Simple, it's got a little bit of everything and nothing's more than 15 minutes away, parking is free, the people are beautiful and way friendly, and the party scene is to die for! Let me start with the new "uptown" where things are shiny and new, hip, cool, fast and very expensive. Yes, there are people who go there just because those without the coinage won't.

Then there's the new "Victory Park", home of American Airlines Center where you can see the Stars play Hockey, grab a big concert, or catch a basketball game. Before your event be sure to walk the shops and stop in for some sushi, or better yet have a martini atop the Westin in the now infamous "Ghost Bar" and stand on the glass floor and see down fifty stories!

If that's all too fussy for you then perhaps you want to country western dance, there's plenty of that. If you're into Goth, tattoos, live urban music, hanging with the people on the fringe - check out "Deep Ellum".

If you love the Gays you have to swing into Sue Ellen's and JR's on the best gay strip in the country called Cedar Springs! It's a hundred times better than NYC and puts San Francisco to shame!

If you are into riding your hog, then you need to motor down to Greenville Avenue where the patio's are packed for motorcycle watching. Drag up and down the ave. and show your saddle bags off. There's even a vintage Vespa club hang out called the Dublinar.

If you like to stroll around on a Sunday, grab a beer and a football game, chat with locals on a great patio, McKinney Ave area is for you. Be sure to check out the Gingerman's 300 and something kinds of beer down at the Quadrangle.

And if none of that is working for you try Addison in North Dallas. It's in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most bars and restaurants per square inch. Beltline road is a couple miles long and offers every food on earth, as well as great patios, comedy club, live music, shopping and more.

The dance clubs are always packed in Dallas and are scattered everywhere. And for you old folks we have a great arts district, the hstorical west end and Dealy Square where Kennedy was shot. We also have a notable upper crust restaurant scene where the food is world famous and chef's are signing book deals faster than Paris Hilton books paid party engagements!

So, come to Dallas. Buy some pointy toed cowboy boots, get a taste of the best mexican food anywhere... and you'll see why we are one of the fastest growing metroplexes in the nation!

Bruges has a very compact and mostly pedestrianized city center, it is easy and affordable to get to, and it offers extensive cultural, gastronomic, and sightseeing options. Communication is also stress-free since the locals are all very friendly and fluent in English. In many ways, this Unesco World Heritage town combines the best things about larger and more famous cities such as Paris, Rome and Amsterdam, with an incredibly romantic atmosphere, stunning architecture, and rich history, all neatly packaged in about one square mile.

• Eating: There is great variety in Bruges gastronomy, from top-end French cuisine to the best all-you-can-eat ribs in a relaxed pub environment. I have also researched extensively into the best chocolate shops (it was a tough job, but somebody had to do it), which are an essential part of any Bruges visit.
• Drinking: There are plenty of nice cafes serving a good range of beers in the main tourist areas, but there are also authentic old pubs that seem purposefully hidden away, where you rarely find any tourists and which serve about 300 types of the best beer you will ever taste, and these are the ones that are really worth going to.
• Where to stay: Bruges offers accommodation for every kind of budget, from a Youth Hostel to luxury boutique hotels. I have personal experience of a few but have also spent many hours researching the best deals.
•  How to get there: The easiest way to get to Bruges is to take the extremely reliable and punctual trains. Eurostar Services from London to Brussels cost as little as £42 return, and this includes a connection to any Belgium station. The total journey takes about 3-4 hours. You can also fly to Brussels and get a train to Bruges, which only takes about 50 minutes.
• Tours: You can experience Bruges comfortably on foot, but the boat and carriage tours give you a whole new perspective. Reasonably priced and highly recommended.
• Churches: There are many beautiful churches in Bruges, most notably Our Lady’s Church which houses a Michelangelo sculpture (one of only three outside Italy and the only one of those not in a major museum) and The Chapel of the Holy Blood, in which every Friday the public is allowed to see a relic supposedly containing the blood of Christ.
• Museums and places of interest: Apart from housing impressive collections of fine art in the Groeninge, Gruuthuse and Memling, Bruges also offers museums dedicated to Lacemaking, Brewing, Archery and Diamonds, as well as the wonderful Belfry Tower which offers a birds-eye view of Bruges.

More than willing to give a tour of the brewery to promote and educate the surrounding area and the rest of the country about their craft beer you can call ahead to set up the tour which is what I did and dragged a friend along. We met Angelo Orona the brewery's new marketing director. The décor of the place is a country store front design with wood floors, wood paneling and small replicas of tractors on the walls. The outside is made of stone and of course a variety of large tractors in the front and to the side. “Herb has liked tractors since he was a child.” explains Angelo. “Hence the name.” he added. “We even take a large tractor with us when we go to a beer festival and any community function we are involved in, to serve up our samples.” Angelo said.

Working with and giving back to the community is one priority this local brewery would like to be known for aside from their craft beers, if fact two of their beers the Haymaker Honey Wheat Ale (winner of the People's Choice Award at Albuquerque Beer fest in 2000 and 2001 Rio Rancho's October fest.) is made with honey purchased from a bee farm in Bosque Farms, NM and the Double Plow Oatmeal Stout (Winner of the best dark beer contest at the Launch Pad Albq.) has oats grown in Valencia county, NM. “We're always trying to support our community and our state as much as we can.” Angelo said. With five beers on the market, either on tap at local restaurants or on the shelves through out the state and five seasonal beers, what else could they possibly aim for? “Well we currently have sales in New Jersey, and Long Island and hope to cover the rest of the east coast and the rest of the country.” Angelo said.

James Walton the tractor's new brewer joined us as we went through the tour of the brewery, James's parent own a winery in Colorado so that's where his experience comes from “I wanted to brew beer instead of wine, and my parents we fine with that” James said. Brewing is creativity, skill and science. With the change of brewers the quality and the willingness to try new recipes has again become an adventure for example a new product that they want to hit the market is Cider Number 5 which they decided to bring out in 4 different flavors. James gave both my friend and myself a glass of it, “It's like apple wine, we hope the women will like this flavor.” James said. “ Got some apple wine yeast from my parents' winery the last time I visited them and came up with this idea..” he added.

1. Mac and Jack's African Amber (America)

   I first sampled this beer at a special event called 'Zoobalee' in the Point Defiance Zoo, Point Defiance, Wa.  It is a very solid amber that can be found in Oregon and Washington.  The appearance, smell, and taste combine to make delightful beer that goes down easy.

2. Paulaner Hefeweizen (Germany) 

   I first tasted this beer in a Paulaner beer tent, at Volksfest, in Grafenwoer, Germany.  Most Hefe's are too sour and heavy for me, but Paulaner makes a light hefe, that is more sweet than most.

3. Beamish Stout (Ireland) 

   Guiness has ruled the beer kingdom of Ireland for a long time, but that may be coming to an end soon.  While I do still like Guiness, Beamish Stout is just too good to leave off my top ten list.  This is a very dense, slow drinking beer.  It has a chocolaty taste, and is a breath of fresh air for you Guiness drinkers.

4. Negro Modelo (Mexico)
   

   Ahh, Clearwater Beach, Sun, Sand, Bikinis, and a Negro Modelo... Life doesn't get much better than that.  Negro Modelo is a dark reddish, clean tasting beer with a caramel aftertaste.  After trying one of these complex bottles of happiness, you'll be hard pressed to go back to your plain 'ole Corona.

5. Land Shark (America)
   

   Ok, I have to admit some bias here.  This is a Jimmy Buffet original, brewed by the Margaritaville Brewing Co., and I am definitely a parrot head.  I love Buffet's songs, I love the Margaritaville restaurant, and I love Land Shark.  Land Shark is a light beer, with a hint of tequila and lime.  The only problem with this beer is that they are hard to find unless you live in Florida, or close to a Margaritaville restaurant.

6. Mississippi Mud (America) 

   Here is one try for you 'black and tan' lovers.  Just keep in mind that this is not a traditional 'black and tan' beer.  It is a dark, but not too dark, mixture of English Porter and Continental Pilsner.  Mississippi Mud has a nutty, smokey taste, and a great after taste.  It comes in a brown jug with faux shrink wrap to give the appearance of an old moonshine jug.  Definately one of the best looking and tasting beers around.

7. AleSmith IPA (America) 

   Most India Pale Ale's come from England, but the one to make my top ten list comes from California.  This is a very attractive looking, golden amber beer.  AleSmith has very strong hops, and a smooth crisp taste like all IPA's should have.  It goes down easy, and is light on the stomach, so you can enjoy this beer with dinner, or all night long.

8. Duvel (Belgium) 

   This is a strong ale from Belgium.  If you like lots of carbonation in your beer, this one is for you.  Duvel has champagne-like carbonation, and a citrus aroma.  It is very pale, and has a sharp taste that is extremely satisfying.

9. Ayinger Dunkelweizen (Germany) 

   Dunkelweizen is one of my favorite styles of beer, and Ayinger makes my favorite dunkel.  It is a dark red-brown beer with a very dominant taste that will have your taste buds screaming for more.  It also has a surprisingly sweet aftertaste.  Ayinger Dunkel is a must try for dark beer lovers.

10. Baltika 6 Porter (Russia)

    This is a very dark, almost black, beer with a creamy head.  It has a sweet smell, and chocolaty taste.  A bit heavy, but smooth nonetheless.  Baltika 6 Porter is a great winter beer.

Attracting millions of visitors from across the globe each year, the event (which actually occurs at the end of September, despite its name) is packed full of tasting, dancing and raucous Bavarian-style partying!

As the world's biggest beer festival, there's really nothing quite like it but it can be a little expensive and overwhelming, so here's our tips on how to get the most out of this Oktoberfest.

1. Getting there on the cheap

   With low cost airlines regularly connecting Munich with most other European cities, it's easy to find a flight to suit your budget. Booking well in advance (or sometimes right at the last minute) can produce further savings but a bit of research and price comparison goes a long way towards finding a great deal.

2. Budget accommodation

   Luckily there are plenty of good, cheap Munich hostels concentrated in the city center within stumbling distance of the Oktoberfest site at Theresienwiesen. However, as the festival is so popular with travelers and backpackers, the quality hostels always fill up fast, so it's advisable to book early for the best value.

3. Beat the crowds

   The scale of Oktoberfest can seem daunting at first, with thousands of people packed into the 14 tents filling up the tables. Heading down to the site at lunchtime (especially on weekdays) can offer some welcome peace and quiet to complement your pint. It tends to get busier and busier throughout the day so arriving early also helps you stake out some space for the rest of the evening's partying!

4. Be prepared

   Unfortunately it's not possible to take your own food or drink into the festival, and inside prices have soared thanks to the captive audience, with dinner working out particularly pricey. Eating a hearty breakfast can help line your stomach and cut down on costs, and you could even enjoy a cheaper pint or two before entering the festival as well!

5. Budget realistically

   No matter how you approach it, Oktoberfest can work out rather pricey, even when staying in a cheap hostel and trying not to buy over-priced meals. Although great quality, the same six breweries are responsible for supplying the beers every year and they've pushed up the cost of a liter to around €8. So if you come expecting to splash out a bit - and budget accordingly - then you'll be well equipped to fully experience the atmosphere and merriment of this unique event!

So here's my very own version of Boracay Survival Guide:

Transportation

No need to arrange for one. If you are landing in Kalibo, there are a number of vans right outside the airport that will take you directly to the Caticlan Jetty Port. Fare is around P175/pax without boat ride, which I suggest you take because it's a LITTLE cheaper than getting the one that includes the boat ride. And you have to pay some more fees at the port anyway.

I also discourage vacationers from availing of the transfers that most resorts and hotels offer because I think it's unreasonably expensive! If not mistaken, it costs around P650 for a transfer from the Caticlan Jetty Port to hotel when total actual cost is only about P150 or less:

Boat fare = 20.00

Environmental Fees, etc. = 20.00 (or less)

Tricycle Ride from Boracay Is. to hotel = 100.00

There are a lot of tricycles for you to take from the port going to your hotel. There are also multicabs (tiny vans for bigger groups) that go for a higher rate (between P200 and P300).

Do not forget to bring loose change to give to the porters who helped you carry your luggage(s).

Apart from walking, tricycles are the main mode of going around the island, or from one station to the other. Boracay is segmented into three stations:

Station 1 - where most of the bars and clubs are.

Station 2 - the “center” of the island; where most of the restaurants and boutiques are. D'mall is also in Station 2.

Station 3 - where the main market is. D'talipapa (aka flea market) is also in Station 3.

Fare is around P7/pax.

Accommodation

For backpackers or those who are travelling on a budget, Eriko's or Tan's guest house is a good choice. Both guest houses are owned by the same person: Net Sacapaño.

The guest houses are located in station 2, near D'mall. To get there, you may ask the tricycle or multicab driver to drop you off at "Crafts of Boracay", it's a big grocery store that is still part of D'mall. From there, take a one to two minute walk towards the beachfront area. Once you're along the beach walkway…turn left, walk a few steps, and then take another left at Shenna's - there's an alley sandwiched between a small grocery store and a diving shop.

You'll notice a couple of guest houses lining the alley as well, but I've always stayed at Eriko's and Tan's because the price is reasonable - if I remember correctly, I only paid about P1,800/night for an airconditioned unit with kitchen (separated by a sliding glass door). It also comes with cable TV and your own verandah.*

Apart from that, Eriko's/Tan's is very accessible to almost anything. Situated in Station 2, it's in the middle of everything - from flea market to restaurants to bars!

*Note: I was able to negotiate an all-year round 20% discount to readers of this post! Just bring a copy of this article and show it to Net ;-)

Restaurants and Bars

Just some of my recommended establishments:

• Cocomangas - famous for their “still standing after 15” challenge
• Shenna's - cheap tequila shots
• Jonah's - famous for their shakes, located in Station 1
  
• Hey Jude! - best to go here during happy hour as you get a discount on your drinks
  
• Crepes St. Michel's or Crazy Crepes - for dessert
  
• Andok's - known for their roast chicken; cheap but filling meal
  
• Binalot - serves Filipino dishes wrapped in banana leaves; cheap but filling meal
  
• D'Talipapa - you can buy seafood from the wet market and have it cooked in one of the eateries here. Or, simply avail of their meal packages that go for about P100-P150 per head (best for large groups).
  
• Barbecue stands - don't miss the chori (short for chorizo = native sausage) burger!

Water Sports/Activities

Banana boat ride is around P250/pax during peak season. However, you should be able to get it for only P80-P100/pax during low season. Jet Ski rentals are around P2,500 for 30mins during peak and P1,000 during off-peak.

If you want to visit the islets surrounding the island, your best option is to hire a boat. It would set you back by P1,500-P1,800, depending on how many you are. When you do get one, leave early so you have enough time to visit three to four islets. A must-visit is Crystal Cave. It's a huge cave that has a wonderful lagoon inside. It's very hard to get in, as you need to go down some steep slopes and crawl thru a narrow opening. It's slippery and has lots of sharp stones on the ceiling (so watch your head!), but the beauty of the place make it all well worth it! Remember to bring knee pads and helmets if you have any. Otherwise, make sure you have alcohol and band-aid handy…just in case.

As much as I like Puka Beach, because of its very clear and calm water that's best for swimming, I would not recommend for you to include it in this trip. Puka Beach, also a great place to buy pasalubongs from (accessories made out of Puka Shells selling for as low as P10!), is accessible via tricycle. So ask the boatmen to bring you somewhere else instead (e.g. Crocodile Island, Bat Cave, etc.)

Snorkeling is usually included in the itinerary, so bring some biscuits to feed to the fishes. Beware though, boatmen usually charge for the gears separately (around P100 for the goggles and the snorkel). Also, be prepared with some loose change as there's someone going around collecting about P20/pax for “environmental fees”.

Though boatmen usually approach you with flyers (prices included) on hand, always remember to haggle. And make sure that both parties are clear on whatever was agreed upon.

Others

Everything is more expensive in Boracay. If you could, bring staple food like canned goods, instant noodles, and bread. A loaf of Gardenia bread costs around P80 when it's just P35-P40 in Manila.

Toothbrushes are expensive too - I had to learn that the hard way. So do not forget to bring yours (see related article here.)

Anyway, there's a big wet and dry market at D'Talipapa but you would need to catch a tricycle ride going there. So if you don't really need much, you can just walk to the smaller one near Eriko's/Tan's guest house (also one of the reasons why I like to stay here). You can buy staples here like vegetables, meat, poultry and other grocery items. This flea market is in D'mall, near Crafts of Boracay. You would have passed by this one going to Eriko's/Tan's (see item#2 on how to get to the said guest houses).

Water is also very expensive. I suggest you contact Agua Vida (288-3754) to have water delivered to your doorstep. You can use the guest house's landline. What I usually do is rent their 5-gal container with faucet. You pay P500 upfront, but it's actually only P80 per 5-gal water plus P70 for the container rental. So you get P350 back when you return the jug. I really think it's cheaper that way than having to buy a bottle of water (costs P20 minimum) each time.

For pasalubongs (gifts), there are a few establishments in D'Mall where you can get key chains or magnets for P15-P20 a piece. But, I prefer to walk early in the morning along the beach to Station 3. There are a lot of vendors lining up the beach walkway as early as 6AM (i.e. if it's not raining). Women's accessories (earrings, bracelets, etc.) go for as low as P10! Or, you can always take a tricycle ride to D'Talipapa, where you can get native snacks like piyaya or caramelized banana chips with sesame seeds, etc. You can also buy t-shirts here for around P100-P150 a piece.

Just remember to always haggle. If you don't feel that you are getting your money's worth, leave and look in another stall.

If it's not raining, you'll find a barbecue stand right outside Cocomangas. You can buy from there and are allowed to bring the food in. They're not very strict about this. You should definitely try the grilled pork intestines (my favorite!) and their grilled chorizo (native sausage). They are simply delectable and would love to go back to Boracay just for these! ;)

On a tight budget or not, you shouldn't miss their famous "Still Standing After 15"! This is some sort of a drinking challenge where you are served 15 different flavored tequila shots to drink for the night. Not to worry because you are allowed to take your time downing all 15 shots. And when you're done, they'll ring the bell by the bar and give you a shirt that says "still standing after 15". To top that, your name and country will be engraved on their wall of fame ;) This set of drinks will set you back by P1,500. Though I haven't tried it yet myself (I'm a very light drinker…still practicing "til I get my turn hehe) I"d say it's worth the experience ;)

How to get there? You may take a leisurely walk along the beach or take a tricycle from D'mall. Fare is only P7/pax but drivers charge higher going back - about P50/ride, maximum of 4-5 pax. I think it's also because of the time element.

If you are staying in Station 2 and don't feel like going out too far, why don't you try Shenna's? If not wrong, their tequila shot costs P65/order. It is served in a small wine glass (yes you read it right) so it's actually equivalent to two shots! You'll definitely get drunk without putting a dent on your budget! ;)

Just like Cocomangas, you should also find a barbecue stand nearby. Shenna's is also not so strict about buying food from these stands so take advantage.

Enough about the physical man work. What's needed is a list of New Zealand beer that's going to give you this satisfaction every time you drink it. Just imagine your excitement if every day you could have this sensation whether you have been working hard or not. So let me get your taste buds talking and prepare yourself for the greatest beer list ever produced. And yes, this is in order of tastiness!

1. Speight's Gold Medal Ale

   The epitome of every Southern New Zealand male, Speight's the original, was first brewed in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1876 by none other than Mr James Speight. Said to give young New Zealand males status amongst women and make you into the perfect farmer, no wonder the Dunedin student population and farm apprentices alike, absolutely love it. Speight's has a distinct malt flavour and a crisp finish despite being brewed using lager yeasts. Its marketing slogan: "Pride of the South".

2. Steinlager Pure

   Marketed in New Zealand as the "green beer" because of its non-inclusion of additives and preservatives, this is not what made people go out and spend their hard earned cash on it. What made people go out and buy it was the fact that Harvey Keitel appeared in the advertisement saying "you say no to genetic modification etc etc… good to see you can take a stand when it counts" and then looking so satisfied with himself after taking a gulp. So he should be. The crisp lager actually tastes "pure" and is well worth the top dollar you will pay for it.

3. Monteith's Golden

   The iconic West Coast of New Zealand boasts stunning scenery and an equally stunning beer (even though it's no longer brewed there). Monteith's Golden's slight cashew nut flavour gives this lager a refreshing, "I need another one" taste and yet keeps that rugged West Coast edge. It was a favourite in Hokitika's 84 pubs in just 1 street during the New Zealand gold rushes and it's still a favourite now.

4. Mac's Gold

   Another so called "eco-friendly" beer for its lack of preservatives and additives, Mac's Gold is the product of one Terry McCashin in his Nelson Brewery at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. Nowadays its rare to see a beer with the reputation of Mac's still being brewed outside Christchurch or Auckland and yet Mac's has not given in to the lures of big bucks and worldwide acclaim. Since 1981 McCashin's Brewery has produced this light coloured, refreshing lager for your drinking pleasure.

5. Lion Red

   The iconic drink of all South Aucklander's since the critically acclaimed movie "Once Were Warriors", Lion Red is not just a brawler's beer. First brewed in 1907 at the aptly named Great Northern Brewery in Auckland, it has since become the sporting mans drink. A favourite in all footy sheds and clubrooms after the match, Lion Red is the beer to supplement your thirsty throat if Speight's is somehow not available. Contrary to popular belief, Lion Red does not make you into a "Jake the Muss" fighting machine after a cool dozen and a taxi would be more suitable.

So there you have it, all the beers you will need to satisfy your thirst in any situation that a good beer is required. Enjoy.

In London kids are usually allowed in pubs until 9pm, and in some bars they're not allowed. In restaurants, there's no law. Teens over 16 and under 18, accompanied by a responsible, can drink one pint of beer with a whole meal, not more than that. If not in these conditions, it's extremely prohibited to sell any kind of alcohol to under 18. Bartenders are going to ask for ID.

Pubs usually close at 11pm, 10:30 on Sundays. These hours apply for almost every pub in London. The last orders happen at 10 to 11pm, and after 11pm, you'll have half an hour to drink up. After that, please, go away because the bartenders and the manager have to clean up and go home. Thank you!

Bars close later, from 12am or around 3am.

Restaurants close at 11pm or 12pm most of the time. Only a few stay open after this time, most of them very posh and expensive. Others turn to be a night club and stop serving food after a stipulated time.

Depending on the quantity of people dining or having drinks, some of these places have license for after the time they usually close, which means that, if it's too busy, the manager can decide to let the place open until later. On the other hand, if it's too quite, like on special dates as Christmas and Easter, or that rainy winter day, they can choose to close it earlier. So, don't be surprised if your favourite pub closes before or stays open later.

Here goes a list of the most common drinks that we sell in London restaurants, bars and pubs, with tips of how to ask for them.

Beers

There are types of beers: Lager, Bitter or Ales, Wheat beer, Dark beer, Fruity and blond beer.

To know exactly what do you want to ask at the bar, you need to taste each of them, and choose your “best one”.

The most common beers are shown below:

Lagers

Dark Beer

Wheat Beer

Fruity (Strawberry Flavour)

Most Famous Bitter

Blond Beer

You can ask or be asked to serve a “shandy” which consists of half pint of lemonade and half pint of lager; or a lager top, which is the pint of lager with a dash of lemonade.

They can be on draft or keg (in the case of Ales), but also in bottles. In busy pubs and bars, what usually can happen is that there's no place in the fridges for so much sale, what can make the bottles be warm, because they were just put in the fridge before you buy. Beers on draft and keg can have the same problem, either if the glass is hot or even the draft system is not working properly. You can always argue about the temperature of your beer, but do if the bar is not busy, if it's extremely busy, you'll probably wait a long time and can be ignored by the bartenders. You can also call the manager, but, come on, a warm beer is not worthy such a fuzz.

Spirits

The most common measures are 25ml for single shot and 50ml for double. Some generous pubs have measures of 35ml and 70ml instead.

Whiskey

You can drink them with: Coke, Diet Coke, Ginger Ale, Bitter Lemon, Lemonade, Tap water, on ice, as shots, or alone in a rock's glass.

Famous whiskeys and whiskies of London entertainment places:

Vodka

It's usually asked with tonic water, slim tonic, soda and lime cordial, juices, coke and diet coke or lemonade.

There're vodkas with flavours as the Absolute Collection:

 

Gin & Tonic

Nothing else to say. This is the English drink. Have it with lime or cucumber.

Rum

Most common served with Coke, on the rocks or as shots.

Brandy

They can be served alone, or on the rocks. It can be asked with Coke as well, if you don't want to get drunk easily. It's better in very cold days, to warm:

Shots

Some places do a mix of spirits in a shot glass, usually 3 different ones. Thought the most common “single” shots are:

Tequila, Served with Lemon and Salt

Sambuca, Black or White

Others

Served on ice, as shots or with soft drinks:

The summer's favourite: Pimm's with fruits, mint and lemonade:

Wines

There's a huge variety of wines to sell. They're usually from Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, France, Italy and Argentina.

Most common grapes:

Red: Rioja, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz/Syrah.

White: Grenache, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Rioja Blanco.

Prices

Average prices for London most touristic pubs, bars and restaurants:

• Pint of beer: £3,30
• Single spirit mix: £3,20
• Shots: £2,40
• Small glass of wine (house): £3,50

It ' s not that often that I visit an eatery for a meal in Central London, but the Garden introduced me to a new way of " city dining " . The Garden has a nice accommodation for customers suited for every season of the year. There ' s a forecourt with benches for the customers to enjoy both the sun and the food. And if course there ' s a classic pub décor in the dining room where the atmosphere is nice and cosy in the winter. The walls are white with a lower half wood beat panelling. Very upmarket for the locals. There are three wide screen TVs broadcasting sports channels. I was lucky enough to have watched a football match between Arsenal and Newcastle United on my visit. They had a projection TV for this match which is watchable from the front of the pub. The staff are confident and friendly, wear a uniform and know how to cook food and serve drinks at the same time. There are DJ evenings on Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm to 2am. Providing a long hard bender of hip-hop, funk and soul. Don ' t worry about the loud music ruining your appetite because food is only served until the disc jockey takes to the stage.

After I got my drink I started off with Cajun Chicken as my main dish. When I paid for my meal I was given a wooden spoon with a number written on it. It was quite a useful solution, given the fact that the tables don ' t have individual numbers. In the Garden you can expect the customers to be at the bar and then move to a table. With the numbered spoons the waiters can see if you ' ve found a table after you ' ve ordered. All you have to do is hold your number up.

My dish was served in a matter of minutes. Perfectly presented with chips, garden peas, beer battered onion rings, mushrooms, half a grilled tomato and a small tub of salsa sauce. The meat was richly tendered and almost non greasy, which makes a change from my own cooking where I ' m unable to control the amount of oil I put into it. The onion rings had a nice crispy texture with a good flavour, but the chewy centre was almost pasty. The mushrooms aren ' t too soft but they are very nicely browned. The chips are fantastic that they make a decent change from the soggy grit of a chippy ' s deep fat fryer. Absolutely irresistible! I like the origin for the peas as their very crunchy and finely picked. Obviously they ' ve been cooked in a flash to avoid them from going mushy. The tomato was absolutely brilliant. The chef takes great care with vegetables. I must come here for a vegetarian night. As for the salsa sauce, well I could definitely tell they had no plastic traces in them. Like me I prefer sauces freshly made by blending them from vegetables.

After I finished my food I took a good long look at the menu. They offer a variety of do it yourself chips and burgers whereby you choose your own toppings and sauces. On the mains there are five chicken dishes, a curry, a traditional fish and chips, ham, egg and chips and sausage and mash. Basic home cooking done on a greater level, simple, gorgeous and satisfying. Vegetarians have their choices of lasagne and a cannelloni. There ' s a special deal on some of the mains where you can order " 2 for £6.45 " . The sandwiches, wraps and melts are all served with a dressed salad garnish, coleslaw and chips. The optional breads are baguette, bap and bloomer. There ' s a fantastic offer for a sunday lunch as well. For £5.95 you can have roast beef or roast chicken served with mash potato, fresh vegetables and yorkshire puddings with gravy. Beetroot and goat ' s cheese is on offer for vegetarians. There ' s an extra charge of £2.00 for a dessert.

Talking of which I didn ' t resist a tasty chocolate orange pudding with chocolate ice cream. The ice cream was optional. You can have it with custard instead if you like. The ice cream was smooth and creamy, but it wasn ' t topped on the pudding. By the time I got to the warm pudding my tongue was saying " high five " to my brain. My taste buds were gagging for the chocolate coated cream and the soft orange flavour in the texture. Always be sure to have a hot milky tea with the pudding as it makes an excellent dessert. This was the perfect evening to host the social occasion that I ' d been invited to. I ' ll always find a time to go there again. The atmosphere is just as good as the food and drink.

Appeals to sports fans, family friendly, classic gastro pub, North London. Prices range from £3 - £10 a meal.