• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Crystal Palace
• Category: Restaurants

London SE19 1TX
020 8761 1175

ONscotland said
A shot in the arm for Crystal Palace
The Exhibition Rooms is a new venue in Upper Norwood / Crystal Palace, and offers a stylish and comfortable venue for meals, drinks and cocktails.

Bright and airy upstairs, with a fun bar downstairs (including a 'snug' built into the wall) it really works.

I went there recently with friends and had a three course dinner, for £40.00.
This included a lovely started of Gazpacho soup, followed by perfect roast beef with a massive yorkshire pudding and vegetables, and a passion fruit trifle served with melt in the mouth shortbread.

The cocktail list is extensive, and me with my sweet tooth settled on the Black Forest Martini which was delicious.

Service was friendly, and the owner was there too who is, shall we say, a character. Many laughs and cocktails later and we were ready to leave, delighted that Crystal Palace has yet another lovely venue.

• Added: 18th of July 2008
• Area: Balham
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London SW12 9RQ

ONscotland said
The Mark of Good Service
This review is proof that when things go wrong, a good venue will still have a happy customer...

Hooray! Another new coffee shop in Balham... an independent one I hasten to add. Located at the pointy end of Hildreth Street (where it meets Bedford Hill) Le Petit Bistrot is a welcome addition to the area. It's bright and fresh and is all windows, so it was with a sense of discovery that I ventured in for lunch...

1.00PM - We peruse the simple but tempting menu, and order our coffees. Very nice, very frothy. Full English breakfast is offered, and I spied this on other diners tables. It looked gorgeous.

1.10PM - We order food. The wraps look delicious, and they are freshly made (unlike the prepacked ones that Caffe Nero and Starbucks would have us accept as 'fresh'), and a bargain at £3.50 each (with a side salad).

1.25PM - No sign of the food. "It's just coming" we are told by the chirpy waitress.
1.35PM - "We're really busy it is just on it's way. Five minutes".
1.45PM - Still no food. We have to go back to work, and we won't have time to enjoy it. Disappointed, we pay for our coffees as the waitress cancels the order. Unfortunately we can't have it as a packed lunch either as we start back at work in about ten minutes.

As we leave, the manager runs after us. He is carrying two boxes, with our lunch. He is very apologetic, and says that as they had made the food, we were welcome to take it, with their compliments. He was aware that we may not have time to eat it, but that we might be able to enjoy some of it, and again apologises that they let us down. Despite missing lunch, why do I have a warm glow?

We go back to work, and lo and behold, we can find half an hour to literally SCOFF the food down, it is so delicious. Packed with chicken and falafel, these wraps are something else.

I go back to the place, and insist on paying - I want to support independent places, and as the food was so nice, and we did get to enjoy it, it seems only fair. This is entirely due to the attitude of the manager and his staff, who completely turned around what could have been a disappointing lunch. But I got a free muffin :)

I will be back.

• Added: 27th of May 2008
• Area: Falmouth
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Falmouth TR11 3DB

ONscotland said
Great Full English
Just the ticket!

A typical seaside cafe, with friendly staff and just the right thing to get you through the day - a big full English breakfast and a mug of hot tea.

Me and a pal enjoyed this while the rain pelted down outside. And it's the first place where they've actually fried my eggs the way I like them!

I only wish I'd stayed in town to sample the home made lunches.

• Added: 16th of May 2008
• Area: Dulwich
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE27 9QY
020 8761 9016

ONscotland said
Improvement needed
The Mansion has recently changed ownership.

First impressions were good. The previous decor was very bohemian, but this is now replaced with a calmer decor (cream and chocolate) and the place does feel very open. Some of the previous features (such as the chandeliers) have been retained, however, that does have a down side. More later.

If reviews were based on first impressions, the Mansion would be a winner.
What a shame that I have to follow up with actual experience.

The staff are just strange. I mean really strange. I think they were trying to do 'banter' but with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, and it just came across as totally inappropriate. When my friend asked about a particular brand of beer they said 'Oh we don't sell that anymore. It's cheap rubbish'. Then they thought it would be hilarious to call Staropraman 'Strap On Man' which would be fine if it were actually funny, or indeed, if I liked that sort of humour. I hate places that assume a level of familiarity which isn't there.

The food was OK, but nothing spectacular. Horrible chips and the burgers, at almost a tenner each, were not worth it, as they tasted a bit bland, despite the generous size. There were nice touches - the salt and pepper come in delightful little marble pots and the burger garnishes were nice.
My friend tried ordering dessert, and wanted the Rhubarb and Vanilla Crumble (£5.25), they said 'Oh no try the cheesecake it's lovely!'. No, we'd like the Crumble. 'But the cheesecake is to die for'. On the third request they accepted the order.

After finishing the main course, we had to clear the plates ourselves because they'd forgotten, so when he took them to the bar they apologised and said the dessert would be with us in five minutes. After half an hour waiting, we left and went up to the Black Sheep, another pub in Crystal Palace. I doubt I will ever taste their Rhubarb and Vanilla Crumble, because The Mansion is quite out of the way and no longer worth the diversion.

So, the service ranges from inappropriate to intrusive to poor, the food is average, and the decor - well there's just enough of the previous features there to remind you of what a great place the Mansion used to be, and what it has become. (The website now calls the place The Mansion Dulwich, which is tenuous to say the least, but I think that kind of pretension is what the place is all about now). And I miss the bohemian decor.

EDIT: I also note that they charge £75.00 for a bottle of LP Rose Champagne. Interestingly, one of the most expensive bars in London, Claridge's Bar, charges £85.00 for the same. Which one do I think is the best value?

• Added: 29th of April 2008
• Area: Balham
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London SW12 9BW
020 8772 9987

ONscotland said
Lovely
I have to second the previous review - this is a lovely place to have a coffee and a snack, although for me, the school theme is somewhat overplayed, and I'm not keen on the school tables to sit at, but then this is a cafe that is dedicated to families, and it's great that there's a place where children are welcomed with open arms.

That said, everything else is great - the service is friendly, and there's a great variety of items on offer, including muffins, cupcakes and savoury items like sandwiches, quiches, pasta etc, and it all looks home made.

Balham has recently seen the arrival of Starbucks, to add to the Caffe Nero already there. But it's places like this that give an area personality, and when it's as good as Bertie and Boo, there's no reason to seek the 'security' of a ubiquitous brand.

• Added: 28th of April 2008
• Area: Streatham Hill
• Category: Stations and Transport

London SW2 4SA
0845 748 4950

ONscotland said
Steps, and lots of them
Streatham Hill station was the first one to open in Streatham, and still has the original station building, which, as a timber build, is showing signs of age.

It's not a station to use if you use a wheelchair, have lots of luggage or prams, as there are four sets of stairs to navigate to get to the platform.

Train services are frequent Mondays to Saturdays, with four trains per hour Mondays to Saturdays to London Victoria (journey time: 17 minutes), two trains per hour to London Bridge and two trains per hour to West Croydon. Sundays offers two trains to Victoria and two to Sutton via West Croydon. There are also some quirks during peak times and evenings.

Southern who operate the station have started a major refurbishment programme, which will include a new footbridge, the installation of lifts and a better station environment - it can't come quick enough!

• Added: 27th of April 2008
• Area: Norbury
• Category: Restaurants

London SW16 3BZ
020 86791635

ONscotland said
Retro.
The Rookery is possibly London's best kept secret - Lambeth's at least. It's a beautifully well looked after park, jealously guarded by Lambeth Council parks department, and a place that is well worth a visit. But I'm not here to talk about the park...

The Rookery is also home to The Rookery Cafe, which is one of the dying breeds - a little wooden hut that serves as a cafeteria to visitors. It's a greasy spoon where you can sit and watch the world go by, away from the main road and with outdoor seating for when the weathers nice. The tables are basic, the chairs are hard, and it's not fancy, it's not stylish - it's just nice.

The food here is traditional cafe fare - egg and chips, full English breakfast, bacon sandwiches (with as much as brown sauce as you want!) - and those three alone make this place worthwhile. Tea is in plentiful supply, and coffee and hot chocolate is available too. Service is good natured and friendly. The full English breakfast consists of lots of toast, beans, sausage, bacon, egg and tea or coffee, and it costs £3.80. The value! The taste!

A small range of ice creams are also available for those hot summer days, but as well as this they also serve those items that are forgotten in trendier coffee shops - London cheesecake, and scones wrapped in cling film. You know you want one.

• Added: 9th of April 2008
• Area: Crystal Palace
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE19 1TX
020 8670 0654

ONscotland said
Lovely place, food should be better
The Westow House is a recent addition to Crystal Palace / Upper Norwood (formerly the pub was called The Bluebottle), and after a recent refurb is a delightful place to spend some time. If you like chandaliers and drapes. Which I do!

Just don't eat the food - it's not great. Chips tasted like I made them (and I don't mean home-made, just badly made) and service can be a bit hit, miss and apologetic.

But if it's a drink or few you're after, I can think of worse places to go...

• Added: 9th of April 2008
• Area: Soho
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London W1B 5PW
020 7734 9939

ONscotland said
The Wonder of Tea
Camellia Sinensis is the Latin name for the Tea Plant, and as you'd expect, this tea room celebrates tea - and how!

Jars upon jars of blends and infusions line an entire wall, and there are so many to choose from it would take forever to list them here. But looking at all the different kinds is just one of the pleasures of this lovely tea room. Another is the genuinally friendly service, the wholesome food and cakes (!) on offer (Lemon Polenta Cake is addictive!) and it's slightly out of the way location in Kingly Court.

A welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of nearby Carnaby Street, and the perfect antidote to anyone tired of the Costas and Starbucks of this world, please go along to Camellia's and discover tea how it should be!

• Added: 9th of April 2008
• Area: Mayfair
• Category: Food and Drink

London W1J 7QN
020 7495 0302

ONscotland said
Lacks WOW! factor
London changes you. I remember thinking that when I was having a conversation with friends about 'How many glasses of champagne is too much?". This is ME. I never used to drink champagne and here I am pondering when is the polite time to slur 'No thanks' to the offer of a top up. But posh stuff is so in these days. So, it was with a sense of excitement that I ventured into London's first dessert bar last Sunday, with my friend from South Africa. "This place is amazing" I told her confidently, pretending that the glossy PR that I had read was firsthand experience. Getting a little bit lost in Shepherd's Market betrayed my confident exterior, but we eventually found it. At first glance, the shop is a little unassuming. I like that.

Sunday last, if you recall, was when we had snow in London. It was freezing. I was really looking forward to sitting indoors, hands warmed around a mug of hot chocolate while I casually decide which desert to choose first. Meanwhile, jealous passers-by would press their noses against the window while I mouthed 'Shoo!' at them. It wasn't quite like that.

The shop is lovely. It is really rather plain and simple, but very stylish. And cold! So cold! Maybe it's because it had just opened, or maybe it's always like that to keep the desserts cool, but not once did we feel like we wanted to stay any longer than we had to. Maybe that's the plan... It also didn't help that my seat was right next to three glass shelves, so everytime I looked sideways I got a sharp shelf corner in my cheek.

The service ranged from friendly to uninterested (the staff disappeared and we literally could have walked out without paying), but I was disappointed that the Dessert Bar area (where chefs create wonders in front of your eyes) is not manned on Sundays, although a bit of research before would have told me that.

The Aztec Hot Chocolate didn't have nearly enough kick, tasting to me like, erm, Hot Chocolate; the desserts themselves, at £5 - £7 each looked magnificent (see pictures) but were ultimately forgettable and the whole experience left me wondering why I shelled out almost £30.00 when I could have had tea and biccies at a posh hotel nearby. And have a glass of champagne. At least I'd be warm.