Qype: Chiquito in London

London - Restaurants - Mexican

We have a winner! This is the worst Mexican restaurant i have been to in London! Seriously, this place is awful. It reminds me alot of how Mexican food used to be in London 10 years ago - badly thought out, crappy service, zero authenticity... and i haven't even started on the food! The mexican rice definitely came out of an Uncle Ben's packet, the tacos were no doubt a product of Old El Paso and the chilli beef had a certain dog food aroma and consistency. Service was slow and flat and, worst of all, they got the setting wrong on the diet coke mixer because my DC had the consistency of cough syrup.

Why, Oh why did i go in here! Never again.....
Check out my review of Chiquito - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) in London

London - Nightlife - Events

I really like it here and what an interesting mix of people! The ICA recently scrapped it's membership fees and it's now open to all. We didn't spend too much time in the gallery and i missed the theatre and cinema altogether, but the bar and cafe areas were great! I had an chicken burger with melted cheese and mushrooms which was great and plenty of beers (no real ale and quite a few lagers were off). The upstairs cafe can get very noisy due to all of the post and pre theatre peeps.

I promise, promise, promise that next time i go back i will imbide at least an ounce of culture ;)
Check out my review of ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Shoreditch House in London

London - Pubs & Bars - Bars - Cocktail Bars

If you're going to join a private members club in London, don't muck about, join this place. Shoreditch House takes an almighty dump on the Hospital Club. Classic arcade machines, bowling alleys, rooftop pool, gym, spa, games room, fantastic restaurants and much, much more. Ok, it's alot more expensive (about £1k per year) but it's definitely worth it if you have the cash.

If it wasn't in Shoreditch and if i had the spare dough, i would join in a heartbeat.
Check out my review of Shoreditch House - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Hemsted Forest Golf Club in Cranbrook

Cranbrook

Hemsted Forest Golf Club is a members golf club in the Weald of Kent between Benenden and Cranbrook. The last 10 years has seen the golf club transformed into one of the top places to play golf in The Weald. 18 holes, well maintained and fairly reasonable rates for visitors. Here is the breakdown -


Weekday:
Visitor Green Fee £35.00
Visitor Green Fee (With County Card) £25.00
Junior Visitor Green Fee £15.00

Weekend:
Visitor Green Fee £40.00
Junior Visitor Green Fee £20.00

Definitely worth a round at Hemsted if you are in this part of the country. Oh, and they have a half decent driving range too (£2.50 for a bucket of balls)
Check out my review of Hemsted Forest Golf Club - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: The Wheatsheaf in London

London - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

Last night was really, really good value. The mixed grill was delicious (pork chop, sausage, steak, lamb chop, mushrooms, tomatoes), the service was friendly and the price was just right. Even drinks seemed amazingly cheap.

All in all a great little pub. I'll definitely be going back (it helps that my family lives just around the corner!)
Check out my review of The Wheatsheaf - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Just Falafs in London

London - Restaurants - Take Away

Really delicious falafels and wraps. I opted for the chicken, pickle and sweet potato wrap. The regular size was monstrous so lord only knows what a large looks like! This place gets really busy at lunch time, but they seem to deal with the crowds pretty well.

Delicious and nutritious. The perfect Monday lunch.
Check out my review of Just Falafs - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: The Hurlingham Club in London

London

The Hurlingham club is a real gem sandwiched between Hurlingham Park and Bishop's Park. The club, founded in 1869, has an amazing Georgian clubhouse and is set in some 42 acres of grounds. Extraordinary to find something like this right in the middle of London. There were times over the weekend when i felt like i was in a Jane Austen novel or maybe in Kentucky in the 1800's - sprawling lawns, old boy sipping G and T's and enough croquet lawns and grass tennis courts to service half of Fulham. The facilities are what really makes the Hurlingham Club for me - indoor and outdoor pools, putting greens, bowls, 5 bars, card rooms, reading rooms, gyms, cricket pitch and much, much more.

The only reason i am giving the Hurlingham 4 out of 5 is at times i definitely felt WAY to young to be here. Certain corners of the Hurlingham do have a bit of an old people's home vibe. Oh, and it goes without saying that this place is Toff heaven - I think it's pretty safe to say that not a single glottal stop will be uttered at the Hurlingham and children that don't say please and thank you will certainly go without supper.

All in all a great place though. Particularly for tennis fanatics. Best fill out that membership form soon though, there's a 15 year waiting list.... :)
Check out my review of The Hurlingham Club - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: fluid bar in London

London - Nightlife - Clubs

Any bar that has classic arcade machines in the corner is a winner in my book. Came in here last night, ordered a pint of Asahi and got straight onto the Street Fighter II. Ryu vs. Ken - and you'll be pleased to hear that Ryu triumphed with a punishing "shoryuken". Anyway, back to the bar....

Fluid is located on 2 levels. Upstairs is quite chilled - lots of comfortable sofas, bar area, aforementioned arcade machines and a small DJ area. Downstairs is geared a bit more towards dancing and at first sight looks a bit like a sushi bar! DJ Jamie Melvin was on top form last night and the crowd was friendly and young. I think the rule of thumb in these parts is "If you can't get in to Fabric, go to Fluid."

Fun times.
Check out my review of fluid bar - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Eco in London

London - Restaurants - Italian & Pizza

Very mediocre pizza. I was expecting so much from this place! The pizza's were only marginally better than those of the San Marco variety and the service was slow and rude. Really disappointing. I won't be going back unless i see other reviews saying things are better....
Check out my review of Eco - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Alldays Stores Ltd in Cranbrook

Cranbrook - Food & Drink - Supermarkets

Alldays (formerly Circle C) is the meeting point for Chavs of the Weald of Kent. Even now, if you walk into Alldays you will no doubt be confronted by a gang of teen-chavs pestering you for a cigarette or getting up to general mischief. I haven't been back to Alldays in a couple of years but i vividly remember wanting some kind of pikey repellent as i walked down the high street past the post office and this shop.

Give Alldays credit where it's due though. What they lack in front of store security, they make up for with great prices and generally friendly staff. I'll always remember the freshly baked french sticks on Sunday's and the friendly people that helped me sort out my international driving license!

Check out my review of Alldays Stores Ltd - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Eldorado in Hamburg

Hamburg - Pubs & Bars - Bars

This place is cool and it's one of the few bars in Hamburg where you can still smoke indoors (some would argue that's a good things, others a bad). It's dirty, it has a definite 70's feel about it and it's always completely dead during the week, but heaving on a friday night after 11pm. Staff are great and the music even better. If they sorted out the toilets this place would get 5 stars :)

Check out my review of Eldorado - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Cranbrook Library in Cranbrook

Cranbrook - Education - Libraries

Cranbrook library has a fantastic collection of books given the size of the community. I remember using the library all the time when i was a student in the area. I wonder if they've upgraded the computers in the last 10 years? I'm almost certain the computers in here during the 90's were created by Babbage himself. Fond memories of turning the computer on, going outside to play a bit of catch, running a few errands and then returning 45 mins later by which time the PC had fully booted and we were ready to rumble. Classic.

I'll also fondly remember the video rental section in Cranbrook Library. If you wanted to watch Turner and Hootch, Sister Act or any Alfred Hitchcock film, you were sorted. Otherwise you'd have to skip down the road to the "real" video shop/cupboard next top the chippy.

Has Cranbrook Library changed? Have they got a lottery grant? Is it now a technological powerhouse? I'd love to know.....

Check out my review of Cranbrook Library - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: The Offside Bar in London

London - Pubs & Bars - Bars - Sports Bars

As Urbanite said in the party forum, "the parties you have are made by the people you surround yourself by". The offside bar could have been a hangar in Kandahar and we still would have had a blast!

The bar itself is spacious and primed for live sport. It's a bit run down and quite far from the tube station, so this is not a venue i would ordinarily visit. Bar staff were really friendly though and accommodated our party with smiling faces! I was a bit disappointed that they ran out of Corona and Cider so quickly (i think it ran out before the quiz started!) Perhaps they didn't anticipate hoards of thirsty Qypers ;)

All in all a good, solid pub and i will be coming back to watch the football if i'm ever in EC1 again!

Check out my review of The Offside Bar - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Med Kitchen in London

London - Restaurants - Mediterranean

Meh... The All Bar one esq. decor just doesn't do it for me. This place has a bland "i've been here before and i didn't really like it" sort of feel about it. My chicken breast in parma ham was passable and they certainly don't hold back on chips, but this place lost its soul years ago (maybe it never had one). With so many fantastic places to eat in and around covent garden, this place should be pretty low on your list. A generous 3 stars.

Check out my review of Med Kitchen - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Be At One in London

London - Pubs & Bars - Bars - Cocktail Bars

2 for 1 cocktails - check.
Guns n' Roses playing really, really loud - check.
Friendly staff and great location - check.

I'm not usually a cocktail bar kind of guy, but Be@1 get it just right. This place was obviously a pub beforehand, but they have converted it into a fully fledged cocktail bar (in fact, there is even a sign above the bar saying if you ask for a pint of beer you have to buy the bartenders a drink! Classic.). My mojito was great and we all had a fun time.

I'll be coming back!

Check out my review of Be At One - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Napket Picadilly in London

London

What an unsual name - "napket". Sounds like something a small child would use to wipe crumbs and chocolate away from from its face. A sort of serviette with training wheels somewhere between a wet wipe and a napkin.

"Young Jimmy's growing up fast isn't he."
"Yes, He's a sloppy eater but i'm sure he'll be off the napkets in no time"

Anyway, this place is odd, but sort of fun. I thought the posh nosh was actually pretty decent (contrary to Qypers in SW London). My pesto pasta with pine nuts really hit the spot and the food was served quickly and with a smile. The interior is...... interesting. Fake chandeliers, gold everywhere and little bit of turf positioned in between the sandwiches. A bit OTT for me, but it's unique and you can tell the Toff's of Regent Street love it.

Might go back, might not. Too early to tell.

Check out my review of Napket Picadilly - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Adulis in London

London - Restaurants - African

This time yesterday if you asked me to point to Eritrea on a world map, i probably would have directed you to a small village just outside Hartlepool. I hadn't the foggiest where this place was (a bit naive, i know). But now i have been enlightened! Eritrea is a tiny little country in North-East Africa just above Ethiopa and if Adulis is anything to go by, they have the amazing cuisine!

Adulis was recommended to me by a friend, who heard about this place from her Mum. The restaurant itself is on Brixton road with Oval being the nearest tube station. I'd definitely recommend trying "Eritrea's no. 1 Organic beer" called "Asmara". Very nice and infinitely better than some of the cruddy beers you find in East Africa. The food itself was delicious. There were 5 of us so we ordered the sharing plate for 5 which basically gives the chef creative license to produce a platter suitable for a bunch hungry people.

We were not disappointed. Excellent lentils, lamb, chicken, some sort of egg thing and some really interesting sour bread. All very different and delicious! Service at times was a bit slack which is why i am only awarding 4 stars. Nevertheless, i will definitely be coming back.

Check out my review of Adulis - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: The Hoop & Toy in London

London - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

A cracking little pub spitting distance from South Kensington tube station. Lots of real ale on tap and a very friendly barmaid. Great for drinks not so great for food. Still, i'd recommend it if you are in the area.

Check out my review of The Hoop & Toy - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Hostelbookers in London

London - Travel & Hotels - Hostels - Travel & Hotels - Travel Agents

Always been a fan of hostelbookers.com. They aggregate hostel availability really, really well and more often than not you can book online through the site. Who uses travel agents any more!? This is the best place to book hostels online these days.

Check out my review of Hostelbookers - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Vitaorganic in London

London - Restaurants - Vegetarian

Vitorganic is fantastic. What a great find on Wardour street. This is the first vegan restaurant i have ever been to and amazingly i don't think it will be the last. I love my meat and ordinarily i would never dream of eating in such a place, but for some reason i felt drawn to this place today and i was not disappointed. 4 scoops of vegan delights will set you back about £6 (plenty of food) and i'd recommend one of the fruit smoothies on offer. My mushroom stroganoff, lentil mix and rice was really very good. Am i turning into a hippy?

Highly recommended. I'll be coming back!

Check out my review of Vitaorganic - I am ahunter - on Qype