• Added: 14th of September 2008
• Area: Barnsbury
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London N1 1DF
020 7607 3303

RobD said
My favourite pub
I had the fortune to have this as my local (to work) pub for over five years - and it became my trusted friend; for lunch time eats, after-work sloshing, leaving do's, quiet / chilled drinks - the lot. Tucked away in the backstreets of Islington / Cally Road it has become a favoured haunt of the odd celeb too (Mighty Boosh, Frank Skinner - and I tell no lies I have bumped into Kate Moss in there and Johnny Borrell took Kirsten Dunst in one time)- probably because it is an honest-to-goodness real pub. No pretence, proper beer - and none of this gastro bar nonsence. With all manner of bizarre antiques and oddities hanging from the ceiling and on the walls, real fire in the winter, TV for the sport, 'pub music', proper pub seating (i.e no leather sofas here!) and satisfyingly aloof bar staff; this is probably my favourite pub ever. Has a function room upstairs that they open when they can be arsed, the 'burger and pies' menu turns into a decent thai kitchen after 6pm, and they get traditional Irish musicians entertaining bewildered post-workees sometimes on a Friday night. Seek this little-known gem out if you are in the area - forget Upper Street.

• Added: 14th of September 2008
• Area: Clapham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SW4 7TG
020 7627 0792

RobD said
Looked after very well
Apart from housing two of my main bugbears - a point in the evening where the bar stops serving pints (only bottles) and *those* 'bathroom beggars', I found The Loft to have a great, easy-going vibe with very attentive and friendly staff. In fact some of the friendliest bar staff I have come across - chatty, respectful and eager to please. I held my 30th birthday drinks here recently and the team were great will all my guests; and following a tip-off from my fiancé - even made a special 'birthday panna cotta' (as opposed to bday cake) with a candle in it. Nice touch ;)

The place itself looks cool without being self-conscious about it, and you can forget you're in Clapham for a while. Would recommend, especially for parties or reservations. Also the bar food - namely the pan fried squid was excellent!

• Added: 16th of April 2008
• Area: Raynes Park
• Category: Take Aways

London SW20 0LR
020 8944 0944

RobD said
Potential ruined by thoughtlessness
I've used Vamaji as a takeaway twice now, returning to it because I found my first experience of the food slightly above average. Oh how I wish I hadn't bothered. Only after taking my credit card details did the vender reveal that I had an hour and ten minutes' wait ahead. I rather felt it would be quicker if I ate in, but jetlagged and tired, I persisted. An hour ten past, hour 20, when I rang to inquire where my order was it I was told I'd have to wait even longer. After two more calls and no more food, the guy said he's give me an additional item free as compensation for the inconvenience. After almost TWO HOURS (bearing in mind I live 10 mins drive away) there was NO extra food, what was there was cold, and frankly awful. Avoid this place at all costs. Not worth above average price.