Hepcat - it's sheep shagging territory round there, that's why... You've seen The Wicker Man I assume?

Did Britt Ekland get her knockers out?

4F Hepcat wrote:

Yes, seen that film. But there was no tweeds there, only pinstripes. But the barman did tell me to stick to the path, and not jump off the bridge.

For me it was mystical, the place where Chatterton had forged his poetry and vision.

I like the smaller scale of everything after London, with the harbourside as a kind of mini Thames. Must be a part of the ageing process...

Last edited by Just Jim (2010-02-06 02:52:11)

Probably I should say that I also checked out all the other places today that play with 'Ivy' too, and again there was only overpriced cod junk on offer: Gant, Crew, all of that.

So if Sam's was the pick of the bunch yesterday, UO takes the crown for today.

Thanks for the tip, Stace.

Kingstonian wrote:

Tim wrote:

Steppin' Out from my gaff..

Onto the Grays Inn Road & you have Condor (if you like that sort of thing..) further up you have Costas. ..

Bicycle shop. Across the road from the magnificent Andrews cafe. Good honest nosh, generous portions. Channel 4 news team often eat in there. Mentioned on Robert Elms show (bus route feature) once as the paintings of the buses on the wall have licence plates with Radio London frequency.

Tim wrote:

Then over to..

Lambs Conduit Street
That fantastic window of Connock & Lockie "American Specialite"
Pokit for Sanders playboys at the same price as everywhere else..
Folk for more avant-garde stuff
Oliver Spencer for a simillar take and price range to Albam.
Bella Pasta

Pokit it is a new one on me. It may be an unbearably trendy place that I subconsciously overlook. There is the design place with the half-hearted sweet shop in the front. A get out for 'change of use of a building' I believe.
Ciao Bella is a magnificent Italian place. Always packed. Good value. Maxwell Hutchings(Radio London contributor) plays the piano in there apparently.
You omitted the splendid pub. The Lamb with its Victorian snob screens. Beer not as good since Young's left Wandsworth

Tim wrote:

Head west and hit the no-name menswear shop on the Holborn end of Sicilian Avenue. The window reminds me of the pictures of the ones John S did for Cecil Gee.

Not 'Everything must go' on the corner, next to the Spaghetti House ? It has been saying that for years. When I asked, they said lease was up for renewal rather than they were leaving. Really old style Jewish. They will try to sell you something, anything. There was another place across the road sold cheap bits and pieces Farah trousers etc.

Tim wrote:

It's only a hop-skip-jump to Covent Garden and we-know-who.. On to Endell street.. Cathy likes Blackout II for fantastic 50's vintage womenswear, the menswear veers massivly toward the rockabilly thing though..

Endell Street is mostly nosh to me. Diana's Diner, Rock and Sole Plaice(not so good these days) the nice Italian restaurant (forget the name) and the pub with Beatles memorabilia.

Was bumming around town yesterday and came across another Pokit shop on Wardour Street. A few Central City haunts I like to pass by from time to time are Leadenhall Market, which to me is a magical part of London. I never pass through there without a visit to The Dive bar downstairs in The Lamb Tavern for a swift pint. The place wreaks with authenticity, so much so that it all but smacks you on the chops when you walk in. Even the water meter in the loos looks like it should be on the Antiques Roadshow for a valuation.

Ade & ravenscroft just outside the market is a nice browse. There's also another Ciao Bella (not sure if it's the same people as LCS) which is set inside what looks like an old bank of something. The actual joint is called Revolution, and Bella Pasta is inside. It's a huge palatial size eater, and worth a visit. I find the bald headed waiter at the LCS pasta a tad rude. I like to feel like I'm wanted when I go somewhere. I didn't get that vibe from ole shiny bonce when I accidentally encroached on his shift.

Passing through North London yesterday, I came across a really cool thrift shop on the corner of Junction Rd and Cathcart Hill N19.

Quite a selection of vintage cameras, furniture, bikes, crockery, cutlery, clothes, pictures etc. Definitely worth a peek if you're in the neighbourhood...