The City Retreat, Holborn

In the concrete jungle that is Shoe Lane this is indeed a welcome retreat. Sure it aint anything to look at but the staff are very polite and speedy and the times when I have eaten the food has been good.

4 Jan 2007 16:21

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street

The initial impression is that this is a pub that has got above itself and that what made it appealing has/could led to its downfall; its clear that heritage and decor are attractive for customers but once you go through the original public bar into the 'back' public bar you feel like you are standing in a warehouse. More of a J.SAINSBURY RATHER THAN A C. DICKENS WAREHOUSE i MIGHT ADD. Its too much of contrast. I did not try the restaurant(s) which looked very nice but can't help feeling that the ambience will lead excessively great expectations...

21 Dec 2006 17:49

Ye Old Mitre, Holborn

This is what it's all about! You know you are on to a winner the minute you have to walk down the Jack the Ripper alleyway to get to it. Cramped, oldy worldy, the punters look happy to be there and the staff look happy for the punters to be there. I took a couple of Asian colleagues there and it fulfilled their history book fantasy London. Until I showed them the outside Lavs that is.....

20 Dec 2006 15:26