Walton’s Posts
Walton (aka the Big W) is a failed breakdancer, extras 'actor', rugby player and lead singer of a never-heard-of garage band who, disillusioned with his own lack of talent immigrated from NZ to the UK in the mid '90s. Since then he has dedicated his spare time to drinking and schmoozing his way around various bars pubs and clubs of high - and occasionally low - repute, and writing about them on his now retired blog The Perfect Bloody Mary. After 17 years in the City, he has now found his calling working in the travel industry, and of course, reviewing for HITC.
The White Horse, The City
Train station or commuter pubs are notoriously bad. At best, they serve reasonable beers, and nowadays a decent glass of wine, but they tend to lack atmosphere and character. Which is hardly surprising given the transient nature of their punters. The White Horse, in Exchange Square, might take umbrage as being mentioned in the same breath. But given its location (just behind Liverpool Street Station) and its core clients (City commuters, albeit not exclusively), the description just about fits. Just about.
The Riding House Cafe, Fitzrovia
What a transformation. The Riding House Café is located in what was once the heartland of London’s rag trade, yet in its previous life it was anything but fashionable. A middle-of-the-road chain pub - and even more mundane Asian chain canteen - were its predecessors, with neither being in any way destination venues.
The Battery Club, Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf is unrecognisable from the gangster-ridden Docklands depicted in the seminal British movie, The Long Good Friday.
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The Century Club, Soho
Wow. The Rushmore Group has proved me wrong. I was beginning to think that the team that brought us Milk and Honey (still going strong after ten years) followed by the influential mid-century modern bar The East Rooms (tragically lost in a fire) seemed to be stuttering.
The Jugged Hare, Barbican
I have to admit that I have a bar crush. No, it's not a drink, but an infatuation with a certain bar group. (Sad, I know, but this happens when you spend most of you spare time in eating and drinking establishments.)
The Parlour, Canary Wharf
This is a golden anniversary year. Not only does our Queen Elizabeth celebrate her 50th year on the throne, but I have reached a similar landmark. No, I haven’t turned 50 just yet, but two years after the lifestyle editor for this magazine decided to take a chance on me, I’ve chalked up my 50th review for HITC Life.
The Oyster Shed, London Bridge
My first job as a new arrival in London was at BZW – the venerable and illustrious predecessor of Barclays Capital that had its offices in Tower Hill and London Bridge. And although I was based at Royal Mint Court, we spent a lot of time at the London Bridge office on Angel Lane - for work and pleasure, as it happened.
Ambar, ODEON, Swiss Cottage
It’s funny how much going to the cinema has changed. What was once a visit to the 'pictures' to eat frozen ice creams and dodgy popcorn (while surrounded by hormonal teenagers trying to cop a snog) has transformed into a very grown-up night out.
Roast, Borough Market
I remember the stir that Roast caused when it opened. For some it was around the beginning of the end – a.k.a. gentrification - of Borough Market. For others it was the question of why someone would go to a restaurant for a roast, rather then a pub. Finally, and on recollection most vociferously: is it possible for a restaurant to deliver top-notch roast potatoes to order?
Cabana, Westfield, Stratford City
In case you haven’t noticed, this is an Olympic year in our fair city. That’s right, 2012 (pronounced twenty-twelve, rather then two thousand and twelve in the gospel according to Boris) is when we will get to see Usain Bolt break world records on a diet of chicken nuggets, while we pin our hopes on sports in which no other country can really afford to compete – roll on the equestrian and sailing.
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