O perfil de lace112

A discreet pub with a distinct Jamaican tilt situated, funnily enough, under the bridge of Kingsland Road. There is an expectedly relaxed atmosphere and plenty of Red Stripe to complement the comfy sofas and (on Wednesdays) the rather excellent DJ. Staff are friendly, food is excellent value and well-priced. Worth a look although dont expect grand designs!

Formerly known as Medicine Bar, this club has recently received an excellent makeover that has seen this rise to become one of the best venues in London. The major pull is the cracking soundsystem, amongst the best in town alongside The End and Plastic People. As a result the quality of nights and DJ line-ups is excellent, varied and constantly interesting. Dark and designed for music-heads, this place remains friendly and cosy without being pretentious. Definitely worth a dance

This bar on Whitechapel Road has had a recent makeover, but little can disguise the fact that this remains a rough-round-the-edges boozer in a not-so-lovely area. A few sofas, friendly door staff and a neat outdoor smoking area are the highligt of the pub. However the soundsystem isnt so great at DJ-led events and there are plenty of alternatives in this neglected area of East End

[Please ignore map - the system wont let me correct it!]

This is a lovely pub on the way to Hampstead Heath and well worth popping in for a pint. The place has great, tasteful decorations with lots of little hideaways for an intimate, cosy drink. There are some quality acoustic nights here as well as the excellent Reggae Roast which has set up shop here over the last year. Staff are friendly and food is good - check it out!

Situated in Ganton Street off Carnaby Street - which is rapidly becoming a hive of quality cheap eats - Alan Yau of Hakkasan/Yauatcha fame enters the Wagamama-dominated market with this lovely establishment. From the outset the style is slick and modern, making it seem more opulent than the prices suggest. The restaurant is bustling and the open kitchen industrious. The food itself is very good although not great - I prefer Busaba Eathai in a similar vein. It can be slightly moreish and greasy, but who’s to argue with £3.50 mains?! The staff were a mess constantly getting orders mixed up - although I expect the disorganisation will be ironed out with time. Worth a look if you’re in the area. I particularly recommend the high tables to create an unusual diner experience that is slightly seperate from the hectic shared tables!

This place has an air of Oriental authenticity to the menu and efficient service that is hard to beat. My mum is from Singapore so Ive grown up with Malaysian/Singapore cooking and this hits rather close to the mark. The chicken rice is particularly well cooked and remarkably close to home, coming with a gorgeous broth and immaculately prepared chicken. The prices are very good value and most of the dishes (if you choose wisely) are excellent. The juices are great too. Definitely worth a visit.

This pink gem is a joy to behold amongst Church Street’s fine selection of restaurants. Simple yet elegant, delicious yet great value - this establishment cannot be faulted. The staff are attentive and friendly. As for the food, it is simply brilliant and perhaps the finest Indian Ive come across in London. The ingredients are delicate and expertly prepared, combining a fascintating array of distinct flavours. My curry was a brilliant balance of spinach and daal, while the starter of battered aubergine was cooked to perfection - not too greasy, finely spiced. I would recommend this to… everyone.

A remarkable well-hidden warehouse full of anything you could ever need for fancy dress. Having spent significant time at Angels, Escapade and other fancy dress outlets this is far superior due to the mind-boggling selection for costumes, props, hats, masks and shoes. The staff are helpful and friendly, which is just as well because the selection can be bewildering. If you cant find a costume here, you might as well give up. Or go naked.

Located in a discreet back road by the station, this classic cafe has a varied menu with all the traditional cafe fare included such as quality fried breakfasts. Popular with bus drivers as it is by the bus station, there is always a thoroughly British vibe to this place which is part of its charm. Just dont expect any frills.

Off the beaten track, this is a must visit for comic-book loving, fashion-conscious heads. All it stocks is special Marvel-branded goods, with loads of customised garms including caps, trainers and t-shirts making this a unique enterprise. For those in the know, this is where the much sought-after Marvel-Technics fashion label for DJs originates. These are well worth checking out for their original and striking designs. Staff are friendly and only to happy to help, and chuck in the odd freebie too. Check it out!