Fitzrovia
Annex 3
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Fitzrovia, Fitzrovia, Places to Drink, Places to Eat on September 1, 2009
A stylish haunt tucked away along Little Portland St. There is no way that the combination of colours, materials and styles found within Annex 3 should fuse together into anything remotely tasteful. Somehow though, the odd 60s wallpaper, glittering panelled walls and miniature merry-go-round have been put together with a camp psychedelic flair that makes the place distinctly classy. And whilst the décor is impressive, the best thing about this place is the cocktails. Look hard enough in the menu and you’ll find cocktails to share served from goldfish bowls that ooze intimacy and romance. First date perfect. Worth booking.
6 Little Portland St., London, W1W 7JE. Tel: 020 7631 0700
Crazy Bear
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Fitzrovia, Fitzrovia, Places to Drink, Places to Eat on September 1, 2009
This cool little venue is a bit tucked away, but make the effort of finding it as it is a fantastic venue for settling in with a few of your best mates and drinking away an evening. The trick is to book one of the booths downstairs, then start piling through the menu of superior cocktails. The dark, plush interior feels just like an intimate club should do – relaxing, informal and mysterious. Upstairs there is a very respectable Thai restaurant, and if you start feeling peckish, then they’ll serve a variety of tempting bar snacks to your table.
26-28 Whitfield Street, nr Tottenham Court Rd, W1T 2RG. Tel: 020 7631 0088. Web: www.crazybeargroup.co.uk
Fino Restaurant
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Fitzrovia, Places to Eat on September 1, 2009
Fino is a modern restaurant offering some of the best Spanish food in London. Serving all the favourites you would expect such as Iberico Lomo and Gambas al Ajillo, the food is simple with sharp tastes, perfect for grazing through accompanied by a few glasses from the strong menu of Spanish wines. The atmosphere is warm, clean, and in spite of its basement setting, airy; equally perfect for a classy first date or a business lunch. If however, you prefer your Iberian experience with the passion and body of a flamenco dancer’s armpit, this may be a little urbane for you.
Closed Sundays. Price: c.£50pp. 33 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR. Tel: 0207 813 8010. Website:www.finorestaurant.com
Shochu Lounge
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Fitzrovia, Fitzrovia, Places to Drink, Places to Eat on September 1, 2009
Shochu Lounge is the other side of Japan – refined, secretive luxury. The subterranean bar of the restaurant Roka, this place is kitted out with dark wood and leather in a rustic minimalism that is achingly cool. An awesome date venue with tables hidden away in alcoves and bartenders hand chipping ice off blocks set in the bar. Worth booking a table so that you are assured a place to sit. Do go and try their speciality shochu cocktails, at £9 a pop it is on the pricier side, but well worth it for a treat.
37 Charlotte St, Tottenham Court Rd, W1T 1RR. Tel: 020 7580 6464. Web: www.shochulounge.com
Bourne & Hollingsworth
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Fitzrovia, Places to Drink on August 28, 2009
Too cool for a proper website, too small for proper cat-swinging; what does B&H have going for it other than sharing initials with Oasis’ favourite cigarette brand (Noel’s cats were named ‘Benson’ and ‘Hedges’ incidentally)? Achingly chic with a floral backdrop and more than a nod towards subterranean prohibition bars, B&H, though small, is perfectly formed. Drinks are reasonably priced in the £5-7 bracket and on a Tuesday night they even manage to shoehorn in some decent bands for a bit of a spontaneous boogie. If all of that fails to convince you that B&H is worth your patronage remember that anywhere that serves cocktails in porcelain teacups deserves a visit.
28 Rathbone Place, W1T 1JF. Tel: 020 7636 8228. Web: www.bourneandhollingsworth.com
Bam Bou
Posted by crackberry in Everything, Fitzrovia, Fitzrovia, Places to Drink, Places to Eat on August 28, 2009
Dominating the south end of Charlotte Street this Georgian House reeks of old London but step inside and you are transported to French Indochina. Caprice Holdings know what they are doing and Bam Bou is no exception. With a touch of mahogany and the whiff of colonialism in the air Bam Bou has a dark corner for every occasion. The tastes are upmarket South-East Asian and despite the preponderance of similar cuisine up and down Charlotte Street, this is top drawer. And from top drawer to top floor, the Red Bar is a great place to round off an evening or to kick off a first date if you can manage all those stairs.
Price: £40pp. 1 Percy St, W1T 1DB. Tel: 020 7323 9130. Web: www.bam-bou.co.uk