• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Brockley
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE4 2DH

MattDonegan said
The Return of the Jack!
Without question, the licensee of this renovated old school Victorian boozer have got it dead right! Updated decor, exceptional staff, good friendly customers, good homely food and lots of events planned. I love well ran pubs and this is now one of my favourites in the area, if not the best pub in London for a traditional British pie and a pint. Check out the local theatre scene next door as well. I LOVE THE BROCKLEY JACK!!!!

• Added: 25th of April 2008
• Area: Brockley
• Category: Restaurants

London SE4 1UJ

MattDonegan said
Tasty and chilled
Another Brockley classic, Toads Mouth serves the dietary needs of the local literati and student types with the minimum of fuss. Check the specials, and definetely get down there for Sunday lunch.

• Added: 25th of April 2008
• Area: Soho
• Category: Restaurants

London W1D 6HT
020 7494 1271

MattDonegan said
Me encanta Cafe Espana!
I have to echo Rocio's comments. This is real Spanish food served by Spanish people.My girlfriend is from Granada, Spain, and knows what she likes. Since we found this place we've been 3 times and enjoued most of the menu. Stick to the typical Spanish tapas rather than the mains and you can't go wrong. Tortilla con chorizo, calamares, gambas a la plancha, are all superb. The staff deserve a special mention because they are so nice-which is so rare in London! Can't wait to go back and have another sopa de pescadito. A meal for two will cost around £20-£25 quid, less if you just want to nibble. Que aproveche!

• Added: 11th of February 2008
• Area: Tottenham Court Road
• Category: Restaurants

London WC2H 8LH
020 7379 3781

MattDonegan said
Great discovery!
great little restaurant very near Tottenham Court Road.

• Added: 9th of November 2007
• Area: Forest Hill
• Category: Restaurants

London SE23 1LN
020 8690 3761

MattDonegan said
Divine Italian in South East London
Located in Brockley Rise near Forest Hill, this is a gem of a discovery, and it's my pleasure to be able to add the first review on Trusted Places for Le Querce. A restaurant experience should be clean and crisp throughout, and Le Querce delivered on all counts. For those who like their food authentic then I can heartily recommend this Italian restaurant. You could tell every ingredient was fresh, right down to the ravioli I had which was so light it almost melted in the mouth. The actual dish was Bufala Ricotta Ravioli with butter and sage. Very tasty. My girlfriend enjoyed a lovely thin crust pizza margerita, and I mean thin crust, before it was on to desserts!Normally, I'm not much of a sweets person, but let's say we enjoyed 3 between us. I chose the Delizia al caffe, the chef's version of the classic Tiramisu. My girlfriend had the ricotta cake Torta di ricotta with a scoop of banana a cardamon handmade ice-cream , and we demolished the Sorrento, a delicious lemon tart made from the best Sorrento lemons. Don't forget to ask to see the ice cream menu, you'll be sure to find a few surprises! All the courses are very reasonably priced in my opinion especially when you consider the quality of the ingredients, and the Michelin starred chef. Other local reviews echo my experience last night, and I’m sure I’ll be returning again soon. Cost for a meal for 2 last night including 2 glasses of excellent Abruzzo red win and 2 coffees a very competitive £40.

• Added: 25th of October 2007
• Area: Brockley
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London SE4 2QZ
020 8694 9128

MattDonegan said
Top of the Road
Moonbow Jakes is my local cafe, serving good coffee, cakes, and various heathily tinged foodstuffs to Brockely's intelligensia. It's always relaxed and a welcoming place to rest and wind away an hour or so. The music varys from ambient to light techno to "ethno-world" beats. If you're in the area, drop in and watch the world go by on Brockley Road.

• Added: 25th of October 2007
• Area: Balham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SW12 8JB
020 8772 0546

MattDonegan said
Decent Boozer
I had the good luck to visit this gigantic Balham watering hole last night to watch my team Liverpool go down to a 2-1 defeat in Istanbul. Great large screens for sports, a wide and spacious bar area, and the usual selection of drinks. They've probably gutted the interior since its heyday, but what you're left with a clean and crisp place to enjoy a few light ales. There's comfy looking sofas for larger groups. I'll be paying this place another visit for sure.

• Added: 15th of October 2007
• Area: Brockley
• Category: Arts and Culture

London SE4 1LE

MattDonegan said
Hilly Fields Forever
Ok not an original title for a post, but Hilly Fields certainly feels like an original place, as does Brockely in general really. It's a great place for a run on a Saturday morning. There's a children's playground at the top of the hill which has gym-like apparatus such as chin up bars and so on-sort of a mini assault course. Add this to a very tranquil feel, tennis courts, and great views over London and you have a lovely location to run off the excesses of a Friday or Saturday night. There's a farmers market every 2nd Saturday, too

• Added: 23rd of July 2007
• Area: Lewisham
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London SE10 8RT
020 8488 6764

MattDonegan said

I visited this delightful cafe bar last Saturday.
They have authentic tasting empanadas, excellent cakes and pastries, and even Quilmes beer! The Buenos Aires coffee is basically squirty cream with a shot of espresso and chocolate and wasn't to my tastes, but the subsequent cappuccino certainly was!