• Added: 1st of August 2007
• Area: Brighton
• Category: Take Aways

Brighton BN1 1NB

andreams said
the best fish by the sea
The best way to eat fish is right by the sea, and the best way to do that in Brighton is to head to Jack and Linda Mills fish smokerie and sandwich shop and try their hot fish rolls. A board outside tells you the catch of the day - the red mullet and mackerel are the freshest I've ever tasted. There's no fuss or frills here, just fresh and traditionally smoked fish sandwiches to takeaway. The sea is just steps away, or you could always take a look in the fishing museum next door.

• Added: 1st of August 2007
• Area: Barbican
• Category: Shops

London EC1Y 8JL
020 7378 0422

andreams said
Monthly food market
The sun was (finally) shining when I visited this bustling market/food festival which takes place on the first Friday and Saturday of every month, 11am-6pm, on the site of one of London's oldest street markets,dating back to mediaevel times. There are fantastic local and regional food producers (Neal's Yard Cheeses, Burnt Sugar fudges, Crumbs and Doilies cupcakes and more), and some from further afield. Lots of lovely things to sample or buy to eat as you browse - stuffed chillies, pies and tarts all looked great, but it was the gorgeous aroma of wild mushrooms cooking on Sporeboys mushroom stall that decided us - cooked with a little parsley and held between two slices of sourdough bread with some parmesan and a drizzle of oil, this was probably the best sandwich ever, and a recipe I'll definitely try at home. You can take home cheeses, meats and pickles, and chat to the makers - the Bendgate pickles and preserves people from Yorkshire were particularly friendly and had lots of helpful recipe suggestions. Definitely worth a visit - and in September there's an extra 3 day market (21,22,23)to celebrate Islington car-free day. Sporeboys are also at the Covent Garden night market, but this is currently Bendgate's only London market, so worth a trip to EC1.

• Added: 25th of July 2007
• Area: Charing Cross
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London WC2N 4HS
020 7836 0291

andreams said
The Harp
Tiny, traditional pub with a (less traditional) all-female bar team. A great stopping off spot between the West End and the Southbank, my parents highly recommend the sausages - special guest sausages on the menu every day - but no other food so not a great place to take your vegetarian friends.

• Added: 25th of July 2007
• Area: Brighton
• Category: Restaurants

Brighton BN1 2FN

andreams said
The best view in Brighton?
On a sunny day, the outdoor terrace must be one of the best places to eat on Brighton seafront, and if its raining then there are a few tables inside which look out over the beach so you can enjoy your food while watching the waves crashing in.The menu is enticing with an emphasis on provenance - freshly caught fish, Sussex grown salads and local cheeses - this is reflected in the prices so it is definitely not a budget eat!

• Added: 25th of July 2007
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Nightlife

Bristol BS1 4RB
0117 929 3301

andreams said
Thekla
The new above deck bar has some nice views and drinks are exceptionally cheap. It was good to see that the rest of the ship hasn't changed too much but if, like me, you have fond memories of the old Thekla, you might feel a little old as the Thekla Social attracts a young, studenty crowd. Interesting/useless fact: the Thekla was home to Viv Stanshall (Bonzo Dog Doodah Band) in the 1980's when he and his family ran it as a theatre, cabaret and music venue. So it has a firm tradition of drunken good times!

• Added: 25th of July 2007
• Area: Leicester Square
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London WC2H 9NJ
020 7836 2955

andreams said
The oldest French wine bar in London
Squeeze into this tiny bar just off the Charing Cross Road and suddenly you're in a local bar somewhere in France... from the music to the signing in board for regulars, this place oozes atmosphere and Gallic charm. The menu and wine list are everything you'd expect from a French wine bar, but its the ambience that is the real draw here.

• Added: 25th of July 2007
• Area: Brighton
• Category: Food and Drink

Brighton BN1 1YE
01273 692 894

andreams said
Great cafe
My first stop whenever I'm in Brighton, Bill's has great coffee, fabulous fresh salads and the most beautiful cakes you've ever seen - decorated with flowers and fruit these are a feast for the eyes as well as the belly - and nobody minds if you ask to share any of the dishes. All the food is prepared with fresh, often local ingredients, most of which are available from the grocer/deli section at the front of the shop. A relaxed place for breakfast, lunch or snacks, it has a separate early evening tapas menu and is open until 8pm Monday-Saturday.

• Added: 25th of July 2007
• Area: Surbiton
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Surbiton KT6 4ES
020 8399 7515

andreams said
riverside eats
A former Whitbread pub/steakhouse, this pub on the Thames has new owners and a new menu (think pizzas, goats cheese salads, bangers and mash) at gastropub prices in keeping with the new decor. There's a good selection of drinks, staff are helpful and friendly, but the best thing is the view from the deck areas over the river. A good place for a glass of rose on a summer day.

• Added: 23rd of July 2007
• Area: Lambeth
• Category: Restaurants

London SE1 8XX
020 79604160

andreams said
Ping Pong Restaurant
I've heard good things about this small chain, but if my experience at the new branch on the South Bank is anything to go by, they are expanding too fast. The food was ok, if pricey, but nowhere near as good as Yauatcha, which the decor suggests it is trying to emulate. What really spoilt the evening was the extraordinarily poor service. To start with,we were left alone without menus for 15 minutes or so - when we did order the service was offhand - and when the bill arrived we had been charged for drinks we hadn't ordered. The manager insisted that my (pregnant) friend had been drinking vodka cocktails, not fruit juice, and it took 20 minutes of arguing to get the correct bill. All I can think is that this branch is aiming for one-off tourist trade. Needless to say, we won't be going back.

• Added: 23rd of July 2007
• Area: Wandsworth
• Category: Restaurants

London SW18 4ES
020 8874 9036

andreams said
Noodles
The food here is great - but it is, understandably, always busy and booking is essential. If you can't get in, or you just want something quick to eat, you can eat in at the takeaway/noodle bar next door - the food comes from the same kitchen with generous bowls of soup and noodle dishes - same quality, but the presentation is rather more basic than in the restaurant... across the street and under the railway bridge is Amaranth's supermarket/deli where you can buy all the ingredients to make the dishes yourself, or buy the ready-prepared dishes to heat up at home.