Qype: Hummus Bros in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - International - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Mediterranean


So I've sort of side-stepped Hummus Bros for some time due to my 'over it' feeling toward hummus. When the big hummus plague happened I was in the frontline, visitng parks and BBQs with fresh french loaves and tubs of hummus in different colours and flavours. And then one morning I awoke, and could not bare to look at another beige chunky pot. And that was that.

So somewhere called 'Hummus Bros' was as likely a perfect shoe fit for me as another termed 'Offal Aunts'. And I neglected it besides recommendations from friends.

But then a group of friends were heading down and I begrudgingly came along and was pleasantly surprised. I could get a bowl of tasty meaty lumps in a swish salty gravy with a line of hummus around the top that you could swipe in or mostly ignore as you scooped it up warm wholewheat pittas = win.

Can get busy at lunch times and they have a 'small' (medium) and 'regular' (large) - if it's just lunch the small should do - I went for the regular and ended up leaving left half.

Check out my review of Hummus Bros - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: Tortilla in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Mexican


Mexican eateries have bred like rabbits throughout London - and if you can't match or better what's already out there, you're doing Londoners a bit of a disservice.

I was thrilled to bits as I saw this joint being tediously put together down the road from my work - cutting the closest Mexican hit from a 15 min walk to a 3 min walk would be a.m.a.z.i.n.g.

But alas. The burrito that was spawned by Tortilla was under par, woefully disappointing. The sour cream was watered down to the consistency of milk. The black beans were swimming in water and slapped together with my usual favourite of pork and completely unspicy medium salsa, resulted in a big bag of liquid that continoulsy trickled through my tin foil as I hate it - luckily in-house.

My friend had gone for the 'hot' salsa and still we doused both in a bottle of chilly sauce we found off to the side. The staff seemed a bit disinterested in being there and altogether the experience was a let down.

Until something drastic happens I'm resigned to a fifteen minute walk to get some 'proper' Mexican food.

Check out my review of Tortilla - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: Pizzeria Malletti in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Italian & Pizza


I have a habit of going to a place that specialises in something, and ordering the opposite, so in Pizzeria Malletti I opted for the pasta; £4.95 for a takeaway box.

I asked for 'halfnhalf'; an artichoke and gorgonzola tortelloni with a penne and sausage meat. And it was pretty good - a decent lunch portion that was pretty tasty.

Don't let the queue out the door put you off, it all moves along pretty quickly and the people behind the counter are friendly and boisterous.

Check out my review of Pizzeria Malletti - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: The Alice House in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs


Popped in for an after-work-drink and took up a table in the buzzy outside area despite rain and a chill. Inside I'd agree there's a trendy/indie feel to the place that's a little on the dark side with fairy lights around the bar and some good looking people behind it.

It seems to attract a mixed bunch of media types - dressed smart-casual and all jovially topping up their drinks and chattering loudly, which is a great atmosphere after a long week but imagine if you're a quiet pub type this wouldn't hit the spot.

I've heard the food isn't terrific but just seen they doa brunch menu so may need to head out here on a mild Sunday and try it out for myself. Will definitely return in the evening with a bunch of friends - but reackon you'd either need to get there very early or book a table.

Check out my review of The Alice House - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: Banana Tree Canteen in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Other Asian


A collection of events unfolded that would normally have me plucking off stars in no time, but I sort of have a soft spot for the place, and would definitely return with friends...

We came by on an impromptu Friday eve and waited in a little queue to be seated at one of the basic wooden tables surrounded by mild chatter and a friendly vibe. We were soon seated and I had a hankering for a shandy but wondered what might come close. At my hesitation the waiter said 'What was what?' To which I replied 'Er I don't suppose you do a shandy do you?'. 'Of course we do!' he bellowed 'We have beer, we have sprite; no problem!' and off he went.

I went for my good ol faithful phad thai but in this instance it didn't pay off - it seems opting for prawn and chicken meant half the portions of each and it lacked some of the flavour as I swallowed my food envy at my dining partner's plate - a grilled snazzy lamb dish. It's clearly one of those spots where it pays to be a bit adventurous. Despite waiting a bit longer than normal for our food, the service was attentive and for two to have a main and a drink for £25 it's pretty decent on the money bags too.

Check out my review of Banana Tree Canteen - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: Josephine' s Restaurant in London

London - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Chinese - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Other Asian - Philippine


Josephine's is a perfect example of the importance of adapting to the changing environment, or face becoming extinct.

We had a large table booked for lunch but for the most part of our dining were the only ones in there. The service was extremely friendly but rather slow as the head waiter painstakingly moved along the table to each person to slowly hold out a menu for them. And wrote our food on drinks orders out slowly on two different writing pads. It's old fashioned service which can be charming, but can also be a little dreary when timing the lunch hour.

We were handed menus and after scanning through and being a little weary of the price, one of our group asked if they had a lunch menu. Yes. Oh. Well, group in here for lunch, kind of seemed like a no brainer and a bit frustrating given the feleling you're being squeezed for every penny.

The food was disappointing - I've been lucky enough to have a Filipino friend cook a few dishes for me and they were far better - I went for the adobo wich is a pretty classic dish.

I think the place lacks a bit of passion - to survive in London you either need to be a little family business with top nosh at decent prices, or be going against the grain with a new idea or theme. Sadly Josephine's needs to jack up their act a bit - and it is sad because the decor and staff are very warming. I just can't recommend the food.

Check out my review of Josephine' s Restaurant - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: Harms & Schacht in Hamburg

Hamburg - Eating & Drinking - Cafes & Coffee Shops - Cafes - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - International - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Bars - Cocktail Bars - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Austrian


We had a function here and I guess the size of the place was just not befitting to a large gathering mid-winter. Without the extension of the outside area to enlarge the space it was just a bit cramped but perhaps it was due to a misunderstanding of our team building antics.

The staff were generally pretty friendly but had a weird process of us lining up at the entrance to the bar ordering drinks off the side - bit odd as one might expect the nimble waiters to tick round and see who needs a top up.
Have to agree I wasn't a fan of the food, especially as midway through the queue everything ran out and we all waited mid-queue for them to scramble to find top ups - and sadly not many of them were found and the idea of being polite suddenly felt a little self-defeating.

The smoking section was just terrible - a big hot-box latched onto the side of the building without an air vent or a window made myself, happy with a cigarette if I have a drink, rather stand on my own out front so I could breath between puffs.

I'd definitely come back here - especially in the Summer when the outside area on the canal is open. But for functions I'm not convinced.

Check out my review of Harms & Schacht - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: Last Days of Decadance in london

london - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Bars


I love a theme or a little side show or something that offers me more than just a song, drink and bar stool. So spying the piano and being told to dress a lil old fashioned and to expect a burlesque show I was a little tickled.

In reality this place misses a lot of pert points for me - the cocktails were really disappointing and for the price you'd expect an old hand. my friend actually ended up sending her dark n stormy back as it was missing two ingredients (alledgedly by a newbie). My mojito was oddly made by squeezing two full lemon halves on a nobbly orange juicer followed by a sugar syrup, the booze and crushed ice with min leaves thrown on the top. As a bit of a mojito fanatic a little part of me died while watching this. Where's the muddling that rocks my mojito? The freshness of the leaves ground into the sharp contrast of the lime? I don't know, I had to take a moment.

The burlesque show was in the seedy bar downstairs that whiffs of beer and is so crowded you're unlikely to see much below the face - which, er, is pretty integral to a burlesque show I would have thought.

It's pretty popular soit must rock some folks boat, but for me it's hit and miss, and I'm not likely to go back unless another friend insists on celebrating a Birthday there.

Check out my review of Last Days of Decadance - I am Urbanite - on Qype