Whitney "anne spice" N.'s Profile

"Anybody who is anybody will soon walk through that door," chirps the music on Barts' website... and they aren't kidding.  Expect royal company.

With the recession in full swing, people seem nostalgic for all things Depression-era... and this is *the* speakeasy bar that other similar venues only wish that they could be...

The fun starts with the fact that it's hidden away in a completely random apartment building - through a lobby that looks straight out of 1980's Las Vegas.  After exchanging a secret handshake with the doorman, you're ushered into an incarnation of 1930's America.  

From the Mickey Mouse comic wallpaper plastering the entrance door, to the extremely nice barmen in newsboy caps, and the cocktails served in tea cups, not to mention shocking prices - as in, wow!  we *must* be in a depression era - they are so low... Barts knows how to put together a proper prohibition bar.

Fun and eclectic decor, just dim enough lighting, and just loud enough music for you to carry on a proper conversation, swift and helpful service... overall, it's completely endearing experience, in a "I will definitely be back" sort of way.

Only trouble is, you need a secret password/key card to get in.... but then again, if you're anybody who's anybody....

This amazing historical museum is right next to St. James Park.  It *literally* is the war bunker/bomb shelter where Winston Churchill and his team of advisors plotted and laid out strategies for winning WWII.

What's *incredible* about this place, is that it all looks exactly as it did on the day the war was considered over... *everything* - right down to how the pencils are positioned on the table - is as it was in that moment when the people inside learned that they'd succeeded in victory; they were all so sick of being caged and cooped up in this underground room for so many years (most of the main staff, including Winston Churchill, had lived down here throughout the long final months of the war) that they basically walked out... and never returned.

For *any* history buff... especially someone who's a fan of WWII - this a must-see treat... You feel like you're walking back into history... into the very epicenter where the strategic war was fought.

Occasional live music (which can be good) and a *total* mixed bag when it comes to the crowd (everything from jaded Hoxtonites, to grumpy old men, to foreigners, who you *know* just randomly stumbled into this place - and you kinda wonder just why it is they stayed...).

The best is really when they have a live gig - since it perks up the atmosphere.  Otherwise, you're stuck with a bizarre sampling of tasteless tunes from a variety of decades... and the occasional drunken songbird who wants take advantage of the empty stage with an impromptu karaoke performance of them....  

But as Fred said, what's nice about Troy is that it's *reliable.*  When you can't be bothered with some of the obnoxious club queues... and all you really want is a basic drink in a rather average, not-too-crowded bar - *this* is your Hoxton venue.

I came here for assistance when my letting agency (Ludlow Thompson) failed to address some problems I was having with my flat (my upstairs' neighbour's shower was leaking, and it was leading to some pretty significant water damage, and then mould growth, on my ceiling).   I'd pounded my fists at them, and written letters, but *nothing* happened.  

Finally, somebody suggested that I go to the CAB - told me that, in Britain, that was the general course of action for such matters.

The bureau itself was amazingly efficient... the first time you go, each person is only allotted 10 minutes to bemoan their problem, that way the staff can give you a proper appointment with the appropriate person.  I griped about my apartment situation to a very nice girl, who expressed sympathy in the appropriate pauses, and then gave me a little piece of paper to come back that evening and speak with a volunteer attorney to see if any legal action could be taken.

I spoke with the attorney, he thought I had a case (which I *gleefully* relayed to my letting agency), and asked me to promptly send him all the paperwork associated with my situation.  Which I did.

In the end, though... this attorney turned out to be pretty incompetent.  Honestly, if I'd followed the advice the CAB attorney gave me, I'd probably still be living in that mould-infested flat - he claimed three months was a reasonable amount of time for the place to be in disrepair and that I had no real grounds to end my tenancy agreement.  I ended up turning to another attorney acquaintance for assistance, who thought the situation place my landlord well within violation of the law, and was able to not only vacate the flat sans termination fees, but seek additional compensation.

Frankly, this experience made me a little bit sad.... Since the whole purpose of the CAB is to empower people who are generally taken advantage of because they don't know their rights... someone who was a little less outspoken (and less American) than me might have just resigned themselves to the attorney's counsel.  And *that's* where the CAB might not quite deliver.

Definitely go to them as a starting point... they seemed very kind and empathetic.... But don't take their word as the final answer.

If you're really into film, and love a mix of independent and more mainstream pictures, Prince Charles is one of those places you come across and are so happy, you almost can't believe it exists, it's just such a treasure.

Firstly, the location is incredible, I mean, its in Leicester Square... just on the edge of Chinatown.  There's always a good mix of films playing - usually something foreign, something independent, and then a crowd-pleasing mainstream flick.  

But what will make you a devotee is the fact that they have *amazing* offers...  £10 will make you a member for a year, and then you get a discount on admission: it's only £1.50 for a matinee and £3.50 evenings/weekends.  Even if you decide not to pay the nominal membership fee, ticket prices are no more than £5... which is all such an incredible bargain to see films properly on the big screen.

And don't worry, you don't feel like you're in the bargain basement of movie theaters...it doesn't smell, your shoes aren't sticking to the floor, their two theatres are good-sized...  the vibe is more just cool and independent... the type of more off-beat cinema you'd find in Shoreditch - there's an very indie charm to it all.

The staff is also great.  Not only are they super-friendly - they know their movies... they'll be upfront whether or not a movie is really worth seeing if you ask them for their opinion and fill them in on your own taste in film.  The experience is all very personal... much like the movie houses of old must have been, when the same person who takes your ticket is the one who got you your popcorn.  

They also host a monthly singalong for "The Sound of Music"... I haven't done it yet, but I've talked to some of my friends who have and say it's *so* much fun... it's definitely on my "to-do" list.

My friend has played the Soho Revue Bar a couple of times (shout out to Oli Wennink!) which is pretty much is why I've ever ended up in the place.  Entering you feel like you're in a somewhat elaborate maze of an establishment... multiple floors, multiple rooms... lots of black carpeting and those little pinpricks of white track lighting - which also lends it a somewhat seedy feeling - a holdover from its once-upon-a-time status as "gentleman's club"

The smaller areas offer a really great kind-of swank space for new artists to perform.  Great sound system and good vibe... it's always fun to see the new aspiring up-and-coming talent that's out there.

You would *never* know, however, that these dark and intimate performing spaces featuring melodic artists are housed in same building as Jodi Harsh's Circus night - which is a whole different affair... crazy, *flamboyant,* off-the-hook; a stripper pole that's up-for-grabs; expect plenty of gay men and tons of drag.  Which can all be fun if your with the right group and your mood is right... it was certainly an entertaining night... but I've also had offers to go back and have turned them down... which I guess says something...

The best thing that this club has going on is that it has so much to offer... there's really a little something for everyone (and I do mean *everyone*).

If you're an Indian longing for a night of Bollywood dance hits, *this* is your club on the last Saturday of every month.  It's packed to the gills with Punjabis and Bengalis getting their groove on to music they haven't heard in a respectable club since leaving the Indian subcontinent - props to the organizers for encouraging a dress code and for this Alibi club venue, which is on the sleeker side of things.

I got dragged here with a whole crew of Indian associates who wanted to show me an authentic night out Bollywood-style... we got there kind of late, and my friend and I (who were ahead of the pack) got through the door just fine.  But unfortunately, everyone else was held-up... I'm not sure if what followed was *actually* an issue... or if there was something else going on... but in the end, they said they wouldn't let the rest of the group through because one guy was wearing trainers.  

Not wanting to be left inside (I mean, really?  What was the point?  This was really *their* night...) my friend and I explained the situation to the hostess, and she refunded our cover and let us head on our way (which I thought was *very* nice.)

I've not been back... that experience kind of left a bad taste in my mouth, and shimmying my shoulders to Bhangra tunes isn't really my thing anyway... but those same folks who were with me that night *swear* by it.  

So... if it *is* your thing... go early, don't wear trainers... and *bam* you're in India all over again.... Bollywooding the night away.

Great little gem of a photography gallery... of especial interest for anyone with a fascination for old-time movie stars (Marilyn, Audrey, Sinatra...).  The bulk of their for-sale collection centers around unique images of these glamorous former stars of the silver screen - along with a few token pics of royalty and sports gods.

But it's not *just* for celebrity hounds... they also have exhibitions that are a little more original and astute... Getty's vast collection of photographs generally highlight moments that reflect a zeitgeist... unique frozen images that encapsulate a thought, a mood, and idea, a time...   Not every picture is stellar, but as a collective, the exhibitions generally convey something interesting... a point that is built on realism and details - cool.

The gallery itself is quite small, and very minimalist... all-white to draw attention to the photos on display.  The only one weird thing is that this is also Getty Image's office of some sort (they do framing and photo orders)... so in the back part of the gallery there are people working at their desks where their core collection is on display... I don't know how those people concentrate with all the clientele poking around them, trying to get a better look at all those pictures of Ms. Marilyn.

I really hope this interesting little concept store flies.  I came to their opening weekend, and it certainly seems there was enough interest given the number of people there - but it will really be a matter of how many of them bite into their £195 courses on life's "big issues" - "love, politics, work, family, play," they say.  (Especially given the current economy, I worry that many people's "big issue" will be whether or not they're getting a paycheck...)

As another reviewer mentioned, indeed Mr. Alain de Botton is on the board, and was actually there when I stopped in.  He was wonderfully approachable and warm in-person... and was drumming up interest for the exciting expedition he would be leading... to Heathrow Airport... where people would learn to find awe in everyday, kind of ugly, mundane things.  

In sum, this shop offers access to great minds, town hall meetings, trips, and well-chosen books... all in an effort to provide answers to the hard questions and help you live a fulfilling life.

If you're still struggling to grasp what it is exactly these folks are trying to "sell," their pitch materials provide a spot-on allegory - we used to call institutions peddling such things "religion."

Despite being a vegetarian, I generally consider myself an adventurous and accepting sort of eater who never shies away from new cuisines or copious amount of chilies. But apparently, traditional Sichuan cuisine and vegetarianism is a little like oil and water. At least, that's how I felt perusing the menu at the acclaimed Sichuanese restaurant, Bar Shu in London's Soho. It was one of those menus where even if you didn't stray beyond the quarantined 'vegetable' section, failing to read fine print, meant you might find minced pork in your fried green beans.

From what I could tell, I only had two options, since there were only two veggie dishes demarcated with a chili for "hot." (I need spice). And much to my dismay, when queried, our waitress, who was irritated that I'd even had the gall to ask her a question instead of just placing my order, curtly assured me that Bar Shu's most popular vegetarian dish is the "pock marked Old Woman's beancurd" - named for the "smallpox scarred restaurateur" who invented the dish.

Oy. Call me prejudiced, but ordering a meal that references a highly contagious disease was the opposite of appetizing, and the accompanying photograph of the soft beancurd, pocked and jiggling in a thick red sauce, did absolutely nothing to make it any more so. I knew if I went ahead and ordered "diseased tofu," no matter how tasty it was, I'd spend most of my time imaging this wrinkly old Chinese lady's face and it's unfortunate bout with smallpox - which had so wrongly become the namesake for her dish.

My sister struggled through her order for a slightly different reason: the food coming out the kitchen, which we had spied while waiting for our table, looked amazing, however, the pictures of the food on the menu, did not. We're aware that this is fairly typical Asian phenomenon, but still... couple the bad photos with the endless off-putting descriptions (cloud ear fungus, strange sauce, slithery mouth feel), and we were both at a bit of a loss.

Help! Someone well-versed in Sichuan! Guide us! Tell us what to do!

But our abrupt waitress had little interest in the task, so we ended up with a handful of hit-and-miss dishes (my "stir-fried vegetables" was nothing more than a pile of stalky greens - before placing my order, when I asked if they could throw in some tofu for good measure, the waitress delivered her matter-of-fact "no" in a way that I understood right away meant "and that goes for everything else you might have been wondering if we can do too").

On the upside, the food was fresh and of high-quality, and our appetizer of garlicky cucumbers was *unbelievably* delicious; we used the drippings from this dish to jazz up everything that followed.

By all accounts, this was a rather authentic Chinese dining experience, which probably would have been better if we'd brought one of our Chinese friends with us... simply to point us to what we *should* order.  Though, authentic or not, the rushed, impersonal, "I don't give a damn" service was really off-putting, and I really would prefer not to be talking about smallpox when I'm dining.  And I hate to admit, but I missed the customary token fortune cookie.