Tired of your usual haunts? Looking to spice up your evenings? Looking for quirky places to explore? It can be a challenge to break out of your comfort zone and do something different, but, oh, when you do, there’s so much on offer! Our community have explored some fantastically quirky places. Conquer that feeling of mundanity and repetition with a trip to some of them. Here’s our guide to your favourites.

Shunt Vaults, London Bridge

Shunt Vaults under London Bridge, is one of London’s best hiddeen gems. Curated by different artists, it’s always different and eclectic. kellytron thought it was: “jaw dropping excellent… live music, art, pinball machines, cheap booze and even a truck with chairs on the tray to sit in. I actually passed about 30 minutes pretending to drive this truck and honking the pretend horn - but this isn’t compulsory”.

Garlic & Shots, Soho

Garlic ice cream, garlic bread, garlic vodka and bloodshots served in a basement bar with some goth metal, Swedish style, Garlic & Shots is a one off and has to be tried. thamshere loved it: “best garlic bread in town”, it’s also “a superb place to get steaming. The bloodshots have to be downed to be believed. The atmosphere in the garden out back is always condusive to having a superb night out.”

Dans Le Noir, Farringdon

Dining in pitch darkness, served by a blind waiter,  Dans Le Noir is certainly a unique experience! For Ladis19 it was: “one of the most exciting dining experiences I have ever had. It’s one of those Marmite places, some will love it, others will hate it but you just have to try… The conversation at dinner was also completely different. A lot more comments about the food, what are we eating? Who’s nicked my wine? (btw Melanie that was me:)) where’s the water?”

Tiroler Hut, Notting Hill

German beers, cowbells, lederhosen and fondue? All in an evening’s entertainment at The Tiroler Hut in Notting Hill. Lizzweee gave it 5*: “What a fantasic hidden gem. This traditional Austrian restaurant has everything you could want, from traditional wooden decor, cow bells and laderhosen! The fondue is superb, served with a tasty variety of breads (usually washed down with a steiner of beer) and the chocolate variety for pudding is a must.”

Marathon Kebab, Chalk Farm 

If I told you that Marathon Kebab is a kebab shop that sells alcohol and turns into a jazz club after dark, would you believe me? I expect not. papayoyo says: “Ever found yourself stumbling down Camden High Street after being turfed out of every pub at closing time but still with the will to party driving you on into the night? Welcome to the Marathon Bar, Camden’s hazy crazy last chance saloon! Is it a kebab shop, is it a bar, or is it the final resting place for Camden Town’s die hard alcoholics and desperados? Herein you will find all manner of drunken cheerfulness.”

Absolut Ice Bar, Mayfair

Imagine a bar made entirely of ice, set at minus five degrees where you don an enormous furry jacket, thermal gloves and drink vodka from a glass made of ice, and all in central London. Sounds appealing? Check out the Absolut Ice Bar. ablair9999 thought it was great: “Sure it’s a gimick, sure it’s different, and it sure it’s cold! It is also fun, unusual and a great place to try some fab vodka cocktails.”

The Viaduct Tavern, Farringdon

Fancy a good scare? The Viaduct Tavern is built on the site of an old remand prison and is rumoured to be haunted. The staff took andybrown on a tour of the old prison below: “I went down into the cellars, and it was all very interesting, and they took me round, and showed me the cells, and the cell numbers, and we got to cell where they stored lime cordial and somesuch other liquids, she opened the door, I went to enter… and i couldn’t. it was as if something was holding me there, pushing me. that’s the only way i can describe it. like a forcefield. and, try as i might, my legs wouldn’t obey.”

Bom Bane’s, Brighton

Like musicals? Like good food? You’ll like Bom Bane’s then. foodrambler thought it was great: “Food, music and poetry are all mixed up in beautiful jumble of a place. I recommend going along for “Bom-Banes: The Musical”, which is performed three or four times a month. It consists of a three-course set meal for £25, eaten whilst the staff sing and play their hearts out.”

Renaissance Rooms, Vauxhall

Spandex, leg warmers, seventies music and soul, expect this and more at The Renaissance Rooms Roller Disco in Vauxhall. lclancyau was impressed: “I went here on a Friday night for some roller disco action. Being a skating novice I was worried about the amount of people that’d be in my way (or vice versa)… this was unfounded as it didn’t get massively crowded… Recommended for those who like skating and cheesy music. Dressing up a bit is also recommended =]”

Ciro’s Pizza Pomodoro, Liverpool St

Why not eat pizza in a Turkish bath? A legacy of Victorian London, this restaurant is housed in an old mosque-like Turkish bath. You won’t see many nude men,  but the pizza comes recommended by princessjasmine: “The atmosphere was very good and the restaurant is adorned with photos of its many famous customers. Nice location and although close to the city, very traditional and not at all “city” like. Food (2 courses) with wine and water worked out about £22 per person (5 dining). Would probably come back to try another pizza!”

Technorati Tags: quirky, different, unusual, reviews, community, TrustedPlaces

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our American users! What have you got planned for today? Lots of turkey and pumpkin pie no doubt, but, our question is, where? We’ve been through your reviews and have chosen the favourites from our community for your Thanksgiving celebrations.

Why not stop by Bodean’s for some ribs or a hamburger? geeyah says “Bodeans is a fairly decent visual approximation of how an American restaurant of this ilk actually looks in America: simple and unassuming, without screaming kitsch but subtle, sometimes tongue in cheek references to theme… this may be a candidate for the best no-fuss hamburger in London, a claim that is also assisted by the fact that everything for two came under £20, and we were veritably stuffed.”

You could try Christopher’s American Grill for a good American steak. ProfMagellan enjoyed his sirloin: “The menu is mainly meat and the steaks are very, very good… My guest and I enjoyed an excellent buffalo mozzerella salad and then the 10oz sirloin. Quite excellent and pleasant and attentive service by a genuine Frenchman.”

An American brasserie might do it. Give Automat a go. lucyw had a great brunch there: “This place knows how to make a seriously good cup of coffee. And the eggs benedict rocks too - some of the best poached eggs I’ve had out in a long time. I’ve been here for breakfast/brunch twice in the last couple of months and really enjoyed every mouthful. It’s not just the food that’s appealing, the place is modelled on an american diner - not the loud rock and roll variety but a more refined and very sophisticated mix of wood and leather.”

Would a bona fide American steakhouse would fit the bill? If so, Hawksmoor is your destination. chrisp recommends it: “The menu is smallish - just a few different cuts of beef, a lamb and pork cut or two, and a scattering of sides. And it’s not cheap either, my 600g sirloin coming in at a whopping £26.50. But if there’s one thing that’s self-evident as you cut through the charred crispy flesh into the rich, moist pink inside, is that it’s worth every penny. There is simply nowhere else in the capital - nowhere in Europe I would hazard a guess - that has steaks of such stunning high quality, cooked perfectly.”

For a cheap and authentic American bite, you can’t go wrong at The Diner in Shoreditch. foodbymark loves it: “They serve a lot here, and the menu is comprehensive. Breakfast til 4pm, burgers, burritos, salads etc. This is not haute cuisine. What you are really here for is a juicy and greasy burger in a basket. No less than 12 varieties including two vegetarian all served in the oval basket. The fries are also good here and a burger cannot go without onion rings. All the portions are generous.”

Finally, the Big Easy on the King’s Road is another popular choice. Over to FoodStories who says: it’s “Totally Gut-Bustingly Fab! This place has won numerous awards and I can see why. So often this kind of food is so disappointing. It is the sort of cooking you need to get just right, with fresh ingredients, cooked with a little love. The ½ lobster was delicious and we all relished the opportunity to get messy (we all donned the optional, ‘now make yourself look really stupid’ bibs) The steak was cooked perfectly. This was served with onion rings which were actually very good, crispy and light and of course, plenty of cold beers were sunk too.”

So, Happy Thanksgiving! Have fun no matter what you do.

Where are you going? Somewhere different? Have you found somewhere that does the full dinner with all of the trimmings? Do come back and share tell us all about it. Write a review!

Technorati Tags: thanksgiving, london, restauraunts, eating out, celebrating, festivities

Photo credit: Happy Thanksgiving, All! - Ottawa 10 08 by Mikey G Ottawa (CC License)

There really is nothing better than cosying up in front of a fire at this time of year. Isn’t it lovely to dive into a snug pub, escape the Christmas shopping, and, treat yourself to a nice pint or glass of wine? Where are those perfect pubs with roaring fires? Ever found yourself in London looking for that holy grail? Here’s our Top 10 London pubs with fires, for you to explore on these long Winter nights.

The Jerusalem Tavern, Farringdon

A charming pub tucked away by St John’s Gate in Farringdon, The Jerusalem Tavern is an independent pub owned by St Peter’s Brewery. ONscotland thinks that it might be the best pub in London. “The building dates from 1720, and inside you’ll find a welcoming coal fire… All the beers and ales are naturally from the St Peters brewery, and the wooden pumps are built into the wall behind the bar. Bottled beers are also served, in beautiful oval bottles, and the service is friendly.”

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet St

This gorgeous London stalwart boasts a lovely open fire on the ground floor. The smell of the fire hits you as you walk in the door. Located just off Fleet St, chrisp loves this “fascinating place, with caverns that go right underground and supposedly one of the oldest pubs in London. Consequently it hosts a mix of curious tourists (Zagats in hand) and city workers, although the vibe is generally friendly”.

The Princess Louise, Holborn

The Princess Louise is a lovely old Sam Smith’s pub, split into three sections, with cosy booths and a roaring fire. greedoe thinks that “this place is awesome. All chrome and glass and cheap drink. The fact that there are three bars you need to go onto the street to change between is awesome.”

The Camden Head, Islington

Tucked away off the main street in Islington, this popular local pub serves real ales and has a cosy fire.  qwghlm thinks that this is “one of the few pubs in Islington that’s actually nice, and which I regularly return to. Comfy and well-maintained inside, with tables outside in the summer. Food’s not bad either - had a nice lunch there the other day… The upstairs holds regular poetry and comedy nights which are also worth going to.”

The Churchill Arms, Notting Hill

Over 200 years old, this eclectic local and very busy pub, serves thai food and has a big fire. oogywawa thinks that it’s deservedly popular and that “this pub reminds you of the terrific effect that a good host can have on an establishment. I popped in there whilst walking down to Kensington High St and left over 2 hours later! Not short of a word or a joke, Gerry the Irish landlord ensures that all goes swimmingly whilst bustling around serving pristine pints of “London Pride” and taking plates of Thai to tables in the back.”

The Star Tavern, Belgravia

This city pub has a country pub feel to it. Alsation says that it’s “cosy, compact and friendly pub in the heart of residential Belgravia. They have some perfectly cellared Fullers on tap – you just can’t go wrong with a pint of Pride in this pub. The downstairs lounge bar has a large open fire and tends to be the most popular spot.”

The Dove, Hammersmith

This lovely little riverside pub is a favourite for the Oxford/Cambridge boat race and has an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the smallest bar in Britain (4 feet by 7 feet!). ceedoubleu loves it there. “I’ve popped in and out of the Dove for years now and it never disappoints. It seems to be able to maintain it’s position as a neighbourhood/local pub despite it’s great location on the river and the fact that it is a “destination” pub. For those of a patriotic leaning, “Rule Britannia” was composed there in the 18th Century.”

The Dog and Duck, Soho

This old traditional pub, is one of the few remnants of old Soho and boasts a fire to boot. chrisp says “it’s one of a very few remaining “traditional” drinking dens in Soho, and no matter what time you go, it’s packed to the rafters. However there’s a good reason for its popularity - excellent real ales served in cozy and attractive surroundings, all served with an atmospheric slice of Olde London history.”

The Black Lion, Kilburn

This gorgeous pub on the Kilburn High Rd is incredibly cosy in Winter, with high ceilings, big windows and a roaring fire, it’s the perfect spot to watch the world go by. London_Grrl says that “the first thing you notice when you get inside the Black Lion is the amazing interior. The Grade II listed gold embossed ceiling, brass hangings and working fireplace combine to give a unique and welcoming interior perfect for a wintry Sunday drink.”

The Old Queens Head, Islington

A popular spot, with a roaring fire, Sami says “yet another music bar cum club cum pub in Angel but they put a lot of effort into putting together their lineups and the djs are actually pretty good. I wouldn’t necessarily say that they cater to niche music, but it’s a change from the usual Angel crowd and people here seem like they’re really having a good time. Whoever does the booking does a fantastic job at staying current with music trends and there’s always something for everyone here.”

Is there a great pub with a fire missing from this list? We want your reviews of your favourite pubs! Review them on TrustedPlaces.

Photo credit: Day 100 - Sitting by the fire by Iain Farrell (CC License)

Technorati Tags: Top 10, TrustedPlaces, London, Open Fires, Pubs, Winter

We recently blogged about our latest event - macaron classes at L’atelier des Chefs. It was great! We laughed, we cried, we stirred and we slammed, and we ended up with macarons. Witness the evolution of an every day TrustedPlaces reviewer to a macaron baker on our video. Enjoy.Thanks to all the TrustedPlaces members who came and made the day so much fun: browners, sulin, alexthepink, foodbymark, hollowlegs, foodrambler, foodflunky, kristainlondon, curlynewf, urban_foodie, terryturbojr, Alice, Shuna & Helen. Thanks also to Baldwin, Jerome and Sophie at L’atelier des Chefs.

Photos of the macaron classes are on flickr. 

Like macarons? Where do you get yours? Tell us - write a review! Want to come to our events? Join our community! 

Technorati Tags: Event, L’atelier des Chefs, macarons, classes, cooking, school, london

Fresh from a sugar high, 15 happy TrustedPlaces members and bloggers now know how to make some fantastic macarons. We gathered on Saturday at L’atelier des Chefs to learn how to make these gorgeous little treats. In four teams, we made four types and are now up to speed with the pastry chefs at Laduree and Paul (ok, ok, I am teasing!).

The classic : lightly salt butter caramel macaroon
The original: Porto and foie gras mousse macaroon
Flower power: Raspberry and rose macaroon
Asiatic summer: Lime and fresh ginger macaroon

It was lots of fun! I was never brave enough to try macarons before, they’re notoriously complex, but I would be confident enough to make these at home now. I think the favourite bit for most of us was slamming the macaron trays on the table too to remove air (you’ll see what I mean when you see the video later in the week). It’s not often you’re told to slam something, you just have to take advantage!

Our chef Baldwin, was a real character and taught us well. It was a fantastic experience, we’d definitely do it again. Thanks to all the TrustedPlaces members and bloggers who came and made the day so much fun, browners, sulin, alexthepink, foodbymark, hollowlegs, foodrambler, foodflunky, kristainlondon, curlynewf, urban_foodie, terryturbojr, Alice, Shuna & Helen.

Thanks also to Jerome and Sophie at L’atelier des Chefs for educating and nourishing us and generally, spoiling us rotten.

Photos of the class are on flickr.

What the attendees have to say:

Helen on World Foodie Guide

Shuna from eggbeater

Like macarons? Where do you get yours? Tell us - write a review! Want to come to our events? Join our community! 

Technorati Tags: Event, L’atelier des Chefs, macarons, classes, cooking, school, london

 

Oh we’re all abuzz and awaiting a sugar rush, for tomorrow we’re having a TrustedPlaces event at L’atelier des Chefs! Why a sugar rush? We’re gointo make macarons and lots of them! Mmmm. We’ll be like the chefs at Laduree in Harrod’s by the end, I am sure of it.

We do love our quirks here, so watch this space to read all about the 15 lucky TrustedPlaces reviewers who will gather tomorrow for afternoon tea with a French twist starting with two hours of macaron classes. They’re really unusual ones too. You don’t believe us? Look at this list!

The classic : lightly salt butter caramel macaroon
The original: Porto and foie gras mousse macaroon
Flower power: Raspberry and rose macaroon
Asiatic summer: Lime and fresh ginger macaroon

Have you a favourite place where you eat macarons? Haven’t reviewed it yet? We want to go there, write your review!

Technorati Tags: macarons, L’atelier des Chefs, classes, event, TrustedPlaces

We all love a good cheap eat, somewhere that offers quality and value, that rarest of rare things. We’ve got lots of them on TrustedPlaces, our hungry and dedicated community seek them out and review them and we’ve picked ten of their favourites for you to explore.

New Tayyabs

A favourite with The Ivy chefs and Jay Rayner, New Tayyabs serves up some of the best Punjabi food in London. Here’s a taste from Food_Snob “Beautiful morsels of lamb are roasted slowly until they literally melt into the satisfyingly intense sauce. What is left is the most delicious spicy caramel paste.”

Brick Lane Beigel Bake

With 33 reviews and an average 4.6/5 rating, Brick Lane Beigel Bake is clearly good! Chrisp says “Hello and welcome to my latest obsession - The Brick Lane Salt Beef Beigel. I feel the same way about these little beauties as I did when I first realised that the outwardly boring little pub at the end of my road actually turned out some of the best food in South West London - namely joy at the discovery, tinged with regret that it had taken me so long.”

Franco Manca

Reputedly the best pizza in London, Franco Manca offers the traditional Neapolitan wood fired experience. They even flew over a mozarella maker from Italy to train an English buffalo farmer in the art of the creation of traditional Neapolitan buffalo mozarella. For t0m it offered a “proper Neapolitan pizza with a sourdough base. Delicious, fast and cheap. This place is a gem, off the beaten track and in an unexpected location.”

Hummus Bros

The best hummus in town with great toppings and free wireless internet. Give peas a chance! gilka loved it “The hummus itself is smooth and delicious, no mistakes are made…”

Song Que

Song Que seems to be everyone’s favourite Vietnamese on the Kingsland Rd. Alita really wants “to try more of the non-Song Que Vietnamese cafes along Kingsland Road but this restaurant draws me back time and again. Choose the right dishes and you’ll get a selection of some of the most cheap, fresh, delicious food to be found anywhere in London.”

Mangal Ocakbasi

Renowned for providing some of the best Turkish barbeque in London, Mangal Ocakbasi is a must try. For trobinson “Mangal is one of the best proper Turkish grill places in East London with superb kebabs grilled before you by genuine experts.”

Ten Ten Tei

For no frills, authentic and cheap Japanese, look no further than Ten Ten Tei. Hollowlegs thought that “it’s not fancy, but it’s good. We often come here for really fresh and well prepared sushi and sashimi. We ate like kings; mixed sashimi platter, some nigiri, a couple of hand rolls, tempura, miso soup and a couple of beers for a mere £50 or so.”

Little Bay

Little Bay offers a quirky and reliable dining experience. jackmale86 thought that “the decor here is without doubt fantastic and looks so romantic. For me that romantic edge was lost when the opera started - i didn’t actually know we’d be getting serenated by an opera singer! The food here is exquisite and tastes delicious. If you like well prepared and expertly presented food, you need to come to Little Bay!”

Hache Burger Connisseurs

Hache Burger Connisseurs offer some of the best burgers in London at great prices. For bellpahon “These posh tasting steak haché burgers are indeed bespoke and thankfully they don’t cost the earth. Wonderful innovations on the burgers are offered from the Atkins friendly version of Steak Au Naturel to the Le Sicilian (with Parma Ham and melted Premium Mozarella Cheese).”

Chilango

Top notch burritos and tacos in Fleet St. DanWilkinson ate here and found “expertly-cooked ingredients are compiled to your preferences by people who really seem to know what they’re doing, and the results transcend the usual lunchtime fayre by a country mile.”

Eat that! Credit crunch!

Are we missing some of your favourite cheap eats? Review them and let us know!

Photo credit: cheaper by Alaina B (CC License)

Technorati Tags: Cheap Eats, TrustedPlaces, Community, Recommended, Credit Crunch, London

We had a great night at our TrustedPlaces Day of the Dead Party at Chilango. It was fantastic to meet you guys, and socialise with you all. Tequila cocktails, beers and burritos a go-go! We’ve blogged about it already, if you haven’t seen it, do take a look. For now here’s the video, it’s lots of fun! There’s even some information from a representative of the Mexican Tourist Board about Day of the Dead. Enjoy.

We’ve lots of photos on flickr, as always, take a look! If you have some photos from the night, we’d love you to add them to our flickr group.

Have you been to Chilango? What did you think? Add a review! Have you been to other favourite Mexican restaurants? Make sure you tell us all about them, we want to know so that we can try them too! 

Technorati Tags: Day of the Dead, TrustedPlaces, Party, Chilango, Hornitos, Sauza Tequila, Cocktails, Fleet St, London, Halloween, Mexican

But you can celebrate it on the 7th or the 8th! There’s some fantastic Guy Fawkes celebrations going on this weekend all over the UK - here’s our pick of what’s on this weekend.

Alexandra Palace - Saturday 8th November - from 4.30pm

One of the biggest and most popular fireworks displays in London, this year is accompanied by Britain’s largest German Bier Festival. You could grab a pizza in La Porchetta, in nearby Muswell Hill first.

Blackheath - Saturday 8th November - from 8pm

The annual and very popular Blackheath Fireworks Display take place on Saturday. If you’re in the area you could warm up with a drink at The Princess of Wales, or some food at Chapters All Day Dining.

Lord Mayor’s Show - Saturday 8th November - from 5pm

One of the biggest displays of the year, the Lord Mayor will start a magnificent fireworks display on the river Thames at 5 o’clock. The Lord Mayor’s Procession precedes it, a large parade that is over 3 miles long and well worth a visit. What about a trip to the new mozarella bar, Obika, in Trafalgar first or a quick bite in the eclectic Cafe in the Crypt underneath St Martin in the Fields Church?

Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, Somerset - Friday 7th November at 7pm

The world’s largest illuminated carnival procession, you can expect more than 120 large and colourful floats. There will be entertainment throughout the day, with the parade starting at 7.00pm followed by Squibbing in the High Street.

Oxford Round Table’s 41st Annual Fireworks Display and Bonfire night - Saturday 8th November - from 5.30pm

The biggest outdoor event in Oxford featuring a spectacular fireworks display with by a large traditional bonfire. If you’re out for the night, you could go for drinks in the Turf Tavern or Raouls, or how about some Japanese food at Edamame?

Where are you going for Guy Fawkes? Tell us all about it! Come back and post your reviews! We want to read them and we want to find those new trusted places.

Photo credit: Guy Fawkes in Flames by ben.snider (CC License)

We recently had a fantastic event at The Kitchen in Parson’s Green, where 12 TrustedPlaces members gathered to cook with Michelin starred chef Thierry Laborde. It was great fun, very sociable indeed, with the added bonus of bringing the delicious food home. We made a video of it so that we could share it with the wider community, so take a look!

For more information on the event, please read the original blog post. Many thanks to Thierry and Natalie for a wonderful evening and to all the lovely people who attended and made it that bit extra special.

For more information on The Kitchen, you can read their reviews and get further info here. Enjoy!

Come join our community and join us at events! Sign up. Want to come to future events? Want to organise an event with us? Email niamh@trustedplaces.com.

Technorati Tags: The Kitchen, Thierry Laborde, Michelin Star, Cooking Classes, London, Parson’s Green, TrustedPlaces, Events