engle's Qype profile

Always difficult to judge a private members' club off the back of a one-off event for non-members, but here goes... Looks pleasingly aged, has a comfortably unpretentious feel to it, the live jazz - put on for us Qypers - was always going to be a good idea. The building itself is a bit of a trek for anyone not hailing from a certain corner of west London - but explorers who don't mind travelling for a drink should try it and see.

I hadn't hitherto crossed paths with a "food and drink design company", at least not consciously, but thanks to Qype I'as able to spend a productive couple of hours sampling one's wares at the Cobden Club, out west. I'd come for Drinksfusion's cocktails, and was delighted by the Amsterdam Vespa (Ketel One vodka and Roggenaer Genever aged rye spirit, shaken with Lilette aperitif and a touch of absinthe, served straight up with a lemon twist). But the real attractions of the evening, it became clear, were the clever pairings of booze and canapes: seared tuna bites with watermelon shots, being one. The Drinksfusionists certainly care about their work, and I was assured their expertise can be secured for private parties - as well as the usual corporate gigs - for a fair price. If I ever decide such extravagance is justified, and I hope I do, Drinksfusion will be my first request.

Good pub. A couple of decent ales and plenty of room to spread out. The dining is high quality, if pricey, and the menu changes constantly to inject a bit of variety into our otherwise predictable, pointless lives. If anything, this place could do with a few more patrons to liven it up a little, so if you're looking for a new local get yourself down to the Northgate to partake in some quality pubbing.

It says a lot about this sumptuous Soho restaurant that there are buttons on the walls inviting diners to "press for champagne". What it says, specifically, is Wow. Invited to a tasting by the good people at Qype, our group were treated on arrival to a deliciously delicate rhubarb gin & tonic, followed by a selection of fine Russian vodkas, punctuated with some robust Russian snacks to help us stay focused. If I were advising general visitors (or at least those who would flinch from paying £15 for a pour of the admittedly smooth Kauffman Private Collection Luxury Vintage), I'd strongly recommend the Russian Standard Imperia at a very reasonable four-pounds-something a shot, accompanied by a plate of meat pelmeni (£12.50), which are best described as dumplings for kings (pairing well with, er, vodka). For the less adventurous, but equally demanding, I hear their burgers are a triumph. Service at this stylish Anglo-Russian eatery-cum-vodkary is as impeccable as the aqua upholstery is opulent. And if you're still not satisfied, just press the button.

Just like Indiana Jones when he picked the right goblet, we chose well when we decided to try out the most modest and least assuming south Asian restaurant in the street. The meat at Raavi Kebab is very tasty and very affordable too, although be warned - there is no booze on the menu. We ordered the mixed grill starter, a fiery Kebab Mesala and the Balti Gosht. The waiter urged us to try the Nihari next time. There will be many next times.

Enjoyed my mixed grill so much on my first visit I returned a couple of weeks later and found the meat less exciting and the service a tad surly. I'll probably go back once more - best of three, right?

Basement cocktail bar with a great drinks list and good service. Visited on a Wednesday night when there were enough people for an atmosphere but not too many to distract the bar staff from showering us with attention. Prices were around 6 or 7 pounds - not bad for Soho. You don't have to be a member to reserve a table, at least not on week nights. Well done.

A far more benevolent place than its militaristic name might suggest, The Gunmakers is one of those pubs that benefit from being “off the beaten track”, assuming anywhere within shooting distance of the Clerkenwell Road can still be considered as such. The pub is long and narrow, with plenty of wood and a friendly crowd who clearly love their beer. With only one lager on tap, trouble knows it is not welcome here. On the night I visited, for a Qype-organised ale sampling, we were granted free access to a couple of exciting new beers from London newcomer the Redemption Brewing Company. The Gunmaker himself, generally called Jeff the Landlord, has curated an impressive trove of ever-changing cask ales that simply demands repeated pilgrimages. I am coming back here.