• Added: 19th of July 2007
• Area: Whitstable
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Whitstable CT5 1BQ

maleghast said
Tea And Times - A Breakfast of Champions
Tea And Times in Whitstable is a Godsend to anyone who has had a heavy night in East Kent and is well enough to drive. The cool caf chic of a place staffed by the young alternative set of Whitstable, catering to all walks of life with all-day breakfasts, home made cakes and an extensive and adventurous sandwich menu makes this place feel as though it could be a trendy daytime hangout in Hoxton or Shoreditch. The thing is that it has the added benefit of being less than 5 minutes walk from a beach in order to paddle after you lounged around with a paper and a coffee letting your impeccable breakfast settle.

A strong recommendation for a really fabulous place - if you're heading out to the sea in Kent, choose Whitstable and you'll be able to see for yourself.

• Added: 11th of June 2007
• Area: Waterloo
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE1 8SB
020 7620 2226

maleghast said
The Waterloo Firestation
If you find yourself in the neighbourhood of Waterloo Station with time to kill or people to meet, I cannot recommend this establishment highly enough as a much more satisfying alternative to the insipid station bars actually in the station.

Laid out in a modern, 'post-All-Bar-One' manner with chunky stylish wood furniture and metal-top bar, the Firestation's bar area is an airy and relaxed atmosphere that feels like the kind of space that is perfect for a quiet drink with the paper, or a rowdy conversation between friends as the afternoon becomes the evening. A wide range of foreign and domestic beers and a good selection of wine make this a great starting point venue.

The building was (as the name suggests) a Fire Station, and the original character has not been lost - the tiled walls and high ceilings leave a sense of it not being hard to imagine a fire engine or two, but that added to the bar's charm for me. I am fond of re-used spaces and am pleased that there is a sense of the place's original purpose.

The restaurant looked fabulous, but I have to go back to eat and so will limit this review to the bar.

All in all a strong recommendation.