theduck's Qype profile

I attended the Qype Turkey party here last night and was impressed by the venue and hospitality of the hosts.  The atomsphere of the venue is great - it is like a cave and there is a nice little fish pond at the back with what could be a live lizard underwater, or a convincing fake one!  The food was good, although I didnt eat a main here I must admit.  Nice falafel, lovely cheese samosa type things and gorgeous hummus and bread were sampled and seeing the main courses on departure means I might well be back to sample more.  It looks pretty popular for dinner on a weeknight.  Cool place - worth dropping in for a bite if your in the neighberhood.

Fish and chips and the seaside right? Wrong.

Fish and Chips with West Yorkshire…right!

With Harry Ramsden’s original shop down the main road, some geezer called Mr Bryan set up this place yonks ago because he knew how to cook the West Yorks staple of fish and chips to a superb quality. This is one of those places people USED to travel from miles around for take out or book weeks in advance for a family meal which everyone enjoys.

The food here is of great quality and you USED to get what you pay for. Don’t expect what you would get in any other takeaway, because you will be asking why it is 50% more than the regular. The answer is this…better indergeants and people are willing to pay because it is so good.

So follow the advice of the other review and expect to queue or call in advance to book a table as eating in here is a bit cafe like but comes without the hassle of the queuing.

As the only bank on this busy stretch of local business of green lanes/grand parade it can get pretty busy but I have always found staff to be helpful, polite and patient. The branch is vital for many of the community’s business. The cash machines crucial too and you are lucky if you get there and don’t find a queue but they rarely don’t work or run out of cash which I must praise the staff for.

Aside from the automatic door with the word “push” at eye height, there is something even more terrifying lurking within Stratford Circus theatre; the rude, condescending box office staff.

After busting a gut to get to a show and arriving late I was fully aware that it had begun and I would likely have to wait until the interval to be admitted. I asked when the interval was and she didn’t even know!

However I was reminded of my lateness and required wait until whenever in the most patronising of tone with surely facial expressions and body language to match. It was akin to the way an adult talks to a naughty child or a nobel lady to her skivvy.
Not the way to treat a customer or potential customer to your establishment.

Sadly I can’t give the Stratford Circus theatre a review based on the show or the auditorium because I didn’t make it past the first member of staff I met. The reason being that I don’t use the services of business that treat me like a poo.

Therefore please don’t assume that I am suggesting this is a bad venue with terrible productions. I cannot be the judge of that. I would advise not turning up late and definitely would avoid speaking to the rude, abrasive, angry and in need of customer service training/manners box office people. Get your tickets in the post and arrive early!

Odd station and routes from here. Monday to Friday, trains go into Old Street and Moorgate which makes handy interchange for Northern Line. It also stops at Highbury and Islington for an accross platform switch tot he Victoria line the West end and South London. On Saturday and Sunday the terminus changes to Kings Cross, but southbound the first stop is always finsbury Park.

Trains in general are not frequent enough here. I have found them to be often late and the station is only staffed Monday to Friday and there is an information point on the bridge to use at the weekend. I have never seen staff on the platform. In fact, the station is poorly lit and doesnt feel very safe at night.

I was talking to a friend in need of spending around £800 on a sewing machine, therefore having seen this shop, but knowing nothing about sewing I pointed them in direction of Chris Pantelli. I wish I hadn’t now. I never hear the end of it. Whoever it was that served her that day was incredibly rude. She had a really horrible, patronising experience with abusive remarks made about them for no reason from what I feedback I have been given.

What a way to lose a potential customer. Even if the staff dont think people visiting their store have money or knowledge they should be appreciated. Chris Pantelli Sewing Machines on Green lanes come with an avoid warning from me now.

Not really a restaurant, more of a caff. Great food, service and quick too. Pretty cheap, serves beer and wine too and open till really late.

This is a really nice pub, just a stones throw from Manor House station and the back of Finsbury park. It had a refurb in 2010 and since then it has become one of the coolest hangouts in North London. It has become a great artist venue because every night there is something taking place on the big, tall stage at the back of the bar. Open Mic music on Thursday, Salsa Dancing on Friday along with DJ nights both Friday and Sat that are the busiest night out for miles around. Great DJs and vibe. Sundays there is a BBQ in summer and Monday night is film night. On Wednesday they do the ROFL and LOL Comedy Club, which is a really warm, friendly room for up and coming comedy performers. They have people off the TV, but some great circuit pros and open mic comedians, but best of all regardless of the day all the events are free entry.

Lets talk beers. Stella, Staropramen, Guinness, London Pride are on tap and that is enough to make me happy. although the cocktails are pretty tasty as they are served without pretentiousness. Actually they take cards too, which is great because there isnt a free cash machine for about 1km, so that is a masterstroke in persuading you in one for the road. If you pass this place you notice how there is lots of people sat outside and you should join them on a hot summers day or a dark winter evening when they show the projections of The Digital gallery – an in-house art scheme changed monthly.

The furnishings inside are pretty comfy with lots big chairs, sofas, low wooden coffee tables and interesting wallpapers leave a rich feel to this place. Sadly no food (except for the weekly BBQ) but worth a visit for one of the events on London’s highest stage (maybe), just don’t forget to take in the movie posters around the ceiling!

I can't think of many things the USA and Leyton have in common. However, this brewery tap of a microbrew is first rate. The American culture for ignoring the advertising heavy brands in favour of visiting somewhere local making beer themselves is largely missing in London. In fact, I cannot think of another pub attached to a brewery in London other than Fuller's in Chiswick now that Youngs in Wandsworth shut the doors.

Brodie's beers are old school in packaging, but new in ideas. In fact one could say they have too many ideas as they brew about 15 beers. All of them that are available at the time of visit are £1.99 a pint. On the saturday night I visited most of the locals were drinking lager from the usual brand names. My friend and I choose to run up a tab of halves of the Brodies. There was so much to try and the bar staff were very friendly. When a large head was poured, a small glass to top it up with was also provided. When asked about the beer, advice was given with a smile.

Food looked hearty, but due to a private event in the back room, the kitchen had too long a delay to try the grub. Very nice interior, although a little difficult to find. This place is worth a visit and maybe a second visit and a third...