Sarah D.

Review of The Geffrye Museum

20 Jul 08, 22:19

Love it and it is open!

Puzzled by Veronica's review so had to add my own to point out that it has utterly normal opening hours and is well worth a visit if you have an interest in the ways in which our homes have changed in the last few hundred years.

This is a wonderful if unusual museum of the history of furniture design and the english domestic interior in particular. One of my favourite places for a quiet hour or two of looking at chairs and stuff, there's also a beautiful herb garden round the back and a calm cool garden at the front.

It is maybe a little tame for kids, though they do lots of educational events and fun stuff for the tiddlers I believe. Nice restaurant and great new bit that is an exhibition and events space.

Not a chap called Jeffery in sight, but do go and see what you think.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of The Camel

08 Jul 08, 20:34

Good local Pie Pub

Famed pie pub round the corner from me, and it's good. Its raison d'etre is pies but it is still pubby rather than being overly gastro / restaurant.

Loud wallpaper and get a big pissed crowd in the back and you can't hear yourself think. But it is still good stuff. I think they serve Adnams.

Over here in the east end where the proper pie and mash shops serve horrible grey pies and grotty lumpy mash with odd green vinegar, this is much more my idea of delicious instead. The gravy's good too.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Approach Tavern

08 Jul 08, 20:25

Lovely local

Great proper pub. They do food and beer and all the usual stuff. Nice atmosphere, we did well at the pub quiz last time, and it was well attended. Near Bethnal Green tube and Victoria Park, gallery upstairs is top stuff. It's one of my favourite locals. Love it, nuff said?

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Keymaster Security

29 Jun 08, 19:58

Reliable, nice bloke, good at locks

I was after a recommended locksmith on here the other week but there were none that had been reviewed in my area. To change, this I'm very happy to put a review of the guy I used to replace my front door locks when I moved into a new place.

He was nice and friendly, turned up when he said he would and did a fast good job for a fair price, locks and labour are not cheap but he took a cheque. Done deal, I'd certainly recommend him.

It says on his card that they do emergency call out, they have a little premises (key cutting, etc) on Hackney Road. Pop in or call him (his name was Carmel I think) on 07951 759 454

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Carpenters Arms

15 Mar 08, 10:13

Great pub, especially upstairs

This pub needs no recommendation as it is always full of those of us who work locally.

Last night however I discovered their new upstairs bar which was very nice and less crowded. Only drawback is apparently they can only let max 50 people in on the first floor due to fire regulations. A friend was refused entry to join us on this basis which was pesky but not insuperable. Explains why it was less rammed up there, advise go early or on a non-work night when it must surely be less busy.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Thai Garden

12 Mar 08, 22:57

Really yum, veggie but does seafood

Had a delicious meal at this neighbourhood restaurant on Saturday night with a friend. We didn't book but got a table ok (though it is pretty tiny) and had good service and were not hurried up, in spite of it becoming full. Calls itself vegetarian but they do stacks of wonderful seafood (prawn, lobster, fish) dishes. I'll be going again for sure. Recommended.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of London Buddhist Centre

02 Mar 08, 21:36

And relax...lunchtime meditation

I'm not in the least bit religious or interested in becoming so, but I go to the London Buddhist Centre in Bethnal Green as often as I can to experience led meditation as it makes me really chill out. I am recommending it here on that basis alone - to experience meditation to take you out of yourself.

No one is preachy or there to persuade you to run away to a monastery. Everyone is friendly and nice and welcoming - down to inner peace I guess. A world apart from the Roman Road chaos outside!

You can just turn up on weekday lunchtimes, take your shoes off, sit quietly do a meditation session for 45 min, then pay your £1 and have a cup of tea if you want to and leave feeling calmer and better about the world than when you arrived.

They lead you, in a group, in two different meditation techniques (alternate weekdays so go two days in a row and get an introduction to two different methods). You either sit on cushions and mats or can do it seated on a chair too, whatever suits you.

They also do longer evening sessions - call for details but I think it is about £7 to pay and you still just turn up.

A chance to chill and get closer to some kind of clear headed bliss in the city. Love it, and would recommend everyone to pop in at least once or twice.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Food Hall

02 Mar 08, 21:16

Great deli, but cheap it ain't

Occasionally I pop in to get last minute bits from here - their tarte tatin by the slice is wonderful and perfect, for example, when you haven't time to make dessert.

But one day I ended up having to buy milk and butter here too and blimey it cost an arm and a leg. Not a criticism really as I should have known. Anyway think more Harvey Nicks food hall on intimate scale in Hoxton rather than place to buy what you can get from any corner shop. I think you can eat in too as they have tables in the back.

Delicious fine foods.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of The Flask Tavern

02 Mar 08, 21:06

Nice pub in Hampstead

Not much to say except we had a good and very boozy night in The Flask last night and I liked it. Not overly busy for a Saturday night and a good mix of locals and other punters of all ages.

Just around the corner from Hampstead tube so it'd be a good place to meet up with people.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.