The Crackberry Times » Places to Eat

Andrew Edmunds

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:23:00 +0000

Whether you’re planning a Valentine’s Day extravaganza or trying to claw your way back into your loved one’s affections after a romantic interlude, Andrew Edmunds is a valuable asset to Cupid’s arsenal. This place is the culinary translation of a bunch of red roses and romance seems to ooze out the walls like the waft of Sex Panther. The intimate interior is dark wood, with dim lighting and is adorned with many candles (naturally). A hand written menu details the modern European mix of food, which changes on daily basis and is seasonally influenced. If you want to be on someone, bring them here.

46 Lexington Street, Soho, W1F 0LW. Tel: 020 7437 5708

The Churchill Arms

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:20:28 +0000

A real mix of styles, The Churchill Arms is a winning combination of local boozer and humble Thai eatery. Found enshrouded in a constellation of hanging baskets that burst with flowers in the summer months, once you step inside you’ll be faced with what appears to be the archetypal Old Man Pub, compete with murky carpet and sticky beer mats. However, push further in to the right of the bar you’ll reach another mini jungle of hanging flora where they serve earnestly good Thai food at amazingly low prices. What makes this place is that it’s everything you want, without any frills. The beer is on tap and the carrots aren’t carved into roses; the dishes are filling and there’s a distinct lack of incense.

119 Kensington Church St., Kensington, W8 7LN. Tel: 020 7727 4242

Annex 3

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:19:53 +0000

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

Favela Chic

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:18:24 +0000

You never know quite what might happen in Favela Chic, ostensibly a vivacious pseudo Brazilian bar. Generally there’s a friendly crowd bopping along to a mix of salsa and meringue, but next thing you know the DJ has seamlessly mixed into Springtime for Hitler, and one of the staff is goose stepping down the bar… Recently their midweek Swap-a-Rama Razzmatazz nights (where you exchange an item of clothing with a neighbour every time the klaxon sounds) have been causing a stir. Visually the place is a camp construction of graffitied driftwood with a spattering of large tropical plants; a latino take on the kitsch tack of Mahiki. Drinks wise its all caiparinhas, Sol and gulpable Argentine plonk. A word of warning though – make sure you get there before 10:30 – this place is popular.

91-93 Great Eastern Street, Old Street, EC2A 3HZ. Tel: 020 7613 5228. Web: www.favelachic.com

Green and Red

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:17:49 +0000

A bit like walking into one of those bars in Desperado, but a lot cleaner and with less chance of getting shot, which is nice. The menu is simple, roasted, spicy and meaty – think slow roast pork belly, jalapeno chillis and avocado salsa. Inside it is modern, light, and predominantly wood, with the restaurant on the ground floor and a large bar area downstairs. Graze the expansive list of tequilas and margaritas until you’re calling your mates “hombre” and your girlfriend is talking dirty to you in Spanish, then head to Favela Chic to finish the night off properly.

Price: £30pp. 51 Bethnal Green Rd, Shoreditch, E1 6LA. Tel: 020 7749 9670. Web: www.greenred.co.uk

Crazy Bear

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:55:43 +0000

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

Blueprint Cafe

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:41:39 +0000

This restaurant in the Design Museum overlooks the Thames from Tower Bridge to Canary Wharf. Clearly the view is the star of the show here, whilst the restaurant itself is set in a glass box whose interior aesthetics frame it all beautifully. The food is considerably better than your average museum café papier maché, but admittedly you might not make the trip for it alone. The variety of modern European dishes is good if not superlative. Perfect if you are playing host to visitors from out of town, but would also make for an interesting alternative for Sunday lunch.

Mon – Sat 12-3 & 6-11; Sun 12-4. Price approx £40pp. 28 Shad Thames, nr Tower Bridge, SE1 2YD. Phone: 020 7378 7031

Automat

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:39:09 +0000

American food as it’s supposed to be. Simple diner style dishes – steaks, burgers, brunches – are cooked with competence and class, delivered as the comfort dishes they are. The décor is half dark wood booths and half bright tiled space with an open kitchen, which along with the background warbling of Sinatra and Monroe lends the place an old school vibe that is buzzy and yet relaxed. Those trying to maintain some semblance of January restraint will be glad to know that there are plenty of lighter options available. A great all rounder, this place will suit most occasions.

Price: £40pp. 33 Dover Street, Green Park, W1S 4NF. Tel: 0207 499 3033. Web: www.automat-london.com

Fino Restaurant

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:38:11 +0000

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

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:37:14 +0000

This Olde Worlde pub was a favourite of Dickens and Johnson. Now, if you can track it down to its alley off Fleet Street, you will find a vaulted warren of bars, restaurants and conspiratory cubby holes alternately decked with rich dark wood panelling and stone. Whilst aspiring barristers and local bankers will be all too familiar with its location, for others the trick is to keep a keen eye out for the sign hanging on the north side of the road, half way between the law courts and Clerkenwell Rd. The food is traditional pub fair, and depending on which of the 3 restaurants you are in varies from no nonsense bites to fill you up to surprisingly fine dining. Come here on a dark winter’s night to quaff a few ales, or impress visiting relatives (especially Americans) with you intimate knowledge of the backstreets of London.

145 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2BU. Tel: 0207 353 6170