Hoxton Salon's Qype profile

There is a lot of competition for your lunchtime cash in Whitecross Street Market – and this is the pick of some great choices. The queue tells the story so time your visit before the big lunchtime rush. I think these are my favourite burritos in London (although I still haven’t visited Daddy Donkey’s) – pulled pork is great and the spicy chilli sauce hits the spot. £5.50 with guacamole. Not the multiple choices of the chains but this is great food, simply done with top quality ingredients.

This is my emergency kids birthday present supplies shop – whenever the kids friends at school have a birthday we normally pick up something interesting here – with guaranteed parental approval. They always have something suitable in their discount section – great for Christmas stocking fillers as well. We are a little spoilt with this and Paintworks 5 mins up the road. Staff are friendly and helpful – really nice card selection. I do have to steer the kids away from the more serious arty kit though which seems a little pricey.

The best of the small cafe’s along the Nag’s Head strip of Holloway Road. Italian run – they do great pastas of the day for under a fiver – today I am having spaghetti and meatballs in Napoli sauce with Parmesan – £4.75 – great value. Friendly and welcoming staff – in summer they open all the front of the shop up for al fresco dining.

There is something about cinemas with an art deco façade that draws me in – so much more inviting than the giant warehouse multiplexes. This is scruffy on the outside and no better inside. The staff are friendly and helpful. Some of the screens here are tiny – like watching a film at home. Kids cinema club on a Saturday morning is seriously cheap but feels like you are watching a movie in the middle of the London riots. Not for the feint hearted. I must be getting old. We sometimes catch a movie here after a visit to Sobell Leisure Centre. Pretty much sums up all of the Holloway Road stretch – friendly enough but desperately needs bringing into the 21st century.

If I am shopping at Barbican Waitrose I always treat myself with a double espresso to go. Very good but not great. Similar feel to Shoreditch Grind but much comfier and friendlier. I could sit and tap here with coffee for the afternoon. There are so many decent coffee bars in the area that competition is tough – not sure I would go out of my way to get here but definitely somewhere I would pop in whenever I pass. Real light and airy feel and the sandwiches/pastries always look fab!

This is the largest Tesco I know – not somewhere to visit at the weekend -unless late at night – its open 24 hours. It has a huge range and a decent world food section spanning 2 aisles. Clothes, toys, electricals – basically sells everything. Good for the store cupboard and reasonable organic selection. I come here once a week – its efficient rather than a pleasure. Well stocked with a large fruit and veg section.

Lovely but tiny tapas bar – you should book. Perfect with a Sunday visit to the market. Best to come with friends so you can sample the menu widely. The barbecue fish and meats are our pick – but you cannot really go wrong. It gets busy but the staff are friendly and helpful. A table on the pavement outside on a summer evening with rioja flowing – just lovely.