Qype: Inn The Park in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - British - English


Very busy in tourist season (particularly during the day), but nevertheless a good place to stop for a snack if you are out and about around Buckingham Palace. Breakfast is supposed to be the best meal served here and i'm told the "build your own breakfast" is the right option to go for.

Expect high prices. This place is a honeypot for big spending American and Western European tourists.

Check out my review of Inn The Park - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Mario's Cafe in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Cafes & Coffee Shops


A bit of a greasy spoon this place. If you're after a cheap, hearty but low quality full english breakfast, this could be the cafe for you. They do breakfast, lunch and dinner in here and the staff are actually pretty friendly. Popular with local taxi drivers and shop owners.

Check out my review of Mario's Cafe - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Flowers By Laurette in London

London - Shopping - Florists


Excellent indoor and outdoor flowers and plants, but f'ing expensive. The ladies in here are very nice and the stock is beautiful but you might need to take out a second mortgage to buy 2-3 pot plant in here. Still, it's a good shop and i'll come back.

Quick tip - Venn street market is great for cheap plants and flowers. It's open on saturdays and sundays and is pretty much opposite Laurette.

Check out my review of Flowers By Laurette - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Cafe Lido in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Cafes & Coffee Shops - Cafes


Very decent bacon and egg sandwiches and friendly staff too. A decent, old school alternative to Pret, Eat and the other high street sandwich chains.

The perfect hangover cure.

Check out my review of Cafe Lido - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Bull Inn in Sissinghurst

Sissinghurst - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs


The Bull in Sissinghurst is where i learnt how to drink. Popular with Cranbrook school 6th formers, this was our hang out on Friday and Saturday nights when we looked old enough to order a pint. Plenty of outdoor seating to the rear of the pub and very attractive hanging baskets out front. You're a stones throw from Sissinghurst Church here, so it's also quite a good spot for a swift half after evensong. I haven't eaten in the Bull for ages, so i can't really comment, but what i can say is that whenever i return to Sissinghurst, i'm always greeted with warm, Kentish hospitality in here and the ale is always spot on.

Check out my review of Bull Inn - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Bull Inn in Rolvenden

Rolvenden - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs


A great pub with cracking food. Local produce through and through (bangers, potatoes, veg... the lot) and an excellent choice of beer and wine. Guest ales were particularly farmy, but delicious. Having grown up in the Weald, i'm amazed i'd never been here before but now that i've discovered this little gem, i'll be back quite often i'm sure.

Check out my review of Bull Inn - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Eight Bells Inn in Hawkhurst

Hawkhurst - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs


One of the less frequented pubs in Hawkhurst, but they are under new management now so we poked out heads in. This place used to have great live music on, but i'm told this is no more and that the new landlord is quite as friendly as the previous lot. Anyway, they still have real ale on and look to do nice food, so all is not lost!

Check out my review of Eight Bells Inn - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Livebait in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Seafood


I went to a Livebait in Oxford (which I thoroughly enjoyed) and came here a few weeks ago thinking it was part of the same chain.... I was wrong. While the fish n' chips here is good, it's ridiculously overpriced. £18 for a main course! Pull the other one.

Quick tip - Get a voucher. I've often seen 25% of meal vouchers being flapped around in here, so the obviously exist. Can't see any on Qype mind....

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

Qype: Southbank Tandoori in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Indian - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants


The Southbank Tandoori is a far cry from being the best Indian restaurant in London, but it's decent and it's location is perfect.

Recommended order of play for a night out:

1. Head to the Old Vic for an early evening show
2. Wander down to the Anchor & Hope for a few pints of real ale (try and eat here, but it's always so busy)
3. Stagger across the road to the Southbank Tandoori for some late night Indian treats. I can recommend the chicken madras and lamb bhuna. Both hit the spot.

Check out my review of Southbank Tandoori - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: The Boathouse in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs


I wanted to love the boathouse but i ended feeling a bit "meh" about it. So the views of the river are great and there's plenty of outdoor space and seating, but such a location cries out for rustic, riverside charm and what you get is faceless, chainy, logo in the foam mediocrity that we're all so used to seeing on the high streets of provincial towns around the country.

Ok, maybe i'm being a bit harsh. This place is alright, it's just not my cup of tea. But just imagine how much better it would be with a nice garden, wholesome grub, some picnic tables and a few dogs running about? Much better methinks.

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

Qype: The French House in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - French - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Bars - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs


The French House is a good place to come for (relatively cheap) litres of cider. It's proper farmy, French stuff so expect a few more hairs on your chest at the end of the evening. You usually get a decent crowd in here (if not a bit pretentious) and on warm, sunny evenings most of the punters spill out onto the street because the interior is pretty frickin' tiny. Still, it makes fore a good street drinking atmosphere.

I prefer the Coach and Horses (next door) but this place is still worth a look.

Check out my review of The French House - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Bullfrogs in London

London - Shopping - Fashion - Shopping - Fashion - Ladies Fashion - Shopping - Fashion - Shoes


I used to always think Bullfrogs was just for women, but to my surprise, I found them stocked up with converse, havaianas, gents shirts, shorts and much more. Friendly staff, excellent location (right next to Clapham Common tube) and half decent prices.

I'll be back!

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

Qype: The 'Avalon' Gastro Pub in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs


My mind isn't quite made up about the Avalon. This used to be a pub called the George and it did what it said on the tin (very well) - pub grub, real ale, sky sports. Well, the George has been turned into Clapham South's most exclusive gastro pub (or so they say). I'll have to come back and eat to pass final judgement, but the atmosphere last night, the queue outside the pub and the prices are probably enough to turn me away for good.

Check out my review of The 'Avalon' Gastro Pub - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Melito in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Fastfood & Takeaway - Pizza


I like pizza that is thick, greasy and loaded with mozarella cheese. Melito serves completely the opposite to this and yet i'm strangely drawn to it. This is healthy pizza with very little cheese and not a dollop of marinara sauce in sight. Doesn't sound too appealing does it? Well, trust me, while this isn't the kind of pizza i usually eat, it still hit the spot. I can highly recommend both the Salami and artichoke/onion pizza. Fresh, tasty bases and just the right amount of topping. I feel full now, but i'm not about to have a stroke (which is how i feel if i eat too much Papa Johns or Domino's).

The only thing letting Melito down was the fact that they ran out of pizza! But hey, it's their first day so i'm going to cut them some slack.

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

Qype: The Princes Head in Richmond

Richmond - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Bars - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs


A great pub, right on Richmond green. Excellent fun sitting on the grass outside and watching the last few overs of a cricket match. Good selection of real ale and decent (but not great) food. Popular with locals and visitors, I reckon the Prince's Head squeeze into my top 5 pubs in Richmond list.

Check out my review of The Princes Head - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: La Manufacture in Paris

Paris - Hotels & Holidays - Hotels


Like Phil says, this place is reasonable value for money but the hotel is nothing to write home about. It's clean, the staff are friendly and you're in a cool part of town, but the rooms are tiny and poorly decorated (2 people would feel pretty cramped in here).

I'm still amazed that this is all 108 Euros can get you in Paris. Ludicrous....

Check out my review of La Manufacture - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: High Brooms Railway Station in Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells - Transportation - Public Transport - Stations


A very nifty little train station on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells. The station was originally opened in 1893 (and was called Southborough until 1925 when it acquired its new name). What's great about High Brooms is that's it's a direct artery into London Bridge and London Charing Cross. On a week day, trains leave about every 15 mins straight to the capital (and take about 45 mins). My rush hour train this morning was reasonably quiet and i got a seat!

Maybe living in Tunbridge Wells and commuting into the city isn't such a bad idea after all....

Check out my review of High Brooms Railway Station - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: Strada in Kent

Kent - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Italian & Pizza - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Strada


Mount Pleasant road is an interesting specimen at the moment. The entire row of shops and restaurants across the road from Strada has been shut down (i think the owner of the land is redeveloping it), so it's not the most picturesque part of TW at the moment. That being said, this particular branch of Strada is very good indeed. Expect the standard Strada food (pizza, pasta etc) and drink (nice italian red wines), but what stood out for me here was the service and the dining space (great glasshouse area on the 2nd floor). We were very well looked after last night and an eyelid was not batted when we showed our 25% Qype discount voucher on our iPhone (we actually ended up saving about £20!)

Let's hope they redevelop the rest of Mt. Pleasant road so that Strada isn't the only decent place this end of the high street!

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

Qype: Ondine in Edinburgh

Edinburgh - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Seafood


Crikey Moses this is a good restaurant.

We were lucky enough to sit in the private dining room here and we were spoilt rotten by the staff and the platters of fruit des mer that were brought to our table.

What to eat:

- Squid tempura
- Oyster selection with chorizo
- Carlingford rock oysters
- Lobster thermidor

and my personal favourite - the fish curry (i think it was hake).

Outstanding wine, brilliant service and a great atmosphere. Surely one of the top 10 restaurants in Edinburgh.

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

Qype: Grafton House in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - British


Hmmm.... Grafton House is just a bit too cool for school. As the reviewers mention below, this is the kind of restaurant you'd expect to find in Mayfair or Green park and feels somewhat out of place on the Pavement in Clapham.

Good things:

- The food is actually quite good. Try the sea bass or the lamb cutlets (both are good) and be sure to take advantage of the early bird special!

- Pretty spacious. You can walk in here on a week night without booking and definitely get a table.

- Good date spot. If you're in Clapham and want to impress a girl, this or 409 might be a good shout. Then again, if i took a girl here she might think i was an utter tool.....

Bad things:

- Lots and lots of Henry's and Felicity's here. Grafton House attracts the "posh grot" of Clapham as my friend so eloquently put it.

- Really expensive drinks. A cocktail will cost you £8.50 here. They're good, but man is that expensive.

- Atmosphere. During the day (and pretty much Monday-Friday) this place is completely dead.

Check out my review of Grafton House - I am ahunter - on Qype

Qype: The Chandos in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs


I don't really know what to make of the Chandos.

It's a Sam Smith's pub, so the beer is cheap. It's right on Trafalgar square so the location is excellent. I guess it's atmosphere which is lacking. Don't get me wrong, it's always heaving but the decor has no soul or character - very simple wooden benches and tables (and that's about it!)

One of those places where you say "Well, everywhere else is closing or too full. I guess we should go the Chandos." For a last resort pint in theatreville, this is a safe bet.

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

Qype: The Merchant in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Wine Bars - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs


Meh.....

This is the pub you come to if you're train is delayed from Clapham Junction and you fancy a bit of a walk around the area. Don't get me wrong, it's not that bad, it's just not quite as good as the Goat (50m away) or the Draft House on Northcote road (about 150m away). The food in the Merchant is probably it's best quality (nice sharing platters, olives and meze boards) but essentially this is just a wetherspoons perched on the A3.

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

Qype: Batofar in Paris

Paris - Nightlife - Clubs


Awesome venue for a summer party. Drinks aren't cheap, but the riverside location is pretty unbeatable. Recommended order of play - i) Have a 1/2 roast chicken and some fruit punch at the restaurant opposite the boat ii) Hop onto the deck of the boat for sundowners overlooking the river iii) Rave like a loony on the dancefloor in the bowels of Le Batofan.

A great venue.

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

Qype: The Lighthouse in London

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


The Lighthouse is my new favourite pub in Battersea/Clapham. I'd heard good things about it from friends and family, but never went because of the location (it's a bit of a walk from a tube station - probably 15 mins). Trust me, it's worth the trek.

Best bits:

- Sunday Roasts. Excellent organic lamb, beef and chicken. I opted for the 1/2 barbecue chicken with roast potatoes and fresh veg and i absolutely loved it.

- Friendly, well trained, quick staff. This is a popular pub and they 2 guys behind the bar seemed to deal very well with the masses of people.

- Beer garden. I was amazed none of the other reviewers mentioned it! Probably the best feature of the Lighthouse. Seats about 30-40 people and is a complete sun trap.

I'll be back!

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

Qype: Dale Hill Golf Club in Wadhurst

Wadhurst


A very nice 36 hole golf course in the heart of the Weald of Kent. We played the "Old Course" (just 9 holes this time) and i was impressed with the course (a couple long par 5's and 4's + 2 tricky par 3's). The staff were friendly and it's only about £15 for 9 holes.

I will be back to play the Ian Woosnam course (slightly more expensive) this month and i will be sure to update my review then!

Check out my review of Dale Hill Golf Club - I am ahunter - on Qype