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Shish, 2-6 Station Parade, London NW2 4NH

Shish, 2-6 Station Parade, London NW2 4NH

2-6 Station Parade, London NW2 4NH

It's kebabs gone posh. Shish in Willesden Green, adjacent to the Tube station, is one of 3 Shish outlets that have garnered popularity amongst locals and critics alike. At £20 per head, it's not a cheap meal, but it's definitely worth the pounds. The spinach borek was crisp and fresh, although a little oily but the mains are definitely the highlight of the menu. Skewers of meat and haloumi cheese with potatoes, roasted capsicum and onions, next to a bed of salad and fries is done to perfection. And for dessert, don't go past the halva ice-cream with baklava.

By chloe at 30/04/2008 - 18:46 | 2008 | Approved | London | Mediterranean | North | Review | £££/$$$ | add new comment | read more | 63 reads

Sakoni's 127-129 Ealing Road, Wembley, HA0 4BP

Sakoni's 127-129 Ealing Road, Wembley, HA0 4BP

127-129 Ealing Road, Wembley, HA0 4BP

Look to where the locals go and head to Sakoni's for cheap, filling and mouth-watering vegetarian Gujarati food. Populated as it is already with sari, jewellery and Indian grocery stores, Ealing Road is packed with locals who pop into Sakoni's for their spicy masala dosas, burning hot chai and crispy bhajiyas.

If you don't mind being packed into a corner in a clinical and sometimes dirty interior, its well worth it for the food. In fact, sometimes, it adds to the authentic Indian experience.

By chloe at 17/04/2008 - 11:59 | 2008 | Approved | Indian | London | Review | West | £/$ | add new comment | read more | 151 reads

Café Pacifico,5-6 Langley Street, London, WC2H 9JA

Café Pacifico,5-6 Langley Street, London, WC2H 9JA

5-6 Langley Street, London, WC2H 9JA

I've been here twice and have not been impressed. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't completely unhappy about the whole thing, but I don't think this place is the best Mexican you can get in London, a claim that's made by a lot of reviewers.

The rice is soggy, and the dishes are bland and flavourless, definitely not what we have come to expect from Mexican food.

The staff aren't that friendly, and it is expensive, for what it is. You can definitely do better than this, I just haven't found it yet.

By chloe at 17/04/2008 - 11:48 | 2008 | London | Mexican/North American | OK | Review | ££££/$$$$ | 1 comment | read more | 138 reads

Night Star-Mangal Ockabasi, 149 Holloway Road London N7 8LX

Night Star-Mangal Ockabasi, 149 Holloway Road London N7 8LX

149,Holloway Road London N7 8LX

Another pre- Arsenal match, feeding and watering stop on the greasy Holloway Road. Why does it always look as if the pavements need a good hosing down and a steam clean? The restaurant is the usual set-up of revolving kebabs in the front takeaway part and long queues of punters on match days who prefer the sidewalk eating experience. The inside is fairly basic-tiled floors and formica tables. However the star of the show is the charcoal grill man (there must be a name in Turkish) who sits at the barbecue, expertly rotating the kebabs, and chops, and chicken fillets, like he's playing an instrument, and shouting at the staff.

By m at 03/03/2008 - 11:08 | 2008 | Approved | London | Mediterranean | North | Review | £/$ | add new comment | read more | 115 reads

Phoenix Bar, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, London, N22 7AY

Phoenix Bar, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, London, N22 7AY

Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, London, N22 7AY

I went here for lunch. This bar, which is at the western end of the palace, must have one of the best dining views in London. Through the large windows you look out across the terrace, with its wrought iron lamps and wooden tables and the whole city is spread out before you, the Gherkin and Canary Wharf clearly visible, until it all vanishes into the mists of North Kent. The inside is almost as good. It is spacy and wooden with a high ceiling and a central bar with mirrored pillars. Tables are marble with metal chairs or wooden. The music is terrible. Sort of sub techno garbage when I was there. Next door there is a huge (and silent!) palm court with sphynxes, fountains and full size palm trees towering into a vaulted sky-lit roof. There are about a dozen tables, maybe less. I had a coffee here the other afternoon and had the whole palm court completely to myself. Talk about a hidden gem. It was wonderful.

By Harry at 17/02/2008 - 22:08 | 2008 | Approved | London | North | Review | Traditional | Views | £££/$$$ | add new comment | read more | 129 reads

Il Bacio 178-184 Blackstock Road Highbury N5 1HA

Il Bacio 178-184 Blackstock Road Highbury N5 1HA

178-184 Blackstock Road Highbury N5 1HA

Pre match Arsenal v Blackburn on Monday last, I was determined to steer clear of my usual Haddock 'n Chips or a Fat Harry's Hot Dog standing up in the street. So I opted for this rather swish and surprisingly genuine Italian 10 minutes from the Emirates Stadium. I got there about 6.45 and the place was heaving. Had I booked?''No.'' Oh dear ,not sure if we can fit you in'' said the waitress. Anyway I was seated within five minutes and was pleasantly surprised.

By m at 14/02/2008 - 11:14 | 2008 | Approved | Italian | London | North | Review | £££/$$$ | add new comment | read more | 119 reads
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