out inside 40 minutes"
"Of course sir. Please, take a seat. Would you like drinks?"
"Dry white and a stiff gin please."
The waiter reappeared almost immediately with the drinks, took our order, starters hit the table inside 5 minutes, as soon as they were gone our main course arrived (I enjoyed a delicious and tender minute steak and frittes. They do a really good minute steak!), the waiter asked if we intended to order dessert, which we didn't but asked for a pair of coffees. They were served, with the bill, the moment our plates were cleared and we were done. Out the door inside 40 minutes, well fed, well watered and with enough change for interval drinks. The waiter even flagged down a rickshaw for us.

Not my preferred way to dine, but if you want an express dinner, and we did, I challenge you to find a better place!

• Added: 1st of October 2008
• Area: Holborn
• Category: Restaurants

London WC1A 2QD
020 7405 6658

AlexWoods said
Re: Genuine, delicious Italian cuisine
I cannot rate this place highly enough. I shall leave a more comprehensive review when I have the time but for now suffice it to say that this is the best Italian eatery I have been to. Quality fare, simply cooked. Hugely generous servings, reasonably priced, charming staff, and just excellent, excellent delious fresh food.

• Added: 1st of October 2008
• Area: Farringdon
• Category: Restaurants

London EC1M 4AA
020 7253 8786

AlexWoods said
Re: Mixed bag!
I don't really know if this place has disappointed me or not.

It was Friday night so it was busy. Very busy and very noisy, to the point where holding conversation with any one other than your direct neighbour was quite impossible.
Despite having booked, the table we were seated at was far too small and for every person who walked past behind me I received a knock, bash, or drag from their posterior - quite disconcerting. The staff, who I am assured are usually very charming and knowledgeable, were on the whole bloody rude, impatient and elusive. All this on top of the fact that I was tired, day-dreaming of a nice pint all day, and consequently extremely grumpy, has probably marred my experience.

The wine list is truly impressive, with a huge selection served by the glass. What's more, they appear to be reasonably priced. If you’re looking for something other than wine though, you are REALLY in the wrong place.
The menu impressed me very much (and that's not an easy thing to do). I don't like a menu that is too extensive. Restaurateurs often mistake quantity for variety. A well balanced and varied menu need only boast half a dozen choices at each course, max. And at Vinoteca the menu is varied, well balanced, interesting, and concise! Even the vegetarian in our party was happy (though, frankly…well. Best not start on fussy eaters here.)
I started with a very delicious five-spice rabbit and pork rillette. The fat was a little loose which made for a slightly greasy texture but the flavours were very well balanced – just enough spice to enhance but not over power the meat, sufficiently “gamey”, and served with an raw “military” chutney which was as colourful on the plate as on the palate. (What a damn good line! I shall copy write that.) Fellow diners very much enjoyed a fragrant mushroom soup, a sumptuous looking mackerel fillet, and a very smart looking goats cheese and beetroot salad with, predictably enough, a balsamic vinegar dressing.
(Is anyone else getting bored with goats cheese, beetroot and balsamic vinegar salads? I like it but please can we have something new now?)

My main course was roast partridge with a mushroom and pearl barley… pile and a date sauce. Frankly this was disappointing. The bird was over cooked, dry, and not as flavoursome as one could reasonably expect and by the time it got to my table it was lukewarm at best. An achievement in itself as the service area was, literally, an arms length away. The date sauce was far, far too sweet and rather grainy.
With a handful of game chips and maybe a nice crispy slice of bacon it could have made a meal but as it was I found it rather Spartan. Also, expensive! Fortunately this was a work jolly, but had it been my own hard earned cash I would have been most unhappy.

Another gripe I have about the place is the clientele. A more pretentious and obnoxious bunch of wide boys, snobs and posers I have yet to come across. I suppose this is somewhat to be expected given the location, and it certainly doesn’t appear to be the demographic the place is aimed at. I suppose a door policy isn’t really on. (“I’m sorry sir, but you appear to be a terrible w*nker. Please move along, there’s a good chap.”)

I am going to go again and give it another shot but I feel that it probably will be a far more enjoyable experience on a Thursday night for a glass of wine and some nibbles. May be my over all impression is that it should either be a restaurant OR a wine bar. It has wonderful elements of both but just doesn’t really work for me as a package deal.

I SAID IT DOESN’T REALLY… Oh, forget it.

• Added: 14th of August 2008
• Area: Bloomsbury
• Category: Take Aways

London WC1A 2QH
020 7405 8605

AlexWoods said
Charming, friendly, top quality!
I love this place! A charming little sandwich shop/cafe. They have a wide range of sandwich fillings, "styles" (old school, baguette, bap, etc), and salads, all of which are home made/prepared and, in my experience, all are delicious! They do a daily chicken special, (organic and halal no less!) - they seem to alternate between a pesto, Italian tomato style thing, tikka with the occasional Very Special thrown in (I am, while writing this, enjoying a delicious Thai Chicken salad!)
If, like me, you are the kind of nosey bugger who likes to swap recipes, you will find these guys happy to tell you their recipes, offer hints and tips, and by Jupiter do they make a good sandwich! Any sandwich that has to be handed over with a handful of napkins, a fork and a warning to tackle it once sat down scores highly in my book!
Essentially, this is a great place to go for a filling and delicious lunch, but the thing that really stands out for me is the staff - they are all so very charming and friendly, the guys behind the counter are genuinely interested and knowledgeable about food and I always leave the joint with the impression that it really matters to them that I enjoy my food! Which I always do.
At the end of September I’m moving offices and I think it might break my heart. Although I seriously think that the 40minute round trip to get my lunch from here would be worth it.
Top tip: Take extra napkins, maybe even a bib. Once purchased, take your lunch over the road to Bloomsbury Square Gardens. On a nice sunny day I can think of few nicer ways to spend my lunch break. There’s also entertainment potential in watching misguided tourists trying to find the British Museum.

• Added: 24th of January 2008
• Area: Bankside
• Category: Restaurants

London SE1 9AL
020 7407 3803

AlexWoods said
I cannot discourage you enough
I am so opposed to this restaurant that I run the risk of ranting, for which I apologise.

It is in a marvelous location, it looks very stylish (if somewhat reminiscent of a fish bowl), fresh and as though you should get a great meal.

I like the idea of being to chose from a wide range of fish and request how you would like it cooked. However, please, you can't just slap garlic butter or salsa on everything you chuck out of the kitchen and expect it to taste good. It really smacks of a lack of imagination! I am ALL in favour of fish being prepared and cooked simply; good fish well cooked requires so little.
And so we come to out next problem.
I don't know what the poor sea bass I ordered on my first (and why not my last?!) visit had done to but by God did Chef have his revenge! Overcooked, flavourless, tough, insipid and a curious shade of grey that quite took me back. But that's fine. Chuck enough greasy garlic butter on it and it tastes of... well greasy garlic butter.
My friend's tuna steak ("Medium rare please") looked as though it had been scrapped out of a tin and apparently tasted little better. The fresh salad we had with it was far from fresh and drowned (presumably by the same guy who "does" the garlic butter) in a pretty uninspiring dressing.

The wine list was uninviting (before you even looked at the prices) and please, do NOT try and offer advice to diners about what wine to drink unless you have a clue yourself! At least let us make our own mistakes! Which is a sure thing with a list like that.

I have so far resisted the temptation to rage about the portion size. Are you ready?
ARGH!!! How can you make a fillet of sea bass that small?!?! I swear I have had anchovy fillets that are larger than the smear of grey leather tossed onto my plate! And to charge THAT much for it?! How dare you!

So. Do yourself a favour, save yourself some money and just don’t bother.

Summary: Expensive fish abuse

• Added: 24th of January 2008
• Area: Balham
• Category: Restaurants

London SW12 9RT
020 8675 7604

AlexWoods said
Fine experience!
I love this place!
Cosy, friendly, it looks and smells exotic and exciting.
The menu is interesting and varied, even for a vegetarian (not me I hasten to add, but the person I went with!)
Having little experience of Moroccan food, I relied on the advice of our waitress who proved to be knowledgeable, charming and very happy to offer her advice (probably used to morons like me, bless her.)
The meze was an excellent way to start. Gives you a little taste of a lot! In truth I could have eaten that all evening!
I had a lamb tagine with almonds and prunes and my partner a stuffed pepper. Both dishes were fragrant, generous and delicious and well complimented by the (presumably) fresh baked flat breads.
Neither of us could face desert, though had we been a little earlier we would have happily spent a couple of hours outside with shisha and tea before tackling the desert menu (or just more of the meze dishes!)
My one criticism of the place is that the service was a little leisurely. Or maybe "unobservant" is a better way of putting it.
Top tips: nip into Threshers, next door, and pick up a couple of bottles of something red and Spanish on your way; start with as many meze dishes as you reckon you can force down (bearing in mind your main course will feed you well!)

• Added: 24th of January 2008
• Area: Balham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SW12 9HD
020 8682 8959

AlexWoods said
I just don't get it.....
And I sincerely apologise for it! The Bedford has achieved cult status and I am genuinely impressed by the sheer variety of activities that go on there.

But as a place to go for a drink?

The Bedford is invariably packed. You wait for hours to get to the bar and to get served (which is understandable. It's a big bar and there are loads of people. Were it not for the army of shoddy, surly bar staff) only to find there is no beer on (or worse, it's foul). On one terrible, terrible night I got to the bar to discover they had nothing but fosters on. I wept salt tears. And went elsewhere.

It also boasts, in my experience, a heavy gender imbalance and every one is invariably absolutely rat-arsed.

There is a bar round the back which I've ventured into on occasion. Much more of a proper drinkers bar. You don't go in there to be frivolous, you go to sit and drink. Seriously. And maybe play darts. And I like that. But again, the absence of anything half decent to drink and, more especially round this side, anyone to serve you said drink makes it a wasted exercise.

I really want to like The Bedford. Independent, great variety of activities, great proper pub feel to it in terms of décor, no brewery or chain has managed to get their insipid branding mitts on it yet, has the facilities to serve 4 ales, the menu looks good, it just should be a brilliant, brilliant place to go but it isn't.
I keep giving it a chance and I keep getting disappointed.
I'm sorry, but I really just don't get it.

• Added: 30th of August 2007
• Area: Bankside
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE1 1XU
020 7378 9999

AlexWoods said

Smart, chic, trendy, a better example of what a Slug and Lettuce can be. I've always found it clean, nice atmosphere, nice staff, efficient and friendly table service, food is always good. It IS a S&G and quite obviously so but a fine example. I would rate it higher but I'm just not a fan of that kind of bar.