London - Sport - Cricket

20 years ago you wouldn't park your car around the Oval because of the crime and generally down trodden area. Things have changed. While The Oval is still a far cry from the St. John's Wood area surrounding Lords, it's certainly improved in recent years. The Oval has been completely refurbished and is now a world class sporting venue. I won't go into the details of the ground (it's been done pretty well below), so i thought i'd list the best pubs around the cricket ground. In no particular order -

The Fentiman Arms
The Duke of York
The Roebuck
The Vauxhall Griffin

Enjoy!
Check out my review of The Oval - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

If you're going to watch a game of Cricket at the Oval, this is probably the pub you want to come to before the match. A friendly, working man's vibe and plenty of beers on tap. I didn't get a chance to try the food but i can say that they have a fine selection of crisps at the bar! The Roebuck also is a great place to watch live sport (particularly rugby). We managed to catch the Lions game at the weekend and even managed to score a table! A small outdoor seating area caps this place off with a very respectable 4 stars.

Areas of improvement - Toilets weren't exceptionally clean and the bar staff were a bit slow (that being said we were a group of 16!)
Check out my review of The Roebuck - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

Now this is a great pub and i was so pleased to have discovered it on Saturday night. The Prince of Wales in Kennington has everything a real-ale loving, avid sportsman could ever want - A fine selection of ales (including Deuchars IPA), Great food and an area for Boules (Petanque) outside the pub. You'll need to put a £20 deposit behind the bar to take a Boules set, but it's well worth it. Great fun.

Friendly staff and punters and generally a great pub experience. This is somewhere you can take your Mum and Dad or hit up with your mates on a big friday night out.

An easy 5 stars.
Check out my review of The Prince Of Wales - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

This is a Whetherspoon's pub, but it's a half decent one. The fried breakfast was monstrous (and only £3.99!). Nice little outdoor bit at the front where you can sit and watch the comings and goings around Southfields tube station.

Oh, they have a quiz machine too (which i'm quickly learning is quite rare in South London!).

*Review in one line*: Good for cheap beer, food and Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
Check out my review of The Grid Inn - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

The Pig and Whistle is probably the best pub in Wimbledon/Wandsworth within striking distance of the Wimbledon queue. We came here on Sunday night for a desperately needed hot food and to watch some football. The staff at the Pig and Whistle certainly look after the Wimbledon lot well. 2 for 1 meal discounts, drinks offer and generally great service. The Sunday roast was superb!

This place is also excellent for live sport - Big screen out the back which generally shows whatever the punters agree should be on.

Very close to 5 stars.
Check out my review of The Pig & Whistle - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Services - Public Services - Post Offices

My buddy Diggers is currently in Afghanistan and i thought i would send him a package yesterday. Armed with cans of pringles, cashew nuts and FHMs i marched into the post office in Soho and was confronted with a queue of about 20 people (i imagine this is pretty normal). Anyway, as soon as the customer service assistant found out i was sending my parcels with a BFOP code (British Forces Overseas Post?), i was sent to the front of the queue and was looked after exceptionally well. Quite right too if you ask me :)

Generally i found the staff helpful and friendly and best of all the post was free! Anything you send to British Forces in war zones under 2kg is gratis. How about that!
Check out my review of Post Office - I am ahunter - on Qype

London

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, introducing the worst Royal Mail office in all of London... I give you... THE CLAPHAM DELIVERY OFFICE!

Sweaty Christ this place is useless. Not only did i have a nonchalant postal worker carelessly knock over my £500 bike (and not apologise) i was also treated to a 30 minute queue at the reclaim desk this morning where the "computer says no" lady appears to have a full time position. The staff were rude, unhelpful and obviously stopped caring a long time ago.

Remind me never to be away from home the next time i am expecting a delivery. The prospect of going back here sends chills down my spine.
Check out my review of Royal Mail Delivery Office - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - French

Possibly South London's best French restaurant. Le Bouchon Bordelais VERY popular with the French people living in London, and rightly so, this is some of the nicest food i have had outside of Paris. The steaks are perfectly cooked and the service is (amazingly) friendly! Forget everything you've heard about Parisian waiters, our chap over the weekend was very polite and helpful. Beer comes by the jug (about £7 as far as i can remember) and the atmosphere is boisterous after 10pm.

This is a great place to watch live sport (particularly when France are playing). I remember people spilling out onto the street during the football world cup!

A must for all visitors to Clapham.
Check out my review of Le Bouchon Bordelais - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Shopping - Sport

Pricey but very nice stuff. I wouldn't recommend coming here to buy a tennis rackets or generic gear. You'll be able to find a much better deal at Lillywhite's in town. If you're after Queens souvenirs and goodies though, this is the place to come. Fred Perry clothing dominates the racks (something to do with Andy Murray?)

Staff are extremely helpful and were exceptionally good at dealing with the hordes of American tourists!
Check out my review of The Queens Club Shop - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Cafes & Coffee Shops

Fantastic pizzas and great family service. You do worry about Ferndales Pizza though. Ferndale road is well off the beaten track (at the Clapham and Brixton end) so you are only going to come here if it's recommended by someone or if you live on or around the road. We had the restaurant to ourselves at 7pm on a saturday night. Shame really...

Try the pork calzone. It's huge and delicious!
Check out my review of Ferndales - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Bars - Gay Bars

Yeah.... I actually didn't know this was a gay bar when i walked in. Not that that bothers me, it just took me a bit by surprise that's all. Anyway, as doubtingthom says, this place is a"dark and musty affair". The beer seemed strangely expensive. £4 a pint!? Even standing outside seemed a bit odd (no tables or chairs and a real alley sort of feel).

Not much else to say really. I quickly necked my pint and went for dinner. I definitely would not recommend the Quebec (regardless of your sexual orientation).
Check out my review of Quebec - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Indian

Summary - Good, but not as good as Red Fort or Chutney Mary (but that's maybe because i like slightly more anglicised indian food).

This place is HUGE! Very nice little bar area in the basement with a slight gentleman's club vibe. I'm sure if you add together upstairs and downstairs this place could seat at least 250, maybe more. Very good curry, but not mouth wateringly excellent. My Poulet Rouge was tasty, the vegetarian platter was huge and the prices were actually very reasonable indeed.

Very attentive service (they wouldn't let me pour my own wine!), but at times a little bit pushy. I'm very keen to go back for kingfishers in the bar, but i feel like better indian food can be found elsewhere in this part of London.

3.5-4 stars.
Check out my review of La Porte Des Indes - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Shopping - Fashion

I'm never too sure what to make of Abercrombie & Fitch. I'm particularly fond of their shirts and jumpers, but i find everything else a bit too "preppy" as my brother says. Similarly to Gap, i always walk into Abercrombie and end up only really liking one or 2 things and hating everything.

Oh well, i think they definitely make up for this with the scantily clad models who are particularly special in the Mayfair branch :)


Word of advice - Abercrombie & Fitch is a good 30% cheaper in the US. You might want to wait for a trip to NYC if you have one planned before you go nuts buying clothes in London!
Check out my review of Abercrombie - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Transportation - Public Transport - Taxi Companies

Reasonably priced taxis (£18 from Clapham to the centre of town - Addison Lee would charge £25) but seriously lacking in the customer service department. My driver wasn't rude, but he wasn't particularly pleasant either. The car was out of date, but clean inside. Perfectly adequate.

3 stars and no more. I suppose you get what you pay for, but to be honest, i think i'd prefer the banter of a black cab for about the same price.
Check out my review of Clapham Minicabs - I am ahunter - on Qype

London

Now this is a pretty cool and unique bar. Perfect for cocktails after work if you work in Westminster and also great for drink before dinner in the Cinnamon Club upstairs. Professional cocktail makers and generally friendly staff, bollywood films playing in the background and a comfortable, stylish layout makes this place a must visit for locals and tourists alike.
Check out my review of The Cinnamon Club Bar - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Shopping - Food & Drink - Delicatessen - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

The Market Porter in Borough is a great pub for so many different reasons.

Real Ale - Arguably the largest selection of real ales in the country. The main bar is a veritable treasure trove of "bishop's fingers", "Black Sheep" and "Deuchars IPA". From reading DMJ's review below, i can confirm that there are over 20 beers available at any one time!

The Market - You can throw a tennis ball and hit some of the best market stalls in Borough market from this pub. A perfect watering hole once you've finished your shopping or had a bite to eat in the market.

The Atmosphere - Straight out of Dickens. This is a must visit pub for newbies and tourists in London. Don't be afraid to spill out of the pub and stand beneath the hanging baskets on the market square. In my opinion, this is the best place to stand, chat, drink and soak up the comings and goings of Borough Market.

One of my favourite pubs in London.
Check out my review of The Market Porter - I am ahunter - on Qype

Cranbrook - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Italian & Pizza

The Windmill Terracotta used to be The Windmill Pub and was completely refurbished a few years back and turned into an nice little italian restaurant.

The menu is expansive without being overwhelming - fresh pasta, seafood and meat + classic italian dishes you would expect (great pizzas!). If the weather is fine, there is also a nice little outdoor bit for Al Fresco dining.

Friendly staff, great prices.... this place is flirting with 5 stars.

The menu is all the best Italian food can offer from fresh pasta to meat, game and seafood. Italian desserts and ice creams are to complement your dinner. A good selection of italian wine is also available. Coffees and special coffees are also our speciality.

At Terracotta we are lovers of good food and good music.

A monthly evening with opera and gourmet dinner is on offer.

The next one on the 8th of march will be a golden moment of opera and songs by cameo opera.a

Also live frank sinatra tribute evening will take place on 22nd of april wednesday evening.

We believe in repeat customers so we are making sure that your evening with us will be one to be remembered, at least until your next visit.

Families are welcomed and an al fresco dining area is available under our newly built pergola
Check out my review of The Windmill Terracotta - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

"Where's Safe? Where's Familiar? Where Can I Smoke? THE WINCHESTER!"

Unfortunately you can't smoke in this particular Winchester, but it's still a nice little bar. Nice interior (feels more like a bar than a pub though) with comfortable leather sofas and armchairs. The bar staff were exceptional in here last night - very busy, but always smiling and cracking jokes. No real ale here, but plenty of lagers on tap - Sagres, Heineken, Kirin Ichiban are among about 7 lagers they have on draft. We ordered snack food (so i can't really comment on the food) but the sharing platters that arrived were tasty and decent enough for a large group.

All in all, the Winchester is a great bar for a birthday party or a quiet Sunday drink. Highly recommended.
Check out my review of The Winchester Bar - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Hotels & Holidays - Hotels - 5 Star Hotels

A bog standard Hilton. Staff are ok, but pretty standard!
Check out my review of Hilton London Park Lane - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Hotels & Holidays - Hotels - 5 Star Hotels

Quintessentially British and one of the most famous hotels in the UK (if not the world). High tea at the Ritz is an institution and a fantastic experience. Creamcakes, strawberries and tall cups of tea. Perfect. I've never stayed here, but i have eaten in the restaurant a number of times.

Awesome and highly recommended.
Check out my review of The Ritz Hotel - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Indian

These guys try hard. Th restaurant has just been refurbed and is actually looking quite nice. Unfortunately the food is quite up to scratch. My chicken tikka masala was dry and the portions of rice were pretty pitiful. If you're looking for a cuzza i'd recommend wandering down the high street a bit further and going ot Maharani.
Check out my review of Clapham Tandoori - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Fastfood & Takeaway - Indian - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Indian

Golden curry is probably my second choice of curry house in Clapham (Maharani wins i'm afraid!).

Excellent curry though, but lacking in atmosphere and the last time we were in here the service was very slow indeed (waited about 25 mins before our drinks arrived!)
Check out my review of Golden Curry - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Arts & Entertainment - Theatres - Nightlife - Music Venues

Came to see Eric Clapton here last year and it was absolutely amazing. If you're a visitor to London and looking to go and see a gig, check the listings for the Albert Hall as there is really nothing like it in Europe!

BBC proms next!
Check out my review of Royal Albert Hall - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Nightlife - Clubs - Nightlife - Music Venues - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Bars - Jazz & Blues

The only Jazz club in London you should ever go to. For get Jazz after Dark et al. This is the place to come. Ronnie Scott's is not cheap, but it attracts some of the finest jazz musicians in Europe.

We saw Kyle Eastwood (Clint's son!) and he was awesome. Phenomenal service and wheat beer on tap. What more could you want!
Check out my review of Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Nightlife - Music Venues

Great while it lasted but unfortunately the Astoria has now closed down. While it was around it was a fantastic venue hosting all the big acts coming through town.

We'll miss you Astoria!
Check out my review of The Astoria - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Caribbean

What a great name! (Although if i had a Caribbean chicken place i would have to call it "Jerk Off" - :)

Excellent jerk chicken. Spicy, tender meat and awesome sauce. Try the yams, plantains and peas n' rice. It's all delicious and really, really cheap!

MMMMMMHHHMMMMMM!
Check out my review of Mr Jerk - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants

If you like steak and you're in London, this is the place to come. Arguably the finest steak house in London and impeccable service to boot. Ok, so the steak is great, but one thing often overlooked is the desserts. Try the cheese cake or the Creme Caramel. Delicious!
Check out my review of Gaucho Club - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Shopping - Fashion

Cool, youthful clothes. Very trendy... Urban Outfitters always feels a bit TOO cool for me. I always wander in look around for about 10 minutes, grab a stray t-shirt and then pay £30 for it. I think i need a personal shopper....

Anyway, it's a decent shop in a killer location (right bang in the middle of Oxford street).
Check out my review of Urban Outfitters UK - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Shopping - Fashion

Good ol' H & M. The location of the world famous yearly "Hunter shop". If you don't know me, i hate shopping. It's just not my bag. But H&M make it very easy indeed. Great for socks and underwear and i've also found some nice jumpers and shirts in the past.

The best thing is, H&M is only 50m from my office. Woo hoo!
Check out my review of H&M - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Shopping - Fashion

I'm not a shopper, but when i do clothes shopping... i often go to Banana Republic. This is a big, big store (3 floors i think) and everything from shirts, trousers and jumpers to underwear and jewellery.

I can't believe Marina's comment below! "For people between 35-45"! I feel old!
Check out my review of Banana Republic - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Shopping - Music, Videos & Games

Heh heh. I particularly like the quote from below "Hello? 1993? Are you still there?". HMV does feel very 1993 and i must admit, popping in today got my a bit nostalgic. It hasn't changed a bit!

I got my DVD box set of the inbetweeners and the staff were friendly. Shame, I think we all know they will be going under soon....
Check out my review of HMV - I am ahunter - on Qype

London

I love sweet sensations. My constant supply of cigarettes, diet coke, twix bars and friendly batter. Pete's a great guy and always up for a bit of chat in between giving directions to stray tourists.

If you're struggling to sleep and you've got a bit of time, ask him about the price of Coca Cola over the last 10 years. You'll be nodding off in no time.
Check out my review of Sweet Sensations Kiosk - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - British - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Bars - Cocktail Bars

Excellent, excellent view. It great place to take visitors from out of town. (I'd recommend staying in the Langham and coming here for a drink one night).

The bar itself is pretty mediocre. But if you're looking for somewhere to sit down on a friday night, you could do worse. Oh, they serve London on tap too which is unusual in a hotel like this.

3 stars (but a 5 star view)
Check out my review of The Heights - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - British

Chez Bruce in Wandsworth is (arguably) one of the top 10 best restaurants in London. Correct me if i'm wrong, but i believe this is the only Michelin star restaurant in this part of South London.

Lunch prices are actually very reasonable (£25-30 for a 3 course meal) but you can expect to pay quite a bit for dinner on a Friday or Saturday night.

Try the lamb cutlets or the fillet de bouef. Both excellent!
Check out my review of Chez Bruce - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Bars

Meh...

This is probably the closest bar to our office. In the summer, punters pour out on to the pavement outside and drink into the night. It's really, really difficult to get served quickly here which is part of why i'm only awarding 3 stars.

Good points - excellent booze selection (Savannah Dry and wheat beer on tap) + decent burgers (try the blue cheese burgers!)

Bad points - The inside bit is a bit dark and dreary and the staff always look really hassled and never smile!
Check out my review of Market Place Bar - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

A fine, fine pub. Charming dark wood interior, lovely beer garden and more real ale than you can shake a stick at. Very friendly bar staff and every now and again they have acoustic nights which i can highly recommend. You're spoilt for choice when it comes to pubs in this part of Clapham, but i say with some confidence that this makes my top 3 south of the river (and i haven't even tried the food!). This is what a pubs should be like.
Check out my review of The Rose and Crown - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Cafes & Coffee Shops

How this place has survived over the last couple of years i have no idea. Clapham High street has developed very nicely over the last 10 years, but there are a few parts that have stood still - the charity shops, clapham leisure centre and good ol' jackets. A chilli con carne jacket will set you back £2.80 and they're actually quite good! The decor is pretty nasty though. Very 1980's only fools and horses vibe.

Anyway, no doubt Jackets will soon be replaced by another snooty bar like Aquum. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or a bad thing :)
Check out my review of Jackets - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Italian & Pizza

Very nice pizza indeed and probably the best takeaway pizza spot down the hill from the common. Basillico deliver to Most parts of Wandsworth and Lambeth and they've always been on time and the pizzas piping hot!

Try the Pizza Funghi au Truffle with truffle oil. Sounds extravagant (and it is i suppose) but it's bloody delicious!
Check out my review of Basilico - I am ahunter - on Qype

London

One of the best salad boxes i think i have ever had. For £4 you get a weight mound of leaves, cucumber, hummus,sun dried tomato, feta cheese and much more. If you're on Earlham street and trying to decide which stand to go for, CHOOSE THIS ONE! Don't be alarmed by the queue. It moves quickly and it's easily the best (although Freebird burritos is a close 2nd!)
Check out my review of Selyus Healthy Mediterranean Food - I am ahunter - on Qype

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Thai

A nice little Thai place just around the corner from Clapham Junction. This place beats Wagamama hands down but it's not quite up to the standards of the Crazy Bear et al. Quick service, tasty food and pretty darn cheap.

If you're about to catch a train and have a bit of time to kill... this is a nice little option.
Check out my review of Banana Leaf Canteen - I am ahunter - on Qype

Paris - Eating & Drinking - Cafes & Coffee Shops - Cafes

I agree with Phil. I'm not a coffee drinker, but this is a perfectly placed Starbucks with lots of outdoor seating and plenty of places to soak up the Parisian sunshine. Free wifi as with most Starbucks.

Not much else to say! It's a Starbucks!
Check out my review of Starbucks Coffe France - I am ahunter - on Qype

Paris - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants

Unassuming from the outside, but fantastic in every way once you step through the doors. The staff in here are classic. Jolly, friendly french waiters who are quite happy to stop and chat for 10 minutes and talk you through the menu.

The food is excellent. My Steak au Poivre was perfectly cooked and i sampled a delicious prune de souillac which almost took my head off, but was absolutely delicious. A meal at Chez Savy will set you back about 50 Euros per head and it's certainly good value for money given the quality of food, service and the neighborhood you are eating in.

Inches away from a 5 star rating.
Check out my review of Chez Savy - I am ahunter - on Qype

Paris - Eating & Drinking - Fastfood & Takeaway

A cracking little bar which is very popular with the Students of the 13'eme in Paris. Crowds spill out onto the sthe cobbled Butte aux Cailles and drunken revellers wander from pub to pub. La Taverne is open late (particularly on Friday and Saturday nights) and are well known for the variety of homemade rum that they make on site. We sampled Ginger, Lime, Chilli and Black Current shots and by the time the barman was offering us creme de menthe on the house, i could hardly stand. Great staff and very friendly.

Music is a bit cheesy, but this is a student part of town!
Check out my review of Taverne de la Butte - I am ahunter - on Qype

Paris - Hotels & Holidays - Hotels

A very nice little hotel in the 8'eme of Paris. I was amazed how affordable this place is. Ordinarily in this part of town you are looking at 3-400 Euros per night for a 4 star hotel but the saver rate at the "123" was 120 p/n! Bargain!

The rooms were very spacious and i managed to wangle myself a room with a four poster bed and balcony! The communal parts of the hotel were also very nice (great little bar, but pricey drinks which was expected).

Staff were very helpful and friendly and were perfectly happy to banter about the champions league and the french open. My kind of people.

If you're looking for an affordable, comfortable and centrally located hotel near the Champs Elysees - this is the place to stay.
Check out my review of Hôtel le 123 - I am ahunter - on Qype