Meet your Google Places Neighbor: Ravi Motha

Editor’s Note: Now and then we'll spotlight one of our amazing Google Places reviewers. Both so you guys can start to get to know one another and so we can pull together and share our favourite local places. Today, we introduce you to Ravi Motha from London.

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Ravi’s lived in and around London since 1998, and he hasn’t wasted any time acquainting himself with all the city has to offer. We spoke to our latest featured user about speakeasy bars, where to find excellent Japanese food on the cheap and other top London tips.

 
What’s been your favourite Google Places event so far?
Cider tasting at The Euston Tap. Good company, lovely hosts and it was a really interesting event.

Thanks, we enjoyed it too! What do you like about writing reviews on Google Places?
Editing the drafts so the words match my thoughts exactly.

So you’re a perfectionist — we like. Share your top London tip with us:
Check a map! Sometimes it’s quicker to walk between places than take the tube.

And what are your five favourite London places?

Bar Hairdressing - Bar Hairdressing is staffed by three hairdressers and offers cut, colours and consultations with a friendly smile, some banter and depending on what you like to drink, even a cheeky beer or glass of wine. I've been going here for a long time, and I've never had a bad cut, and have always felt like I have got value for my money. Discover a little gem and treat yourself.

Eat Tokyo - Possibly the best Japanese restaurant I have been to in London, Eat Tokyo delivers a proper and authentic dining experience. You get all the classic Japanese meals like bento boxes, teriyaki, katsu and amazing sushi. The value for the size and quality of the meals is fantastic. I was fortunate to be able to take advantage of the lunchtime special which is a fabulous £5 lunchtime takeaway box including chicken or salmon teriyaki, a smattering of pickles, rice and miso soup. Thoroughly recommended for either a takeaway or a proper sit down meal, the staff are courteous, friendly and help make it a great place to eat.

Giant Robot - From the ashes of Match EC comes Giant Robot. It's a relatively small bar but they make maximum use of space and the decor helps maintain a relaxed atmosphere. While the prices aren't super cheap they are okay, and the quality of cocktails and food is pretty good. The food is mostly American-style burgers, meatballs and sliders (like a meatball in a bun). I had the slider selection and enjoyed it immensely. Would I go again? Yes, and I have recommended it to others.

The Barnsbury - The Barnsbury sits on Liverpool Road and despite its proximity to Upper Street, I was pleased to see it wasn't rammed to the gills. The pub itself is pleasant and light, it serves decent grub and has a good range of beers, including Camden Brewery Beers. It also puts on regular nights with various up-and-coming acoustic musicians — I was lucky enough to see Harpist Jharda Walker playing and that was then followed by Joshy O'Connor. While it's not the cheapest pub in the world, I thought it was decent value for money, and it was obviously popular as the locals would pop in and out throughout the time I was there. Recommended for a chilled afternoon or to watch the rugby.

The Breakfast Club - Tucked on a small side street near Spitalfields Market, The Breakfast Club serves a wide variety of quality breakfasts all day. The clientele is a mix of Shoreditch trendies, the odd banker and small company meetings.The staff are amiable and always on top of the service. The food is pretty good, but it can vary every time you go. I’ve been twice and had some ace pancakes, with good crunchy bacon and lashings of maple syrup, and on another occasion I had a slightly disappointing Eggs Benedict. Overall it’s good and I’d recommend it for a quiet breakfast or casual meet up. It’s also the gateway to the Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town, a quaint little bar serving cocktails via a quirky entrance.

Posted by Alexandra Sheppard, London community coordinator