• Added: 17th of August 2007
• Area: Islington
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London EC1R 4QL
020 7837 8077

amandakate said
A flavour of Cafe Kick's evening atmosphere...
So given the number of reviews Cafe Kick has already had it's clear that it's a favourite with TP members and with good reason. Very chilled, amazingly friendly, marvellous mojitos, terrific tapas and crazy colours.

Slap bang in the middle of Exmouth Market, it feels like being on holiday - perfect for winding down after a hard day chained to a PC.

But don't just take my word for it, check out the video to see what Jonathan and Walid have to say in their own inimitable style...

• Added: 11th of May 2007
• Area: Soho
• Category: Restaurants

London W1F 0DL
020 7494 8888

amandakate said
Delightful Dim Sum
Every dish at Yauatcha is a work of art, the surroundings are stunning, the service is appalling. Takes forever to get a drink, the bill and everything else in between and the staff are all just too cool for a school - the general attitude apprarently being that they're doing you the biggest favour ever just by letting you eat there - to serve you too is almost a step too far.

That said, don't let it put you off going as the food - which is created by the chef from Hakkasan - is fabulous. Perfectly cooked sea bass and wonderful scallps being particularly worthy of a mention.

Great drinks list - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic - and perfectly located too.

Definitely worth a visit and a good place to take visitors who don't get to the smoke very often.

• Added: 11th of May 2007
• Area: Westminster
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London W1B 4DJ

amandakate said
Like a gentlemans' club for a younger crowd
Incredibly dark, cigars almost mandatory, interesting cocktail list, great staff who really know their stuff, very cool black and white cow-skin stools, this is a place to hide in, forget the world and concentrate on your companion(s).

Tha ratio of men to women is about 20-1 which makes things rather interesting, the drinks are pricey but the service is superb. Something different but probably not a regular haunt for me.

• Added: 7th of May 2007
• Area: Wandsworth
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SW11 1HW
020 7978 6595

amandakate said
Great cocktails, great music
What more can you ask for? Oh except a fantastic BOGOF happy hour which quite frankly is a recipe for trouble. Really friendly staff, cracking music, impossible to leave. Most likely thing you'll find yourself saying in here is 'Let's just have one more...'

• Added: 6th of May 2007
• Area: Poplar
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London E14 6AX

amandakate said
Great local boozer
Great pub off the beaten track in Camden. Friendly staff, friendly punters, fab food with a menu that changes every couple of days and a chilled atmosphere. I challenge you to go there and not get chatting to someone. As a friend of mine put it, it's got a really positive vibe.

There's also a free access wireless network if you like that kind of thing - handy for settling arguments by looking up stuff on t'internet, downside is you sometimes get groups of people all sitting round a table with a laptop each which is slightly odd.

Good selection of wines but be warned - you pay through the nose for them.

• Added: 6th of May 2007
• Area: Charing Cross
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London WC2N 6NE
020 7930 1408

amandakate said
Definitely not another chain...
Love this place - went with a few mates for a bottle of vin or two later in the evening. What fun we had spotting all the people who were clearly having affairs. Not only is it dark, candlelit and intimate, but it also has the added bonus of no mobile phone signal whatsoever, meaning you have to talk to the people you're with which makes a refreshing change.

It's got a definite Dickensian feel and I wouldn't have been surprised to have seen Bill Sykes and Bullseye sitting moodily at the bar.

At 5'4" even I had to mind my head on the low ceilings so be a bit careful after a few glasses.

• Added: 6th of May 2007
• Area: Leicester Square
• Category: Restaurants

London WC2N 4HX
020 7300 5588

amandakate said
Amazing surroundings, shame about the food
Fantastic surroundings with surreal sculpture in the lobby of the hotel and a very hip bar with great art work.

The restuarant itself is really quirky and would be a great place to go on a first date as there's plenty to talk about just by looking around you.

We received a lovely welcome but unfortunately it took an age to order a drink in the bar and we started to wonder if they were actually treading the grapes for the wine.

Staff in the restaurant were really professional and explained each dish as it was brough to the table. They'd chosen a selection of dishes for our large party (16 of us)which saved the hassle of trying to co-ordinate what everybody wanted, but it was a strange mix. You left feeling like you hadn't really had much to eat and an overwhelming after-taste of grease.

To be fair, I'm not a fan of fusion anyway, but this was extremely over-priced food that was less than average although the service was very attentive.

If you're not in a hurry for a drink I would recommend visiting the bar as it's worth it to see the surroundings alone and there's a great cocktail menu.

• Added: 6th of May 2007
• Area: Westminster
• Category: Restaurants

London SW1Y 6LT
020 7734 7334

amandakate said
Light, bright, Italian
Located just off Picadilly, Getti does classic Italian food really well.

The pasta is incredibly fresh and light and the desserts are to die for. It's one of those places where no matter what you order, you get food envy when your companions' dishes arrive.

Works equally well for a business lunch or a fast pre-theatre feed with friendly service and very reasonable prices.

• Added: 6th of May 2007
• Area: Notting Hill
• Category: Restaurants

London W11 2ED
020 7908 9696

amandakate said
Fab food, funky atmosphere
Part of the Electric Group (the brainchild of the owners of Soho House) the Electric Brasserie is lively, buzzing, seriously noisy and is open for breakfast, brunch and dinner.

I went for dinner mid-week, and although it's one of those places with timed sittings, the staff were charming and found us a seat at the bar when it was time to leave our table.

The menu is quite small, but reasonably priced with seafood a speciality. The steak was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented, although it did take quite a while to get a drink.

There's a seriously well-stocked bar staffed by super professional barmen. It was a great place to wind down after a hard day and left me really energised. Looking forward to going back soon.