Dear me, blame an insanely busy week, because I've been totally tardy on getting this review in. So in an attempt to avoid incurring any more wrath, let's get this show on the road:
Like a few of the others in attendance at last week's Qype event, I'd been to the Bayswater branch of All Star Lanes only once before, for a work do. The super-slick setting here is a mixed blessing for All Star Lanes, because there'll always be some who interpret it as corporate or devoid of personality (making it a safe bet for entertaining out-of-town clients, but not necessarily somewhere you want to go at weekends with friends).
That said, last week's shindig was the perfect opportunity for the lucky Qypers who'd wangled their way in to sample all their different wares, and to get a glimpse of the people and personalities behind the gorgeously glossy surface.
The staff were warm, friendly and helpful, especially the barman who got landed with us in the private room while we bowled and warbled the night away - his ears must have been bleeding after some of those karaoke renditions, but he was all smiles, joining in the banter and generally being a good sport.
But before I get ahead of myself, let's rewind to the food. Like the others have said, All Star Lanes isn't a place you'd go only to eat - you're there for the bowling and the booze! But having a decent menu on offer definitely takes the faffing out of your evening, meaning you can have the whole caboodle without having to trawl the uninspiring streets nearby.
Ever lady-like, I opted for the BBQ ribs, and they were totally worth the inevitable embarrassment of ending up with my face covered in meat and sauce; melt-in-the-mouth and enormous portions. Can't go wrong.
Once we'd moved to our private room, equipped with two bowling lanes, karaoke machine, cocktails a-go-go served by our own barman and an assortment of delicious desserts served canapé-style (chocolate mousse! tiny waffles! can I have all my sweet treats in this format from now on, please?).
Having that room to ourselves felt super-decadent, like lounging about at a rockstar's house, and I'd definitely recommend it for parties and special occasions - all the fun of bowling, bawling and boozing, but with top-notch attentive service and none of the shame of strangers overhearing your cat-in-a-lawnmower appropriation of Ballroom Blitz! read more