Reviews by crimson

Courthouse Bar (Bar)
22 March 2005

Relaxed environment with friendly service and good cocktails. Bar staff were very pleasant when we visited, recommending cocktails and serving us at our table with a smile, etc.

I liked the design of the bar, but not so sure about the cells - interesting novelty value but didn't look too comfortable to me.

Cope's Seafood (Fishmongers)
05 February 2005

Great fish - amazingly fresh and flavoursome compared to the stuff you get in supermarkets. They also give good advice on its preparation.

The Admiralty (Restaurant)
16 January 2005

Great food in a lovely building. We went after skating in the Somerset House courtyard and were impressed by the service, decor, menu and wine list.

5 Cavendish Square (Bar)
16 January 2005

This whole place promised a lot but failed to deliver. It all looks impressive but the service isn't up to scratch and the food in the restaurant upstairs was also a bit of a let down. Shame because it's a good idea and I really wanted to like it.

Cocoon (Restaurant)
11 January 2005

Lovely restaurant. Lots of small sections separated by white curtains so that it remains intimate despite actually being quite large. Service was very attentive and the food was delicious and in quite large portions.

The sushi bars look good but we just booked one of the regular round perspex tables filled with rose petals. It was quite unusual to find so many styles of food on one menu, but it all seemed to work well together and I'll definitely return.

The Ivy (Restaurant)
03 December 2004

The Ivy is one of my favourite London restaurants. The staff are friendly and the service is efficient, but the food is what makes it special - simple, comforting dishes done really well. Eggs Benedict, Shepherd's Pie, Haddock and chips - it all sounds fairly 'everyday', but that makes it a welcome break from many of London's other top restaurants.

Somerset House (Ice Skating Rink)
28 November 2004

I really look forward to this each year. It's not a huge ice rink and it can get rather slushy towards the end of the day, or when it rains. But it's great fun and very romantic, especially at night.

Zuma (Bar)
24 October 2004

I wouldn't come to Zuma just for the bar, but it's a great place for a drink after dining in the restaurant. It's a big square bar which is great for people-watching and when it opened, half of Knightsbridge appeared to be here on the pull.

The Japanese cocktails are definitely worth trying, and if you like those you should try more of the same at the bar beneath their other restaurant, Roka.

The Player (Bar)
24 October 2004

Probably the best bar in Soho, especially midweek. At the weekends it gets a little too busy for my liking and the table service can sometimes suffer. Cocktails are very well made, reasonably priced and the staff are friendly.

Crazy Bear (Bar)
24 October 2004

Crazy Bear seems to have become extremely popular recently and it's not huge, so fills up quickly, even midweek.

Very pleasant bar, good cocktails and reasonably priced champagne by the bottle. It's always fun to watch friends try to work out where the door to the toilet is, and they're quite spectacular inside too - along similar lines to the upstairs toilets at Sketch.

Purple Bar (Bar)
24 October 2004

The Purple Bar definitely does it for me. Male friends complain that the chairs are too small, but this is not such a problem for most women (or smaller men!) Nobody complains about the cocktails which are wonderful and I've spent too many nights drinking too many lychee martinis here.

The only problem is that it's so ethereal and lovely you can easily lose track of time (and the number of cocktails you've had) and end up here until they throw you out, or you need to retire to your room.

It's not an easy bar to get into, but if you are eating in Spoon midweek and ask (and tip) nicely they can sometimes find space for you.

Les Trois Garcons (Restaurant)
24 October 2004

The design of this restaurant is as eclectic as Loungelover, the bar around the corner owned by the same guys. I was so impressed with the decor that I was ready and expecting to have to forgive the standard of food, but I was wrong - it's was a fantastic meal with impeccable service.

Whitechapel is slightly out of the way for me, but I'll definitely make the effort to eat here again all the same.

LoungeLover (Bar)
24 October 2004

Has to be seen to be believed - a mish-mash of unusual antiques and disparate styles of furnishing which somehow all works beautifully together. Great drinks and music, and ideal for pre-dinner cocktails before walking around the corner to eat at Les Trois Garcons, which is also fabulous!

Ottolenghi (Restaurant / Delicatessen / Cafe)
24 October 2004

Ottolenghi in Islington opens later than the Notting Hill branch and has much more dining space. The food is healthy and delicious and it's now my favourite place for dinner or just a light snack when I'm in Islington.

Yauatcha (Restaurant / Restaurant)
24 October 2004

Agree with most of the reviews that Yauatcha serves the best dim sum in London, in the most stylish surroundings. However, I would recommend asking for a table in the main section of the restaurant, not along the side, which is a rather cramped "corridor" and not as nice as the rest of the dining room.

Elemis Day Spa (Spa)
24 October 2004

Elemis is my favourite day spa in London. Very peaceful environment, friendly staff and wonderful treatments. I try to visit every few weeks for a stress-busting hot stone treatment and facial. The Elemis range of products are also wonderful.

Lillywhites (General Sports Shop / Golf Shop)
24 October 2004

Yes, Lilywhites is definitely the best sports shop I've ever visited anywhere. The selection is fantastic and spread across so many floors that it's a form of exercise just walking around trying to visit each section of the shop.

They are, however, very difficult to get on the phone - they often don't answer when I call to find if they have a particular item in stock, which is most annoying.

MacFarlane's (Delicatessen)
24 October 2004

MacFarlane's is a fantastic shop full of great cheeses, snacks, organic food, a selection of frozen dishes and an amazing number of other goods for a relatively small deli. Services is flawless and friendly and I've never been dissapointed with anything I've bought there. Every neighbourhood should have one.

Chez Bruce (Restaurant)
20 October 2004

Probably the best restaurant south of the river. Wonderful food and attention to detail, a good wine list and great cheeseboard. I have friends who live nearby and always look forward to visiting them and Chez Bruce!

Wint & Kidd (Jewellers)
19 October 2004

Beautiful shop with very helpful and friendly staff.

I've shopped here several times over the last year and whilst it's not cheap, they're great people to deal with, the quality is second to none and it's generally much less stuffy than equivalent shops in Bond Street.