• Added: 26th of September 2008
• Area: Shacklewell
• Category: Restaurants

London N16 0LU
020 7923 0555

ben1982 said
Master of margheritas
A vibrant colour scheme, latin party music and great happy hour deals help maintain this bar/restaurants happy vibe, in which all the standard mexican fare can be found. Particularly good are the steaks served with a rich cocoa bean sauce and substantial chillis, which come with a 'heat challenge' tag for the extra competitive.

• Added: 26th of September 2008
• Area: Manor House
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London N4 2EX
020 8809 2846

ben1982 said
Community spirit
A real community pub, anchored by Billy the landlord and his dog. Not necessarily the most beautiful tavern in london, the crowd largely local yet supplemented by the many visitors to the nearby climbing centre. A leafy beer garden provides respite in the summer while big screens and a pool table are on offer by way of entertainment, if Billy's good nature alone isn't enough...

• Added: 26th of September 2008
• Area: Covent Garden
• Category: Restaurants

London WC2H 9AT
020 7240 1796

ben1982 said
pitta and the wolf
A beautifully low-lit interior of flagstones and plush fabrics makes an atmospheric setting for meeting friends. Downstairs is even more luxurious with beds and endless cushions for reclining after meaty tagines and plenty of garlic and coriander-based dips. Service is friendly and the place genuinely feels a world away from the west end.

• Added: 26th of September 2008
• Area: Bethnal Green
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London E2 8DA
020 7729 4495

ben1982 said
dirty dive - in a good way
Despite a distinct possibility of contracting hepatitis from just touching the walls, this is a great rowdy hangout before going on somewhere, and if you've lived in the area for any length of time, you are bound to bump into people you know in here - which may be a good or a bad thing...

• Added: 25th of September 2008
• Area: Camden Town
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London NW1 7RU
020 7255 9651

ben1982 said
Great pub, slow service
A huge terrace, stylish wallpapered interior, great selection of beers and a barbecue throughout the summer are all reasons to pay a visit to this pub. But be ready for some of London's slowest moving bar staff. The sheer volume of people justifiably found here on any sunny evening coupled with a small(ish) bar mean it takes an age to get served, but this is the only problem with what is otherwise a great great pub.

• Added: 25th of September 2008
• Area: Barnsbury
• Category: Restaurants

London N1 2LJ
020 7288 2439

ben1982 said
Sunny side up
A beautiful garden provides a stunning setting for a range of organic breakfast offerings - welsh rarebit served with poached egg; the organic beans; nutty toast with organic jams are all touches that elevate this above other nearby places. You do pay substantially for the privilege but if it is a sunny day, it is definitely worth the expense...

• Added: 25th of September 2008
• Area: Soho
• Category: Nightlife

London W1F 8WH
020 7437 0525

ben1982 said
Unusual antics
Attracting hugely different types of people, from the leather-clad to the shiny suits of the soho media workforce and bemused tourists, this noisy basement can be a great place to head after bars have closed for a uninhibited dance! With nights ranging from indie to industrial metal, be careful as to the night you pick to visit. Drinks are also far from cheap, but the sheer variety of people usually found here guarantees a night of unusual antics

• Added: 25th of September 2008
• Area: Shoreditch
• Category: Restaurants

London E2 7DP
020 7729 6070

ben1982 said
rustic charm
One of my favourite places in the area, this small alpine bar/restaurant is tucked away from the hustle of brick lane - on my first visit, I found the owners hunched over a game of subbuteo in the middle of the bar's single room. Hearty mountain fare including raclette, fondue and cassoulet are served alongside continental beers and cheap wine, while the alpine/continental folk music played adds to a beautifully charismatic atmosphere

• Added: 25th of September 2008
• Area: Finsbury
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London EC1V 9LE
020 7613 0315

ben1982 said
welcome break
Dirty (in a good way) and dark, this small bar has a lot of charisma - especially in the basement where a range of battered old sofas are clustered. The cocktails ordered on previous visits have been pretty badly thrown together, so maybe go for something that's harder to screw up, but doubles are often cheap. It represents a nice change from the more contrived scene around the corner in hoxton square.

• Added: 25th of September 2008
• Area: Dartmouth Park
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London N4 4AP
020 7263 3337

ben1982 said
a cracking roast
A beautifully expansive space which has maintained some of its original features and therefore has a great deal of character. And although the menu is well considered, the one stand-out option is the roast, which is truly great - good cuts of meat and sufficient trimmings, all impeccably presented. Follow that up with a creme brulee served with shortbread biscuits, or the cheese board for the perfect end to a weekend...