• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Piccadilly Circus
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London W1J 9HN
0845 345 6053

girlswear said
Mix reaction
I love the décor of this venue, it was in fact restored from the 1940s pretty much looked like the original. Love the setting of this venue.

I went on a 50s night earlier this summer. The DJ was playing some great tunes, a few joined the dance floor but you could tell they were hardcore since the girls had proper swing dresses and rolls in the hair, whilst the guys were quite smart dressed as well. Suit the themed.

Then a French band came on and they played like they were U2 and they played for 1.5 hours. Not cool. Didn't think they were bad (they were a bit like the Strokes meets the Stones but French) but got a bit predictable after a few songs.

Drinks were a bit expensive, selection of beer wasn't that great neither. The crowd was a very odd mix, you have your typical Central/Picadilly semi-naked (might as well) club goers, then there were some elderlies (who danced well) then there were many tourists with flip flops. The dressed up "cool" crowd (who's friends with the DJ) left when the band played. My friend and i then were left at the only 2 who dressed up 50s.

Anyway. to make my review short and sweet. Love the venue. Love the decor. Hate the crowd.

• Added: 20th of August 2008
• Area: Mayfair
• Category: Restaurants

London W1S 2YF
020 7629 7755

girlswear said
Feeling Posh? Perfect Marriage of Modern & Classic
Last week, my boss took me and a colleague to Artisan for a post-meeting cocktail to debrief, she wanted to show me their Winter Garden (apparently it's all the rave) but unfortunately it was being renovated at the moment.

Despite in my Paul & Joe dress with my Alexander McQueen handbag, I felt underdressed. This place was POSH.

We settled ourselves in the "lilac" room of the Artisan. I was in love with their décor! I was first attracted by the fresh cream rose topiary by the bar, then came these oversized modern magnificent castle-like chandeliers on the ceiling. Also, loved the modern update of the upholstery of classic furniture into croc-patterned leather which ranged from rich aubergine to lilac. The room was also decorated with choisnoisé wallpaper, with two breathtaking columns which were decorated with gold balls.

A place that gives out embroidered cloth serviettes. Posh.
My boss suggested the bloody mary, I asked if they have a Caesar (which is basically Bloody Mary but with Clamato (clam and tomato juice) instead of plain tomato juice – guess it's just a Canadian thing! We did invented it after all!), our server was clueless about Clamato. Whilst we were looking over our drink menu, when she returned with snackies (mixed nuts and beans), she informed me that she has asked the bar but didn't have clamato juice.

My colleague doesn't drink, so she ordered the Coco Loco (if i remember the name correctly) which was a virgin cocktail of pineapple, coconut and other tropical juices. It was refreshing and delicious. My boss and I both had the Bloody Mary. Perfect amount of tobasco, which just give a hint of kick but not too much. Oh boy, it was very strong, I had to spend the rest of my day at work try not to look drunk.

It was a shame that we didn't ordered any food nor lunch, would have liked to try out their food too. With a £12 cocktail, I already have a very generous boss.

• Added: 18th of August 2008
• Area: Stoke Newington
• Category: Restaurants

London N16 7PL
020 7249 7151

girlswear said
Err, yes, this is not a joke
You might chuckle at their name for ages, and yes, it is called that, and what's their specialities? Yes, you guessed it – lamb testicles!

Situated in Stoke Newington and a shy away from Dalston and the White Hart (popular Beer Garden, see review), this is one of the better Turkish restaurant in the area. Friendly staff, quiet environment and your mouth will water as you watch the chef grill at the front of the restaurant.

We had a calamari, grilled hallumi and ali nazik (grilled aubergine with garlic and yoghurt), served with freshly homemade flat breads. For mains, we had Iskender (minced lamb casserole, with aubergine, yoghurt and tomato - pretty much like a Turkish lasagne), lamb ribs grill and of course, i had to try the delicacy of testicles, which was surprisingly great (but i couldn't have a whole plate of that, it's better to order a smaller portion as a starter), it's texture of Chinese blood pudding, a little spongy (no pun intended), and a bit like liver. Lamb ribs were grilled to perfection and the iskender casserole was creamy and delicious. The meal also comes with charred onions dressed with pomegranate juice, salad (tomatoes, cucumber, onion), and sumac onion salad. To finish off the meal, of course, is turkish tea on the house.

Prices are reasonable: starters were about £3-5, mains are about £8-12. Also lots of fish selection and vegetarian options, definitely good value for your money.

• Added: 18th of August 2008
• Area: London Bridge
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE1 9RL
020 7378 7776

girlswear said
No place like Shunt
This is one of my favourite places in London. The Shunt Vaults situated beneath the London Bridge, you can still feel the dampness and musty air of this Victorian vault.

No matter how often you visit, it's a different experience on it's own, mainly because each week is curated by a different artist including art, performance art, dance, live band and DJs. Permanent area includes a small pinball arcade and pool. You can go into different rooms with different things happening, or find that secret vault with your friends. Shunt is a MUST experience if you've never been, and you'll be addicted.

• Added: 16th of July 2008
• Area: Hackney
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London E8 4PH
020 7812 9829

girlswear said
My local favourites
Climpson & Sons is one of my weekend local favourites. Not a place I recommend if you're in a hurry but the queue is worth the wait. Their coffee is one of the best whether it's a latte, cappuccino, espresso or a mocha, recently added iced version for the summer. Their prices are reasonable at £1.80 for regular, £2 for large, £2.50 for iced. They pride at their £5,000 La Marzocco Linea coffee machine that they used in combination with fairtrade organic coffee beans. They also offer a good range of fresh gourmet organic and free range sandwiches, light lunches, daily soup, breakfast nibbles and baked goods. Staff are very friendly and prices are reasonable starts from a pound to a fiver. Vegetarian and vegans friendly, soy option available, also can have freshly ground coffee to take away for your own leisure.

It might be a bit too busy for a quiet morning read, especially on a Saturday. But it's a good place to meet up with friends and people watch. Sundays are a bit calmer.

• Added: 16th of July 2008
• Area: Cambridge
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Cambridge CB3 9ND

girlswear said
An English Afternoon
After a long country walk or punting up the river from Cambridge on a sunny day? What's more romantic than to have afternoon tea at the beautiful Orchard Tea Gardens in Grantchester, just a little outside of Cambridge.

This tea garden is not only full of history, and completes with a Rupert Brooke Museum, the Orchard has started in the late 1800s and attracts visitors from Virginia Wolfe to Stephen Fry.

I had the traditional cream tea with scone, jam and clotted cream, sitting in the garden with charming wooden furniture whilst birds are chirping away.

They also do morning coffee/tea and luncheon. I must warn you that there might be a queue for the shop, and try finding a table on a sunny weekend could be difficult due to its popularity amongst the locals and tourists.

• Added: 16th of July 2008
• Area: Cambridge
• Category: Restaurants

Cambridge CB1 1DG
01223 354755

girlswear said
Charming Hidden Gem
Who would have thought Cambridge would have good traditional homecook Chinese food?

This family run restaurant is charming and quite authentic despite on the pricey side. The portion is quite big. Not the best Chinese I've had (being Chinese, growing up in Hong Kong and Toronto, my standard without a doubt is high) but it's very authentic and pretty good in UK standard.

I'm more charmed away by the owner come hostess than the food itself. She is lovely, always have a good story to tell, also not to mentioned forcing the youngsters to speak in their native tongue. I would say it's best in Cambridge.

• Added: 13th of November 2007
• Area: Soho
• Category: Restaurants

London W1F 7RR
020 7287 8488

girlswear said
Lucky Found
Tucked away in the trendy, Mod, Carnaby Street is this cozy French restaurant named La Trouvaille (translated, literally "Lucky Find") owned by Thierry Bouteloup and Guillaume Siard.

The décor is cozy, romantic yet modern, filled with stylish Ghost chairs (which I absolutely adore) throughout the dining room upstairs. Absolutely perfect for dates, as I went there on this occasion. Servers mostly speak French, lucky if you go with someone that can speak it, as i did. We had the 2-course Set Dinner (£29 for 2 courses, £35 for 3 courses), normally a bit on the expensive side but I found the price was reasonable for what you get.

For Starters:

SASHIMI DE THON FERRÉ, SAUCE A LA VANILLE ET PURÉE D’AIL FUMÉE
Seared slices of tuna, vanilla dressing and smoked garlic purée

PARFAIT DE PINTADE ET RIZ DE VEAU AUX MORILLES
Guinea fowl and sweet bread parfait with morels

The vanilla dressing was more of a vanilla pod infused grapeseed oil, never thought that would go with tuna but it does, brings out the sweetness in the fish and brought that warm feeling in the palette. The fish was perfectly cooked, only was seared on the outside, still pink on the inside. The Parfait, was actually more like a terrine, but that was also nicely done.

Entrées:

CANNON DE MOUTON « HERDWICK » ET SAINT JACQUES, LAITUE BRAISEE,PUREE DE CHOUX FLEUR ET SAUCE CARDAMOME
Filet of Herdwick mutton and seared scallops, braised lettuce, cauliflower mash and cardamom sauce

RABLE DE LAPIN ROTI ET FOIE GRAS POELÉ, FLAN DE MAïS, JUS AU THYM
Roasted saddle of rabbit and pan fried foie gras, sweet corn flan and thyme jus

Both mutton and scallops were perfectly cooked, mutton was served medium, very tender. Scallops were laid on top of the creamy delightful cauliflower mash that just melts in your mouth. A little disappointed was the cardamom sauce, which i didn't find it very cardamom-y. The rabbit was tender (though this was my first time tasting rabbit, and only had a small bite), foie gras was served on a bed of spanich. The best thing about this dish was that Sweet corn flan, which is half between a mousse and a soufflé, makes you on Cloud 9! We didn't ordered dessert as the dessert list was a little too rich after a decadent meal. For wine, I think we had a bottle of 2003 Domaine du Cros, Vieilles Vignes Marcillac.

The menu is quite creative and I like their unusual pairings like: pastry wrapped scallops with sea urchin sauce, veal with kumquat jus, pigeon with mint pea mash, artichoke and chocolate sauce. There are vegetarian options. Presentation of the dishes were excellent. I was DYING to take pictures before I ate but i had to hold myself back (had to remember i was on a date). I definitely recommend this restaurant for that special occasion with the very special someone, needless to say, with food that great, the date went very well for those of you who were curious. ;)

• Added: 25th of October 2007
• Area: Covent Garden
• Category: Food and Drink

London WC2E 9ED
020 7836 3304

girlswear said
Eye Candy but Overrated
Been hearing about Paul Boulangerie & Pattiserie for ages. I finally went to one of the chain (Covent Garden) in the hunt for THE croissant place in London. You see, I'm quite a croissant connoisseur. I had a pain au chocolat. It was slightly disappointing. It was a bit stale and dry, perhaps it was towards the end of the day. But the display of various flans, cakes, tarts, claufouti and sweets sure look delicious!

• Added: 12th of July 2007
• Area: Hackney
• Category: Restaurants

London E2 8AG
020 7729 7223

girlswear said
I'm so pho from pho
Hackney prolly has the most Vietnamese restaurants. Just a bit north of Jaguar Shoes and Catch on Kingsland in Shoreditch, there are at least 3 restaurants but 2 are owned by Tay Do. I went to the "Cafe" one.

Hundreds of items on the menu. Prices from 2.50 for a starter to 9 for a main. Pho & Buns starts at a fiver. I had a pork Spring Roll, Rare beef pho and a milk ice coffee. My friend had chicken satay and grilled pork bun (vermicelli). 18 for all the above items. The food came really fast and it was hot. Spring rolls were good, satay was okay. Pho was pretty authentic but the beef was too cooked (suppose to be rare). I didn't like their tuong pho sauce (hoisin pho sauce) and I was disappointed that my ice milk coffee didn't came with the individual espresso drip cup into a glass with condensed milk, it was already pre-mixed.

One good thing about this restaurant is that they encourage customers to bring their own alcoholic beverage. Speedy service, maybe a bit too speedy, they were very eager to clear off our table even i wasn't finished with the food, but it was 11pm, I suppose it was closing time. It was okay, I much prefer Viet Hoa across the street which is also ironically beside the other Tay Do (which is bigger but always full).