Archive for August, 2009
Jumblist Massive
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Places to Play on August 28, 2009
A quirky concept that is as odd ball as you like and yet just so right: a Sunday afternoon jumble sale with a side order of drinking. All profits go to charity and with new jumble being added hourly, it will indeed be massive. Not to mention the live music that will keep you shop-bopping along. Covers the full constellation of jumble you would want, from vintage/current/designer clothing to books, accessories, DVDs, CDs, and many other Brick Lane noncessities.
Price: £2 entry; most items £1, shoes and coats £5. All profits to PEAS. Time: Sun 20h April, 13:00-18:00. 93 Feet East, 150 Brick Lane, E1 6QL. Tel: 0207 247 3293. Web: www.93feeteast.co.uk
Loungelover
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Places to Drink, Shoreditch on August 28, 2009
If you’re planning a romantic tryst, Loungelover comes highly recommended. There’s something inescapably sexual about it, generating frisson like a tesla coil. Indulgent cocktails are served in an atmosphere of assorted chandeliers and lavish trinkets that breathe a decadent nonchalance here. You’d be missing the point if you didn’t snuggle up to your object of seduction, whisper sweet nothings into their ear and take frivolous liberties with their knees. Booking unfortunately compulsory, but otherwise delightful.
1 Whitby Street, Old Street, E2 7DP. Tel: 020 7012 1234. Web: www.lounglover.co.uk
Les Trois Garcons
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Places to Eat, Shoreditch on August 28, 2009
Often praised, and for good reason, Les Trois Garcons is a grotto of macabre bibelots and absurdist antiques that is simply enchanting. But in order to charge the prices they do, you need more than interior design that looks like the fruition of one of Tim Burton’s wet dreams. Fortunately the boys behind LTG (as well as Annex 3 and Loungelover below) are no amateurs, producing bold French-origin dishes with a cunning and complexity that complements the taxidermy arrangements. The 8 course tasting menu is quite the business.
Price: £90-100pp. 1 Club Row, Old Street, E1 6JX. Tel: 020 7613 1924. Web: www.loungelover.co.uk
The Windsor Castle
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Notting Hill, Notting Hill, Places to Drink, Places to Eat on August 28, 2009
A quintessential English pub, equally perfect for wowing Americans or as a trusty alternative to your local. Giving it its charm are a series of dark wood dividers that used to separate drinking spaces for the riff raff and the toffs, and now carve up the interior into homely nooks and crannies where you can tuck yourself away. Out back there’s a walled beer garden that is perfect for whiling away a summer’s afternoon. Serves a selection of authentic ales and more common lagers to cater for the Notting Hill crowd that frequents it.
114 Campden Hill Road, Notting Hill Gate, W8 7AR. Tel: 020 7243 9551. Web: www.windsorcastlepub.co.uk
The Lucky Spot
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Mayfair, Places to Eat on August 28, 2009
Lucky Spot earns its keep by effectively offering an authentic Italian godmother for hire, complete with home cooked food and eccentric banter. Individual wooden booths combine with the hostess’s effusive chat to ensure that you feel like you’re the sole patrons, whilst the rustic furnishings maintain the familial atmosphere. The menu is a short collection of Italian classics that should please most, and whilst Mayfair has never built its reputation on value for money, the Lucky Spot doesn’t do too badly at all. Ideal for catching up with friends or a laid back date.
Price: £30-40pp. 14 North Audley St, Bond St, W1K 6WE. Tel: 020 7493 0277.
Brockwell Lido
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Places to Play on August 28, 2009
Now that the sun has got its hat on, you can be sure that everyone will be making the most of it. Brixton’s Beach is definitely a venue of choice, given its open air pool, modern gym and healthy variety of classes, all following a £3m renovation that was completed on the grade II listed buildings last year. As it’s council owned, prices are far more reasonable than you would get at a commercial gym, and you can also pay and play if you’re more interested in being seen round the pool than training in it. Perfect for an active day of lounging one weekend.
Brockwell Park, Brixton, SE24 0PA. Tel: 020 7274 3088. Web: www.brockwell-lido.com
Anam
Posted by crackberry in Angel, Everything, Places to Drink on August 28, 2009
This is a recommendation for an Irish cocktail bar: it is much, much better than it sounds. For starters there aren’t the plastic leprechauns that the description might suggest. In fact it’s bordering on classy, with the cocktail menu neatly divided into Heaven and Hell (no one wants a purgatory-colada, even if they’re Catholic). The inside may be small, but there’s just enough room for a bit of a boogie when the very respectable DJ talent gets involved. All this packaged up with comfy sofas and a welcoming crimson interior that swallows you up from the street outside. All in all a great, friendly alternative to the bars of Upper Street and a great place for a night out with mates.
3 Chapel Market, N1 9EZ. Tel: 020 7278 1001. Web: www.anambar.com
The Library
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Places to Drink, Victoria on August 28, 2009
If sometimes you yearn to do something properly, and that something is drinking, then go to the Lanesborough and seek out the Library bar. This is the best of old school hotel bar drinking – impeccable service, dignified surroundings, and classic drinks. Even if you disagree with the politics of colonialism, you’ll have to admit that it has got style. Equally suited to plotting coups and seducing beauties.
Lanesborough Hotel, Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA. Tel: 020 7259 5599. Web: www.lanesborough.com
Club Bar & Dining
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Places to Eat, Soho on August 28, 2009
This is one of those dependable modern brasserie types that it helps to have up your sleeve for low key work events and no nonsense birthday dinners. An open kitchen situated just behind the bar gives off that chef’s table feel, complementing the tasteful brick/wood/leather décor and adding to the bustling atmosphere. Downstairs there’s a bar lit up in neon and sporting some rather fine purple wallpaper for a bit of fun, which on Tuesdays hosts live music acts (recently including the Argonauts and Dubstar). Rumoured to be a celeb haunt, fortunately the prices don’t show it.
Price: £40-50pp. 21-22 Warwick Street, Piccadilly Circus, W1B 5NE. Tel: 020 7734 1002. Web:www.theclubbaranddining.co.uk
The Icon Room
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Places to Drink, Places to Play, Soho on August 28, 2009
Viva Las Vegas: The Casino at the Empire is one of the largest in London, with all the bright lights and showmanship that you’d expect from the Strip in Nevada, but with views over the West End, rather than miles of sand. Venture inside and you’ll find the jewel in the crown – The Icon Room – a gorgeous bar with a cocktail list to match. Plush fabrics, candles and enormous mirrors give the room an elegant baroque-themed feel and the bar attracts a diverse crowd from all walks of life.
5-6 Leicester Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7NA. Tel: 0203 014 1000. Web: www.thecasinolsq.com