• Added: 13th of January 2008
• Area: Stoke Newington
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London N16 0JL
020 7254 9753

ChrisAdams said
Topper.
Almond croissants are lovely here, and you can cadge wifi from library network.

They take the Wedgecard for a discount(either 5% or 10%), and the service is friendly and attentive.

• Added: 6th of September 2007
• Area: Oxford Circus
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London W1W 8DW

ChrisAdams said
Reynolds - out pret'ing pret
Reynolds is a new sandwich/coffee shop with offerings along a similar line to that of Pret and Eat, but done with a smaller, family touch, and veering even further into foodie territory; think Belu water, BBC's (Bacon, Brie and Chutney) sandwiches and bread from Borough Market, rather than BLTs and Pret Cola.

Other than that, most immediate differentiation to the big two (other than being a small family business) is the emphasis on variety and light portions, for example selling half wraps, single sandwiches, and small, but perfectly formed baps for around the 1.30-1.50 a piece, as well as the more common full size, full price sarnies, wraps, and subs.

The produce is made in a steady stream throughout the day, so selection isn't as wide as Pret outside peak periods, but is likely to be fresher.

A real find, and great you're hungry on Oxford street and want to eat well, and eat ethically.

• Added: 27th of August 2007
• Area: South Tottenham
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London N16 5AG
020 8880 1818

ChrisAdams said
Not really a cafe, more of dingy coffee stall/internet cafe.
I had agreed to meet an acquaintance at Cafe Surf, expecting a coffee shop in the vein of Breakfast Club, or even one of the chains like Caffe Nero, or Starbucks, or possibly one of the many coffeeshops along Tottenham High Road.

What I found was a dirty, badly maintained little internet cafe, with a sideline in sandwiches and baked goods.

We ordered a cup of black tea, and a cappuccino - both were passable, and at least were cheap. Neither of us tried the sandwiches or pastries, but the range on offer was pretty run of the mill, train station fare.

The furniture we sat at was plain dangerous however; nearly all the tables we tried were too wobbly to risk putting hot drinks on, and when we did find a table, that was stable, one of the chair had a leg collapse on us, and another had the seat come off the structure where the legs were attached.

It's cheap, and there is wifi, but I can't recommend going there at all, unless you absolutely HAVE to access the internet, or you want a takeaway beverage.

• Added: 22nd of August 2007
• Area: Barnsbury
• Category: Restaurants

London N1 0PB
020 7359 4436

ChrisAdams said
About as good as hamburgers get before they get silly.
If you liked fast food, but cared about where the ingredients were sourced from, how it tasted and wanted to pay reasonable prices, Hamburger Union would be the ideal place for you.

Chips are crispy and golden on the outside, and fluffy on the inside, tasting like actual potatoes.

The chefs seem to go for quality of over quantity with the beef burgers; the patties are are made from top quality, grilled, free range beef - large enough to be filling, but unlike other upmarket burger joints, not so big that they weigh you down after the meal.

The buns are sturdy, but tasty portuguese numbers that don't fall apart when you eat them, and they are used in a number of non beef or vegetable options, like halloumi or mushroom burgers, or sliced chorizo variants of your typical hamburger.

The milkshakes and malts rock bells.

Clientele seem to be range from young adults upwards, and the atmosphere is informal and friendly.

There's a summer deal on at the mo, with chips and and a standard burger for 5.00GBP

In my humble opinion, the best option among the competing premium burger joints spreading across the nation.

• Added: 14th of August 2007
• Area: Hackney
• Category: Restaurants

London E2 8DY
020 7613 3222

ChrisAdams said
Cheap, tasty, authentic. Recommended.
Was introduced to this restaurant by a friend who spends a fair amount of time hunting for places to eat in East London, and I am in his debt.

We came on a Sunday at lunchtime, when is was packed, but were lucky to get a table right away.

You can tell right away that the money is spent on the food, not the decor in the place - portions were mammoth, and the food was really fresh, and bursting with flavour.

There are over 180 different dishes on the menu, with some a range of Vietnamese 'Pho' noodle soup variants.

Service is friendly, if slightly forgetful, but for but when three of us ate like kings for less than 40 quid, that can be forgiven.

• Added: 11th of August 2007
• Area: Covent Garden
• Category: Restaurants

London WC2H 9JA
020 7379 7728

ChrisAdams said

If you're a fan of Mexican food, then you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't try this place out.
Large portions of excellent, authentic tasting mexican food at reasonable prices, and really great (and strong) cocktails.
My favourite restaurant in London, period.
If you have any space after your main meal, you could to a lot worse than to try out the Cafe Pacifico on the desert menu.

• Added: 10th of August 2007
• Area: Soho
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London W1F 8EU
020 7434 2571

ChrisAdams said

Decor made of warm hues and rustic kitch, combined with a friendly atmosphere and attentive staff make for a really pleasing lunch time coffee.
2.10 for a Cappuccino, and 1.50 for a generously proportioned blueberry muffin. Free Wifi.
Jubbly!