• Added: 26th of November 2008
• Area: Queen's Park
• Category: Take Aways

London NW6 7HY
020 7328 6646

London_Grrl said
Tasty Thai at recession-busting prices
Spicy Basil, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...your authentic tasting thai food...your home delivery service...your smiling if a little disorganised staff...the loving way in which you prepare the food in front of me to order...the crunch that your vegetables always have..and most of all...leaving you for the 20th time with my king prawn green curry and steamed rice and an actual 20p left out of a fiver...for all that, I can forgive your long saturday queues and seating area lit like a school canteen...for freshly cooked comfort food under a fiver, Spicy Basil, I can forgive you anything.

• Added: 26th of November 2008
• Area: Hammersmith
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London W12 8HH
020 8576 6921

London_Grrl said
Just the right side of tarted up
The Goldhawk gets me all misty-eyed with memories of childhood as this was my local growing up. And very different it was too. In keeping with the general theme of Shepherds Bush pubs back in the day, there was always a slightly dodgy element to the clientele but alas, all those characters have been swept away/arrested to make way for a trendy(ish) gastropub. Good, if pricey, food and a fine selection of niche lagers, ciders and stouts along with the big leather sofas from the pub's previous incarnation will make you wish this was your local too. The quiz on a Sunday evening is well worth a go as well, if you're the competitive type.

• Added: 26th of November 2008
• Area: Queen's Park
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London NW6 6NH
020 7624 8925

London_Grrl said
Slap up brekkie pronto
With Jack's, what you see is what you get - it may be small, the staff may veer between smiling helpfulness and surly indifference but it's bright, bustling and most importantly, serves very resonably priced and tasty breakfasts all day every day. The only thing to worry your poor hungover brain on a Sunday morning/afternoon is which to go for? All the classics are present (and huge) but there's a wide variety of more unusual choices - the corned beef hash and fried egg, eggs florentine and Yankee breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs and maple syrup are all worth a try. The only downside of all this culinary goodness being available for £5-7 with unlimited tea/coffee thrown in is that it gets understandable busy at the weekends: Kilburn's locals know a good thing when they see/eat one.

• Added: 12th of September 2008
• Area: Kilburn
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London NW6 2BY
020 7624 1520

London_Grrl said
A stunning, cosy local
The first thing you notice when you get inside the Black Lion is the amazing interior. The Grade II listed gold embossed ceiling, brass hangings and working fireplace combine to give a unique and welcoming interior perfect for a wintry Sunday drink. The food's damn fine too if a little expensive but they're slightly let down by the beer selection, which includes Amstel and Hoegaarden but little else of interest. Locals keep this historic pub quietly buzzing and an electic soundtrack which tends towards Britpop and indie makes this a truly accessible local.

• Added: 12th of September 2008
• Area: Kilburn
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London NW6 5UA
020 7625 7500

London_Grrl said
Late night high jinks - and pool!
The Westbury is tucked down at the end of Kilburn High Road; a world away from Kilburn's traditional Irish boozers with its chandeliers, self-consciously eclectic decor and European beers along with some seriously tasty grub. And Kilburn's recent influx of young professionals and trendy types love it! The 3am weekend licence is a definite draw, along with the sterling musical lineup which tends to be heavy on the electro, hiphop and old skool sounds and regularly features heavyweights such as A-Skillz, Plump DJs and Stanton Warriors. Not suprisingly, it gets pretty packed and drinks can be a tad on the pricey side for the area (watch out for the pistachios at an eyewatering £4!) but the Westbury packs enough punch to merit a visit even if you're not a local.

• Added: 12th of September 2008
• Area: Shepherds Bush
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London W12 8AA
020 8743 3010

London_Grrl said
Decent if busy local
The Defector's Weld pub opened a couple of years ago bringing a much needed late night respectable boozer to Shepherds Bush. The higgledy piggledy layout, with booths, hidden corners and a occasionally open upstairs, caters as well for first dates as it does big groups. There's also a smoking area at the back. With a lack of similar venues in the area, it gets pretty packed most nights and heaving at the weekends. An ongoing promotion on cocktails (buy one get another for £1) and a good selection of beers make it worth a visit, if you want to drink til late without leaving West London.