scottishwolfsviews

Qype: Shoreditch House in London

2008-10-01T00:53:00.001-07:00

London - Pubs & Bars - Bars - Cocktail Bars

I was sure I'd reviewed Shoreditch House having been here quite a few times - but it appears not. Anyway - very very good Shoreditch House it has to be said. Beats Soho House and makes the Hospital look frankly ragged. The only members club I like more is Milk & Honey, but that might be just familiarity.

The highlight is definitely the swimming pool at the roof area - great stuff, more Miami than London in terms of styling, but with a little bit of an NYC feel thrown in as you look out across the city. The whole place has a great atmosphere to it - brilliant put together throughout with all the different floors having their own unique feeling. Very occasionally it can feel a little bit overly 'media' but nothing too annoying/distracting.

Service is excellent whether its food or drinks you are after and of course the food and drink is first class. If you are going to get stuck into the cocktails - may I heartily recommend an espresso martini, a fabulous drink made to perfection here.

While not being cheap by any stretch the food and drink is definitely good value.

If you are going to join a club - join this one. Yes yes it's in Shoreditch and not the centre of town, but if you're stumping up to join, I'm sure you can afford the cab ride over there!
Check out my review of Shoreditch House - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Bunch Of Grapes in London

2008-10-01T00:32:00.001-07:00

London - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

It's a nice little pub this one, hidden away off the main drag of Borough High Street, and currently hiding behind some fairly major roadworks. It's a fairly small place, in traditional English pub style, with lots of dark wood, lots of tall tables and chairs and a pretty good selection of beers.

As 78Apples says - a bit less 'blokey' than a lot of pubs in the area and that's certainly no bad thing. It's got a friendly atmosphere, full of lots of chat.

It gets pretty busy from mid-week onwards and actually, despite the credit crunch it was rammed this week on a Tuesday when we popped in.

No music and no TV for those interested in that sort of thing - just chat and drinks.

All in - if you're looking for a pub around the area you can do a lot worse than drop in here.
Check out my review of Bunch Of Grapes - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: The Albert in London

2008-09-28T03:45:00.001-07:00

London - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

There are quite a few really nice pubs, bars and restaurants around this area and the Prince Albert is definitely one of them. It’s a good looking building from the outside - a very traditional feel to it and this is continued inside where its all wooden furniture and brass.

A decent range of drinks in a pub that is always relatively full but never too busy and never too empty - seems to always be just about right.

Food is very good and it has a decent enough range on the menu.

Bearing in mind the beer garden out the back is basically a small concrete space, they have done well to make it as welcoming as it is with lots of trees and bushes around the place. However, I seem to remember having a very very long afternoon here and can tell your the wrought iron garden furniture gets a bit uncomfortable after about 5 hours…

All in - very much worth a visit and a much friendlier place than The Engineer which is just down the road from it.
Check out my review of The Albert - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Parliament Hill bench in London

2008-09-19T03:17:00.001-07:00

London

Not too far away from me and although it's a long old walk to get to this bench, it's well worth it for the marvellous views all across London. The odd thing is that there isn't a queue for it after dragging yourself up to it.

The other interesting thing is that this bench has featured in a few films as well. Judi Dench in Notes on a Scandal, and a whole chapter of the super-budget, but rather good Scenes of a Sexual Nature was set on this bench (the whole film being set in Hampstead Heath). The Omen had some filming done here as well - though I'm not sure if the bench was in it -has it been in any other movies? Is it the most famous bench in cinema history? Should it be getting a royalties cheque?
Check out my review of Parliament Hill bench - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Allies Statue in London

2008-09-19T02:53:00.001-07:00

London

I really like this bench/sculpture - it's always one I stumble across by accident in London rather than design. It's incredibly lifelike and is considered the artist's most famous work.

The background on it is that it was a gift from the Bond Street Association (the shops and businesses of Bond Street) to the City of Westminster to commemorate 50 years of peace. It was unveiled on 2/5/95 by Princess Margaret.
Check out my review of Allies Statue - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: The Gaucho Grill in London

2008-09-14T13:15:00.001-07:00

London - Restaurants - Latin American - Argentinian

Only going to give this Gaucho a 4. It's got a great view from upstairs of the Tower Bridge area, but for some reason it's not quite got the same level of quality of staff, service and atmosphere as some of the others. It's still a brilliant place for a steak and there is still the fun opportunity to see the cuts and have them explained along with how they are best cooked before diving in to the eating.

However, for some reason the environment doesn't quite work as well as at other Gauchos. Added to this the last time I was here was with a chef from the Oxo tower and the Sommelier we had decided to try and convince us that the red wine we were having should be served at the same temperature as rose. Wrong, and simply not a very good idea when someone works in the area for a living. This undermined the experience a little - she should really have just admitted she was wrong and that the place they hold wine up from the cellar was a little too cold - but we still had a fun night.

Oh and if you really fancy a meat adventure - why not get one of each of the four cuts in a 1200 gram steak extravaganza...just don't get two of them to share between 4 people. 2,400 g of meat is just too much steak!

Check out my review of The Gaucho Grill - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: The Gaucho Grill in London

2008-09-14T13:06:00.001-07:00

London - Restaurants - Steak Houses - Restaurants - Latin American - Argentinian

Vegetarians - you must not go to this place, or you will go to the dark side. This is my favourite of the Gaucho set of restaurants around London. The food, as at all of the Gauchos, is first class with a fabulous selection of Argentinian steaks with a variety of cuts and the opportunity to see the cuts and have them explained along with how they are best cooked before diving in to the eating.

Outside of the steaks are a great selection of sides with the mushrooms being my personal favourite though all of them are great and go very well alongside the main event of the meat.

There is a decent wine list as well along with a wide variety of other drinks to satisfy the majority of diners. The wine varies from reasonable to fairly mind crushingly expensive so something for everyone really.

The atmosphere is great - its all cow hide seats in a little darkened cellar style setting, and it really is the perfect place or a long lunch that just keeps on going...I seem to remember one time we were still there when the evening sitting was coming in...

Cheap it is not - but I'd say it's good value as it's not exorbitant.

Service is speedy, polite and knowledgeable. Get yourself a steak and enjoy.

Check out my review of The Gaucho Grill - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Bar Kohl in Edinburgh

2008-09-13T05:22:00.001-07:00

Edinburgh - Pubs & Bars - Bars

Bit of an Edinburgh institution this one - it's been there since my days as a student and that was really quite some time ago now sadly.

It has an extraordinary amount of drinks, focusing on a quite simply ridiculous number of flavoured vodkas.

Great atmosphere to the place - gets busy mind, but always chatty and friendly.

If you're heading to the 'Burgh, get yourself along here and 'enjoy' a red hot chili vodka shooter...

Check out my review of Bar Kohl - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Catch 22 in London

2008-09-13T04:39:00.001-07:00

London - Pubs & Bars - Bars

Two floors and two bars in this bar. Downstairs you have a series of little booths on a raise platform all opposite the bar. Cosy and ideal for 4 people to sit and chat. If you have more than 4 people - not such a good idea to sit here as there aren't really many spare chairs to pop on the end. And even if you do get one, as the booths are raised and there is a railing running parallel you are going to get in everyone's way anyway.

Upstairs is a long room, with a decent sized bar on the left hand side and a small stage for bands at the end - there are plenty of music nights here. However, even if the bands are great the acoustics are a little odd. The room isn't a great shape for live tunes - being a little corridor-esque and the ceiling is all a bit awkward with slants and different height levels. Having said that they put some good nights on so well worth checking out.

All in pretty good bar - very shoreditch with plenty of angular haircuts around the place.

Check out my review of Catch 22 - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Warren Evans in London

2008-09-07T05:16:00.001-07:00

London - Home Services

Warren Evans is so good - I'm stunned this is only the second review of it.

I think just about every single one of my friends has got their bed here. They have a variety of styles, types of wood, colours, sizes and mattresses to suit everyone - even bunk beds for the kids. They also have a range of other bedroom furniture. Staff are knowledgeable and helpful, and go out of their way to make sure you get the bed that is right for you.

You don't have to wait for weeks for it once you have ordered it either - they can usually have your bed to you in a few days, and the super efficient delivery chaps will come in and put it together for you in about 5 minutes.

Prices are good value as well - not the cheapest thing you'll ever going to buy, but its great quality stuff.

Can't recommend it strongly enough if you are in the market for a bed - and enjoy trying out all the different mattresses in the showroom.

Check out my review of Warren Evans - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Bedales in London

2008-09-07T01:35:00.001-07:00

London - Restaurants - French

Situated on the edge of Borough market - Bedales is a great little place for a visit for those who love their wine and those who just like visiting great little bars. The ground floor has plenty of seating for those looking to enjoy a tipple from the very large selection of wines they have on offer round the walls of the room. The back has some seating which flows out into Borough market itself, and downstairs is an excellent cellar bar. The whole place has a great atmosphere to it, with lots of interesting characters enjoying their purchases. Staff are very friendly, although somewhat distracted when it get busy.

The corkage fee of £8 on each bottle I believe which is a bit over the top in my view. Especially when you consider the dictionary definition of corkage: "a fee charged, as in a restaurant, for serving wine or liquor brought in by the patron."

Well - didn't we just buy the wine there rather than bring it with us?

Check out my review of Bedales - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: The Globe in London

2008-09-07T01:21:00.001-07:00

London - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

Where are all the actors? Oh...not that Globe in Southwark...the pub one...Situated near Borough market & Southwark Cathedral - the Globe is less touristy than you might suspect. Half crouching under the railway bridge, the globe looks pretty tired from the outside, and that's repeated inside - where it's a very traditional English pub and there are a collection of random antiques (including numerous globes of course) up in the open wooden rafters.

The service is pretty speedy and the prices are good value for London, especially in the area. For smokers - its got plenty of outside space which is under the cover of the railway bridge, although if its really raining you're going to get dripped on.

Check out my review of The Globe - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Coach & Horses in London

2008-09-04T01:27:00.031-07:00

London - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

The other Coach & Horses in Soho and I was feeling sorry for it, as the more famous one has 22 reviews...whereas it's a zero for the one Poland Street.

I'll always have a soft spot for this pub as it oddly became a local for me and my mates when we first moved to London...mainly because it was in the middle of town and miles away from all of us living in the north/south/east/west of the city. There was a faulty logic to it and it led to us meeting up a lot here. Having not been in a while a recent visit revealed that....nothing had changed. Good on them for keeping it as a good old London boozer. Its got loads of dark wood, it's got upholstered slightly tired furniture, it sells beer, it's got dubious toilets and slightly bemused looking staff.

It's small and pretty perfectly formed as pubs go on the downstairs. But oddly it has a room upstairs which is rarely used (and a bar which is very rarely open). A shame really as its light, airy and spacious in comparison with the space down stairs.

It's also handily positioned just off Oxford Street, so not too bonkers busy, but also a nice place to escape to from shopping hell. Prices are reasonable for the area - as in pretty expensive.

So overall a solid 3 for a good old fashioned honest London boozer. May it forever stay that way...and some of the people from the other Coach & Horses should come and review it!

Check out my review of Coach & Horses - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: The Green Man in London

2008-09-04T01:27:00.029-07:00

London - Pubs & Bars - Pubs - Pubs & Bars - Bars

It's a solid 3 for the Green Man, which is a handy pub just off the Oxford Street 'drag' (and isn't it a drag at times?). It's a decent sized boozer, which sells a decent range of drinks at reasonable prices. It's open late, it shows sport on big screens & it has a pool table. It does pub fare.

Stylish it is not, and nor will it ever be. However, it's a good place to go for a bit of respite from the madness of shopping on a Saturday and to catch the footy results. Not somewhere I'd head as a destination pub to watch a match - but handy to know about if you are meeting people in town.

Check out my review of The Green Man - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Heathrow Express in London

2008-09-04T01:27:00.027-07:00

London - Travel & Hotels - Airports

Ok, the Heathrow Express is expensive - indeed at about £15 quid each way it can cost you more than your flight! However, has anyone taken the alternative route? Do you not remember having to get up at about 3am to get a 10am flight from Heathrow, because you had to take the Piccadilly line - a trip so long you can see people visibly age during it?

So it's your usual pay off here between time and money. If you haven't got an Oyster it's going to cost you £4 on the tube each way and take about an hour if you went from Paddington to Heathrow - and way more than that if you are in North, South or East London.

Add to that the fact that the Heathrow Express is built for people travelling with bags - as opposed to the tube and the convenience and speed surely mean it's worthwhile?

Oh and finally it's a lot nicer to travel in than the dear old tube as well as it has been cleaned that day as opposed to given a rub down in 1963...

Check out my review of Heathrow Express - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: The Toucan in London

2008-09-04T01:27:00.025-07:00

London - Pubs & Bars - Bars - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

The Toucan is a little Soho legend. Just off Soho Square, this very small pub is spread across two floors (ground and basement) and er...the street outside. It's not the smoking ban that has driven the drinkers of the Toucan out onto the street - its the fact that it seats about 40 and yet any night from Wednesday onwards it usually has about 200 people trying to get a drink.

But don't let that put you off - it's a great place for a very good pint of guiness and has a very nice relaxed atmosphere to it.

As has already been written - its probably at its best on a quiet afternoon or early week night when you can just sit and enjoy the atmosphere of the place, but its good fun at any time.

Price is pretty much your usual Soho. The food when I've had it has been fine both taste and price - pretty simple stuff though.

The toilets are not the best...but the decor and the fact that this is a real irish pub not a theme one make up for the little issues.

Check out my review of The Toucan - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Eddie's Barber Shop in London

2008-09-04T01:27:00.023-07:00

London - Beauty & Wellness - Hairdressers

I've been to Eddies a few times and it's your classic blokes barbers basically. Though a classic of the 1980s period rather than the red stripey pole, cut throat razor, take themselves a bit too seriously type.

Some odd fading bluish photos of people with 1980s haircuts, loads of people seeming to know the two blokes that run it and popping in for chats, a selection of random 6 month old magazines topped off with the weekends papers.

For all that - its quick, its pretty good value at a tenner and they do a fine job if its nothing too complicated.

NB: Qype has the right address, but the map has Eddies somewhere slightly bizarre - it's actually on Kentish Town high street, down near Quinns pub.

Check out my review of Eddie's Barber Shop - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: The Crown in London

2008-09-04T01:27:00.021-07:00

London - Pubs & Bars - Bars

Hmm - going to have to disagree with Moonrising on this being an Australian bar. I think he might have just walked in there on Australia Day maybe? As every time I've been there's been no hint of aussieness to the place - it's much more of a traditional London pub with a random and friendly selection of punters from all over the place - your classic bar leaning London blokes supping their pints, a few tourists chattering away and a mix of people just in for a quick beer after a spot of Covent Garden shopping.

The pub is basically a triangular shape with the bar in the middle of it and dividing it into 3 spaces. At the top of the 'triangle' where the main entrance is the biggest space with a few tall tables and bar stools, then through on the back left is a little room with some sofas and a few regular tables and chairs. The back right is high bar stools and ledges.

It's not big by any stretch of the imagination, but its got a nice traditional London pub decor in it, and the place is friendly with a good atmosphere and feels very cosy in winter. Prices are ok for drinks and there is an ok range there.

All in - a nice spot for a sit down and a bit of relaxation post-shopping, though I can't see myself ever seeking it out for a night out. So overall a solid 3 stars.

Check out my review of The Crown - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: The Junction Tavern in London

2008-09-04T01:27:00.019-07:00

London - Restaurants - British

Ah the marvellous Junction Tavern. I've just moved in Kentish Town and I'm a lot closer to the Junction now - which is good news as it's very good place, if a bit of a hotch potch of things.

The main bar is a big wood panelled room and it's split into a restaurant area and a small 'pub area' next to the bar with tables and chairs. It then expands out into a sort of big conservatory out the back with a load more tables and chairs and then finally it has a decent sized beer garden out the back with plenty of tables and plenty of cover.

As already noted it has a good and frequently changing selection of real ales and also hosts a mini beer festival over the end of May bank holiday weekend which is always entertaining as the usually fairly young crowd runs into the beard scratching gang testing out the Dragon's Toenail from Dobeg and comparing it to the Badgers Facial Warts beer from the isle of Egg.

The food is pretty good on the whole, though a little bit over priced in my view for what it is, and a little bit over complicated at times as well. The beer isn't the cheapest either but its not too bad. However, the service on the whole is friendly and pretty efficient.

All in, it may be trying to do a bit too much and be a few too many things to a few too many different types of people - but on the whole it works and the mix of people you get coming along can be entertaining in its own right. Well worth a visit.

Check out my review of The Junction Tavern - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Owl Bookshop Ltd in London

2008-09-04T01:27:00.017-07:00

London - Shopping - Books

Yet another Kentish Town Gem - which makes me wonder, has Kentish Town got the best high street in London with its collection of random and brilliant independent shops? Anyone know any other goodys out there?

Anyway, back to the Owl. It's a lovely and well put together independent bookshop. It's not huge by any stretch - but it has a great and carefully put together selection of new books in every category you could think of mixed in with some wisely chosen old favourites and a sprinkling of old titles you'd never have thought of.

It's got a great atmosphere in there - very relaxing and a little like stepping back in time to gentler days, as you potter through the tatstefully selected cards and near genius DVD section which basically is what I wish my DVD collection looked like but doesn't....

Served by some knowledgeable and very friendly staff - the last time I was in they were talking in a lot of detail to two 10 year olds about various different options once you have read all the Harry Potters. These same staff will also more than happily advise you if you are a bit older than 10 and also order anything they haven't got in for you.

Go on - give the Owl a visit, go and spend your money with them and no Amazon or Waterstones and keep an institution going.

Check out my review of Owl Bookshop Ltd - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Two Floors in London

2008-09-04T01:27:00.015-07:00

London - Pubs & Bars - Bars

A Soho bar that has been there almost as long as I have been in London is something pretty refreshing frankly.

I remember first going there in about 1997 and thinking it was great, and have come back many a time since then, although my trip last night was the first in a year or so.

The genius with Two Floors is that is was never uber-cool, just quite comfy with itself as being a good friendly bar and because of this it has never really hit the heights of impossible to get into/served at, but it has also not lost all its customers to another bar as they migrate to the latest and greatest.

The top bar is long and the main room is fairly spacious with sofas, wooden seats and low tables dotted around the place. The basement bar is slightly random with some sort of Hawiian style decor going on. It's low lit and doesn't get a huge amount of light in because of its position so think New York bar experience for that part of the atmosphere. It's a friendly place as well and always feels a very comfortable place to hang out in.

Only has the one beer on tap - but its the very good Kirin and reasonably priced. Has a fairly good selection of bottled beers too. Does some good cocktails for around £6 as well.

I'm not so sure about the service these days. I might have hit it on a bad night, but it was pretty amateur last night with the selection of who was next seeming to be totally random.

Overall though a really good bar and a true stalwart of the Soho scene.

Worth noting - I don't think it's ever had a sign outside, so note the address. It's pretty obvious its a bar from the outside, but you won't find the name there.

Check out my review of Two Floors - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Cha Cha Moon in London

2008-09-04T01:27:00.013-07:00

London - Restaurants - Chinese

Went along here last night and I was impressed. Alan Yau managed to come up with something new and exciting when he brought a pimped up version of the Japanese Raman style noodle bar to London with Wagamamas, and here his inspiration is Hong Kong market noodle bars.

Similar to Wagamamas in terms of being arranged in benches - there is a bit more space for your elbows and its darker, rather than the impossibly bright lighting of some Wagamamas. There is also room for you to eat on your own without feeling quite so much of the proverbial sore thumb as they have some tall bars and stools which seemed pretty busy with people stopping off for a bargain meal on their way home.

The promotion they are running with at the moment with everything at £3.50 is ridiculously good value for money - though worth noting they charge the same for a main course as a starter (or side as they call it here) at the moment. The food is not only good value - but also tastes good. Drinks choice is pretty limited with just one beer - Harbin - and a few cocktails and wines. The Wen Wen cocktail is very fruity and not very vodkay...and Harbin is pretty average beer but fine.

It's obviously all about dwell time here and getting people through as quick as possible. The staff are politely and unobtrusively get you on your way swiftly by picking up everything that's finished within about 10 seconds so you suddenly realise your table is clear and you may as well get the bill. You won't be hanging around here for a leisurely two hour meal.

The atmosphere is really nice in there - I enjoyed the evening and it's quite fun looking in at the chefs hard at work in a kitchen that appears to have fallen out of the Death Star and landed in W1.

Check out my review of Cha Cha Moon - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Lockside Lounge in London

2008-09-04T01:27:00.011-07:00

London - Restaurants - Bistros - Pubs & Bars - Bars

I think how much you like/dislike this bar might depend on when you go. I have been numerous times on weekday evenings and its a pretty chilled out place which feels fairly spacious and is certainly a more pleasant place to be than when it used to be a club quite a few years back.

It's got some good outside seating, a fairly ok range of beers inside and the food is pretty good for lunch.

Having said that - come the weekend and it gets rammed and that's when it turns into Mr Hyde, having not enough room, being too hot, and generally a bit rubbish.

Having said that I've always found the bar staff to be a good bunch.

So overall - pretty good location, slightly away from the main Camden drag, but beware the business of the weekends.

Check out my review of Lockside Lounge - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: The Abbey in London

2008-09-04T01:27:00.009-07:00

London - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

Good place The Abbey - just round the corner from me as well, so probably as close to a local as I have. It's a decent sized bar and has a garden out back with heaters - fortunately for the 11 months of the year that England is too cold to sit outside.

They play a decent mix of music and also have plenty of live bands on as well. It is a bit on the loud side from time to time for a quiet chat with someone, but most of the time it works well.

Good place for a Sunday with the papers as well - it's pretty chilled out and feels spacious.

The food is tasty too - nice mix they have on the menu now as they have brought in some great Caribbean dishes.

Oh and finally it's got late night opening which always makes for a good pub.

Check out my review of The Abbey - I am scottishwolf - on Qype

Qype: Auntie Annies Porterhouse in London

2008-09-04T01:27:00.007-07:00

London - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

I'll give this a very quick review as it's opening night at the renamed Annies - no invite for me though.... It's no longer yellow on the outside - it's beige. It's got black awnings. It has a piano in it which struck me as odd, and the workmen were still finishing off the outside as lots of people were sipping champers on the inside. A little odd.

It's called Annies as of today in a little homage to the old pub. Be interesting see how it gets on and 'll do a proper review when I'm not just walking home and peering in the window at a party I'm not invited to :)

Ok - update as I went there last night to check it out. Bling might be a good word for it? A white baby grand piano and a massive chandelier plus some knocked off 17th century Court of King Louis French seating...add in cocktails, doormen (in kentish town??), 4 foot high silver plant pots and you have something that feels a little like someone teleported a bar from miami or LA onto Kentish town high street.

When you consider the view out from the bar is Somerfield, Chicken Cottage, Blustons and Ladbrokes...it makes you wonder if the people behind it are living on a different planet?

Then again it was busy as hell last night, and you have to admire the ambition of trying to set something like this up. So good luck chaps...and best of luck with the old locals who looked like they came back to have a nose and spent a lot of time discussing the lack of TV...

Check out my review of Auntie Annies Porterhouse - I am scottishwolf - on Qype