http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31730 The short menu has over-priced tapas-style offerings in disappointingly small portions: Greek salad, smoked salmon, grilled Halloumi, tortilla and nibbles such as pistachios and olives.
The main reason to go is the great, chilled out atmosphere and the old-fashioned decor with an emphasis on old wood, which makes a change from the usual sleek, up-to-the-minute, minimalist places all around.
The Star also has a great collection of sign memorabilia, including a pet food advert, which the waitress claims is the 'most photographed sign in London'.
Drop by and you'll see why!
Don't let the Crossrail building works occupying 95% of the street put you off. The word on the street was that the Star would have to close, however they are digging their heels in and staying put, hopefully for a lot longer.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31730 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30051 From the outside, along the vaguely grim Peckham Road, it looks a bit bleak and industrial inside but the welcome is really warm and there's free WiFi all day, cocktails, snacks and a licensed cafe and bar.
On Thursdays there are introductory food and drink offers, such as a buy one get one free 12" pizza, which can't be bad.
Conveniently close to the super cool South London Gallery and also supportive of The Sassoon Gallery (www.thesassoongallery.co.uk) NewGallery London is THE place to be seen on the Peckham Road.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30051 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20215
Delicious cocktails start at £5 and it's easy to lose track of time and work your way through the whole menu. Tea For Two (£10) comes served in a chunky pattered teapot with matching cups and saucers and - be warned - a generous amount of alcohol. The perfect way to start an evening, or begin the end of an evening, depending on how well your date went...]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20215 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19677 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19677 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19269 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19269 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13615
Erratic service, especially when the owner/manager is in, mars it. Plus she wears really strong scent.

But I still end up going back there, and when it is good it is very very good.

Afternoon tea with cocktails in the garden of an old power station is certainly unusual.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13615 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13555 Food is good, though not super-cheap (about £9 for a curry and about £2 for rice). Service is friendly.

But really it is all about the location on the river.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13555 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13048
We went in for an early evening cocktail - all drinks 1/3rd off before 8pm. Cocktails strong but chemical, though the wine list looked okay. To be honest it's just feels like a pleasantly odd place to be drinking - huddled beneath the pavement sitting on leather seats which are shaped like buttocks. Maybe I wouldn't go back, but if you are in the area it's worth a visit.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13048 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13047
Plus, order the Jasmine Flower tea - beautifully served, art in a glass that tastes lovely. Our food (a lot of it) was served a gentle but constant pace to our table on the patio outdoors. And when we left we were shocked that the bill was only just over £40 inc. service, drinks and far too many dim sum. Fantastic. The drinks were nice enough to justify just going for a couple of pre-theatre/ post-shopping cocktails (made with fresh fruits, herbs and al ot of ice - ideal for summer).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13047 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3286 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3286 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3279 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3279