Reviews by wabbit

Milk & Honey (Bar / Members' Club)
17 June 2005

Understated cool and an absolute relief compared to many self-concious, loud and mediocre bars in London.

Dusk (Bar)
16 June 2005

Dusk is definitely the best bar in South London - in fact the only decent bar in South London... Gets crowded and can sometimes take a while to be served, but the cocktails are worth waiting for when they arrive. Also, membership is free and it makes it easier to reserve tables, etc.

Ottolenghi (Restaurant / Delicatessen / Cafe)
16 June 2005

One of my favourite restaurants in London. Simple white decor, friendly service, amazing food made with really high quality ingredients - it's just brilliant.

Just as good as the Notting Hill branch, but with an alcohol license, seating, and better opening hours.

Ottolenghi (Delicatessen / Cafe)
16 June 2005

Delicious snacks to take away. And so much healthier than most 'prepared' food. However, it's not cheap and there's hardly any space so it's not much use as a cafe. The Ottolenghi in Islington has much more space, is open in the evening and serves the same lovely dishes.

Claridge's (Hotel)
09 April 2005

Claridge's is definitely one of my top 3 hotels in London. In contrast to many of the more modern "boutique" hotels it has substance as well as style and the level of service is just excellent.

Not really a "young person's" hotel and most of the guest were in their 50s and 60s, but I'd still recommend it for a romantic / shopping & sightseeing weekend for anybody. There's a decent bar, the bedrooms are traditional and elegant and Gordon Ramsay's restaurant is justifiably world famous. There's another restaurant there too, but with only 2 nights there we wanted to check out some other London restaurants so we ate out on our second night - there are literally dozens of superb restaurants in walking distance - I'd suggest Benares (Indian) or Le Gavroche (French) which are both spectacular.

Highly recommended.

Trafalgar (Hotel)
09 April 2005

Only stayed here for one night but rather enjoyed it. The location is superb for somebody visiting London for sight-seeing - Trafalgar Square on your doorstep, Green Park 50 metres away, close to Covent Garden, St James's, Soho and Westminster - perfect.

I was surprised to find it's a Hilton hotel - more individual and of a higher quality than many of their city hotels.

The rooms were comfortable and not too small by London standards and the bar was great - superb cocktails and friendly table service. There's also a decent restaurant (Jago) downstairs and a roof garden which looked great but wasn't open the night I was there.

St Martin's Lane (Hotel)
09 April 2005

Shrager's first London hotel was big news when it opened. It's still impressive, and a great place to stay if you want to be near theatre-land. But I can't help thinking that other London hotels have caught up a bit in the last few years, and Shrager's approach isn't as revolutionary as it seemed 5 years ago.

Apart from the location, you're really here for the Philippe Starck design and it certainly wows when you first enter the lobby. Beyond that, the Light Bar is great but Asia de Cuba (the main restaurant) didn't do much for me.

Mandarin Oriental (Hotel)
09 April 2005

I've stayed here twice and visited the restaurant, bar and spa on separate occasions.

It's a great place to stay with the same high standards of service that you'd find in other Mandarin Oriental hotels around the world. Much of the hotel is slightly more traditional than their other hotels due to the age of the building, but I think this adds to the charm.

The spa treatments are great, as is the bar and Foliage. Food in the rest of the hotel is pretty good too.

Of course the best thing about this hotel is the location with Hyde Park behind and Harvey Nicks and the rest of Knightsbridge literally opposite. I think there are more interesting hotels in London, but if I were visiting from abroad and wanted to be close to the shops and museums, this would be my first choice.

Agent Provocateur (Lingerie Shop / Adult Shop)
29 November 2004

Superb lingerie and friendly service. Not cheap but they only stock the best and it's worth every penny (especially if the bf is paying!)

Mango Tree (Restaurant)
08 November 2004

(No Comment)

Busaba Eathai (Restaurant)
08 November 2004

My favourite place for a quick lunch in Soho. Reasonably priced, tasty food, quick service and pleasing decor (by Parisian Christian Liagre who also designed Hakkasan). Hard to beat.

LoungeLover (Bar)
08 November 2004

Best looking bar in London - a welcome relief from some of the design-by-numbers West End bars and too-cool-for-school boutique hotel bars. Book a table as it's popular and can fill up early.

Les Trois Garcons (Restaurant)
08 November 2004

Wonderful food and it's the most outrageously designed restaurant in London. The impact of the decor has worn off slightly, but I still eat here when friends from out of town are staying as it's not the kind of thing you tend to encounter in the provinces. Service is friendly and efficient too.

Matthew Williamson (Designer Shop)
07 June 2004

Well designed shop with Williamson's typically colourful dresses, tops and accessories. His clothes are not cheap but are very well made and pretty. Also love the changing rooms and small enclosed garden space at the back.