• Added: 13th of February 2008
• Area: Soho
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London W1D 5DH
020 7437 5920

sizemore said
Real London History
Even though I live in SE1 and The Coach and Horses is in Soho, I'm fast coming to see the place as my 'local'.

It's known as Norman's Coach & Horses (there are at least two other pubs within walking distance with the same name) after Norman Balon, the previous owner who became famous in his own right for barring customers regularly. He came into the public eye via the many journalists who drink here. Norman stepped down in 2006, but his legacy is on every wall. This Greek Street boozer is much more than a Soho institution, it's a London legend.

While it still gets its fair share of old school journos, recently the pub has become a haven for writers more at home with laptops and is now something of a geek hangout thanks to the new landlord's acceptance of new media. The Coach & Horses now has free and fast wi-fi throughout and it's upstairs dining room has been used for some very high profile online gatherings.

Somehow this influx of new blood hasn't changed the essential charm of the place. While a lot of London pubs have the occasional 'character' the Coach & Horses has collected an entire cast. So any night you pop in will probably be memorable.

As an example of an old school institution that has managed to adapt to survive without 'breaking' anything, well I can't think of a better example. Plus there's a new website on the way :)

If you're simply looking for a friendly boozer then the staff will warn you that pints of Hoegaarden are a tad expensive and they're quite happy to chat away with you (or ridicule you in a nice way to prove the spirit of Norman is alive and kicking - "real men don't have lime in their drinks" was the upshot of one bar wide debate the last time I was in). Plus it's a good place to spot the occasional celeb - just don't go trying to shake anyone's hand.

And to top it off, the food, while being a simple selection of traditional pub grub with pies a plenty, is really good.

• Added: 11th of February 2008
• Area: Covent Garden
• Category: Shops

London WC2H 8JR
020 7420 3666

sizemore said
A Mega-City Store
Growing up as I did on 2000AD in the bleak North of England London seemed as distant as Judge Dredd's Mega City One, but Forbidden Planet was at least reachable according to the small ads in the comic each week. Interestingly they also seemed to host signings with the people whose work I was reading. As a kid Forbidden Planet represented a place where comics were taken seriously.

Now I live in London it's easy to forget what a mecca Forbidden Planet still is for sci fi geeks. I'm a big fan of a lot of London's smaller independent comic shops too, but FP is still a place you can take your girlfriend without her being looked at like an oddity. And with shelves groaning under the weight of not just comics, but also books, DVDs and toys there's a very healthy mix of people in there. Hardcore nerds mixing with brand new Torchwood fans has got to be a good thing.

They also run a series of events that allow you to meet not just writers, but a lot of the folk you grew up watching on TV :) Where else are you gonna run into Christoper Lee, Peter Davison and Simon Pegg?

• Added: 30th of January 2008
• Area: Lambeth
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE1 7AE
020 7633 0270

sizemore said
Nice friendly space
Lower Marsh is tucked away near Waterloo and full of interesting places that never seem to be open when I'm passing. Although I'd walked past this pub many time I'd never been in - so perhaps its old name, The Elusive Camel' was appropriate. It's now under new management and I got the chance to pop along as part of a London Bloggers Meetup group.

There's a nice size bar downstairs and then extra seating available upstairs. With events such as the one this evening the first floor is either half or fully booked depending on the expected numbers. So basically if you can get together 20 or 40 people you can have a large slice of the pub all to yourselves and with no silly booking fee.

The atmosphere downstairs in the regular bar seemed really nice and the staff were certainly helpful. After a quick chat while ordering drinks, myself and a friend were invited to look at the newly renovated beer garden. A little while back it was overgrown and not used, but now they've created a great little space for another 20 to 40 people to hang out once the weather improves. The barbecue is an added bonus. Expect this place to be packed in the summer.

Pretty standard selection of beer, but a nice little place that I'll be going to again.

• Added: 14th of January 2008
• Area: Blackfriars
• Category: Restaurants

London EC4V 5DE
020 7489 7999

sizemore said
Good food, quirky billing :)
I met another TrustedPlaces user here for lunch and to catch up, both being what Bill Hicks would have considered "readers" we headed for Shaws...

And what a great little place. Not too busy considering the time of day, with speedy service. The menu was pretty varied for a city pub and as a veggie I was actually spoiled for choice for a change.

I had a salad and sweet potato curry and we got through a charming bottle of red.

The finishing touch was that the bill arrives tucked away inside an old book... very nice :)

• Added: 5th of January 2008
• Area: Bermondsey
• Category: Restaurants

London SE1 3XF
020 7403 6655

sizemore said
Seek out The Hide
I like The Hide because it's a good way to hide from sports fans when every other pub in London seems to be showing some kind of match. It also serves coffee flavoured beer (and a chocolate one I have yet to try).

Best of all though I can walk in after midnight on a Friday night, find a seat and good conversation while drinking an old single malt recommended by the friendly bar staff who all seem to know their stuff.

And I like the ceiling. It's like drinking inside a giant egg box.

• Added: 4th of January 2008
• Area: Mayfair
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London W1J 9HA
020 7851 2433

sizemore said
Nice view but the cocktails are better
It's atop Waterstones which is handy, but the prices are a tad steep.

The cocktails are great though, and most come with a literary theme.

Well worth a single drink (or two if you feel plush)

• Added: 26th of November 2007
• Area: Aldgate
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London E1 6LY
020 7366 1721

sizemore said
Shabby... like me
I really like the Ten Bells. It gets crowded and noisy and is looking a little worse for wear, but it has a nice friendly atmosphere and is perfect for a pre-curry meetup on the way to Brick Lane. Plus the walk up from Liverpool Street is nice.

• Added: 22nd of November 2007
• Area: Bankside
• Category: Food and Drink

London SE1 9AB
020 7645 3562

sizemore said
The ONLY place for coffee
Surprised it took me so long to get around reviewing Monmouth. Maybe I want LESS people to go so I don't have to queue. There's also a stall in Borough Market itself and another store (the original?) in Covent Garden, but this is MY store. Love it.

Laughingly there are a few Starbucks within spitting distance - with the emphasis on spitting. How they have nerve to call that crap 'coffee' when the real deal is so close by.

Sometimes I just go to LOOK at the beans. I've sat outside in the pouring rain and that coffee still kept me warm.

• Added: 22nd of November 2007
• Area: Covent Garden
• Category: Arts and Culture

London WC2E 8BE
020 7379 6344

sizemore said
£22milion Face Lift
What a difference a little money makes :)

I remember the old transport museum as being a tad old fashioned, but the new shiny version is a pleasure to visit.

It still appeals to older people of course who remember some of the older exhibits when they ran the roads, but from November 2007 it's very much a family museum. There were kids everywhere! And the exhibits are filled with things to push, pull and ring at kiddie height level (meaning a lot of curious adults had to stoop a little).

The new space is filled over three floors filled with old rolling stock, buses, carriages and even a vintage costumed Bobby. Plenty to see and photograph for visitors to London and locals alike.

Well worth the £8 ticket, but the new shop and cafe overlooking Covent Garden are free to get into. The cafe is reasonably priced too and offers a nice vantage point to check out the markets. Best of all the cafe seats are upholstered in 'classic' underground seating fabric.

A fun day out and money well spent. Should really bring one of London's most overlooked museums back into the light.

• Added: 21st of November 2007
• Area: Leicester Square
• Category: Restaurants

London SW1Y 4DL
020 7930 9950

sizemore said
Tapas on tap
Hidden away between Haymarket and Leicester Square Andalucia is a fun little place. Kind of small and tucked away under the street it can get a little noisy, but mid week it's easy to get a table and the service is fast.

I've had just about every veggie option on the menu and have never been let down. Pretty cheap night out of you take a few friends... just go easy on the sangria.