• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Shoreditch
• Category: Restaurants

London E1 6LA
020 7749 9670

josieloves said

I was treated to a night out here for my birthday. We started downstairs at the basement bar. The cocktails were amazing, even if tequila isn't your thing. Well, actually that's not true, if you don't drink that or beer you're pretty much screwed but the variety of cocktails on offer means that you're bound to find one that is palatable. I recommend anything with watermelon.

Once seated on the ground floor for food, we ordered from the somewhat baffling menu. The lamb shank was tender, succulent and with a beautiful sauce but it didn't really have any accompaniments except mini tortillas. These were awful but then maybe i'm just too accustomed to western tortillas. There wasn't much else on offer to eat - a handful of meat dishes with salsa, refried beans and corn chips. But then if authentic mexican food is what you're after, i'm led to believe this is the place to go.

Personally, i didn't enjoy the food enough to want to come here again and it was quite expensive given that i left still feeling hungry. But if you like tequila, the downstairs bar (which does do tapas style food) is a great place to come for a few drinks.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Leicester Square
• Category: Nightlife

London W1D 5JJ
020 7734 5188

josieloves said
OMG, it's so, like, cool!
I haven't quite decided what the appeal is for a place like Soho House. For me, it's about seeing and being seen, being able to tell your friends and family that you've been somewhere cool and 'exclusive' and generally just feeling very fabulous and girl-about-town. I was taken to Soho House by a member for a business breakfast. It was desperately exciting not least because bumping into a very famous and very hungover celeb was a genuine possibility.

I arrived having no clue where the entrance was and once located, didn't quite know where to go once inside. It has that air about it that screams, "darling, if you have to ask where the toilets are, you don't belong". Once inside, the dark wood panelling and large leather armchairs were a welcome relief from the grey, drizzly london day.

The staff are as pretentious as the location (abrupt and nonchalent but at the same time discreetly attentive) but the food was tremendous. I was dying to have the eggs benedict but my manners prevailed once i remembered that it really is quite rude and most uncool to order the most expensive thing on the menu. The sausage sandwich was flavourful and you could tell that they buy posh sausages, probably from a farmers market and definitely not from the 2for1 counter at Tesco. Likewise for the bread. The tea came loose, again, another small touch which felt very decadent - and the juices were freshly squeezed.

All in all, a very satisfying place to spend a couple of hours escaping a very wet morning. Yes, it's overpriced and you have to be a member or be with a member just to get in but surely that's all part of the appeal, non?! If you like that kind of thing, you'll love Soho House.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Notting Hill
• Category: Food and Drink

London W11 2DY
020 7229 6446

josieloves said
A taste of New York...
If you've heard of Manhattan's infamous Magnolia Bakery then this is the closest thing to it that you will find in London. Initially, it was a little hard to find as it's buried among boutiques and antique shops on Portobello Road. On a weekend however, you can't fail to miss the iconic Hummingbird logo above the heaving throngs of people all desperate for a piece of (cake) the action!

Once inside you'll find a tiny bakery with a few tables for those lucky enough to be able to eat in. The cupcakes themselves are generous in size usually with a large helping of the All-American frosting. Large cakes and slices are also on offer along with pies and brownies. You can also purchase drinks from teas and coffees to Root Beer and Milk! Plus all cakes and pies are available to order.

I absolutely adore all the food here but my only criticism is the price. It's quite galling paying £1.95 for a cupcake given that it's American counterparts charge the same in dollars. However, for an occasional treat it's worth it - the cakes of gorgeous and it's a fun experience. Definitely somewhere fun to go with gal pals and nieces a like!