Walkabout (Bar)
Temple Place, Embankment, Temple, London, WC2R 2PH
“Wow they get some big crowds in here. Thank goodness they've opened up the roof terrace for summer. Loads more space. Still, the atmosphere downstairs is hard to beat. Loads of different nationalities boogeying and getting drunk. Lots of fun. Quite a young crowd too.”
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Leigh, Tooting 21 Jul 10

Gourmet Burger Kitchen (Restaurant)
Soho Wharf, Clink Street, London Bridge, London, SE1 9DG
“I met a couple of my girlfriends here for our monthly catch up and we ended up staying for ages. The choice of burgers is enormous. It took us about 15 minutes to decide. The onion rings were average, as were the fries, so I'd recommend skipping both, but the burgers are all good. Especially when combined with a Mac's Gold New Zealand beer. Desserts are non-existent too but that's only because the burgers are so enormous. Quirky location, interesting decor.”
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Leigh, Tooting 08 Jul 10

Saf (Bar / Restaurant)
152-154 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3AT
“Expensive, yes, but what the hell. This is a one-off. You wouldn’t eat here every day, but you would come here just to see what it’s all about. We didn’t mind the hefty price tag so much because we felt healthy and virtuous for eating raw, or nearly raw, vegan food. The presentation was excellent, the service was chummy, the cocktails were mighty and the general ambience encouraged a wholesome and subdued shared experience.”
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Leigh, Tooting 12 May 10

Wagamama (Restaurant)
10a Lexington Street, Soho, London, W1F 0LD
“A nifty space hidden away in a basement off a side street off a back street off the main drag of Piccadilly. Even though it is a Wagamama, it’s still one of those need to know places, just because it’s not too easy to find. The portions were enormous, which gave my friend and I all the fuel we needed to get over our Carnaby Street shopping trawl. Great, colourful selection on the menu too.”
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Leigh, Tooting 12 May 10

The Fence (Bar)
67-69 Cowcross Street, Farringdon, London, EC1M 6BP
“The emphasis here is primarily on the beer garden - Farringdon's only beer garden apparently - and it really does catch a lot of the sun. It also catches a lot of the noise from passing tube trains but I still like it's secluded-yet-in-the-City feel. Great for working outside in the sun if you have a laptop (free Wifi).”
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Leigh, Tooting 28 Apr 10

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The Silver Sturgeon (Bar / Restaurant)
Savoy Pier, Next to Cleopatra's Needle, Victoria Embankment, London, WC2N 6NU
“This would make a great present for someone special. I took a loved one on this river cruise and we felt like we were millionaires the whole afternoon. Amazing food, in plentiful amounts, fantastic views of nearly all of London's sites, as much champagne and wine as you'd ever need on a Friday afternoon, and a complete overall sense of well-being by the end.”
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Leigh, Tooting 02 Mar 10

The Goat (Bar / Restaurant)
66 Battersea Rise, Clapham Junction, London, SW11 1EQ
“This place used to be some dingy O'Neills type place full of sports fans and shouting. Then they got rid of the TVs and started playing some decent tunes instead. Now it's got a much more relaxed atmosphere. If you want to go and have a decent afternoon pub meal with relatively inexpensive wine on a weekend without the intrusion of football or rugby, you can look no further than The Goat. It's almost unique in that respect. And boys, a tip for you, because of the lack of sport and the comfortable surroundings, this one is particularly popular with the ladies. I'll leave the rest to you.”
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Leigh, Tooting 16 Feb 10

Le Pain Quotidien (Restaurant)
Unit 4, St Pancras International, Kings Cross, London, NW1 2QL
“My boyfriend and I checked this place out before getting on the Eurostar to Paris. We'd been to the champagne bar upstairs before so were looking for something a little different that wasn't too far away from our train. The food was of excellent quality (the charcuterie plate was enough to keep me going) and the atmosphere was created solely by the glass people-watching frontage and cavernous interior. But we did feel it was a tad expensive and next time we take the train might opt for the Betjeman Arms upstairs, which is apparently rather good.”
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Leigh, Tooting 16 Feb 10

Smiths of Smithfield (SOS) (Bar / Restaurant)
67-77 Charterhouse Street, Farringdon, City of London, London, EC1M 6HJ
“Perfect for early morning breakfast meetings. Good, hearty eggs and coffee to get you going in the morning. We were there the other day and we saw owner John Torode hanging about. Great open plan decor to.”
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Leigh, Tooting 12 Feb 10

The Old Queens Head (Bar / Restaurant / Club)
44 Essex Road, Islington, London, N1 8LN
“I absolutely love this place. The food isn't bad and there's a fairly decent, if a little bit pricey, range of drinks, and the downstairs part is full of good looking chaps and lasses. But the main reason we came here was the upstairs section where they have all kinds of performances. We went last night to a Music Hall Variety style show that had all kids of musicians, magicians, dancers and perfromers. We had such a great time for only a fiver!! I'm definitely going back. They have some famous indie bands doing DJ sets there too. Top!”
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Leigh, Tooting 12 Feb 10

Canteen (Restaurant)
55 Baker Street, Baker Street, London, W1U 8EW
“I've read rave reviews about the breakfasts so I thought I'd give them a try. I had the eggs benedict. It was worth every penny of the £8.50 asking price. No, it's not cheap, but it is worth it. Great for people who need WIFI too. It's bright, airy, has individual booths and relaxing music playing in the morning. I'll definitely be back.”
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Leigh, Tooting 09 Feb 10

The Mitre (Bar / Restaurant)
40 Holland Park Avenue, Holland Park, London, W11 3QY
“The review above is dead right. It's more a restaurant than a pub. The food here is amazing and easily puts anything in the West End to shame. It might seems expensive when you look at the menu (which is HUGE) but then you are buying into high class. Beautifully decorated too. Only a 30 seconds from Holland park station so no excuse for not giving it a go.”
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Leigh, Tooting 08 Feb 10

The Kings Arms (Bar)
25 Roupell St, Southwark, Waterloo, London, SE1 8TB
“A true hidden gem of a pub. It's like a old maze in there. Especially on a Friday night after work. Loads of nooks and crannies and open fire greatness. Plus, even though it's mega busy, you get served very quickly (staff are great). Would like to go back on a Sunday to see the difference. Better than The White Hart round the corner, just. God selection of ales too.”
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Leigh, Tooting 08 Feb 10

The Hurlingham (Bar / Restaurant)
360 Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham, London, SW6 2TZ
“This is a true sports lover pub. Screens all over the shop but in a classic gastropub setting. It's a little bit off the beaten track but if you combined it with a trip to the Ship and The Waterfront Young's pub over the bridge and you have yourself a great summertime mini pub crawl. Great sarnies and good selection of beers. Looking forward to the World Cup there.”
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Leigh, Tooting 08 Feb 10

Gourmet Burger Kitchen (Bar / Restaurant)
84 Clapham High Street, Clapham, London, SW4 7UL
“These burger are not cheap but my goodness they are hearty! And they have a MASSIVE range so it should keep everyone happy. You have to try the Kiwi burger with beetroot and egg in it, a true New Zealand treat, especially when combined with a Mac's Gold NZ beer. These guys always have special offers on too so keep an eye open for those. Goes well with a trip to The Clapham Picturehouse up the road. The atmosphere is a bit sterile though. Makes for quick eating.”
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Leigh, Tooting 08 Feb 10

The Bec Bar (Bar)
26 Tooting Bec Road, Tooting Bec, London, SW17 8BD
“This bar is good for one thing and one thing only - watching sport. They have screens everywhere (I recommend getting there early and nabbing a sofa downstairs). The food is very mediocre and they don't have any ales on tap but it's clean, modern and bright enough to keep locals happy.”
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Leigh, Tooting 08 Feb 10

Citizen Smith (Bar / Restaurant)
160 Putney High Street, Putney, London, SW15 1RS
“If you're expecting this place to be nothing more than a carbon copy of its bigger sisters, Lost Angel & Lost Society, then you'll be sorely mistaken. It has a little bits of that notorious quirkiness but it's not as big as it's not as 'lost' It's right on the high street so has a purely high street vibe. Weekends are busy but not overcrowded and they love to play the music LOUD! And filled with lots of great eye candy (both boys and girls).”
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Leigh, Tooting 08 Feb 10

101 Pimlico Road (Restaurant)
101 Pimlico Road, Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8PH
“This is quite a new restaurant but it’s doing very well considering its youth. It’s nice to see a British restaurant in Belgravia as an alternative to all the Italian restaurants in the area. The decor is both modern and classic and does as well as it can with the space provided. I noticed a subtle fragrance of perhaps cinnamon when I first walked in and it instantly gave me a good feeling, before I’d even sat down. The service was exemplary and the food was delightfully inventive for a lunchtime. £22 for a 2-course meal (I recommend the confit of black leg chicken) and a large glass of Mendoza Sauvignon Blanc: what a steal! Keep an eye out for the interesting designs on the ceilings of the toilets (it’s the little touches).”
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Leigh, Tooting 02 Feb 10

Tooting Tram and Social (Bar)
48 Mitcham Road, Tooting Broadway, Tooting, London, SW17 9NA
“I used to think The Selkirk was the best pub in Tooting but then I stumbled across this place. What a find. They have all kinds of crazy nights going here from live music to burlesque to swing dancing to village fetes (I kid you not!). It's amazing. A huge great big singular room filled with all kinds of weird artefacts. The wine list is pretty decent and the proximity to the tube means it wont be difficult to stumble home. Great tunes too.”
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Leigh, Tooting 29 Jan 10

Mr Lawrence (Bar)
389 Brockley Road, Brockley, London, SE4 2PH
“This is the BEST bar in South East London. Fact. It's right near Crofton Park train station, it has the Rivoli right over the road, AND it has it's very own off license next door. How cool? Wooden tables, floors, ceilings, bar - wooden everything; except the people and the vibe, which is....bouncing. Great beer selection. Perfect for those in their 30s.”
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Leigh, Tooting 29 Jan 10