• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Liverpool Street
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London E1 6BX
020 7426 0495

subterranean said
The *Water* Poet
The name of this pub is actually the Water Poet...though many people simply call it the Poet. As my local I am obviously obliged to produce a biased review - but after hearing rave reviews from all friends I bring to the pub, I think I can honestly give an objective view.

Put simply, an excellent pub in the heart of the Spitalfields area and (perhaps) the only beer garden in all of Shoreditch. The pub is absolutely massive and goes on and on...you'd think the front room was all there was to be seen, of course there are about 4 other massive rooms, an events venue downstairs, and a massive gardne out back to while away a Sunday afternoon.

The beer selection is solid but unexciting. At least Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Flower's IPA are usually on offer (however a few additional Belgian beers would be a welcome improvement). Food is good as well - but this is the kind of pub you come to to drink and hang out with friends...

Trendy? Maybe a bit - but it's a trend all its own.

• Added: 8th of July 2008
• Area: Shoreditch
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London E1 6RU
020 7247 6735

subterranean said
Top Coffee Shop
Reminds me a lot of a coffee shops in San Francisco. Very good feel to the place - relaxed atmosphere for hanging with with a good book, the paper, using your laptop or just whiling away the hours listening to the Dylan tunes they play. Oh, and good chairs - lots of knackered comfy leather chairs and sofa....always a plus.

• Added: 4th of March 2008
• Area: Barbican
• Category: Food and Drink

London EC1A 9EJ
020 7796 2229

subterranean said
Best coffee in London?
If you've ever spent any time in Vienna (or Austria for that matter) you will no doubt have sampled and enjoyed the tremendous cafe culture that abounds - the scent of fresh roasted beans emanating onto the back streets, the customers - packed in with newspapers and paperbacks at the ready. Never rushed, never intimidating - just places to sip amazing coffee and relax with an equally inspiring read...

Kipferl perfectly captures that tradition - whilst integrating some of the key features of it's West Smithfield postcode. It's small, it's a tight fit, but it's perfect. Nestled between a few French brasseries and takeaway sandwhich joints, Kipferl offers more than just coffee - including a fine selection of handmade sandwhiches (try the salmon bretzel or Austrian pate sandwhich!), cakes, and even takeaway beers and wines.

But the coffee - that's the real gem here. The authentic grosser brauner and melange are not to be missed. Leave the lattes and cappucinos for Costa or Nero's - at Kipferl authentic Austrian coffee is on exhibit...and the melange in particular may just be the best coffee in the city.

So bring a book, bring a paper - savour a salmon bretzel sandwhich, a grosser brauner - and enjoy a true cafe find in the heart of the city.