The Union Tavern, Clerkenwell

This pub has gone back up in my estimation after catering for one of our party who had a very particular diet. Service was really good, both in bar and restaurant. Vegetarian menu is limited and repetitive (falafels, soup or pasta only on last few visits) otherwise would go there more often. Very good range of beers and wines by the glass though. I have taken friends and family there, who all seem to like it.

11 Aug 2013 23:46

The Old China Hand, Clerkenwell

There is a new chef who is now doing Malaysian food, so it is back to its original feel. I like this pub as the staff are very open and friendly. They talk to all the regulars without any airs and graces. Its a good mix of locals and suits. Good range of draft beers. Nice atmosphere, though perhaps not very pub-like.

27 Feb 2009 12:16

The Foundry, Shoreditch

I thought this place was okay despite anticipating too many 'cool' people trying too hard. People were generally friendly. Its quite rough and ready: I caught and ripped my dress on a nail in the downstairs area when coming out of the poetry area. The poetry evening was full of tense intellectuals trying very hard to show they had swallowed their own thesaurus and therefore most people too self-conscious to be friendly and hence not a very 'fun' evening. People outside were okay though. I do think that it is good to have a place like this in Shoreditch to counterract the Holiday Inns and White Cubes, and its no worse than other 'style' bars in the area.

23 Aug 2008 16:34