Jim F's Qype profile

Haven't been for a while but am typing this ahead of going tonight. Will re-review after.

Apparently they now take cards and are online:
www.blahvegetarian.com

Previously the restaurant offered excellent quality vegetarian food that even I (as a confirmed red blooded steak loving meat eater) love.

It is reasonably expensive but this is offset by the BYO policy. Which I love - I can buy a really nice bottle of Barolo for £15 at a supermarket up the road - I paid £80 for a similar bottle in a restaurant in central London this week. Good excuse to buy some nice wine to go with the nice food.

There may be some new people involved behind the scenes so in addition to adding cards they may review the BYO policy. Worth checking before a visit in case they do.

La Piccola is an excellent local Italian in a converted former toilet just opposit the top of Ravenscourt Park. Don't let the toilet thing put you off.

You don't come here for the decor, but the food, which is authentic Italian that tastes twice as good as high end restaurants at half the price.

Go with the specials board and you won't be disappointed. Agnello Diavolo and Steak Boscaiola (apologies in advance for spelling) are particular favourites. Calzone also very good.

Pino, the owner, is from Napoli but has lived in the UK for 30 years. He can always recommend a good bottle of wine.

Lovely place, deceptively big and yet maintains a sense of intimacy and bistro-iness.

I've lived in Paris and been to some great bistros. This place echos them, but at a cost.

Very good if entertaining others for lunch too.

Very good chippy. Has been for about 30 years. My dad used to tell me that Prince Charles used to get his fish and chips from here. Now I've no idea if that is true or not, but the quality of the food is such that it is plausible. Which says enough really.

Love it.

Go level 1 if you want relaxed seats and a good bar. Even better if there is an after party and you can blag an invite.

Standing is ace - my fave spot is to left, near bar (so easy for my round) slightly to rear. Mosh pit accessible if needed and an ace view…

Scene of so many favourite gigs, going back to Wheezer/Echobelly double header in 96

Very good kebabs, bushgirl is right about the bread.

My mate Max lives down Loftus Road and swears by Solomans but I prefer this place.

Still not a patch on old Andy’s in Turnham Green (now called Lara’s and not as good).

Jim

A fixture in my life (waves at Paulo).

Started going to Paulo’s first cafe (just off Uxbridge Rd) 8 years ago when working at QPR. Now I live down the road and the chocolate ice cream is a regular high point in my life - Paulo now makes his own and it’s an improvement on the stuff from Fauberts in Chiswick (previously West London’s finest.

• Chocolate ice cream (why would anyone ever want mint?)
• Pastel di natas
• The coffee, suitably strong espresso
• The sandwich platters - the salad and crisps on the side are just so
• Coke in a bottle

A lot of people seem to go for traditional English breakfast at brunch time. Maybe I’m just weird or normally hungover, but it’s never floated my boat.

The cafe gets busy on QPR matchdays - be in table by 90 minutes before kick off and be prepared for a slightly longer wait than at other times.

Not sure what I’d do without this place.