Urbanite's Qype reviews
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1a Camden High Street, Camden, London NW1 7JE
Urbanite
wrote on 15 December 2009
This is a popluar gig venue in Camden that attracts both local and international acts. It's got a few different levels and bars so worth snooping around if the first bar is a bit buzzy. This place tends to get packed to the rafters though so pick your gigs and be prepared to squeeze in.
It's also a night club and has DJs playing so check their websites for listings. It attracts the usual Camden croud but can be a fun night out.
Sound isn't bad and the stage is raised so you generally can see what's going on unless you're stuck behind Lurch (a common curse for me). -
Stage Door, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, London NW1 8EH
Urbanite
wrote on 25 June 2009
Roundhouse was the setting for my Tracy Chapman concert last night and I couldn’t have asked for a better surrounding. Location was good between Camden and Chalk Farm tubes (Chalk farm much closer), venue has recently been remodelled so it feels clean and looked after. Staff were friendly at the door and it’s a pretty simple set up - seating upstairs through this door, standing through that one. Once inside there’s the bar with a selection of spirits on top of the usual mini-me wines and dusty Strongbow. The venue has that brilliant balance of being just small enough to be more intimate than a stadium or big venue, but big enough to hold enough people to make it feel like a big night out. Obviously it is round, a domed roof inside and the sound was good.
Only two things I’d nit pick about would be the temperature - it got pretty sweaty in there, could have done with the air con on/cranked up, and perhaps to take a leaf out of Brixton academy who got nail-on-head when they introduced a sloping floor for the standing section.
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28 Chalk Fm Road, London NW1 8AG
Urbanite
wrote on 25 June 2009
Hankering after Thai before a concert last night we stumbled across this joint which luckily had an open outside table begging to be occupied. Despite it’s name the little Parisian-like cafe tables outside and music hint of a bit of a fusion - as does the Thai menu which has a giant Dim Sum section.
We went for good ol’ chicken phad thai and I’d give it about a 7/10 - decent portion size and at just £6.50 good value for money, sauce wasn’t bad but lacked a little lime and summin summin. One reason I know I’ll be heading back is their 50% off dim sum on Mondays and Tuesdays as I saw people opening up their little woven domes and their dumplings look great. Will update a review then but not a bad place all in all - nestled between Camden Town and CHalk Farm stations, staff a little slow but generally good atmosphere.
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2 Castlehaven Road, Camden, London NW1 8QU
Urbanite
wrote on 5 June 2009
After reading about the Hawley Arms being the stage of many a Amy Wineshoue shanigan, I had quite a remarkable pub in my mind and so walking, while it certainly wasn’t bad, it couldn’t fit its larger than life character - and I suppose in this sense 'location, location, location’ certainly rings true. There’s a little bit of garden outback for the smokers and some decent beers behind the bar. You’re quite likely to spot a Brit rocker in here if you can recognise them - lets hope they’re not wearing a trilby and black jacket with jeans else you’ll never pick them out. The hottest celeb to hit the Hawley was Kirsten Dunst (I know) and I haven’t been back since fire ripped up the Camden Lock but hopefully it hasn’t changed much of the pub’s features.
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184 Camden High Street, Camden Town, London NW1 8NH
Urbanite
wrote on 13 May 2009
Decent small-to-medium gig venue/club very close to Camden Town High Street tube station. I went to see Paolo Nutini, a sold out gig, there last night and had a great time. It was packed to the rafters but the sound was very good. For some silly reason they only seemed to turn on the air in the encore which would have been appreciated earlier on but otherwise it was a pretty cool venue.
Small street entrance opens out to a big open space below with 2 bars down there as well as one upstairs. The only other thing that was a bit annoying was that the bar does not accept credit cards - so if you don’t have cash on you you’re a bit stuck.Posted to: oot-and-aboot-in-london-town.blogspot.com/
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63 Parkway, Camden, London NW1 7PP
Urbanite
wrote on 13 May 2009
Bellisimo. There’s a very rare Urbanite 5 stars right there. But these guys just got it right on many levels. The decor is average but serves its purpose. You’re likely to be served by one of two older Italian gents who niggle at each other in an endearing way and fall over each other to ensure you understand the Italian specials board they bring round to your table. Price is pretty decent for what you get - we had 2 starters, 3 mains and a bottle of vino for £60. And it’s the type of place where service isn’t automatically included, but one where you wouldn’t actually mind.
Cherry on top for me was I went in there with a little craving for saltimbocca (a dish of veal, sage and proscuitto, that actually translates to 'jumps in the mouth’ :) ) but it wasn’t on the menu. A little dispondent I gazed over the other, admittadly yummy things, on the menu and when the guy came around for our order I thought I’d mention it. His reply was 'You want saltimbocca? No problem.’ And it wasn’t. And it was brilliant. And so was the duck breast with a cherry sauce that my friend had.
All in all a simple dining experience that can rely on its raw talent over bells and whistles.
Posted to: oot-and-aboot-in-london-town.blogspot.com/
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104 Arlington Road, Camden, London NW1 0JH
Urbanite
wrote on 2 August 2008
I am quite a fan of Camden Town and just love the variety that greets you but it’s one hell of a tiring day out. Great place to drag overseas visitors to as it reflects the fusion of London itself. But I would avoid it on a Sunday as just pushing along the streets is quite a struggle and it really is a market town that can feel too busy.
Apart from the market, there are pubs and restaurants in the area that our worth checking out as well as some great little fancy dress stores.
If you’ve got a stern stomach the different food up for grabs can be quite tasty and quite cheap. And if you’re really hanging on for pay day, it gets cheaper in the afternoon when the lunch rush is over and the piles of sweet and sour 'chicken’ and pizza slices are screaming to be eaten. -
9 Parkway, Camden, London NW1 7PG
Urbanite
wrote on 12 March 2008
From the Camden setting I wasn’t expecting terribly much from Bento Cafe so I was pleasantly surprised. In fact I’d have to say a lot of the food here was on a par with that of Nobu - but half as dear. Sushi scoffing is never going to be as cheap as dirty fried chicken, but the prices were fairly decent if you went for more meals and less sushi. Yummy tempura prawns were £4.50. Also the black cod in miso was scrumptuous with very little fish resemblance. Wasn’t sold on some of the nigiri. The staff and atmosphere were so so, so bring lively dinner partners as you’ll need to do most of the entertaining.
Posted to: oot-and-aboot-in-london-town.blogspot.com/