Archive for the ‘Newsletters’ Category

GLP #39: New Year’s Solutions – try out some new skills…

Sunday, January 8th, 2012

New year, new you, you know the drill. As you plan which new direction your life will take with full gusto, until you give up some three weeks later, we thought we could give you a helping hand and hopefully keep you at it a little longer. Tasterlab is a superb new(ish) site run by some friends of GLP that helps you try new things out – for free or not very much – and we’ve teamed up with them for this newsletter. If you fancy getting fit, learning a new skill or just finding out how to let off some steam in London – then these guys can help. We picked some of the stuff they’ve got going which felt most GLPish (in charming locations / quirky skills), saving you some cash, opening some doors and being sure it won’t be a rubbish con. Everyone’s a winner. And you might just discover something you’ll love. Here you go:

Tango, with Rojo y Negro / £40 – 60% Off / Queensway & Farringdon

Latvian House Ballroom

The best thing about this taster bundle (other than it being TEN classes for super cheap) is that the classes take place in some seriously great little places – the Latvian House in Queensway and the Union Tavern in Farringdon. The Latvian House has an incredible ballroom, and the Union Tavern doubles as a dance venue and a gastropub stocked with more than 80 wines. Rojo y Negro will take you from beginner to dancefloor owning, Buenos Aires bound, twinkle toes. No need to go with a partner, so a great way to meet people too.

Cooking with Open Kitchen / 50% off, £39.50 – Hoxton

Open Kitchen

Within ear shot of the chinking mojito glasses of Hoxton Square is the Open Kitchen. This restaurant slash hot bed training ground for upcoming chefs ensures that it sources seasonal produce, free range / freedom welfare products wherever possible. Added to that: it contributes to the local economy and ensures fair work ethics for everyone. Happy days all round. Try your hand at cooking up a fancy new dish, then showing off to your friends with ‘something I just rustled up earlier.’

Kickboxing with London Fight Factory / FREE / Old Street, East London

London Fight Factory

It’s been a long day, and maybe you just want to… kick the bejesus out of something. So do it safely and for free (also legally) in this East London studio, and get seriously de-stressed. Also this taster session will show you just how lean you could be if you added boxing classes to your routine. You handsome so and so.

Discover Scuba Session with London Scuba / £15 – 50% Off / Surrey

Scuba

If 2012′s going to be your “let’s get skilled up” year, why not start with a spot of underwater breathing? Without even having to leave the city, you can get a real feel for whether you’d like to pursue your scuba certification and get up close and personal with Nemo and co next time you’re away.

Anusara Yoga with Antonia Pantazatou / FREE / Central London

Anusara Yoga

Let’s start by saying this taster is free, which is everyone’s favourite price. Anusara yoga is a simple style of yoga that focuses on the proper alignment of your body, so you can build up your physical self while working on your inner self at the same time.

Cherry Pie Music Lessons / FREE / South London

Cherry Pie Music Lessons

So maybe you weren’t the perfect, multi instrumental musical whizz kid, but it’s not too late grace the world with your as yet undiscovered musical talents – and learn an instrument. This taster is amazing because you can pick from something more basic like the guitar, a spot of woodwind or up to the more intense double bass. You’ll be slapping the strings in a smoky jazz den in no time.

Singing Lessons with Davina Lee / £22.50 – 50% Off / North London

Davina Singing Lessons

Whether it’s annoying your colleagues or belting your favourite show tunes in the shower, it couldn’t hurt to, you know, do it better. Take some singing lessons, tell no one and then wait for the look of shock and awe the next time you perform your favourite karaoke jam.

Drawing with Can’t Draw, only £10, save 60% – Clapham/ Brixton

Can't Draw

Can’t draw? We’ll soon change that. Enter this South London studio and learn how to access the creative part of your brain and transform your artistic ability, and work on your individual style.

Outdoor Fitness with Urban Gym / FREE / Central London

Rat Race Urban Gym

Escape the office, get some fresh air and get the most out of the biggest gym on the planet. This free outdoor fitness session will ensure that you can get your workout on, have fun and meet new people.

Photography Lesson with Tina Maas / £30 – 50% Off / North London

Tina Maas Photography

It’s easy to look at a digital camera and think, “Man, this is so button-y and complicated. I’ll just point this in some general direction and click.” Unsurprisingly, those photos usually don’t turn out for the best. This taster lets you spend the day learning how to take great photos with a professional photographer. You may not have lofty photo aspirations, but your Facebook albums will be the envy of all.

Here’s to a very merry 2012 – with plenty more great little places to come.

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Posted in Newsletters |

GLP #38: London’s Golden Oldies…

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Once upon a time, these silver foxes were the new kids on the block. Back to the future and thankfully they’re still with us. Sadly, we don’t have hover boards yet. Just oyster cards. And we’re not afraid to use them.

So here is our trip down memory lane, passing by the big smoke’s various wrinkles and crinkles. But one foot in the grave these great little places are not; they’re alive and still kicking the youngsters to the curb… And if we’ve got our facts wrong, or you know more of London’s oldest gems, let us know in the comments.

Oldest Bookshop established 1797: Hatchards, 187 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LE

Booksellers since 1797. Much like the restricted section in Hogwarts’ Library, the glorious Hatchards looks like it might just have a copy of Tom Riddle’s diary. One thing is for sure: no Kindle shall you find here.

Oldest Patisserie established 1871: Maison Bertaux, 28 Greek Street, Soho

We love Maison Bertaux like fat kids love cake.

Oldest Cinema established 1910: Electric Cinema, 191 Portobello Road, W11 2ED

The Electric Cinema opened on February 27th 1910, pipping the Phoenix Cinema to the post which opened shortly after in 1912. It’s still one of the finest cinematic corners in London. Plus they had the cracking idea of installing a bar in the cinema hall itself; the original Genius Bar.

Oldest Restaurant established 1798: Rules Restaurant, 35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, WC2E 7LB

We mentioned it over in ‘Best of British‘: Rules Restaurant stills rules the roost in our eyes. When you’ve been serving up traditional British food and classic game cookery for this long, you’re most definitely on top of your game.

Oldest (surviving) Pub established in 1602: The Seven Stars, 53-54 Carey Street, WC2A 2JB

This is perhaps the most controversial of crowns. We’ve dug deep in our history books and the answer isn’t 100% clear. The Great Fire of 1666 (the Devil’s digits – coincidence we think not) put paid to a lot of the originals. Many have been rebuilt despite their great claims to antiquity. Ye Old Mitre is a mighty fine pub claiming to date back to 1546 but the present building wasn’t built until 1772. And Ye Old Cheshire Cheese was rebuilt in 1667, despite related ancestry dating back to 1538. It seemed to be a toss up then between The Seven Stars and The Olde Wine Shades, both of which survived the fire. The Seven Stars was supposedly built in 1602 whilst The Olde Wine Shades was built in 1663, so our fruit machine money is on The Seven Stars (despite the fact that there is no solid proof it’s operated as a pub over all its 400 years). Other contenders were the Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden, The George Inn, Southwark, The Anchor, Bankside, The Spaniards Inn, Hampstead and The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping. But the truth be told, no one will ever know for certain. Plus there’s not a pub still standing, claiming to be the oldest that hasn’t be altered a dozen times.

Oldest Theatre established in 1663: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Catherine Street, WC2B 5JF

The current building, which was built in 1812 is the fourth theatre to built on its present site, the first was in 1663. Big claim to fame: The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane has been visited by every monarch since the Restoration. We’re wondering if Shrek The Musical will be enough, however, to tempt the Queen away from watching Downton Abbey back at Buckingham Palace.

Oldest Hotel established in in 1837: Brown’s Hotel, Albemarle Street, Mayfair, W1S 4BP

Brown’s opened as London’s first ever hotel in 1837 and has no less than 5 stars in its eyes. And you can just as easily sneak in 40 drinks as well as 40 winks at this venerable establishment. Check out The Donovan Bar for a real treat. They also do a mean line in Afternoon Tea.

Oldest Winebar established in 1890, Gordon’s Wine Bar, 47 Villiers Street, WC2N 6NE

From your Beaujolais to your Bordeaux, this underground den has seen it all. Nose clamps at the ready though folks because when you enter through Gordon’s doorway, a musty aroma of cheese and damp will hit your nostrils. It’ll soon subside, as will you. Also featured over here in our Finest Wine Bars newsletter,  it’s pretty much the worst kept secret in London… but for good reason.

Oldest Music Hall established in 1858: Wilton’s, Graces Alley, E1 8JB 

Wilton’s is not just London’s but the world’s oldest Grand Music Hall. Age has taken its toll on Wilton’s though but the guys are hard at work getting it back to full health – and doing an amazing job at it. But it’s precisely this weary and worn demeanour that gives this Grand Music Hall its charm; it truly is an incredible space and if you make it your goal to go to one new/old place in London, we’d recommend here. Check out the Mahogany Bar while you’re there. Built around 1725, the bar actually predates the music hall itself but has changed name many times along the way.

Oldest Botanic Garden established in 1673: Chelsea Physic Garden,  66 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HS

This river front oasis was founded in 1673, as the Apothecaries’ Garden, with the purpose of training apprentices in identifying the medical quality of plants. Within this little garden of Eden, you’ll find such delights as the pond rock garden, completed in 1773 and developed from a variety of rock types, namely stones from the Tower of London and Icelandic lava amongst others. It’s so old it’s even been listed Grade II and is the oldest rock garden in England on view to the public. Fact.

Oldest Museum established between 1414 – 1423, Royal Armouries Museum, HM Tower Of London, EC3N 4AB

We thought we’d leave the oldest ’til last. And of course it had to be a museum. Its founding date is unclear here but its antiquated status will never be in doubt. The Royal Armouries is an institution well worth a visit.

That’s it folks. Remember to sign up to our newsletter for more London treats: http://www.greatlittleplace.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/ and follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/glpLondon.

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Posted in London's Oldest, Newsletters |

GLP #37: Great little plaices. Had to do it. London’s best seafood restaurants.

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Sorry it’s been a little while since the last installment. We’ve been knee deep in working on the new website. We’re actually looking for a CTO / lead developer to help, so if that might be you or someone you know have a little look over here. Right, on with it:

Ian Beale isn’t the only man who can run a fish restaurant in London. We’ve scaled London for the for the fin-est, and here’s where we netted out.

For us a GLP is somewhere full of character, which usually means some pretty dazzling decor and / or a story that goes with the place. For some reason a lot of seafood restaurants seem to go for the plain white walls with the odd lick of sky blue approach to interior design, which isn’t really our bag, so this list might throw up some surprises. Here goes with our selection of venues for London’s finest mullets…

South:

The Lobster Pot, 3 Kennington Lane, Kennington, SE11 4RG. Book for free with TopTable.

Now, not that we’d have favourites… this place is exactly what we love. It’s off the beaten track, unless you live nearby I can’t imagine you’ve dined in Kennington too many times, it doesn’t shout at you from the street, but behind the blue and white exterior (with a necessary doorbell for entry) is a treasure. Done out like a boat, and with no half measures taken, complete with portholes, lighthouse mural, shiny ship steering wheel and flotation rings it’s a lovely little place to be. And the food matches up. Fresh every morning from Billingsgate Market, Hervé Regent (with full moustache) and his team are determined to bring a little bit of Brittany to your life. Whilst the whole menu is superb, it’s got to be the lobster. It’s also next door to the sister restaurant Brasserie Toulous Lautrec, very much a GLP itself.

Thanks for the tip off: Maria Fenton.

Fish in a Tie, 105 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction, SW11 2PF

A blink and you’ll miss it place, Fish in a Tie is on an unexpected corner a little way behind Clapham Junction station. The name gives an indiciation to the quirky little number you’ll find here – a bohemian den of gold gilted mirrors, chandeliers, candles and bronze lanterns. The food is excellent – crab choux pastry to start recommended – but most fishy of all is the fact it’s very easy on the wallet. Prices kept low by having set-menus every day.

Thanks for the tip off: Kerensa Shiel.

Villa Moura, 121 Lee Road, Blackheath, SE3 9DS. Book for free with TopTable

This little corner of Portugal, between Lee, Hither Green and Blackheath stations, has been doing its do in London for years. Famed for a warm and informal atmosphere, it’s cute and cosy inside with candle lit tables, hanging nets and vines and a mural adorned wall. A broad Mediterranean menu feature oysters, calamari, octopus, monkfish and more – big portions will have you waddling home happy.

Thanks for the tip off: Jo Carter.

Central:

Randall and Aubin, 16 Brewer Street, Soho, London, W1F 0SQ

Soho perenially seems harder than it ought to be to find great little places, so this is a very handy spot to have on your radar. Once a butcher’s, dating from 1911, Randall and Aubin is now technically a champagne and oyster bar – but it’s all about all kinds of top notch seafood (though they do venture onto turf in the form of a great roast). In the window is a dazzling display of what’s about to be in you, and as you go in it feels like a kind of souped-up pie & mash shop; marble tables, original fittings and the odd glitter ball. This place is very Soho, bustling – I believe we should also say ‘vibrant’, loud and proud. Music plays, the staff are a bundle of joy; it’s the sort of place you’d go for a warmup for some Soho smashtime rather than perhaps an intimate occasion. Gets busy so can be better to head down at lunch – and you can’t book.

Thanks for the tip off: Gemma Proudley, Sabina Bhugun, Jenny McNeill, Rafel Martins, Jennifer Walker, Jon Hammond, Sasha Jenkin, Helen Pinkerton, Brian Fernandes.

J Sheekey, 28-34 St. Martin’s Court, Soho, WC2N 4AL

J Sheekey is one of those places that comes with a bit of an aura about it, and rightfully so. Tourist hot spots and celeb hang outs do not usually a GLP make, but J Sheekey is a blissful exception. Outside it’s red awnings, gold lettering, frosted muntin windows (had to look that up, handy knowhow) and a be-top-hatted chap to welcome you in. Inside it’s chequerboard floors, tasteful sea shell light fittings, a warren of rooms that are wooden wall decked with black and white portraits that tell the history of the West End’s variety stars gone by. Which is what this place is really about; the heart of old Soho. It’s formal but not overbearing, no tie required, and the seafood is as you’d expect, fresh classics like oysters and lobster, which is hard to beat. It’s actually two places – adjoined is the newer oyster and champagne bar, where you’re sat around a grand horseshoe bar – a little lighter on the wallet but all the class. Full on special occasion fodder.

Thanks for the tip off: Enrique Nalda, Russell Pond, Simon Thompson, Uz Sheiky, Catherine Powell, Niamh Marnham, Kate Farquhar, Burhan Al-Galiani.
Wright Brothers Soho Oyster House, 13 Kingly Street, Unit G7/G8 Kingly Court, Soho, W1B 5PW

Sea to plate, that’s what these guys are all about. From harvesting from the coast of Cornwall, to the wholesale (they supply to the likes of Bentley’s, J Sheekey’s and Scott’s) to their London restaurants they run the whole supply chain. So they, and you, know what you’re getting. And isn’t it good. The Soho Oyster and Porter House is the newer offering, opened in December 2010 (their original London restaurant is in Borough Market, and also a corker). It’s split out onto three levels, plus an outdoor courtyard, with the most restauranty floor up top, with banquette seating overlooking Kingly Court. An open kitchen features down at ground, where you’re sat on high legged stools, surrounded by white tiles, dark wood, dangling lightbulbs, exposed brick and stainless steel. A modern rustic feel. The seafood, as you might expect, is fresh and fantastic.

Thanks for the tip off: Eileen Lam.

East:

Sariyer Balik, 56 Green Lanes, Stoke Newington, N16 9NH

Off the scale on the GLP-ometer. This is full on sea world – nets hanging from the ceiling with taxidermied fish (less morbid than it sounds), small and warrenlike. There’s a ground floor and a downstairs, each equally kitschy wonders. The owner is half Turkish and half Italian – this is definitely his Turkish portion. It’s best to have the grilled fish, they really go for it. There won’t be a whole lot of room left for your Turkish tea.

Thanks for the tip off: Vladimir Savic, Duncan Walker.

Sweetings, 39 Queen Victoria Street, City of London, EC4N 4SF

Sweetings is the sort of place that’s usually followed by the word ‘institution’. It’s been around since 1889, and with the exception of now accepting credit cards, not a whole lot has changed. It’s been serving big fish to the City’s fat cats ever since. Given it’s only open 5 days a week, 3 hours at a time for lunch and full of suits (not that that’s a problem, just setting the scene) the odds are stacked against it, but it absolutely pulls through. Inside it is a mosaicy tiled floor and a big oak counter, the walls peppered with Victorian caricatures and paraphernalia that’s not been changed since David Cameron’s nappy. It’s a quickly does it affair, no coffee for dawdlers, with big portions served with mismatching cutlery – it’s all part of the experience. There are longer wooden tables towards the back where you’ll be arm to pinstriped arm, and after you’ve made it through the main some classic puddings await – spotted dick, apple crumble, bread & butter pudding. Ideal.

Thanks for the tip off: Justin Eeles.

Beachcomber, 34 Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich, SE10 9BL

On the corner of Greenwich Market can be found this little seafood restaurant / cafe. It’s tiny, on a couple of floors and kitsch-tastic, again full on marine theme. Rubber plants, paintings, fairy lights inside and out and of course some stuffed fish. It’s cheap and it’s cheerful and you’ll have a lot on your plate. Rumour is this area will be being knocked down and replaced by a shopping centre next year, oh joy (any Greenwich council people please let us know if we’ve got this wrong) so get there while you can.

Thanks for the tip off: Annabelle Lau.

West:

Pescheria Mattiucci, 8 Blenheim Crescent, London, W11 1NN. Book for free with TopTable.

This is a little corner of Italy that harks back to the pre-Hugo days when Notting Hill had a wave of Italian influence. We love a bit of dual purpose, and Pescheria Mattiucci is just the gig – fishmongers by day, seafood restaurant by night. It’s all Italian, from the actual fish to what’s on the menu to the staff – it’s in fact a branch of a restaurant from Naples (and in Milan too). Run by brothers, Luigi and Gennaro Mattiucci, it’s simple but fun inside – you sit on upturned blue barrels or blue chairs around the walls, with a few pictures dotted around them. A tiled wall behind the counter is adorned with a comedy blue sketch that tells the story of the place. Lighting is low but intimate in the evenings – it’s not refined dining but the atmosphere is anything but stuffy. It’s like a holiday away in a night. The food’s classic Italian and elegantly cooked – not the cheapest but damn good. Wash down with Italian wine, obvo.

Thanks for the tip off: Peter Glenser.

The Big Easy, 332-334 Kings Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UR, Book for free with TopTable.

London’s very own crab shack. The Big Easy has been serving up Louisiana styled crab, lobster and ribs for more than 15 years. The menu goes well beyond seafood, but for the full Big Easy experience you’ll be getting your own claws into some lobster claws. This is not the home of elegant dining, you’ll be given a plastic bib, a mountain of food and set to work. It’s classic American south-coast themed, dark and woody with US bric-a-brac all over the shop, with live bands playing every night. The crab and lobster, as you’d expect, is incredible, and most of all it’s proper fun – it’s hard to be snooty when you’ve got a plastic sheet with a cartoon lobster on it hanging round your neck. Which is why we like the place so much.

Thanks for the tip off: Ida Frössander.

North:

Shaka Zulu (Oyster Bar), Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, NW1 8AB. Book for free with TopTable.

Following in the footsteps of the visual feast that is Gilgamesh, Shaka Zulu joined Stables Market in Camden and hasn’t held back. It’s a bloody riot of African mosaics, carvings and characters including the Zulu king himself looking over you – illuminated escalators taking you up and down, it’s every inch the experience. Overlooking the main restaurant is the Oyster bar, taking Cape Towns’s flair for fish an landing it squarely in NW1. The menu features such exotic delights as Namibian oysters, Mozambican prawns and a Cape seafood selection. It’s opulent, impressive, manages not to be gauche – and whilst it has a price to match, it’s not somewhere you’ll forget in a hurry.

Honourable mentions:

North Sea Fish Restaurant, WC1. World class fish & chips, and a classic venue. Thanks for the tip off: Toby Harrison.

Sea Shell Restaurant, Lisson Grove. Reputedly Diana’s favourite chip shop. Thanks for the tip off: Silas Spencer, Kate Farquhar,

Fish Club, Clapham. A firm favourite for SW9′s young professionals. Thanks for the tip off Kangan Arora, Sam Jarman.

Geales. A modernised incarnation of a 1939 classic. Thanks for the tip off: Joel Blackmore.

And if you’re looking for that authentic British fish & chip shop, we’ve got a fair few listed over here.

 

That’s all for this week, follow us for more on GLP’s Twitter.

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Posted in Fish Restaurants, Newsletters |

Our pick of the Hallowe’en bashments

Friday, October 21st, 2011

Ooooh Hallowe’en is nigh. As Lindsay Lohan once said “Hallowe’en is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.” We shall leave that decision to you, but where to go we can probably help you out with.

Here is a little round up of the best of the parties going on. Given that Hallowe’en is a night where pretty much anything goes, you might as well go for it. So that’s our yardstick here. May not be appropriate for all: (n.b we’ve lifted the copy straight off their sites so it may be a little excitable).

Central:

Belle Epoque Party Halloween Special, Saturday 29th October 2011 8pm-2am (Aerial Acrobatics start at 9pm), The Grand Hall Euston Road WC1H 9JE

Tickets: £20, and are available by telephoning 0207 724 1617 or by following this link to buy your tickets

“Indulge in the seductive side of partying. Step into a fantasy world where masked villains melt into the crowd as corseted courtesans drape themselves over gilded balconies. Throughout the evening, guests marvel at the spectacular surroundings, inspired by the aerialists and trapeze artists as they twist and turn from the ceiling. Daring dancers dazzle as heady cocktails tantalise.

Featuring jaw dropping acrobatic feats, show stopping music acts and eye popping outfits, Belle Epoque has been designed to enrapture your soul, trick your mind, and release your inner exhibitionist.”

A Danse Macabre – The Hallowe’en Ball, (The Last Tuesday Society), Friday 28th October, 10pm – 4am, Coronet Theatre, 28 New Kent Road, SE1 6TJ

Tickets: £35, book here

“Deep within the majestic Art Deco halls of a now faded, now forgotten picture palace near Waterloo Station. Be welcomed with a peacock’s feather by two naked beautiful boys. Enter the glorious amphitheatre, now silent of the flicker of films, but filled with the waltzes of The London Gay Symphony Orchestra.  Then get down and dirty to the bourbon soaked gypsy blues bop and an especially horrible selection of films. Meanwhile upstairs, bury yourself in scarlet feathers in the OPERA ROOM. Just through a little red door, the Society has discovered a Victorian alleyway of railway arches and for All Hallow’s Eve Eve, they will be transformed in to a Palace of Lust and Disgust Where you can Feast in the Banqueting Hall, take a long soak in the bubbling hot tubs of the legendary Bathhouse or get whipped in the Dungeon.

Of course, you can’t have a circus with out a fairground so duly installed will be a promenade of Chocolate fountains, candy floss, tantalising curiosities from afar, a snake tamer and the brilliant JM Lavater and his legendary silhouette chair.”

Thanks for the tip off: Mars Kaliszewski, Teenie Russell

East:

Hallowe’en Haunted House Party, Saturday 29th October, 9pm – 2am, Bethnal Green Working Man’s Club, 42-44 Pollard Row, E2 6NB

Tickets: £8 early bird, £10 on the door (before midnight).

“Horror has found a new home! Can you find our hidden rooms…and will you make it out… Alive? Skin crawling sick-sties shakes, bone grinding grooves, rotten retro rhythms, toxic tunes, bad taste boog-eys, ghastley guilty pleasures and nasty novelty nonsense! Corpse grinds and bone-shaking rotting meat beats! Our go-go ghostly dancing girls will teach you the Wolfman stomp and the monster mash! Feast your eyes on – surprise sick acts! – so good they’ll make your wounds ooze.

Dance ’til you drop…dead.”

Feast of the Dead, Saturday 29 October at 6pm – 30 October at 6am, Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston, E8 4AA

Tickets: Free before 9pm, £5 after (steal!)

“In the tradition of Passing Clouds, unite with us for the very special celebration of Halloween as we arise from our sleeping states and break forth our ghostly selves in a great cacophony of abundant mayhem. (Click the link to decode what all this frightfully awesome sounding stuff means)

12-5pm: PEOPLE’S KITCHEN HALLOWEEN FORAGE
6pm: FRUITS OF THE FORAGE CEREMONY
7pm: Opening Ceremony
8pm: *** HALLOWEEN STORYTELLING by Nick Hayes ***
****HALLOWEEN BOOGIE WOOGIE PIANO with Dr Jazzz ****
10pm: ***BADGER SAMBA!!!***
1am: ***SPANNER JAZZ PUNKS!!!***
6am: Close”

Thanks for the tip off: Olivia W-z

South:

Pumpkino, Friday 28 October 6pm to 11pm, The Cinema Museum, Dugard Way (off Renfrew Road), Kennington, SE23 4TH

Tickets: £45 per person

“Presented by Cinetopia, the event features: a Mystery Movie, Hideously Horrible Film Clips, a Ghoulish & Ghastly Quiz, Phantastic Food & Demonic Drinks brought to you by Witches Brew licensed bar. Grave news! – this Cinema Museum goes bump in the night! Beware Strange Apparitions – you have been warned! Remember – in Kennington no one can hear you scream!

Dress Code: Show your inner spirit – dress to kill! Best costume/fancy dress prizes to die for!”

Simon Drake’s House of Magic Hallowe’en Extravaganza, Thursday 27th October, 7pm – 12.30am, secret south London location.

Tickets: £45 for the standing show, £75 for the seated show, £85 VIP reserved seats.

(Note from GLP. Simon Drake’s House of Magic is one of the most amazing places we’ve EVER been to in London. Seriously go if you can, worth every penny).

- Tours of the haunted cellar.
- Fortune telling on the Whispering Chair.
- Top quality wandering close up magicians.
- Sumptuous hot fork buffet.
- Simon Drake’s mind blowing magical extravaganza with hilarious special guest support from Adam Kay of the Amateur Transplants.

Nabokov Arts Club: Festival of the Dead, Friday October 28 & Saturday October 29, 9pm – 2am, Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, Battersea, SW11 5TN,

£15 booked in advance, £20 on the door

“The Nabokov Arts Club has landed at BAC! We’re handing over the building to the undisputed heavyweight champion of artistic happenings, anywhere, ever, to fill every space for two consecutive nights of Halloween madness. An extravaganza of live theatre, music, comedy, dance and visual art wrapped up in a big fat party – the nabokov Arts Club moves to BAC after 4 years of packed, exhilarating warehouse parties in East London.

Expect explosive theatre, side-splitting comedy, high-voltage poetics, rabble-rousing live bands, superstar DJs and lashings of atmosphere. Plus bar, food and dancing until 2am.”

Thanks for the tip off: Hayley Doherty

Hallowe’en Party, Friday 28th Oct 7-12am, Doodle Bar, 33 Parkgate Road
 Battersea 
London SW11 4NP

“We’ll be re-opening the Doodle Bar on Thursday 27th October… Our space on the banks of the Thames has been spruced up by Will Alsop’s architecture firm All and has retained the industrial charm of its former life as a Victorian dairy and tile emporium. We welcome back all professional scribblers and aspiring doodlers looking to enjoy a leisurely scrawl over a drink and a bite to eat. The bar is set against the backdrop of Testbed1 – a dramatic and versatile arts and events space for creative innovation, ideas and experimentation.

Everybody welcome, come down to party in your finest worst witch party frocks.” (GLP: The website goes fully live towards the end of the month. Trust us, Doodle Bar rules)

 West:

‘The Cursed and the Damned’ Winterwell Hallowe’en, Saturday 29th October, Doors: 9pm- 4.30am, FILMPLUS, 77-81, Scrubs Lane, Kensal Green, London, NW10 6QW

Their blank canvas:

Tickets: £25, here

“This year we’re upping the ante in Halloween awesomeness at FILMPLUS, a truly amazing London venue. Old brick warehouse studios, iron beams and open roof-space, all built around a cobbled courtyard. A fitting setting for our Halloween extravaganza.

No Winterwell event is complete without lashings of fancy dress and this one will be no exception. Winterwell has a reputation for stupendous fancy dress, and this year we will be rewarding your sartorial mayhem- champagne for the top 5 and a pair of tickets to next year’s Winterwell Festival for our outright winner. So, open house on Halloween fancy dress. There will be a cursed catwalk to honour our best dressed guys and dolls. As judged by The Ministry of Fancy Dress, who will be on hand to officiate.

Wicked threads and wicked beats are the order of the eve, and our line-up for the night showcases an inspired selection of Winterwell’s musical talent…”

Thanks for the tip off: Rob Beaven, Shelley Tiltman

Night Safari – Hallowe’en Horrors, Monday 31 October, 7pm – 10pm, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, Kensington, SW7 5BD

Tickets: £28, book here

“If you’re looking for something spooky and unique to do this Halloween, look no further! On 31 October our Museum scientists will be bringing out their scariest specimens and will delight you with spinetingling tales of myth, mystery and medieval witchcraft.

At this Night Safari Halloween special you will tour the Museum’s Central Hall, meet five of our scientists and take an exclusive look at some of our most unusual specimens, not usually on display to the general public. Prizes for the best costumes.

- Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble, dip into the botany behind the witches brew.
- Don’t lose your head over the shrunken and shrivelled trophies in our palaeontology collections.
- Missing your mummy? Discover the ancient techniques of mummification.
- Encounter a malevolent host of mythical monsters.
- Share ghost stories with the Museum scientists in the bar (or ask any questions you might have about the specimens you’ve seen).”

Thanks for the tip off: Paul Ortega

And if you really want to go for it:

No-one does Hallowe’en like Torture Garden. Not for the faint hearted, but you’re going to rememember it. Thanks for the tip off: Christina Liessem.

No-one except for goths and mettlers. The insane Slimelight ’3 floor Halloween Slime with landmines + Zombie speed dating + more!’ Thanks for the tip off: Danni Antagonist.

 

Stay hungry, stay ghoulish.

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Posted in Unusual Nightlife |

GLP# 36: Five top London dates and one great little competition

Monday, September 26th, 2011

A few parish notices in this newsletter: a thanks, some quirky date ideas, a week of storming events happening to celebrate The Book Club’s 2nd birthday and competition to reward those who get to the bottom. We’re back to normalish after harrassing you for the recent Smarta 100 Awards. We just wanted to thank you so so much for the support, we had 3461 incredibly kind and awesome voters, and finished a narrow third behind some really big boys. We did have a little win in the ‘Resources’ category though – which was very nice indeed. But huge thanks again to all who voted and congrats to those who won the fantastic prizes offered up by some of our favourite GLPs.

Onto the quirky dates. Some mates of ours not so long ago started DoingSomething.co.uk – a dating site for people who don’t do dating sites. They guest wrote a post, and they did it so well we’ve got them back to do another one. We’ll pass over to them shortly, but the good news is they have a special freebie for GLPers up their sleeves, so read on. And if you’re not down with dating, we’ve made sure they’re great little places for anyone to go to. Over to them:

What do you mean you haven’t heard of DoingSomething? Have you been hiding under a rock? DoingSomething is London’s latest way to date – it’s taking the capital by storm. The idea is simple, dating’s more fun when you’re DoingSomething. So whatever you fancy doing – playing ping pong, going for a walk, looking at art, just meet up and do that. Even if you don’t fall head over heels in love, who cares! You get to do something you want with someone new.

And all Great Little Place readers get One Free Month (worth £19) on the site. But not forever! Sign up on the site BEFORE midnight Friday 14th October and we’ll give you a free month when you subscribe. Use the code ‘glp’ and a free month will be added to your subscription plan.Click here to get going.

Here’s the Top Five DoingSomething London dates. Should give you both something to talk about:

1. Get high*

No, no, no, not in a Cheech and Chong way, we couldn’t possibly advocate that. DoingSomething high up in London gives you tons to chat about. Our favourites include Altitude Bar, tallest riverside building on the Thames, just next to the Tate Britain. Combine a bit of high culture, with a bit of high, errr….drinking. Oxo Tower is always good too. Especially for the Lord Mayor’s fireworks come early November, but it gets busy so keep it under your hat. Tate Modern members’ bar too. But need to bag yourself a member.

And our quirky favourite has to be Frank’s Campari Bar. Sip a cocktail at the top of a multi story car park in Peckham. Last chance to drink at this Pop up Peckham bar, Thursday and Friday this week. You have been warned.

*Check with your date to see if they have vertigo.

2. Something clever on a Sunday.

The School of Life’s Sunday Sermon at the Conway Hall is always worth looking out for. Great guest speakers, imaginative event themed food and at the last one we went to, a 200 strong, 11am, Eye of the Tiger singalong.

Another worthy mention goes to Speaker’s Corner at the top of Park Lane. Every Sunday, a range of different speakers get up on their soap boxes (literally) and issue forth their points of view. Entertaining and peculiarly English.

After feeding your mind, head north up Edgware road and feed your belly. Lebanon via London is here, indulge your love of Hummus, Kebab and Baklava. Maroush great for all of the above.

3. Be a tourist in your own city

It’s too easy to get caught in London’s commute to work trap. Stops you looking at this wonderful city with fresh eyes. Being a tourist in your own city re-opens them to majesty of London. Our favourites:

Open top bus tour. Highly recommended, always amazes us how many Londoners haven’t done one. The Original Tour is excellent. But for the authentic tourist experience you can’t beat a red top. Book through London Tool Kit. The quirkiest tourist tour in your own city undoubtedly goes to London Duck Tours. Cruise around London’s roads in a bright yellow adapted WW11 landing craft. Then down a causeway and into Thames. Fantastically odd. Boris Bikes are also a great addition to any date in town. Cheap, cheerful and you see so much of the city by bike. Built for comfort, not speed – we love ‘em.

4. Cockroach Tour of the Science Museum.

Forgive us for talking about this again, but it really is one of the best DoingSomething dates out there. Saturdays and Sunday mornings, beetle around the Science Museum for 45 minutes dressed as a roach. Shell as a rucksack, foam cockroach head complete with antennae. We could try and explain it more, but whenever we do it creates more questions than answers. Unbelievably, it’s free! Finishes December this year.

Then post tour, amble down to Casa Brindisa (sister restaurant of Borough’s famous Brindisa) for a hot chocolate and a much needed de brief on what just happened.

5. Active Drinking

DoingSomething’s all about getting rid of awkwardness when meeting someone new. Active drinking is perfect for this. Choose an activity, add booze. Here are our favourites:

Competitive? Good with their hands? Gracious loser? Café Kick. Exmouth Market. French babyfoot tables are cheek by jowl in this busy Continental Bar/Café. Famous cocktails, baby foot and tapas. A great little place for a date.

Ping Pong at The Book Club in Shoreditch. You can’t fail with ping pong in a bar. Aesthetically, Ping Pong is one of the best games in the world. Nearly everyone can play it, and even if you’re a bit shit, it’s still fun. Also, you can just tell a lot about someone by the way they play a game.

That’s all from DoingSomething, but remember to snap up your freebie with the code ‘glp’, and if nothing here tickles your fancy, you could always let DoingSomething’s patented ‘Wheel of Date’ decide your fate.


Now, before we go, and whilst we’re on the subject of The Book Club, it’s heading towards its second birthday, and they want GLPers to help celebrate. They’ve got some corking events going on, so we thought we’d share them with you. And they’ve got a brilliant competition for you all. See down the bottom of this post for details.

THE BOOK CLUB BIRTHWEEK CELEBRATIONS:

There’s an amazing programme of events on at The Book Club to celebrate their 2nd birthday. Entry’s £2 all week (see what they did there). We like ‘em all, so we’re telling you about all of them. Guaranteed £2 entry for those who sign up to mailing list on the door. Otherwise £5 will be required.

SUPER/COLLIDER SCIENCE FAIR™: VOLCANOES!

Monday 17th October, Time: 7pm – 11pm, Door: £2

Guests: Dr. Carina Fearnley, Nelly Ben Hayoun, Bright Star Catalogue

Join us for an extra messy Science Fair™ dedicated to geology’s most explosive formations; volcanoes! We’ll be joined by volcanologist Dr. Carina Fearnley to hear about her work keeping people safe from eruptions. Then we’ll be creating our own volcanoes on the night with help from designer Nelly Ben Hayoun. Live lava-inspired sounds will come courtesy of Bright Star Catalogue and there’ll be prizes for the best volcanic eruption!

SCRATCH + SNIFF: A SCENTED JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD

Tuesday 18th October (Basement), Time: 7.30pm – 10pm (2 sessions: 7.30pm – 8.30pm & 9pm – 10pm), Door: £2 per session

For this Scratch+Sniff special for The Book Club’s birthday, join Odette Toilette for a very fragrant experience. With guest ‘nose’, Columbia Road’s own Angela Flanders, we’ll be discovering East London’s hidden perfumery heritage before jetting off to exotic locations from the comfort of our seats, sampling Angela’s perfumes to take us there. Prepare to have your nostrils tickled, and to leave smelling delicious.

KING PONG SLAM JAM HOSTED BY WORLD SERIES OF PONG

Tuesday 18th October (Ground Floor), Time: 7pm, Door: £2 – please register via email info@wsop.com

Fancy yourself a dab hand with a bat and ball? Then get yourselves down to The Book Club’s birthday special King Pong battle of the bats! Grab a partner and get registered in this doubles-only-comp to win a whole heap of prizes from Puma sportswear, to a big juicy bar tab and of course the honour of being crowned King Pong champion 2011! This is a tournament for those who don’t take their sports to seriously, drinking is very much encouraged and random urine tests will not apply.

LIFE DRAWING EXTRAVAGANZA – THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS

Wednesday 19th October, Time: 6.30pm – 11pm, Door: £2

The Book Club’s week-long birthday celebrations will see the return of the Life Drawing Extravaganza. This year our host Morris invites you to challenge your objectionable vices- enter The Book Club’s basement and confront humanity’s inclination to sin. Take a ‘Dante’ style journey through the ‘Inferno’ and witness depictions of the human body which represent all of the capital sins. Morris’s concept of Hell will present wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony. Witness, draw, drink and discuss. Be inspired.

COME GET FELT UP


Thursday 20th October, Time: 8pm – 2am, Door: £2

Acts: DJ Tom Whalley, Tiger&Bear DJs and live music from a mighty band
Get crafty as Come Get Felt Up celebrates The Book Club’s birthday by whisking you to the magical world of children’s books. We’ll be having a pint with Aslan as we ask people to create their ultimate children’s book character. Expect Mad Hatters to be duelling with the Famous Five and Rupert the Bear in our competition to win beautifully naff prizes such as a Now 24 album or a Llamas of Peru jigsaw. Described by one dubiously unnamed source as “Blue Peter meets Art Attack while Anne Robinson watches on”. All materials supplied but feel free to bring a bag of loo rolls, cartons or any recyclable goods and get a free badge!

WE CAN TALK PART 1

Friday 21st October, Time: 8pm – 2am, Door: £2

DJs: Capita!, KevKev, Jay Karim (Caze Nove), Hamish Pritchard (nauti.cool by nature)
Celebrate The Book Club way with a stellar line up of resident DJs who will keep you dancing all night long. The venue will be decked out birthday party stylee with all the decorations, bunting, balloons and birthday cake you could ever want!


WE CAN TALK PART 2

Saturday 22nd October, Time: 8pm – 2am, Door: £2

DJs: Psychemagik, Tim (Filthy Dukes). Pop those party poppers, throw those streamers because tonight’s the big one for this week of birthday fun at The Book Club! Psychemagik, purveyors of all things tripped out and electronic will be treating us to a special birthday set and resident Filthy Duke will be keeping the basement jumping into the early hours. Don’t miss this ultimate birthday party!

 

THE BOOK CLUB BLUES BIRTHDAY SPECIAL

Sunday 23rd October, Time: 6:45pm – 11:00pm  (lesson from 7pm – 8pm), Door: £2

Acts: Dave ‘Mad Dog’ Barnes plus a great line up of blues DJs.

It’s all about blues music for the finale of The Book Club’s special birthday week. Let us take you on a journey of blues dancing, one of London’s great passions. Plus for the first time at The Book Club, we welcome a blues-tastic live set from Dave ‘Mad Dog’ Barnes. Take a blues dance lesson or just enjoy a drink and the great music in the basement.

Competition:

It’s a cracker: A week’s guest list +1, a £100 bar tab and meal for 4 all to be taken during the birthday week.

To win, let us know what book you’d want to do a book club about, and where you’d want to do it. Best answer (funniest) wins. Simples. E-mail team@greatlittleplace.com with your answer by midnight on Sunday 2nd October. Bon chance!

You must be over 18 years old to enter this competition. The bar tab must be used during The Book Club’s Birthweek Celebrations, between 17th-23rd October. The Book Club reserve the right to refuse entry if winner and / or guests are not fit to enter the venue through drunkenness, rudeness, aggressiveness or any other antisocial behaviour.

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Posted in Newsletters, Romance |

GLP #35: Best of British

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

You’d think that, what with being that capital of Britain and all, London would be a teeming box of the best that Blighty has to offer. It sort of is, but it’s a little harder to find the albionic nuggets than one might hope. We’ve assembled a list of our picks of the bunch, this time organised by price for a little change from the norm. Hark at that.

Here’s our list:

Cheap & cheerful:

Harrington’s Pie & Mash, 3 Selkirk Road, Tooting, SW17 0ER, 020 8672 1877.

This is proper time warp stuff. Opened a very long time ago (possibly 1912, if anyone knows what year for sure then please let us know) Harrington’s hasn’t changed a whole lot since. This is how a pie & mash shop should look – whoever the Edwardian interior designer was that that deemed all pie and mash shops ought to have turquoise tiles, no nonsense wooden benches and the odd bit of stained glass and a mural here and there did not miss a trick with Harrington’s. The pie, mash and liquor (if you don’t know what this is, don’t worry it’s not Jack Daniels poured on potatoes, it’s a parsley sauce) itself is world class here – if you’ve not tried it before then a) this is scarcely a better place to start than here and b) look forward to a solid afternoon coma. Get there while it’s still there.

Thanks for the tip off: Daniele Rumbread Fletcher.

F. Cooke Pie & Mash Shop,  9 Broadway Market, Hackney, E8 4PH, o20 7254 6458.

Right out of the same mould as Harrington’s, Cooke’s has been around since 1900 and again hasn’t messed around with any of that modernisation nonsense either. Bob runs the show, in full cockney glory (style wise, he’s not naked). Hot and jellied eels for £2.50; outstanding beef pies, or the very exotic vegetarian option, again with obligatory mash and liquor. Décor comes in the form of family photos, standard Princess Di poster and a host of locals, old and young, getting stuck into the papers and, of course, a proper cup of tea – drunk builders’ style (a dab of milk and 97 sugars).

Thanks for the tip off: Alice Wharerlily.

For the ultimate run down of pie & mash shops, these guys have created a brilliant portal. London Pie and Mash Shops.

The Dining Plaice, 20 Berwick Street, Soho, W1F 0PY, 020 7437 3280


Fish and chip shops aren’t quite the fixture they once were in London, so what was once an indulgent fast food treat now feels a bit more like saving an English institution through the medium of wooden fork. One place that’s held on is this little gem. This is Ronseal cuisine; FISH & CHIPS on the outside hoarding, fish & chips on the inside. They make the batter on the spot, with fresh fish that crumbles and flakes, and golden chips of joy. Again these guys are no Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowens, it’s simple and unchanged inside, which only adds to the character. Be warned, Soho’s working masses have cottoned on so there will likely be a queue if you head down on a weekday lunchtime, but pop by in the evening and you’ll have shiny fingers and smell of vinegar in no time. Links through to grumblinggourmet and his excellent review.

Thanks for the tip off: Harry Gayner, Jane Pembroke.

Poppies Fish & Chips, 6-8 Hanbury Street, Spitalfields, E1 6QR, 020 7247 0892. Reserve for free with TopTable.

Poppies has given the traditional chip shop a dust down and a new coat of sky blue paint. It’s the modern retro vibe that this part of London does so well, with vintage paraphenalia all over the place – sewing machines, paintings of World War II planes, photos of cars and stamps, and a massive old school juke box. There’s a hint of American diner, but it’s still definitely a chip shop – kept light and fresh feeling with the light blue and beige colour scheme. The staff are on brand too, all girls dressed in floral aprons. The food lives up to the venue, with fresh fish straight from Billingsgate Market. The menu’s limited to cod, rock and skate – it’s not the cheapest at £8.50 but it is good, and not greasy at all. Job well done.

Thanks for the tip off: Fen Oswin

Master’s Super Fish, 191 Waterloo Road, Southwark, SE1 8UX, 020 7928 6924.

This is where the cabbies go, so you know it’s good. When you go to Master’s it seems like everyone’s been there before, many many times, which can only be a good thing. Unintentionally quirky, with a few sprawling potplants, some photos of the founders dotted about and a poster of various fish species, these guys take their fish & chips very seriously. All food is cooked to order, so there can be a bit of a wait, but well worth it. Nice touches like a free prawn starter, and a menu that includes crab and swordfish, make sure you’ll be coming back.

Thanks for the tip off: Josh F Hayes.

Golden Hind, 73 Marylebone Lane, Marylebone, W1U 2PN, 020 7486 3644.

Another classic old chippie, which has been around since 1914. This one actually has one foot in restaurant territory, with a few simple tables – again hardly changed over the last century, and an amazing Art-Deco fryer. Hidden away on Marylebone Lane, inside it’s pretty lively with a constant stream of punters. Currently Greek owned, a bit of Hellenic charm accomanpies the Hellman’s mayonnaise, with deep fried feta a speciality. It also has one very special weapon in its armoury – the Golden Hind is a BYO. Book ahead on a Friday night.

Thanks for the tip off: Jacob Baylon, Laura Piscaer, Carmen Schmeja.

Fair to middling:

Vats Wine Bar & Restaurant, 51 Lambs Conduit Street, WC1N 3NB, 020 7242 8963.

Best known as a wine bar (we’ve been the last couple of years for Beaujolais Day, recommended), Vats also does a fine line in English tucker. They change the menu every six weeks, but with the proprietors living in East Sussex there’s always plenty of locally sourced fare – prime wild venison from the Ashdown Forest & game birds such as pheasant, partridge and woodcock from the nearby Firle Estate Shoot when in season. Inside it’s wooden and cosy, split out onto a couple of levels, and it’s been a family run affair since 1985. There are few better places to pick up English classics such as steak and kidney pudding, lamb’s liver with smoked bacon and mashed potatoes or the ubiquitous salmon and smoked haddock fishcake.

Thanks for the tip off: Manon Desjardins.

The Terrace, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn, WC2A 3LJ, 020 7430 1234.

British, with a bit of Carribean thrown in for good measure. The Terrace is tucked away well off the beaten track, a wooden and glass clubhouse to be found surrounded by the greenery of Lincoln’s Inn Fields. It’s one of London’s most beautiful settings and the chef, Patrick Williams, has concocted such tropical staples as fish curry with sweet potato & butternut squash and roast pork belly, sautéed vegetables and sweet & sour sauce. On a good day its alfresco dining is up there with the best, but beware that it’s not open on weekends.

Odette’s, 130 Regents Park Road, Primrose Hill, NW1 8XL, 020 7586 8569. Reserve for free with TopTable.

This is the closest we could come to getting a Welsh restaurant on the list. The chef, Bryn Williams, owns the place and sources his ingredients from across the UK, with a heavy emphasis on his native Wales. It’s a foodie haven, but as the ambience goes it’s got character – a decorative and dark interior, including a couple of little alcoves with curved low ceilings, and a cute little garden with big banked seating for a special birthday. You’d come here looking for a romantic meal or a gastronomic treat, and you wouldn’t go far wrong.

Great Queen Street, 32 Great Queen Street, Holborn, WC2B 5AA, 020 7242 0622.

A cracking little restaurant in an unexpected spot. With a name not magicked up with Google in mind, and indeed no website, finding it is a bit of a treasure hunt in itself, but well worthwhile when you do. It’s directly opposite the Grand Masonic Hall, but no funny handshakes in here. This is the kind of restaurant someone coming to London must imagine all English restaurants are like – a big chalkboard with daily meat and two veg specials, not to mention an infamous 5 person lamb shoulder. There’s a cosy little bar downstairs, for a cocktail or two before you hit the main event. The service is one of the big features here, it’s always been incredibly friendly whenever we’ve been, and it’s warm, rustic, wooden farmhousey in feel. Good one to take the parents to when they come to visit you in London, after a jaunt round the British Museum (not that we’re speaking from experience or anything…).

Thanks for the tip off: Rob Moore.

Pushing the boat out:

Simpsons on the Strand, 100 Strand, WC2R 0EW, 020 7836 9112. Reserve for free with TopTable.

Like one small step back into yesteryear – with the air of the kind of place where Empires were planned, Simpson’s is the business. Dating back to 1828, they bring the 28 day aged Scottish beef round on a silver cloche (that’s one of those metallic domey things you see butlers use in period dramas), which pretty much sums the place up. Inside it’s a high ceilinged affair in the Grand Divan Room, with huge, ornate, wooden panels adorning the walls up to a intricately plaster-worked ceiling, with beautiful crystal chandeliers hanging down. Music comes via a real pianist, gently providing the background ambience to the restaurant that once laid claim to being the English home of chess. For a real traditional slap up Sunday roast, it’s hard to do better. Wear a shirt, ideally not a sequin one.

Thanks for the tip off: Daniele Rumbread Fletcher.

Rules, 35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, WC2E 7LB, 020 7836 5314.

This is London’s oldest restaurant, dating from 1798 when Thomas Rules laid down his own remarkable rules. Pretty unusually, Rules owns its own estate in the Pennines, Lartington Estate, which means it can more than vouch for the quality of its game, beef and deer. With a restaurant and a cocktail bar, Rules is the place you go for the ultimate in British finery. That comes at a price, but we’re talking top-hatted doormen, incredible décor – with paintings and antlers and taxidermy and stained glass abounding, including one particularly bizarre image of Maggie Thatcher on the wall – and immaculate food. The red deer seldom disappoints. If you’re looking for a restaurant that doubles as a real life theme park of Britain of old, look no further.

Thanks for the tip off: Heikke Dean, Lissa Lebel.

Bob Bob Ricard, 1 Upper James St, Soho, W1F 9DF, 0203 145 1000.

If Stalin had his own personal ridiculously opulent train, and it somehow got turned into an classic British members’ club, then inside it would have looked something like Bob Bob Ricard. It’s bold, it’s bizarre, it’s memorable alright – blue leather, Art Deco tiling, comfy booths and atmospheric lighting that all somehow works together. The jury’s out on how seriously the Bob Bobs take themselves, we air on the side of hopefully not too much. The menu features hearty fare like an expertly done chicken kiev, outstanding roast leg of lamb and some exceptional desserts – salted caramel ice cream a particular treat. Oh and the cocktails, tremendous. This is far from an every day eaterie, but more than special enough for special occasions.

Thanks for the tip off: Paul Mckenna.

And before we go, a special shout out to three we’ve featured on the site before, but have a very well earned place in this list:

St. John: British culinary adventures at their best, St John takes the bits you don’t want and makes you want them.

Boisdale: best of Scottish, and a dab hand at jazz too.

Maggie Jones: amazing. The ultimate English restaurant. Go.

Right, tally ho. See all the great little places we’ve stumbled across at www.greatlittleplace.com, and follow us for new ones at twitter.com/glpLondon.

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Posted in Best of British |

12 Bar Club

Friday, August 19th, 2011

26 Denmark Street, Soho, WC2H 8NL, 020 7240 2120

Recently the NME ran a poll to find the best small venue in Britain. Scanning through the London list – the Bar Fly, 100 Club, Old Blue Last – we noticed a glaring and surprising ommission.


The 12 Bar Club in Denmark Street, just a drunken swagger from Soho, is to the London gig scene today what the legendary (now sadly defunct) CBGBs was to NYC in the 70s – a down ‘n’ dirty, feet-stuck-to-the-floor, gloriously seedy dive where anything can – and often does – happen. From the outside it’s a blink-and-you-miss-it cafe-fronted affair, although its classic circular logo is instantly recognisable once you clock it. Enter through the fairly innocuous table and chair frontage and – bang – you’re straight into the moshpit, on your left a decadently stocked bar awash with torn ‘n’ worn posters from its blues and punk-fuelled history, lovingly staffed by characters straight outta the rock icon handbook. And all encased in a lovingly weathered shell of graffiti and thrilling memorabilia. Just don’t ask for a goats cheese panini.


It’s been mein-host to The Libertines, Seasick Steve, Martha Wainwright and countless other mavericks who have graced its miniscule rouge-swamped stage. Stick a drumkit and a mic up there and you’re left with the guitarist virtually hanging from the rafters. It’s that cosy.


But as a place to experience live bands, up-front, raw and rugged, it really can’t be beaten. And there’s more than just the music – it’s an Alice rabbit warren of a hang out. Turn a corner here, there’s a place to down shots and shoot pool; head through a fire exit there and you’re outside on the legendary Tin Pan Alley, rubbing hips with the spectres of Hendrix, Moon and a quiet riot of lost indie dreamers with faraway eyes, hidden away from the orgy of muso shops and Noel wannabes on the streets beyond.


Precided over with laid back passion by owners Carlo, Piera and Gaff, it’s a haven for those that live, love and breathe music. Independent venues like the 12 Bar need our support now more than ever, and since the sad demise of the Astoria last year, it’s right up there with the best locations in London.

By Ade Berry.

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Posted in Live Music, Reviews |

GLP #34: Up to scratch, 10 London independent music stores

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Though record stores are, sadly, disappearing, there are good few gems that have managed to hold on. With the devastating fire at the PIAS warehouse, they need you more than ever now (the whole Warp Records backstock went up). Asking a group of Londoners who have a passion for music to name their favourite independent music store is bound to elicit a wide range of responses – music aficionados, like foodies and filmies, have their very defined likes and dislikes. But below is a list of ten independent record shops in London that everyone agreed were worthy of a trip away from your computer and some time spent browsing their aisles.

You can all donate to the fund for labels affected by the PIAS warehouse fire via Paypal, here:

Rough Trade

Rough Trade West, 130 Talbot Road, London W11 1JA

Rough Trade Ease, Old Truman Brewery, Dray Walk, 91 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL

Say, “independent record store” to any Londoner who loves vinyl, and they’ll hit you right back with “Rough Trade”.  Thirty plus years old, Rough Trade is actually continuing to expand, rather than closing down like many of its counterparts.  With thousands of records at two different locations, a café, performance space, bookstore, and an inviting real music-loving atmosphere, the shops that make up Rough Trade are more than just music stores.  They’re hangouts for everyone from hippie poets to hardcore punk enthusiasts to the average Joe looking to take that step up from The Wanted.  The original store was also a record label, which signed such acts as The Smiths, until it shuttered operations in the early 90s.

Central:

Sister Ray, 34-35 Berwick Street, London, W1F 8RP

Sister Ray is the place to be for second hand music and has been around for almost 25 years. It grew out of a stall on Camden Street and moved to Berwick Street eight years later.  Well-organized and pleasantly non-snooty, the shop carries a wide selection of music on vinyl and CD.  They also have a great performance series and sell limited edition vinyl pressings online.

Phonica Records, 51 Poland Street, Soho, London W1F 7RJ

These guys are the lord of the dance. Filled to the rafters with vinyl, yet still with a welcoming feeling of spaciousness, there are a load of listening posts around the place to plug you into some of the the very best dance and electronic beats, with even a few decks to try things out on and sofas to recover in after. The staff are friendly and knowledgable (depending on the night before) and Phonica can be credited with really keeping the vinyl love alive. Good eggs.

BM Soho, 25 D’Arblay Street, London, W1F 8EJ

The undisputed king of dance music, BM Soho has a vast library of dance music on two floors. Over twenty years old, the shop’s reputation sits strongest for its variety of Drum and Bass, Dubstep, Soul, Funk, Minimal, Electro, and Funky offerings. They’ve probably got some progressive Glaswegian funk in there too. The staff is made up of working DJs and producers, and the shop also launched an online store in 2000.

Revival Records, 30 Berwick Street, London, W1F 8RH

Revival Records has a knack for sourcing rarities and a penchant for guitar-based rock.  They also have a wide selection of soul and dance albums.  If you want to sell off your CD or record collection, they buy pretty much everything, including DVDs, and will make house calls for large collections. No better to place to offload those 5ive boxsets – but we know you wouldn’t dare.

Harold Moores Records, 2 Great Marlborough Street, London, W1F 7HQ

A fantastic spot for classical music fans, Harold Moores Records is full of excellent recordings of legendary performances, as well as more recent fare.  The shop also has a wide range of contemporary avant-garde and experimental works, all overseen by a knowledgeable, accessible, friendly staff.

South:

Gramex, 25 Lower Marsh, London, SE1 7RJ

Gramex is geared primarily to classical music and has the ambiance of your living room on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Without the partially eaten kebab. Comfy couches, tea, and thousands of used CDs and LPs abound, like Sir Richard Branson’s original Virgin stores.  The shop is rather disorganised, but you need not worry as the owner, Roger Hewland, is known for his near photographic memory, and will be able to point you in the right direction.

Soul Brother, 1 Keswick Road, East Putney, London, SW15 2HL

Soul Brother is a mecca for the reggae and soul enthusiast, and also carries a wide selection of jazz and funk, both on vinyl and CD.  They have a massive import and back catalogue collection, and a comprehensive online catalogue as well.

West:

Honest Jon’s, 278 Portobello Road, London, W10 5TE

The premiere destination for jazz, soul, and ‘world beat’ since it opened in the mid-70s, Honest Jon’s also has its own record label, also called Honest Jon’s (thanks FinnJ & Tom).  The shop carries a wide array of funk and hip-hop recordings as well, and they are willing to ship worldwide from their massive online catalogue.

Intoxica, 231 Portobello Road, London, W11 1LT

All vinyl, all of the time, Intoxica has a little bit of everything on its two floors.  The ground floor is devoted to reggae, funk, exotica, and everything in between.  The basement goes the way of blues, jazz, and soul.  The shop is decorated with a solid mix of tribal art and artifacts, and houses an art gallery as well, making the place brilliantly eclectic.

North:

Out on the Floor, 10 Inverness Street, London, NW1 7HJ

Out on the Floor is a haven for serious collectors.  Made up of three floors, each with a distinct musical personality, Out on the Floor caters to music lovers who are in the know.  The basement floor is dedicated to guitar music, the ground floor to reggae and soul, and their third space to high-end collectors, with an emphasis on rock related art.  They carry music on vinyl and CD, both new and used.

By Susan Black. Susan is a freelance writer living in Highgate with her two daughters. She frequently writes fiction and non-fiction (with a particular interest in photography and the arts) and also juggles a bit of amateur interior design on the side, most recently for a US-based reclining loveseat specialist.

That’s all for this week, follow us for more twit-bits at http://www.twitter.com/glpLondon

 

 

 

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Posted in Music Stores |

GLP #33: Turn over a new leaf with London’s greatest little vegetarian restaurants…

Monday, July 25th, 2011

“Eat your greens!” That motherly mandate haunts us still. But fear not, for eating your veggies was never as tasty as it is now. So much so that we’ve devoted this entire newsletter exclusively to the green stuff.

This week we are graced and honoured to have the lovely Louisa MacInnes as our guest writer. She’s done a fantastic job unearthing the best suggestions from your responses on Facebook. So over to her…

Central:

Mildreds, 45 Lexington Street, Soho, W1F 9AN.

This is vegetarian perfection. Inventive, affordable, guaranteed to keep even the most ardent carnivore amazed and delighted, and always justifiably rammed with happy punters. Oh – you can’t book. Which sometimes means a queue. But that’s really scraping the barrel for anything bad to say about this place. Risotto cake anyone? We heart Mildreds.

Thanks for the tip off: Andy Wood, Murray Fig, Mel Rodriguez, Anouska Hoffman, Amanda Tinker, Georgia Pavlidou, Angharad Sophie, Nicky Gray, Emmanuel Xirogiannis, Phillip Good, , Emily McBean, Gizem Ozturk, Adam Cole, Sabien Khan and Emma Smith.

Food for Thought, 31 Neal Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9PR.

This cramped, slightly chaotic ramshackely little place lies nestled in the heart of Covent Garden and is a wonderful escape from the crowds of tourists and eyelashed swarthes of teenage shoppers on a Saturday. I’m not going to lie – this place below is often as busy as the streets above, but a homely, herby, stew-aromed atmosphere prevails, with dishes like your Mum should’ve made and a necessary emphasis on table sharing and general friendliness to other hungry shoppers around you. Make conversation and eat up your veggies. Gran would be proud.

Thanks for the tip off: Victoria Wagner, Ami Lord, Michelle Horne, Simone Byrne, Damon Civin, Isabel Jaskolski and Chris Peacock.

 

East

Saf, 152 – 154 Curtain Road,
Shoreditch,
 EC2A 3AT.

Fine dining, raw and vegan food stylee. The kind of place Gwyneth would shed happy tears over, but with a thankful balance between health and pure, goddamn deliciousness. The menu unashamedly embraces all the best vegan food can offer worldwide, with Thai inspired dishes nestled alongside pearl barley risottos or bowls of raw tacos and guacamole. Pat yourself on the back for being so virtuous then tuck into one of the pricey but Oscar-deserving desserts. Weep with pleasure. Then go. Everyone’s looking at you. And it’s getting embarrassing.

Thanks for the tip off: Anna Plevnik, Roland Gyallay-Pap, Radha Case, Debbie Longmuir, Lisa Green and Kamilla Koncz.

Carnevale, 135 Whitecross St, Shoreditch, EC1Y 8JL.

This wonderful cafe-style restaurant and deli is great if you’re out in Hoxton and fancy a bit of Mediterranean inspired fodder to take you up and away from the land of skinny jeans and asymmetric hairstyles and into the world of sunshine, olives and drinking at lunchtime. Grab a gourmet sandwich to take back to your desk, order hot takeaway, or sit and savour the all a carte menu whilst dreaming of distant lemon scented worlds.

Thanks for the tip off: Adey Jarvis, Heather Bates and Praag Tegula.

Vanilla Black, 17- 18 Tooks Court, Chancery Lane, EC4A 1LB. Book here with TopTable.

If your meat eating inlaws are down and you want to impress them and prove that not all vegetarians worship at the altar of brown rice and tofu then this is the place to bring them. It’s posh, justifiably expensive, with a precise, exquisitely crafted menu and wears the hallowed crown of approval from London’s most discerning food critics. A challenge to preconceptions about vegetarian cuisine if ever there was one – and an almost guaranteed one – nil to you.

Thanks for the tip off:  Katryna Douglas, Marta Zagodzon and Emma Walsh.

 

West

Blah Blah Blah, 78 Goldhawk Road, Shepherds Bush, W12 8HA. Book here with TopTable.

And yeah yeah yeah. This is a gem. BYO. Draw on the tables. Eat some good food. It could be Asian, it could be African. It could be pie, it could be sushi. Blah blah blah. Who’s checking? It’s all great. The slightly bohemian decor may hark back to your student days but the food excels. Stay. Chat. Be happy. And depart.

Thanks for the tip off: Matt Miller, Rony Erez and Katie Powles.

 

North

Rasa, 55 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0AR.

After the almost offensively pink walls and pungent sense of incense sticks hit you in the face on arrival, rest assured that the menu promises a sensory journey of an altogether more delightful kind. Word of warning though – this is not the place to come to for a greasy vindaloo and stodgy naan to stuff down your neck before a perfunctory puke and pass out after a beery night out. Oh no. A remarkable choice of some of the finest vegetarian Keralan cuisine this side of, well, India, after a meal here you’ll leave with change in your pocket and a smug sense of pride in discovering one of Stokey’s best now-not-so-secret little haunts. The original and best Rasa.

Thanks for the tip off: Amelia Yeo, Doreen Uzice, James Robinson, Amanda Tinker, Marissa Mantissa, Sally Plant, Fiona Barker and Sara Lee.

Inspiral Lounge, 250 Camden High Street, Camden, NW1 8QS.

For a bit of healthy living, dancing, sharing and eating, Inspiral is the place to come. It’s a jack of all trades, master of all cafe/restaurant with live music, community focus and poetry readings all  complementing the strong ethical code and imagination that goes into the menu.

Thanks for the tip off: Ross Standaloft, Mel Rodriguez and Anansie El-Shig.

 

South

Bonnington Cafe, 11 Vauxhall Grove, Vauxhall, SW8 1TF.

This is like a Russian roulette of vegetarian dining, if you will. Except instead of a bullet in the brain it is the revolving rota of chefs that is responsible, which is the biggest risk in eating here. Sure, occasionally you might have a sweaty aubergine moussaka to contend with, but more often than not luck is on your side with a no frills, delicious and affordable menu in a BYO atmosphere that’s laid back and filled with locals and smug North London types who deem it highly worthy of the trip across the river.

Thanks for the tip off: Joanna Pawsey, Dark Clanger, Jennifer Davis, Matthew Hanbury, Clare Bear and Caz Chadd.

Before you go, if you’ve been kindly forwarded this newsletter by a caring friend, head this away to subscribe: http://www.greatlittleplace.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/. And don’t hesitate to Twollow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/glpLondon. This really is goodbye now (until next time).

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Posted in Newsletters, Vegetarian |

69 Colebrooke Row

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

Behind the beer pumps and glowing fridges, the spirit and mixer ranges are getting ever more of a workout across London’s bars. It seems that places can be judged by the quality of their Dirty Martinis as much as they can their neatly stacked burgers and chunky chips. At 69 Colebrooke Row, tucked away on an unassuming street corner, bartender turned mad scientist Tony Conigliaro has taken this idea to the extreme. For Tony, precision is everything and every detail is attended to in his spirited brews, as he strives to make the perfect cocktail and perfect place in which to imbibe it in this gorgeous little Islington establishment.

Aesthetically it’s 50s film noir, red leather and dark wood – and all about intimacy. Tony wants to tell a story with his drinks, and it’s a riveting read. With cocktails including the Death in Venice and the Oh Gosh, each cocktail has been crafted from bare ingredients in a laboratory (literally) not far from the bar itself. This is molecular gastronomy boozing. You get the sense that safety specs, pipettes and white coats come into full force behind closed doors. The highlight has to be a cocktail called La Rose. Champagne with a sugar cube infused with the scent of a rose, all built from the simple idea of drinking a nice glass of champers in the countryside. Jolly nice indeed.

69 Colebrooke Row actively encourages its punters to ask questions and learn about the level of care that has gone into every drink, not just with the staff but with the other patrons too. Before long everyone’s chatting and using Jilly Goolden lingo with wanton abandon. This isn’t just drinking, it’s a full on experience – and a very tasty one at that. You’ll soon catch yourself pointing into space and nodding knowingly as you decide it’s definitely a note of Madeira cake you’ve just detected.

Safe to say that if Heston Blumenthal fancied a tipple, he’d beeline here, but it’s not full of fireworks and explosions like his restaurants, things here are much more subtle than that. Head on down for a taste sensation you won’t forget, and good chat while you’re at it.

by Tom Pullen.

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Posted in Cocktail Bars, Reviews |
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