• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Soho
• Category: Nightlife

London W1D 4HT
020 7439 0747

jlonners said
4 stars for performers
ok so everyone has heard of ronnie scotts, but what is it actually like. well since it was done up a few years ago i rather like it. it still have the table lamps and dark underground feel to it and there is still a great selection of performers to be seen here. its not cheap of course, i have drinks but i always steer clear of the food. i remember by friend insisting on having some and what amounted to nothing more than cheese and crackers (2 slices of basic cheddar and 3 crakers) were brought to her for over 10 quid. aslo we often have to ask for our wine about 3 times before we get it. at the end of the day you come here because its ronnies and one of very few places you can see like jazz or bosa nova etc. i wish it were less expensive but have enjoyed it every time i have been.

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Soho
• Category: Nightlife

London W1D 4JB
020 7734 2095

jlonners said
the place for gigs
Oh the borderline! This brings back memories of bands from long ago, showing my age now! This is a gig venue so all the extras (ha ha) of food or selection of ales isn’t what you come here for. I may be wrong but I seem to remember the borderline moved locations (??) I think to this one (still a long time ago) as it is bigger. It has history and there are photos of all the bands that have been here and I seem to remember seeing bands here on the way up, AND again on the way back down again! Don’t come to eat here it’s the tacky snack burger bar type of food. The sound is good at the venue though so it’s a must to see some bands here.

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Maida Vale
• Category: Food and Drink

London W9 1LU
020 7286 9985

jlonners said
lovely food shop
This is a local food shop with a difference, it has farm food, local (ish?!) eggs (organic and free range) and a selection of cold cuts and cheese (all sorts!). Its posh food shopping at its best! There is a selection of quality cakes, and there are also ready meals (I mean that in the loosed sense of the word, they aren’t full of junk but are healthy meals so you don’t have to worry about the contents). The staff are always helpful and it really is a pleasure to shop here. This isn’t the cheapest food but it is the best and it makes you feel healthier just by coming in here!

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Holland Park
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London W11 2AT
020 7229 2400

jlonners said
the place for breakfast!
this place is great for breakfast, you can choose all the usual english breakfast items. The scrambled egg is perfect as is the bacon. As soon as you sit down you are handed a menu and quickly asked what you would like, they are more than happy to change any of the breakfasts to add or subtract any items you don’t like. The food is served equally quickly and is piping hot. The place itself is simple with and not a lot of space to spare but its well worth it as the prices are reasonable and the food is great (its also good hangover food!). they also do decent tea.

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Leicester Square
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London WC2N 4EA
020 7379 7299

jlonners said
expresso expresso!
this is a long narrow proper coffee bar, ie you go in, get your coffee expresso style and drink and and get on your way, just like in italy! the expresso is proper italian and really strong so be warned, its not for the faint hearted. i like the expresso with steamed milk for a quick pick me up. this isn't the place to chill with a coffee and a book but more a fast moving place. it can get busy at lunchtime with people popping in so be prepared to queue. i wouldn't come in here for one of the snacks, they aren't the best!

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Brompton
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London SW1V 1QS
020 7931 9963

jlonners said
great for a chain
This is a great location for a coffee or snack, yes it’s a chain and it is the same food and décor wise inside as any other caffe nero. The thing is it never seems to get too busy, I can always get a table which seems strange for the area where you would think it would be mad busy ALL the time. The service here is chilled out and you don’t feel hurried, I’ve always managed to read one of the free newspapers and its nicely air conditioned in here in summer so a good place to hop into to escape the overbearing london summer afternoons. I’ve never been stuck in a queue and can often get a window seat. its more a local than a chain.

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Shoreditch
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London EC2A 3AR
020 7613 5951

jlonners said
cool and trendy east end
This is one of the trendy bars that give Shoreditch its ‘hip place to be’ appeal. this is a converted victorian warehouse which makes it huge inside with dark wood floors, and a high ceiling. the bar is pewter and the bar stools are bright red leather which sets the place off to look call and warm. There are also lots of leather sofas to chill out on. The drinks are not cheap here but there is a vast choice from cocktails to wine to a good range of ales. There is a bar menu which is the standard style of pub food (the steak is good), again not cheap but worth the money and the portions are huge.

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Temple
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London EC4Y 1AA
020 7353 3454

jlonners said
good old fashioned pub
This is a Quintessionally English old style tavern. There are red and green high backed leather chairs with the button studding and the walls are all bookcases filled with leather bound books. It put you in mind of a gentlemen’s cub of old, you can imagine a well dressed man sat here smoking a pie and drinking brandy in days gone by. This is an old pub as well so it’s likely this that is how it was here log ago. The feel of the place isn’t stuffy though and you will feel welcome here and relaxed. This isn’t a hurried place, you can sit here on a Sunday with a pint and read your paper for as long as you like, no one will rush you.

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Covent Garden
• Category: Restaurants

London WC2E 8JD
020 7379 9696

jlonners said
good food, poor service
We choise this reastaurant is it looked great from the outside, there were massive chandalliers hanging down with candles in them (I think its been changed slightly now) and it had a cosy yet posh apperance. Unfortunatly we got the sleazy italian waiter type who decided to prey apon two woman alone by flattering us in hope of a large tip. He even sat with us as he took the order. This really put me off and I think we asked him to leave us alone in the end. The food was good, the steak was perfect and the dessert lovely. This is quite an expensive place, add to that the pushy waiter and you might want to avoid it if your party is all female. The location of course is bang on, about 30 seconds walk from the market area of covent garden.

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Kings Cross
• Category: Restaurants

London WC1X 9BP
020 7278 8176

jlonners said
just plain awful
Ok so as soon as you walk past this place you would normally keep on going, it looks dirty and horrid and awful. I didn’t have this choice as I was supposed to meet someone here (not suggested by me!) I was led downstairs (even worse) to a small area with tables and benches and plastic table cloths. I thought a drink would help only to be told their was no liquor licence!!! The food was actually ok and I didn’t die of food poisoning either, I had fully expected to get quite ill! I have no idea why they don’t tidy/clean this place up after all the business rates must be high so how do they make ends meet! if you are looking online (you must be or you wouldn’t be reading this!) then don’t go here, its just not nice. Search for another thai place instead