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/33914 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33914 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33908 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33908 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33875 Italian food, small plates to share (two per person was recommended by the waiter and is right).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33875 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33134 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33134 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32455 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32455 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32350 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32350 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31734 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31734 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31329 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31329 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31328 The aroma from the cheesemonger’s section reminded me of old fashioned speciality shops last smelt in my early childhood. So evocative. I was offered a tasting nugget of Coolea cheese made by a Dutch couple who moved to Cork, Ireland, it is a bit like a hard, tangy Gouda, and very moreish!
Fresh meat is delivered from the Ginger pig farm in North Yorkshire, while bread, pastries and cakes come from the superb Old Post Office organic bakery in Clapham’s Landor Road.
The Waterloo wine merchant provides the bevies, and the Solstice fruit and veg department looks like something out of Harrods food hall, with every aubergine polished to within an inch of its life and every grape gleaming in the sunlight.
The café is located upstairs and outside on the pavement. My friend enjoyed the all-day veggie breakfast and I wolfed down a roast beef and horseradish ciabatta sandwich, refreshed with specialist coffees and other brews from Caffe Antica.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31328 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31238 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31238 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29753 A stroll down Atlantic Road and Electric Avenue in the centre of Brixton will take you past well established British fishmongers and more recently arrived Portuguese grocers. Further into the market are the stalls and shops stocking Caribbean staples, salt fish, plantains, green bananas and cassava. Butchers shops cater to many different communities, some are halal some sell pig's trotters and tails. Others sell Brazilian sausages or Columbian delicacies. In the last 12 months the Brixton Village project has seen the development of previously empty market units so that there are now new shops and stalls in the Granville Arcade, sitting alongside those selling dried fish from West Africa and a bewildering variety of yams. These ventures include small independent coffee shops and pizza restaurants, bakeries and an old fashioned sweet shop. Best of all there is always something new and especially on a Saturday you never know what you may find.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29753 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26850 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26850 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24741
Last year in December there was live music, mulled wine and mince pies on offer ... In my opinion it's the perfect way to warm up on a winter's evening, and avoid the high street Christmas crush!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24741 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24377
Always full in the take-way and the restaurant is a lovely bistro style place, staff a good laugh. The Asian guy who owns it is very funny...]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24377 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22404
Starting from the London Eye, overlooking the Thames, Houses Parliament and Big Ben.

The Royal Festival Hall in particular, is an excellent meeting spot and place to chill... sometimes you get art or music for free in the foyer :) and there's a cafe and bar for refreshments!

There are plenty of tourist-friendly/child-friendly restaurants around here, big chains such as: Waggamama, Strada, Giraffe, also a pretty big "eat" (with great sandwiches, juices etc,.) a bookshop and music shop too... plus a regular book market outside the BFI, in the summer various free events outside, well worth checking out this area and just walking, walking, walking...]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22404 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20989 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20989 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20980 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20980 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20907
You don’t need a waiter at all (but they are still around to help), you can take your time ordering and eating, and you can even play battleships and order a cab home. It’s something that I’ve not seen anywhere else before and definitely worth a look!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20907 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20325 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20325 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20284 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20284