• Added: 13th of August 2008
• Area: Earls Court
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London SW5 9JA
020 7370 1434

nopstar said
Damn Good Burger
One of the best burgers I've had in London. I'm tired of all the places that try to dress up their burgers, you can put as many toppings or sauces on burger, doesn't make it a good burger.

Troubadour has a thick hand formed patty, (yes it matters) excellent mix of ground beef,juicy but not too greasy. A simple but good quality roll, with a little salad and shoe string chips.

As I was walking out I saw someone digging into a massive steak... next time!

• Added: 13th of August 2008
• Area: Bankside
• Category: Sports and Leisure

London SE1 2TF
0845 643 9568

nopstar said
Sewer Paintball
As much as I enjoy paintballing, I don’t think I could recommend this place to anyone. It’s quite simply foul... granted there aren’t any windows, ventilation and it is under a bridge. The first thing you notice when you walk into the place is how dank and mouldy the place smells.

The place is massive, and they have 3 main settings... (main arena, rural village, and apocalyptic London) the place was completely drenched with standing water everywhere. In itself that doesn’t sound so bad, but the water smelled like toilet water. It makes you wonder what water is seeping in from the top of the tunnel?

As we left, my friend commented that we could have stepped in dog $hit and smelled better than we did.

• Added: 8th of July 2008
• Area: Bankside
• Category: Restaurants

London SE1 3DD
020 7407 2985

nopstar said
Personality goes a very long way.
Ever since I was kid living in the States I’ve always been into diners. Even as a kid I think I realized these places were free of pretention. Just comfort foods enjoyed by all walks of life. Fast forward 25+ years I find myself in London searching for the same experience.

Today a friend of mine took me to a M. Manze a pie and mash shop which has been around since the late 1800’s. Stepping into the shop you immediately get the feeling this place is the real deal. Old school bench seating and a menu that’s so refreshingly simple, it’s kind of funny.

I ordered the 2 pies and 2 mash plate with a cup of hot Sarsaparilla. Yes Sarsaparilla! As my friend remarked it taste’s “Olde Timey”! Actually taste like hot Ribena... and was surprisingly good.

The Pie-
They’ve got meat and vegetarian pies; I dare you to order one of the vegetarian ones... The meat was ground meat and the pie crust flaky and scrumptious. You can get liquor sauce or regular gravy. To my dismay liquor sauce is made of parsley and doesn’t taste like much. I’d go with the regular gravy

The place is also known for its jellied and stewed eels. I’ve always been curious about the jellied eel hubbub... and thought what better time to give it a go. It isn’t as horrendous as it looks, my curiosity satisfied, I probably won’t be ordering that again.

If you’re visiting London or you’re an expat like me looking for an authentic experience, I highly recommend M. Manze “The Noted Eel & Pie Houses”

• Added: 7th of July 2008
• Area: Chelsea
• Category: Restaurants

London SW3 6NT
07976 276 808

nopstar said
faux pho
I went looking for Pho and found a little hipster noodle bar owned by some nice Thai kids.

Nice spring rolls, and a decent noodle salad in a cute outdoor venue. Not really feeling their interpretation of Pho, with carrots and chinese cabbage...

• Added: 7th of July 2008
• Area: Notting Hill
• Category: Restaurants

London W11 2RS
020 7229 4734

nopstar said
Satisfying my carnitas fix!
Since leaving San Francisco earlier this year, I have been suffering serious taco withdrawal. My lunch repertoire included a weekly visit to my local truck for some carnitas and carne asada tacos. I’m happy to report that I’ve finally satisfied my taco fix.

I stumbled across this little gem this past week. For those looking for an authentic taco experience, I whole heartedly recommend you get to cool Chiquita Taqueria. They serve up good “street style” tacos. No crunchy pre-formed shells, red meat and dodgy orange cheese here... only the real deal.

I order some tortilla chips and salsa for an app. Check the price before ordering... the chips came with a healthy dollop of Guac, Salsa, beans and an £8 price tag!

• Added: 13th of June 2008
• Area: Lambeth
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE11 6AB
020 7582 3814

nopstar said
German Food in the Heart of Lambeth
This is my Friday lunch spot. The pub is run by a German Couple kicking out hearty, satisfying, sleep inducing German food. The menu is fantastic, and a good value. Schnitzel, and roast potatoes and a drink for about £5.

The only thing I’ve stumbled across that I didn’t like was the roast in beer sauce? The above picture is the Jager Schnitzel, mushroom gravy and chips.
Simple and Satisfying.

• Added: 13th of June 2008
• Area: Vauxhall
• Category: Restaurants

London SE1 7SJ
020 7587 0683

nopstar said
Hole in the wall
Sirena’s is located in the basement of the southbank house a non-descript office building in between nowhere and nothing interesting. That being said if you work near Vauxhall and you’re into thin crust pizza, this is the place for you. I’m giving this place 4 stars, but the rating is only for its pizza. I think the food is about a 3.

The other fare is decent with generous portions... the place is as loud and boisterous as its waiters. (Word of warning... if you’re an attractive lady you’re getting snogged by owner)
The pizza is off the hook... go with the signature Sirena (artichoke, tomato, parma ham and sausage)

• Added: 22nd of May 2008
• Area: Fitzrovia
• Category: Restaurants

London W1W 8AX
020 7436 0111

nopstar said
Faux Pho?
If you go to the Pho Cafe website they’ve got a quote that sums it all up... “Pho is much more than breakfast in Vietnam: it is the soul of the Nation. A contribution to human happiness” BTW its pronounce fuh (rhymes with duh) not Foe.

I have to agree wholeheartedly, it’s one of the only things I crave when I’m under the weather and I’m not even Vietnamese!

I love you Pho, there I said it... now it’s out in the open, and I’ve professed my love affair with Pho. I’m going to preface this review by stating that most people will find this review overly critical even bordering on nitpicky. That’s fine as long as you know where I’m coming from.

This was one of my first London Pho experiences since moving here in February. The prices are definitely right. £6-$7 for a bowl seems reasonable almost inexpensive.

The broth:
The distinguishing factor that set’s pho apart from other Asian soups, is the broth. The broth is typically a blend of spices (star anise, ginger etc.) boiled with beef bones and other beef parts. This is a process takes hours to complete.

I found the broth at Pho cafe to taste like salty beef broth; I didn’t get a hint of any of the delicate flavours of the spices at all. Maybe it was a bad batch... I’m going back to give it another go.

The Noodles:
The rice noodles tasted and felt like they were using dry rice noodles. The kind you and I can get at any Thai grocer. If you’re asking yourself does it really make a difference? Then just stop reading here.

Meatballs:
If you’re the type of person who’s afraid of fat on your beef, then get the chicken pho. Typically the meatballs in Pho are made from the not so choice cuts of beef. You’re going to get a fairly firm texture with some chewy bits. It is what it is... The meatballs that were served to me at pho cafe were clearly meant for a more upmarket clientele. They’ve used regular ground beef to make the meatballs, and to be fair I’m sure the majority of people eating their enjoy that.

To me it’s doesn’t taste and more importantly feel right. You can try to go up market with it, but it doesn’t necessarily make it better.

I was slightly disappointed, but I would go back. If you’re on the fence, I would recommend getting off the fence and going, you will still enjoy it.

• Added: 15th of May 2008
• Area: Aldgate
• Category: Restaurants

London E1 1JU
020 7247 9543

nopstar said
Tired of being hassled on Brick lane?
If you find yourself near brick lane, then keep walking another few blocks. You’ll find yourself at the doorstep of Tayyabs. It’s a tasty Indian restaurant; oh for our Muslim friends Tayabs is also halal.

Make reservations! I made a reservation and was shuttled passed the 20+ person queue... I was aghast by how packed this place was. Normally when you see a place this packed it’s only full of tourists, it was reassuring to see loads of Indian people filling up on the food.

As the other reviews state, the service is ridiculously fast... they food is inexpensive so they need to make it up in turn over. You’ll be rushed, but don’t take it personally their just trying to get in as much business as possible.

The lamb chops for a started are pretty good. They came out suspiciously fast though, like they’ve got dozen’s already on the grill. , The Chicken Tikka was dry... order the seek kebab really hard to mess those up. Skip the Mango Lassi, it’s tasted more like sherbert lassi...

The place is packed and it’s loud. You’re not going to be able to hold a substantive conversation as the place is roaring. You’re also packed in pretty tight, but then again you’re there to enjoy the eats right?

• Added: 15th of May 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Take Aways

Manchester M1 7DY
0161 2737339

nopstar said
Try it sober.
You’re going to have to trust me on this one, but the place is legit. I’m not talking dining, let’s be honest this is grubbing. It’ has the feel of any old fast food joint/chip shop.

You’ve got to try the seek kebab wrapped in Nan, it’s exceptional. It’s sort of a no brainer really but naan always trump pita doesnt’ it? Get there earlier as it’s get is fair share of drunk uni students.

If you’re up in Manchester this is little treat you shouldn’t miss.