Friendly - Secret London

Here are his favourite places in the city...

Phonica - 51 Poland Street W1
Know How Records - 3 Buck Street NW1

My old favourite record shop was Vinyl Addiction, but now that's shut i've discovered others - especially Phonica in Soho and Know How Records in Camden. Phonica is nice inside, they've even got a space for the DJ friends to hang while the DJs get their hit. Phonica is also easy to get to in the West End whereas Know How is in Camden, which is kind of annoying to get to for me. But if you're looking for the right vinyl, going to Camden is worth the trek. Both are essential for finding that rare vinyl treat. They've all got their own vibe.

Foot Patrol -16A St Anne's Court W1F / Size? - 17-19 Neal Street WC2H

For footwear I go to Foot Patrol or Size? My budget doesn't allow me the trainer collection I want, but I can go and drool over them anyway. Size? is good for more generic shoes, but a bigger range, Foot Patrol is more specialist.

The Old Blue Last - 39 Great Eastern Road EC2A

The Old Blue Last is my favourite place to drink at the moment, it's down at the heel but a quirky crowd, and some great old original fixtures from when it was a 'gentleman's bar'. The original Truman Brewery sign downstairs is amazing. They oscillate from good music to year 12 disco, but that's the norm in Shoreditch it seems.

St John Bread and Wine, 94-96 Commercial Street E1

Eating out in the East End, I really like having an Indian on Brick Lane for a cheapie, or others, like St John Bread and Wine, for an expensive number. At St John Bread and Wine, the menu looks kind of traditional English/European, but it's all twisted in a really good way. It's got eel, and roasts and seafood, all presented in a unique style, not standard modern, more off on its own tangent altogether. The interior is stark but comfy.

Les Trois Garcons, 1 Club Row E2

Les Trois Garcons is full of embalmed animals wearing costume jewellery and smoking cigars, handbags hanging from the ceiling and plush abstract ornaments everywhere. Like dining in Salvadour Dali's brain really. The interior is there to detract from the food, which while it is really good, it probably is a little overpriced for the quality.

Published: 15/03/2005

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