Qype: The Garrison Ltd in London

London - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

The most noteable thing about The Garrison is discovered when you walk through the door. It looks like the home of some crazy (but really cool) old aunt with cats and a flair for design. There's a cuckoo clock on the wall next to the bar, there are vegetable racks hanging fromt he walls but all quite tasteful in an old English kind of way. The food is hearty and well presented - not the cheapest with £9-11 for lunches like burgers and steak sandwiches but good quality and great to go as a treat.
Check out my review of The Garrison Ltd - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: Google (UK) in Victoria, London

Victoria, London - Services - Media

I must begin with the open and honest approach by saying if you're looking for a review of the entire company, you should probably not read on. Because as soon as I reached the cafeteria, I forgot all else and was like a little girl again, running through a field of flowers. Now you might think this sounds a little cheap of me - because I would not be gushing so if every SINGLE thing here wasn't free - and you would be very right. But as Rob already mentioned, it's not your bog standard two options kind of menu - you can eat a completely different type of meal each day for a week - sushi one day, quiche and salads another. They have a fridge stacked with different types of health drinks - and even an orange juice squeezer you can turn on and watch the oranges turn about while your little glass gets filled. They've got a freezer with icecreams and a counter with sweets and chocolates. The only way to control my jealousy is to ration that I would turn into a big ball with little legs if I worked here. But what a happy ball I would be :)
Check out my review of Google (UK) - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: Small & Beautiful in London

London - Restaurants - British

I have to say I was a little disappointed by small and beautiful. And not in a daft way like 'well I thought it would be bigger.' It was undoubtedly value for money, but the staff I found were barely pleasant with each little question you ask seeming like a pain in the behind.

I got the stuffed pepper starter which I really didn't warm to. For mains I got the steak which wasn't bad but yeah, I just thought with such quirky decor they could follow through with the staff and or menu. There is a nifty organ on the wall. Like church organ, as opposed to heart liver or kidney. That's pretty cool. The rest could do with a bit of a pep talk.
Check out my review of Small & Beautiful - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: Le Beaujolais in London

London - Restaurants - French

I have never not seen this place packed, which is always a good sign. Actually to be honest until a short while ago I'd never seen this place at all, though passed it unknowingly many many many times. (It's just off Charing Cross Road).

When you walk in the first thing you notice is a lot of ties hanging from the rafters, beer mugs dangling from the ceiling and a lingering egg smell. I can't really explain the egg smell. Nor the ties. Actually the beer mugs are a bit baffling considering it's a wine bar...

The staff weren't terribly friendly and depending on what kind of atmosphere you're after this is either one you should head for or avoid. A quite bottle of wine with friends or a romantic drink before a show? Not a good idea. A rowdy after work gathering? Yeah why not.
Check out my review of Le Beaujolais - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: Yo! Sushi in London

London - Restaurants - Japanese & Sushi

More proof in the pudding that not all chains are the same. More accustomed to the Finchley Rd branch I ended up at this branch 2 or 3 times as I was working nearby (usually convenience and eager colleagues) and each visit brought disappointment. It's tricky to explain but the pieces of fish were just sliced a tincy bit thinner and a little bit meaner than in other branches. The dishes seemed a little smaller and the sauces were trickled half as thin. I hate it when people skimp on toppings - like a sandwich filling that just covers the centre. Why do people do this to us?? They also seem more afraid of wastage so the conveyor belt seems to contain a sparse littering of little fishy offerings with the bog standard salmon nigiri and maki rolls invading and becoming victorious in the banal sushi offering! End of rant.

And then about YoSushi in general I think they should update their offerings a bit and maybe hop on the brown rice wagon? Or is that really stirring it up??
Check out my review of Yo! Sushi - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: Itsu Ltd in London

London - Restaurants - Japanese & Sushi

This is my favourite Western-meets-Japanese chain. Itsu is really cool and brings a range of traditional Japanese dishes into the 21st century. I'm not a fan of the detox drinks as the heavy ginger is too bitter for me and not too wild about their soups (about £6 with noodles) but they do leave you feeling full and healthy. I do love their sushi - my favourite box being 'Health & Happiness' for about £7 with 6 California rolls, 6 pieces of nigiri and 2 pieces of salmon sashimi. They also have some saucy little dessert shots which are wicked but in such small portions it doesn't ruin the health vibe - and you an also opt for their collection of seasonal fruit instead. Sit at the retro stools under neon lights and enjoy.
Check out my review of Itsu Ltd - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: Camisa & Son in London

London - Food & Drink - Delicatessen

Fresh Italian deli with yummy Italian bits and pieces to throw on a ciabatta. I went for a mortadella and cheese one - generously packed with both which came to a total of £2.60 - better than Pret and the like and a lot more authentic. There was a little misunderstanding when I thought I had ordered mortadella, cheese, basil and tomato but not a biggy and definitely not going to stop me from going back.

Also a great place to stock up on all of the Barilla pasta shapes and the precious Mullino bianco biscuits.
Check out my review of Camisa & Son - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: The Breakfast Club in London

London - Restaurants - International

There is something definitely comfortable about this place. It's really casual inside while still being warm and friendly. Their breakfasts aren't bad and there are proper big tables and couches to slouch around/have a relaxed meeting (with free wifi)/read a newspaper. I wonder if they have board games. Not really a breakfast type thing but it's the type of place you'd be comfortable whipping out your Scrabble Board and scheming towards that triple word square. Hmm, I seem to have strayed. Great place, try it for yourself.
Oh, lost a star because the cutlery was dirty (but they happily replaced it) and my breakfast was begging for a bit of garnish/tomato/that lil summin summin.
Check out my review of The Breakfast Club - I am Urbanite - on Qype

Qype: Cinnabon in London

London

A friend recently moved to New York and has since formed an unhealthy addiction to Cinnabons. Until August this year, you couldn't get them in the UK so I could not share in her newfound joy... until their pioneering store popped up in the heart of Piccadilly Circus. Wedged at the foot of the Trocadero, it's a little store that you could pass every day without noticing it.

They serve a form of cinnamon bun baked freshly throughout the day and made with the very best makara cinnamon (obviously) and the best bit is that they serve them warm. They're not cheap - I went for a minibon which is a good-sized snack at £3, their normal sized ones are closer to £5. So head over there, grab a coffee and cinnabon (the caramel pecanbon is highly recommended) and smile your troubles away. Although I must admit they're tasty, I think you'd be tipping the scales and on your way to a heart-attack if you made it too regular an occurance!
Check out my review of Cinnabon - I am Urbanite - on Qype