Cat and Coffee at Scootercaffe

This one is thanks to trailerfullofpix, the newest member of the Little London Observationist Flickr pool.

The caption reads:
“Scootercaffe, formerly a scooter shop (Scooterworks, which relocated in Bermondsey) and coffee bar with a resident cat. Now it’s just a caff with a cat. Lower Marsh Street.”

Anyone ever been here? Worth a trip? People on Qype think so. It got all 4 or 5 star reviews from everyone! Live music mid-week on Tuesday and Wesnesday and you can have a conversation over cocktails in a candlelit basement. There are, apparently, about 4 cats and tip money goes to their food fund (not that they probably don’t get enough of that from roaming around the place all day…) Qype reviews also tell me they have free films there on Monday nights.

Think I’m going to have to go down and scope it out!

London Links: Qype Does London

I’m biased, I suppose, because Qype just posted my photo of Canary Wharf tube as their banner image for this week’s Qype Does London, newsletter #45.

But that aside, they are definitely an essential London link to follow. For one thing, they’re always giving things away – tickets to gigs, discounts on meals, and this week, a giraffe. (Yea. I know, I’ve always wanted one as a pet too, but the space situation in London is a bit of an issue…) 

Keep an eye on these guys for all sorts of reviews coming from of every corner London – restaurants, coffee shops, night clubs, book shops. You can find a list of anything you’re looking for in London – from a dentist to adult entertainment venues. (Maybe even a dentist who provides adult entertainment?)

Click around and you can check out all sorts of interesting bits and pieces like the “top snogging spots“, “best rooftop venues“, or “cinemas for chin-stroking art housers“. Perhaps you’ll even be this week’s lucky winner of your very own giraffe.

Listen to a Londoner: Chris Osburn

Listen to a Londoner. This is a weekly post where people who live (or have lived for a while) in London answer a few questions about the Big Smoke. If you fit the bill and want to be interviewed, give me a shout at littlelondonobservationist@hotmail.co.uk. Always looking for new volunteers…. 

Chris Osburn, 37

Chris is currently residing at the western front of the East End (otherwise known as Clerkenwell). He works and plays as a freelance writer and photographer. He has lived and travelled all over the world, but London is the first place where he ever truly felt at home.

Catch up with Chris and keep up with his London adventures any time over on his excellent blog: http://tikichris.wordpress.com/

LLO: How long have you lived in London?
CO: About six years. 

LLO: Where are you from originally if not London?
CO: I’m American. I grew up in a small town in Georgia but have lived all over the place as an adult.

LLO: Best thing about London?
CO: As a freelance photographer and writer, I’m often bopping about London taking pics for some site or publication. Roaming this mess of a conurbation for shots is without a doubt one of the most wonderful ways I know to spend my time. London is (or at least often can be) such a photogenic place. There’s just something about it. I mean, for the most part, it’s not incredibly beautiful … not like Paris or Barcelona anyway. Nor is London terribly stunning; you really can’t compare it to the vertical awe of Manhattan or the mind boggling expanse of, say, Shanghai. However, the story London tells through its streets, landmarks and faces (oh the faces in this town!) is as compelling as any I’ve ever experienced. The story is one of weathering crises with resolve and engaging the world on its own terms.

LLO: Worst thing about London?
CO: It’s gotta be the Tube, right?

LLO: North, south, east or west?
CO: EC1 baby!

LLO: Best restaurant?
CO: Hmm … really depends on my mood. But I love St John, Portal, Club Gascon, Acorn House, 32 Great Queen Street, the Eagle, Tsuru, Iberica, The Gay Hussar, Santoré, Bosphorus Kebabs, Daddy Donkey, Chilango, Wahaca, Cinnamon Kitchen, Moti Mahal (and I know I’m leaving out a gazillion others).

LLO: Best shop?
CO: Well, a new Waitrose just opened very near my flat. That’s kinda rockin’ my world in a good way these days.

LLO: Best place to escape the city?
CO: You mean while still staying here? Kyoto Garden at Holland Park.

LLO: Favourite film about London?
CO: I love Mike Leigh’s “Happy Go Lucky” – it’s a colourful, beautiful film about a kind and friendly Londoner. There’s not a single shot featuring even a drop of rain. It’s a pleasant (while still fairly accurate and gritty) portrayal of London with none of the overplayed Jack the Ripper doom and gloom of most London-based films.

LLO: Best museum or gallery?
CO: Tate Modern is possibly my favourite museum in the world with the British Museum in a close second place. As far as galleries go, I’m consistently impressed with the shows at Stolenspace, Elms Lesters Painting Rooms, Lazarides Rathbone, Diemar Noble and Alison Jacques Gallery.

LLO: Favourite market?
CO: Despite the crowds, I can’t stay away from Borough Market (and God I hope it survives all the planning and building going on there right now!).

LLO: Best time of year in London?
CO: October! Every October that I’ve spent in London has been great with generally nice weather and lots of interesting events.

LLO: Best London website?
CO: Londonist, Qype and lots and lots of blogs (check the sidebar links on my own blog).

Thanks Chris!

For more Listen to a Londoner posts, click here.