• Added: 2nd of October 2007
• Area: Covent Garden
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London WC1V 7AA

ShinyGemma said
Perfect for low-key girly cocktails
This place is a bit of a hidden gem. Unassuming from outside, we ended up there purely because it was the closest place when we had time to kill one night. It's small, it's been quiet every time I've been in since, and it has a happy hour that goes on until 9pm in the week and includes some amazing cocktails.

Upstairs is quiet with only a handful of seats so this isn't the place to go with a big group. However if you need somewhere to wind down after work with a Cosmo or two, it makes a nice change from busy pubs and cheap chains. Downstairs there's a bigger area with much more seating which gets busier later on though it's sometimes booked for private functions so do check before you settle in for the night!

The staff are great and the drinks even better. My tip is the gorgeous Vanilla Rose Cosmo, though the Mojitos are great too (just don't mix them like we did). There's an extensive menu of cocktails to get through (not all are in the happy hour but they're not too pricey anyway - about £6 a pop) as well as spirits, mixers, beers and so on. Definitely worth dropping by if you're in the area and in need of a bit of indulgence.

• Added: 2nd of October 2007
• Area: Covent Garden
• Category: Restaurants

London WC2E 7JS
020 7257 8613

ShinyGemma said
Great gourmet pizza
If you're judging Fire and Stone on food alone, it should get five stars...provided you like pizza. They take a tired classic and give it a gourmet twist, whacking all kinds of unusual international toppings onto a pizza base. I've been a few times because of its proximity to work, and even veggie friends and fussy eaters mates managed to find something to suit. From an Aussie pizza with sour cream, sweet chilli sauce, roast potato and chicken to a goats cheese and caramelised onion offering, there's something for everyone.

The restaurant decor is nothing to complain about, though it's a bit cramped and plasticy. Prices are fair with some good lunchtime offers and specials. However, as with all Covent Garden restaurants, it gets super busy and this is where things get interesting...

Service seems to be a constant problem at this place judging by other reviews. When I've been with just one or two friends it's been slow but tolerable. In big groups, it's not so good. On a birthday night out we booked in advance for about 9 people. We were given a 'time slot' during which to eat our meal and got some VERY dirty looks when we continued to sit there past our kicking out time. We were only there because they'd not come to sort out the bill and process our card.

Service charge is added to the bill by default, but of course you don't have to pay it if you don't want to. This particular night, we chose not to. The food may be good for the price but it's not outstanding - it's only pizza after all - and service with a smile costs nothing.

• Added: 2nd of October 2007
• Area: Mayfair
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London W1S 4LD
020 7493 9529

ShinyGemma said
Hyped up? Yep. Worth it? Maybe...
If you're heading to Mahiki and you don't know the right people, I'd suggest getting there early. Even though we were 'on the list' we had trouble getting in and when we did the place was packed and the drinks were ridiculously overpriced.

But what more do you expect from a club/bar that draws a paparazzi-friendly crowd almost every night? You don't go here for a few drinks with mates (not at £17 for two vodka and cokes, anyway). You go here to glam it up, see and be seen, schmooze with the Sloanes and flash your cash. It's worth a trip just to see what the fuss is about and check out the tiki themed decor, which is tacky but fantastic. But you'll know instantly if it's your kind of place, and it wasn't really mine.

There's a surprising amount of space, which is a plus, with two main rooms and loads of tables. Unfortunately those tables are off limits unless you're willing to spend - great for parties, not so good on a regular Wednesday night out. Luckily, there are places put aside to stand and pose with your drinks instead (just beware of the predators - there are plenty of blokes willing to buy drinks for groups of girls, but if they're all like the idiot we met, it's not worth it).

There's nothing wrong with Mahiki - it looks good, the music is ok if a bit cheesy and uninspiring, and bar staff are friendly and mix up all manner of exotic cocktails with a smile on their face. It does what it says on the tin, but I can think of better places to spend my hard-earned cash in a tiki-themed venue without the air of 'look how cool we are' (Trailer Happiness in Notting Hill for one)!