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dodo.thedigitalterro... |
OT: London |
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I will be in London in February for one week… Any recommendations from the NS4 gang? Poster shops, comic shops, record shops, gallerys, museums, food etc… It
seems BFI's Februarys programme is not out yet…
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evansrc |
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Think the only Poster shops left are Reelposter Gallery http://www.reelposter.com and Tim Maddison's, http://www.mpag.co.uk .
Hmm, you'll miss the Bacon exhibition at the Tate, finishes early Jan, and Alan Aldridge at Design museum ends late Jan, sorry, no idea yet what's coming up after them. Enjoy anyway, things stay as they are the exchange rate should be generous to you. |
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Chewbaccy |
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Posterwise, do you give Reel Poster and Movie Poster Art Gallery a visit, though be aware that Jan and Feb aren't peak times and certainly MPAG might close
early (or on weekends, not open at all) - ring ahead.
Food - you're spoilt for choice. Le Gavroche if you want the best value French cuisine in town (£50 for lunch is very well spent, as long as you don't order off menu....). Try Edgware Road for Middle Eastern. For English cooking (it does exist) try Shepherds in Marsham St, you just might spot co-owner Michael Caine there, or given its proximity to the Houses of Parliament, the PM himself. Perhaps get yourself to Tate Britain first, just down the road, dinner at Shepherds, then a nighttime post-prandial walk around Westminster Abbey. Galleries - got to check out Tate Britain and Tate Modern, then walk across the "Wobbly Bridge" to St Paul's, check out the crypt where various luminaries including Lord Nelson and Lawrence of Arabia are buried. Have a whisper in the Whispering Gallery, then walk to the top of the dome and check out the view too. Museums - get yourself to South Kensington, and check out the V&A, the Science Museum, National History Museum, then off to Harrods with you, not to shop but to stuff your face at the Grill Bar in the Food Hall on the ground floor. I recommend the duck or the steak. Heck, have both. The cheesecake is fab too. Record shops - are there any remaining? Is Rough Trade still around? Get yourself to Notting Hill and have a nosey - there are some second hand record shops along the main road, and if Rough Trade is still around you should find it off Portobello Road - some great bars around there too, and if you have the time and inclination, go and see a film at London's nicest cinema, the Electric. In fact from there it's only about ten minutes walk to Reel Poster..... That should do for the first day! |
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fillyflynnridesagain |
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Chewy, you make me want to be back in London again!
Shelly |
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Hazard |
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There's also the Cinema Store: https://www.thecinemastore.co.uk/ in Upper Saint Martin's Lane. I
thought it was a nice shop with lots of dolls, books, dvds etcetera, but he also has posters. Alas they "are in the back", so if you'd go
it's handy to contact them first if you want a specific item. A few shops to the right of Cinema Store is a nice anime store if you are into that.
Wim |
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rumble |
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The Vintage Magazine Store in Soho always has a few posters in the basement. For new quads, the Cinema Store is a good source.
But the best bargain place for posters in London is the Film and Video Exchange in Notting Hill, part of the Record and Tape exchange chain. They have a pretty good selection of moderately priced posters, and what's best is that they regularly lower prices on everything that does not sell - be alert and you can make some real finds! Re. record stores, not only are Rough Trade still around, they have opened a new location! The classic Portobello location is still a must to visit, but the new one in the East is actually much nicer and has a great selection and layout, much roomier than its parent shop. It is in a trendy area with lots of cool markets, part of the old Indian neighbourhoods. http://www.roughtrade.com...tent.lasso?page=east.html For various pop culture I really like the chain called Fopp, there is one location on/near Charing Cross. They have a good selection of new books, DVDs and records, and some amazing bargains on the top floor. Comics - Forbidden Planet on Shaftesbury is the "megastore" of choice, also lots of film goods, vinyl toys etc. - find it here http://www.forbiddenplanet.com/WhereWeAre.html But for a more personal feel I recommend Gosh, just opposite the British Muesum, specialize in independent comics For books, there are millions of bookstores around Charing Cross but I particularly recommend finding a small chain called Magma - they are great on art/design books and have a few locations including one in Covent Garden http://www.urbanpath.com/london/books/magma.htm As you may notice, I go to London quite often so feel free to PM for more specifics... |
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muddyfunster |
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The Cinema Store is always good for picking up new release quad posters. Often more expensive than ebay but it's always great to know that what you are
buying is rolled mint condition. The guys in there are good fun too. For comics and sci-fi stuff definitely go to Forbidden Planet - it is the original and
best.
You must go to The British Museum as well. Check out the Babylonian exhibition and of course the gruesome Egyptian mummies (not my cup of tea, I prefer the Buddhist room). People I know always say the Victoria and Albert Museum is worth a look. Go and hang out at the BFI (British Film Institute) on the South Bank too. They have a very cool bar there now, a media room where you can watch DVDs and of course the cinema shows classic restored prints from the Berkhamsted archive. Also book in advance on the London Eye website to see across the city from the massive ferris wheel on the Thames. Other recommendations: buy a cake from Patisserie Valerie on Old Compton Street, check out the whiskeys in The Vintage House on Old Compton Street, go food shopping in Fortnum & Mason's on Piccadilly for gifts to take home, buy some English cheese in Paxton & Whitefields on St James's, eat great British cuisine at Arbutus in Soho, visit Hamleys the biggest toy shop in the world on Regents Street. Finally if you are in London you must to afternoon tea - book in advance at Fortnum & Masons, The Ritz or Browns. It's pricey but you can't beat a bit of sandwiches, tea and cake in the afternoon. Japanese Movie Poster Company
www.japanesemoviepostercompany.com |
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dodo.thedigitalterro... |
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Thanks for all the info so far. Gruesome Egyptian mummies sound just my cup of tea. I'm also a big fan of contemporary indie comics. And the Science Museum and National History Museum sound cool too.
Also funny thing, I got the month wrong… I'm in London from 20th to 25th in April. Luckily the date is ok w/ me also as I already paid the advance… Anyways, I clearly need to read thing in more detail before I sign up. |
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rumble |
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The area around Portobello has markets on weekends, mostly antiques for tourists but the farther up you venture the more interesting it becomes. The Camden
Lock market used to be the classic haunt for books, records, movies, Dr. Marten shoes and post-punk clothes, but is now overrun by tourists - still worth a
visit just for the sheer crazy scale of it. Oh, and the Psychotronic Video Store is still in Camden but they have very erratic opening hours.
The hippest market area right now is probably around Spitalfields and Brick Lane - go to the Rough Trade East shop and you'll find them! |
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dodo.thedigitalterro... |
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Sorry to bring this up again, but if anyone have any last minute tips I would appreciate. For example has anyone seen the 39 Steps playing at the Criterion
Theatre? It sounds very interesting.. Oh and, is there a dress code in the theatre, as my travel wardrobe will be very casual... Thanks again.
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Longdog |
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Hi there,
Not seen it myself but some friends have and they loved it. You might want to check this site out that does Meal & Ticket deals; http://discounttheatre.com/default.aspx?pageid=4&showid=1005&tickets=2&prepost=&date=20/04/2009 Paul. |
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evansrc |
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If you are in the Spitalfields/Shoreditch area, I'd recommend a visit to the Conran's Albion restaurant/cafe, 2-4 Boundary Street.
British food, done simply and well, and very reasonably priced. Much taken with their side dish of pork crackling and apple sauce for a little over a quid. Also worth wandering down Fournier Street, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fournier_Street There's a Bond season at the BFI, if seeing FRWL or Goldfinger on the big screen floats your boat. Rich |
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muddyfunster |
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Drink a pint of Fuller's London Pride or Young's Bitter if you get a chance. It's the local London brew. Avoid the crappy international label
lagers: Fosters, Carling, Stella, Amstel, Heineken etc which are drunk voraciously by London's unsophisticated masses, especially Chelsea football fans.
Lager is German. If you want the real British experience then the original British beers are Stout, Porter, Ale, India Pale Ale and Bitter.
For the best food market go to Borough Market near London Bridge for cheese, cakes, breads, vegetables, coffee, real ales, pies etc. Japanese Movie Poster Company
www.japanesemoviepostercompany.com |
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Chewbaccy |
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Dress code for the theatre? Nah. Those days died out a long time ago.
Not seen 39 Steps but can't argue for location - plenty of places to dine out afterwards near the theatre. Personal favourite is Bentleys in Swallow Street, fab place for seafood and in the right month, oysters. Classy plaice (geddit?!??) |
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harmonica98 |
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dodo wrote: The 39 Steps is a lot of fun, definitely worth seeing. Tom |
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