getdancey's Qype profile

The Buffalo bar has a bit of a fond place in my heart. I came to see one of my first gigs in London (Elle Milano, just as bands like Art Brut were popping up). As such it's got a fantastic memory attached.  But regardless, as others have said, it's a wholly unpretentious place, (if with drinks slightly above average) which si the perfect sort of space to see such music.

A tasty sort of place I left feeling underwhelmed by.  Acknowledging that drinks are going to cost £10 a cocktail and getting past that, the inside environment borders on lovely but doesn't quite pull it off.  Not quite as brilliant as it should be, but can't put my finger on why.  Left feeling strangely shortchanged despite good (but not outstanding) drinks.  Suspect it's better if you go in without expectations.

It’s time to get yourself acquainted with a Victorian Colonial themed bar. This means glass decanters, dark wooden seating, beautiful ornate Victorian decor and chaps in braces behind the bar. Yes yes, it’s Clapham and if you can move past this it’s well worth it. Involving powerful homemade liqueurs and ginger beer, the cocktail list is fantastic and quirky, (run by ex Lost Society ‘winners of two TimeOut ‘bar of the year’ accolades’ types this might not be too surprising) and on the menu, I’d be prepared to commit murder for the pork belly. Try the Grandad’s Allotment cocktail which comes with a fresh stick of rhubarb in it, and black treacle across the top. Order one, and take delight as you’re treated to a five-minute lesson in how a drink should really be made.

A three because a hint of laddishness crept in towards the end of the evening, which didn’t really fit the vibe.

Building on Maverick’s two experiences of The Loft bar, you have the third mid-week option: an acceptable place to go for a drink somewhere between a too-laid-back bar with good cocktails, whilst not being hugely busy.

Summary: fine.

A lovely place that’s one of Clapham’s redeeming features. Quirky enough with fairy lights and niceness, silly furry animal hide seats. A nice independent change from the rest of the highstreet and keeps a nice attitude.. Can get a bit busy.

Decent food, good roasts, fair price. My pub of choice in the area.

I want to start this review with ‘Hawksmoor is basically London’s best steakhouse’ and it is. My first venture to the Covent Garden branch was wonderful – darkly lit decadence filled with a muted roar of deep chatter, amazing steak and buttered carrots. The second venture to Hawksmoor was to the slightly more hall-like Guidhall (Bank). Both were for dinner, and both splenddid. But after brunch at Spitalfields I can away with a feeling of ‘rather good’. I suspect the problem was that I expected more from the dinners they’re famed for.

True, the East London brand set up is more mellow. The brunches, served in the windowless bar downstairs – perfect for a hangover – are American styled. And it’s impossible not to order a cocktail (Marmalade – amazing). We had Hot Dogs, a Burger, and got excited over the sides, with chicken wings, fries (perhaps worth going for these alone, honestly) and spare-rib nuggets (deep-fat fried spare rib meat). 50% of the food I loved and would give 5 stars to, the other half I’d give a lower grade, and that’s what let it down – just a few touches.

First class presentation, I didn’t leave feeling that I’d had the best hot dog of my life. Actually, I found myself picking around the slightly odd caremalised onions to where the sausage was. Once I had, it was very tasty but the extra bits of beautiful presentation weren’t that tasty (e.g. cute mustard and ketchup but no warning to say ‘No Thanks!’).

It was lovely, wonderful, but a little ordinary for what I expect from Hawksmoor. I’d have left a little unhappier had it not been during the soft launch.

Opt for Seven Dials for dinner instead.

Trying to book a surprise(ish) birthday meal for someone turning 25 who likes their steak is difficult. Especially so in London when the more casual likes of Pitt Cue Co are non-reservations). The idea was to aim for hawksmoor-quality steak without forcing all diners to pay ridiculous prices should they be less into steak. Conveniently Goodman’s is said to do the best burgers in London – so you’ve burgers at £15 and decent steaks around £30-45. The birthday chap went for a 500g steak cooked medium rare. The waiter at Goodman’s pointed out that meat this time of year contains more fat because of the cold seasons, and recommended the steak cooked to medium. A really nice touch.

Food was great, and burgers were good. Though I didn’t leaving wanting to rush out to tell people about it (admittedly I wasn’t that hungry so it’s hard to know). Steak was declared good.

Not as dark-lit and swanky as Goodman’s, but some nice touches in decor and restaurant typography. Perfect for a something special in Mayfair for a 25th birthday meal at 2:30pm for a group of 8 if you want great steak and cheaper burgers but nothing too over the top.