The Crackberry Times » old street

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

Medicine

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:40:17 +0000

Head to Medicine for a no nonsense night where the drinks are reasonable and the crowd is friendly. It’s Shoreditch, but without the weird haircuts and skinny jeans that make you doubt the sartorial wisdom of London’s “trendy” quarter. Musically things are fairly mainstream on the ground floor and a little more edgy downstairs where regular DJ nights are hosted. The strangely complementary 70s mix of leather and big-print blood-red wallpaper gives a warm, cosy feeling that fits the atmosphere well. The sister site on Upper Street is smaller but no less appealing.

89 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 3HX. Tel: 020 7739 5173. Web: www.medicinebar.net

The East Room

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:30:27 +0000

A new concept from the makers of Milk & Honey, open membership for the next couple of months mean you can delude your date into thinking that you are as cool you always aspired to be. Ostensibly a down to earth New World wine bar decked out in smart retro purple, there are a number of nice touches: the wine list allows you to pick from a matrix of grape variety and price; a number of cocktails are provided in punch bowls for sharing and “fondues” keep winter concoctions warm all night. Likely to appeal equally to trendy City types and Shoreditch sophisticates. Call before you visit.

2a Tabernacle Street, EC2A 4LU. Tel: 07000 847876. Web: www.thstrm.com

Loungelover

crackberry — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:36:06 +0000

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

crackberry — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:34:54 +0000

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