O perfil de nicolaa20

The Curzon Soho specialises in European and arthouse films. Recently I went to see the film about Ian Curtis and Joy Division 'Control’ here and thought it was the ideal venue. The cinema was decorated with posters of the band leading down the staircase- it really felt like much more of an 'event’ than just going to the pictures. The feeling I get from this cinema is that it seems to really celebrate film rather than just see it as a business. The venue has a cafe and bar and the fact that you can bring a drink into the cinema itself I think is just fantastic for relaxing after work. Consequently it has a much more grown up feel and I probably wouldn’t recommend it to families/children.

This is a wonderful bakery that is part of a chain, but still retains its feel of a unique little local bakery. The smell of Paul can't help but lure you in, either for a delicious pastry for breakfast or for a freshly made sandwich for lunch. I particularly like the selection of croissants for breakfast, note, they are cheaper to take away than eat in, and there isn't actually that much space to eat in here. The cakes and desserts and are also delicious!! Everything feels so luxurious. I recommend the melt in the mouth chocolate cake for a spot of indulgence!! Paul isn't cheap, but you get the impression that you are paying for the quality.

I love this Boutique! Situated on Rathbone Place just off Oxford Street, this shop has done well to keep it's unique boutique feel with all the chain stores nearby. Multipazz is a small shop but stocks plenty of gift ideas such as jewellery, accessories such as belts and handbags, homewares and quirky little gifts. There is a tiny clothes section at the back but I always manage to find something I love there. The clothes are not cheap but they have a slight luxurious boutique feel to them and you know you are getting something a bit more unique than your average high street shop buy.
They also stock plenty of cards and gift wrap free for you so you could effectively buy a whole present in this shop. One thing I did notice is some very nice belts in the store that I got in Bali a year ago for about 1/10 of the price but this is London I guess! Multipazz does have a website but I don't think it does it justice- this boutique is worth seeing in the flesh.

This relatively small pub is often full of city types on a Friday evening but actually has some great deals for students that are worth taking advantage of for any students reading this. The pub does student discount on drinks and also offers a special offer on the menu (you can get a delicious Thai dish noodle or rice based for under a fiver). The food is really tasty and we didn't have to wait too long for it to arrive. The pub can get busy but is definatley more relaxed than the nearby Wetherspoons and also offers a much nicer atmosphere.

The Roundhouse renovation is impressive and makes for a good gig venue. It's actually a nice change to go to a gig in a pretty clean venue in london that doesn't have the sterile feeling of say earls court or wembley arena.
The main stage area has the feel of a festival tent, with the very high ceilings and the general structure of the place, it is definately a different atmosphere to any other London gig venues I've been to.
The drinks are actually reasonably priced too, which was a pleasant surprise. There are plenty of toilets and a cloakroom but I would agree that the design for leaving the building is bad and could cause problems in an emergency.

In terms of location, this is pretty much as central as you can get for popping to the gym after work, it's location is ideal.
This leisure centre isn't huge, but isn't a bad size considering it's smacked inbetween covent garden and holborn. The gym itself is over two floors but is small, and a little hot down there.
What this leisure centre can really boast is the two swimming pools, and this is the main reason I like to visit it.
What most people probably don't realise is that there is an outdoor pool behind this leisure centre, which is a brilliant way to catch some rays in the summer during your lunch hour if you're as lucky enough as me to work really nearby.
Although both indoor and outdoor pools are heated and open all year round, I haven't braved the outdoor one in the winter just yet.
The changing rooms are what really really let this place down. They are outdated and often at times, dirty. There is a huge lack of staff in this place, both at reception and cleaners in the changing rooms. A little bit of funding in this place would go a long way as it really has so many good features about it, it is a shame that they have let the standards slip.

Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre underwent a brilliant renovation, the new gym is a far cry from the basic place I learnt to swim in as a child.
The new leisure centre is modern, clean, and incredibly spacious for a London Leisure Centre.
You cant miss the new climbing wall area with the wall to wall glass windows as you walk/drive past, it's pretty impressive.
My favourite part of the new renovation is the cafe/restaurant by the entrance. The cafe is also very spacious and has large sofas for relaxing with a book and a snack after work (then go and burn off all those calories!).
There is also a floodlit astroturf, a beauty room, plenty of rooms for group exercise classes and not one but two ladies changing rooms.
I love spending time here, compared to the other Camden Leisure Centre I can use with my membership, this is so superior, I actually come out of my way to use this centre.
As a member you can book exercise classes in advance online, which is highly recommended as the reception queues in the evenings can be incredibly long and I've been late for a class before because of this. They could do with some more staff.

Cass Art in Soho is very reasonably priced considering it's location. This is key in it's manifesto- that art should be affordable to everyone.
CASS art on Berwick Street isn't a huge store but has everything you would need on an every day basis from sketchbooks to paints to canvases. They have very good sales in here, and you can get some good deals. They also offer their own brand products for anyone really on a budget.
I would actually recommend coming here for stationary as it seems to be much more reasonably priced for the basics such as notebooks than other similar stores in the soho area.
The Flag Ship store in Islington is over 3 floors, which is more like it, but if you need an art supply that you just can't find in the likes of WHSmith, then CASS art is recommended.

I love the food in Fresh And Wild. Unfortunately I do not love the price tag that comes along with it. Once in a while, I like to grab lunch from the Fresh and Wild on Brewer Street, and obviously a lot of people are earning a lot more than me! as it always seems to be incredibly busy.
The salad bar is a feast for the eyes, with an excellent selection of fresh veg beans and pulses. The first time I visited this store I was shocked with the price of the salad box when I got to the till, but have to say it is one of the only salads that has kept me full right up until the end of the day- a sign of good food.
There is a wonderful variety of organic food in these stores, and it is so refreshing to be able to trust in the food you are buying. This is not as good as the flagship store in Kensington but offers a wonderful variety anyway.

A traditionally decorated, very small pub, right in the heart of soho, The Ship is spot on for having a bevvie before heading on somewhere else, or for drowning your sorrows after a long week at the office. Weekday nights it is full of film production types from local offices, great if you are looking to network, and lunchtimes it always seems to have a few punters drinking outside too. The pub is small, so you are bound to be in earful of someone talking about the latest special effects know how.
The music played in this pub is brilliant, and apparently the pub itself has a lot of musical history with the marquee club originally being nearby.
The outside space for drinking is small, and prepare for annoying reminders to keep within a certain space from staff, as has become standard with most soho drinking establishments.
Thumbs up to this pub for retaining it's original decor and retaining a bit of soho's history.