Matthew

http://www.designerwarehousesales.com/

Very well known - big queues!

Its just round the corner frm Kings Cross on Balfe Street

Get yourself the hell out of Stanstead as quick as possible and head into town - Take the Stanstead Express down to Tottenham Hale, then get the Underground (Tube) on the Victoria Line to Kings Cross first - you need to get the train from there (Kings Cross Thameslink to Luton the next morning). Excess Baggage on Platform 8 should be able to look after your stuff overnight.

By the way - Kings Cross main station and Kings Cross Thameslink are separate stations - Thameslink is a 2 minute walk up the Pentonville Road. The train to luton takes 37 minutes direct and they only run every hour that early in the morning - so you will need the 4.22 or 5.22 to get your 6.30 flight.

You should be in town before 10pm so you have a good few hours to have a laugh. From Kings Cross you can take the tube into the West End - Covent Garden, Soho, whatever - or go East into Shoreditch - for some cool bars and restaurants. You can then make it back to Kings Cross early and sit out the rest of the night in one of the dingy late night pubs round the back of the station.

You'll have a blast!

Well done Ally fu - good post!

I would also check out Regent Street and Carbay Street now.

In the evening you could head to Old street / Shoreditch / Hoxton for bars and clubs.

As for cheap places to stay you could try the Generator in Bloomsbury - very central

http://www.generatorhostels.com/london/

or Ashlee House in Kings Cross - again v central

http://www.ashleehouse.co.uk/

Have fun!

Queen Street West and the Distillery District are great for Bars, Restaurants and Boutiques. Really nice feel to them. World Class.

I know the Drake Hotel is a bit of a cliche, but I thought it was cool.

Otherwise I reckon Toronto is a little disappointing.

I was in Boulder last month and there's little in the way of clothing there - there's an American Apparel and Urban Outfitters on Pearl Street if that's your thing.

Otherwise you could head down I-36 to Flatiron Crossing - the mega mall on the way to Denver - that's got every brand store you can think of.

As for restaurants in Boulder, try Jax on Pearl Street for really good fish and oysters. The bar next door does good food too and is really friendly too.

The Bookstore on Pearl also has a nice coffee shop attached full of new-gen workers surfing on their mac laptops drinking double decaf locamochachinos.

Boulder is a nice chilled place, but it's a little bit too much like a lifetstyle dream for me - a 'Disney Celebration' community for Liberals.

They all look sickeningly healthy too!

For flat hunting there is just one thing you should use - Loot - it is a magazzine that comes out 3 times a week with listings of all kinds of stuff. The accommodation is lsted by area and by price and you are much better off using this than an estate agent - you'll get more for your money and a btter place. Just make sure you are on the phone to anything you like by 8am - seriously, places go fast!

In terms of where to live, you just have to ask yourslef whethr you want to be central or not. If not go with South West London every time - if yu can afford it. Richmond is beautiful, Twickenham, Wimbledon (as in the tennis) - all leafy and middle class. For a bit more trendy try Clapham, Tooting, Wandsworth - all South of the River (and completely out of the action as far as I am concerned - not that that matters) If you are working in town, you will also have to contend with the living hell thatis commuting in london these days. fancy being stuck in a tunnel for 2 hours in an undeground train standing with your face pressed up against some smelly bastards armpit? it happens - and not just in a terrorist attack - just simple breakdowns)

If you want to live central, you can walk much easier and feel like you are in the thick of things. I love Russell Square and Bloomsbury. If you want something a bit more sophisticated try Islington or Hampstead (expensive). For somthing edgy try Shoreditch, Brick Lane - even Camden if you can stomach it.

DO NOT GO FURTHER NORTH THAN THIs - avoid Hackney, Wood Green, Stoke Newington, Finchley, Harringay, Archway euuggh - the most depressing shitholes you can imagine. Unfortunately this is where you may end up if you are tight for cash.

Hope that helps - mail me if you want more info

Hi,

I am travelling to Tokyo to look at amazing food shops - I already know about C3, and Comme Ca Cakes in Shinjuku - as well as the obvious Depachika - Takashimaya, Isetan etc - but do any of you know any other mad gems? Obviously food in Japan is all super tasty, but I am looking for anything a bit design, concept driven (gifts, cakes, reinvention of fast food....)

Any suggestions would be most greatfully receieved

You can't beat bumming around Europe. It's small enough to be able to do the city and country thing and to vary your travel - fly, train whatever.

You could always try Spain - Start at Barcelona, work across to Bilbao, San Sebastian and the Basque Country and then head down to Granada and Cadiz in the South.

Just a thought.

Otherwise you could get off your rocks at a full moon party on the Islands in Thailand - or do Goa - or Nepal. Plenty of fun, but a bit of a cliche though.

Glastonbury. Nuff said.

Not to worry showbiz - your suggestions were bang on - every one - so i'm very grateful - I especially wouldn't have found the distillery district without your help.

Calling my cell does cost a fortune - but for me!

I pay extra to receive calls on roaming when I am abroad - and double to make them - go figure!

Thanks again - enjoy the rest of the weekend, the weather is so good!

Matt

Hi Guys,

No I'm still in town, but have been having a few problems checking my mail.

I'm still kicking around - and I stil have until Monday night.

Thanks for your suggestions so far - Queen St West, Yorkville, Rosedale, Bloor, College Street - feels like I've walked every inch!

Was planning to hit the waterfront and Distillery District today.

If you fancy meeting up, it would be great.

I won't check mail again though cos i'll be out, but you can call my cell on +44 7980 838 303.

Perhaps see you?

Urgent all call bulletin,

I am booked in to kick my heeels around Toronto for five days next week; from Thursday 29th to Sunday 2nd Oct. Never been to the city, read all the reviews on superfuture, and have plenty to see, but wondering if theree is a native out there who would like to show me the ropes - for that real city flavour.

Payback? Good karma, buy you lunch/ dinner, return the favour in London (with bells on), even cold hard cash, it's all negotiable!

Native Londoner here...

you'll be in a good area - though it is right next to where the bus bomb went off!

Bloomsbury, where you are has plenty of nice pubs to chill and you are walking distance (long walk perhaps) to lots of central London.

London is big but easy to get a grip on - just think North, South, East and West - with you kind of North Middle.

Central - Covent Garden, Chinatown, Soho, Leicester Square - you wil know these places well in the end!

South means south of the River Thames (everywhere else is North) - each part of the compass has cool areas - London is a city of vilages.

North - visit islington, with Upper Street, essex Road - great pubs, shops restaurants

East - the cool industrial nightlife area - Clerkenwell, Smihtfields, Farringdon, Brick Lane (really good) Spitalfields, Old Street, Hoxton

West - Notting Hill, Westbourne Grove, Portobello Road

South - Greenwich, Clapham Common, Richmond (nice town on the outskirts of London overlooking the River Thames - Visit Richmond Park for a picnic on a nice day - it's an ancient deer park, 40 square miles, wild and really peaceful _ isabella plantation there is magic. Hampton Court Palace is also a nice tourist option.

Transport - you are central enough to walk to North and East. Get yourself an A to Z mini and keep it in your pocket.

Music - plenty of venues - Fabric in Smithfields, the Scala in Kings Cross are two I like.

Enjoy - London's a great city - but shitting expensive

Some cracking places to go - La Bouqeria Market - amazing food market Old Style

Hotel Om with Restaurant MOO - amazing Molecular Gastronomy

Camper FoodBALL and Camper Hotel - both cool

Custo - for bags and stuff

What a city!

DJ.

I did a search already - and have trawled through all the posts and threads.

I thought Sblande's comments were great - some excellent suggestions on where to eat - but not so much on the best overall places to shop - and my clients probably don't want to score weed either!

Was kinda looking for some more general suggestions - any new big malls in the centre? any just outside? any big funky redevelopment projects? I already have plenty on the underground stuff, and I can read a guide book, but I don't know how much of the guide book to trust. - You know the way it goes... take london... read a guide book and it'll tell you Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges for department stores to visit - only selfridges is the only one that's worth it... get my drift?

An insiders guide to tourist montreal is what i'm after i suppose.

Please help!!!

IUNX - on Rue de la Universite near rue jacob.

The most amazing perfume shop you will ever see - high tech smell testers, gorgous space age, minimalist blck design, and a pond in the middle of the store

GO THERE!!

I had lots of fun doing 'dice man' traveling back in my late teens (inspired by the wonderfully influential 'Dice Man' by Luke Rheinhart) - choosing a set of random and weird destinations and visiting them on the thorw of a dice - also pretending to be different people and chatting to strangers in bars. No end of fun you can have with a bit of imagination. Grew out of it though and became boring. Perhaps i'll give it a go again?

Perhaps I can make my question clearer - I'm taking a group of clients to look at retail in montreal. I have 48 hours and need to take them to good places to eat too.

Only problem... I've never been!!! Help!!!

Going to Montreal for the first time - are there any cool shopping centres / departments stores that people would recommend?

What about where to eat / drink?

Fresh,

Jesus that's quite a list!

Here's some of my answers...

1. April is probably going to be pretty rainy and shit weather - but then it can rain any time of year and also be great and there is no telling - so i suppose it's as good a time as any - it's probably less busy.

2. Where to stay - well, you could do the standard backpacker hostels in Victoria, Kensington and Shepherd's bush - but they are all full of aussies (who I love, but they can be a bit in your face). I would recommend one of 2 places - Ashlee House in Kings Cross or the Generator in Russell Square - the Generator (http://www.generatorhostels.com) is my favourite - themed industrial futuristic design, a youth hostel ethos and a bar area that stays open selling cheap drink till 2 or 3 am (that is seriosuly late for London) I have never stayed there being a londoner - but I know about it from the bar, which is a great late night haunt. You also get to meet a wide variety of world travellers and Euro students. the area is also the safest in London and VERY central - you can walk home from anywhere in the West End.

3. Fabric is in Smithfield Market towards the East / Centre of the city. Nearest Tube is Farringdon. It's about the only Super club left in London and it gets very busy.

4. Airport - Heathrow or Gatwick - probably Heathrow and you won't have any choice. They are both shit, but hey what can you do? Getting into town from Heathrow you have 2 choices: the Underground (piccadilly line) takes you straight from heathrow to Russell Square (if you want to stay at the generator) and it will only cost you a couple of pounds. It does take around 45 minutes though. Otherwise you can take the Heathrow Express (which cost £14) which takes only 15 mins. It arrives in Paddigton though, which is a pain to travle out from.

Transport during the day - the underground (tube) is fast, but buses are also good. Buy a one week/day travelcard and it will take you everywhere. Taxis at night are now terrifyingly expensive - as are the minicabs - you will pay £10-15 minimum to take you anywhere in central London at night. If you want to go outside Zone 1 (and that is small) double or triple that.

Nightlife - there are tons of different areas. For cool urban living, check out Hoxton/ Smithfield/ Old street areas in the east. For North try Upper street in islington. For West stick to Notting Hill and Westbourne Grove. For South visit Clapham and for central do Soho & Covent Garden. You'll like Hoxton/ Old street the best I imagine.

Modern furnitre - Aram in Covent Garden drury Lane) and purves & Purves on Tottenham Court Road - absolute musts.

Bookstores - Charing Cross Road is the most famous street for books- for trend books you must visit FD Franks (http://www.rdfranks.co.uk/index.html). For antiquee boks ckaeck out Portobello Market.

Architecture - obviously Tate Modern - but also the London Eye, South Bank, the Gherkin, the London Mayor's Office and the British Museum Great Court. You could also visit the Dome and the London Barrier.

Environmental architecture - vist Canary Wharf station, Peckham Library, the Herzog & De Meuron dance school in East London and the Sainsbury's in Greenwich.

For Shops - well the list is too big - But I have already posted ideas before.

5. Is 4 days enough? No of course not - but do what you can and have fun!

My city is London and it can be great - but god it can be awful too.

I don't mean to be rude about anyone else's city, but I have to agree with Chase - Singapore sucks.

It has everything cities should have - lots of shops, modern buildings, tons of great restauarants - it's even clean too - but it also has to be the most souless place - rather like Dubai.

Much as I hate crime ridden, rude and dirty London - these are at least things that give a place a bit of character - and at least london is always buzzing.

Maybe I don't know Singapore well enough - after all most places are cool because of the people you know, not because of the cool undeground shops...

There is a club in Kings Cross called The Cross - a good venue - but I don't know of any shops called the cross - what does it sell?

London is a city of Neighbourhoods, each of which have a different flavour so you have to try them out and take your pic.

For trendy, industrial London choose Hoxton/Old Street/ Shoreditch area in the East of the city. It has all the cool bars, groovy clubs (fabric the club is in next door Smithfield Market - a good place to get your meat! - try Smiths of Smithfield for a full English breakfast at the weekends. The whole area is full of artists and style bars. Brick Lane is another place to visit - the place to get a curry.

For Trendy North London, go to Islington (not far from Old street) - Upper Street is packed with bars, Restaurants and boutiqey shops.

For West London you could venture to Notting Hill and Westbourne Grove - very Chi Chi - very up itself but it has the famous Portobello Road Market, plenty of upmarket boutiques and some great restaurants anbd bars (the Westbourne and the Cow are two institutions - Guiness and Oysters at the Cow) Also have a bloody Mary at Beach Blanket Babylon on Ledbury Road

For South London (eugh!!) people swear by Clapham - you'll find there is a bit of a North South divide in London and no one on either side wants the cross the river - as you may gather I'm North so I don't have much to say about South.

Central London is much neglected I feel and there is tons going on - Covent Garden has plenty of the cool shops you are after, Soho obviously is unmissable.

For books - try the Charing Cross Road, for records you will love Fopp on Shaftesbury Avenue - for all the rest each area I mentioned has its fair share of good stuff.

Have fun

Hi all,

I'm out on a trip to NYC next week and am trying to find out what has been happening over the past year.

I'm looking for info on young fashion retail stores and directional stores in terms of visual merchandising, display and architechture - also any new stores that have opened since feb 2004 when i was last there.

Also - does anyone know of any new concept stores in any of the out of town malls.

Finally any recommendations for Brooklyn?

Any suggestions most appreciated

try www.londonparties.co.uk - they organise guestlistings for the best clubs in town