Black and Blue

Black and Blue is an upscale restaurant specializing in steaks and fine wines. We visited the location in Borough Market, but other restaurants in this chain are located in equally trendy spots throughout London (e.g. King's Road and Notting Hill).

We had already stuffed ourselves in the food stalls of Borough Market, so regrettably we cannot review the food at Black and Blue yet.* However, we can comment on its accessibility, having spent a lovely afternoon sipping wine there one recent sunny afternoon.

We'd like to shake the hand of the architect who designed this restaurant. He or she managed to meld functionality with design. To enter the restaurant you walk (or roll) up a gentle sloping ramp -- so subtle that most able-bodied people do not even notice this unique and accessible entrance. The front patio is roomy enough for wheelchairs, and has the added bonus of heat lamps which we understand are probably for smokers, but still are heaven for the rest of us on chilly days.

Inside, there are two large communal tables on either side of the large bar. These tables would be ideal for certain power chairs users who need higher tables, and are large enough for a group of 6 or 7 (or more) people. The large dining area is in a separate adjoining room having a stairwell and a LIFT in the middle of the restaurant that go up to bathrooms, including a separate disabled bathroom. It's a bit unusual to see a lift in the middle of a dining floor, but for some reason it works at Black and Blue. The only slightly odd thing about the restaurant itself is that some of the decor seems a bit 1980s.

Perhaps it's the proximity to Vinopolis, but Black and Blue has an outstanding wine list with plenty of excellent choices by the glass. The beer list was notably smaller, although we did see a couple of people having beer with their burgers.  The service was slow bordering on inattentive, but not intentionally so (which always makes it more tolerable). While the prices are reasonable considering the quality and location, be forewarned that a large service charge is included in the bill regardless of how many people are in your party.

Details:

Black & Blue

1-2 Rochester Walk

Borough Market

London SE1 9AF

http://www.blackandbluerestaurants.com

*Since our original post Chazz and I did go back and tried the dinner menu with friends. We had several starters and burgers. The food was almost as good as average bar food in the States and at least twice as expensive. Again, the service was absent-minded bordering on non-existent. The wine was again excellent, however, and quality of beef was good. Because we were with two of our most charming friends we had a wonderful evening notwithstanding the food. We'll definitely only return here for drinks, however.

The Bridge Lounge and Dining Room

The Bridge Lounge is a nice pub on Tooley Street, just opposite City Hall (the building that looks like a giant brussel sprout) and very near Tower Bridge. Both of the entrances to the pub are accessible, and there is plenty of room inside since the bar is in the center of the pub, with tables and chairs all around and a nice, wooden floor. There is also a fireplace which we imagine is quite cosy but have not experienced (despite it being quite cold both times we went), and a separate, disabled bathroom. 

The pub might be too busy to be enjoyable on weekdays since there are a lot of office buildings around the area, and quite a few businessmen about that seem like they need a lunchtime tipple. But weekends are lovely. There are no t.v.s, so don't come here if you expect to watch the footie. But, if a quiet conversation is all you're after, then this place fits the bill. 

On the plus side, the pub is very clean, and the staff are welcoming. However, service can be slow, and the appetizers were not at all special (lukewarm chicken wings and onion rings). Still, we'd be willing to give the food another chance and sample the lunch or dinner menu sometime (perhaps the sausage and mash, which sounded quite good).*

The only downside about The Bridge Lounge is that the upstairs area, with lovely views of Tower Bridge, is not accessible. Still, the accessibility on the ground floor and the bright and pleasant atmosphere makes for a great pub experience. 

Details:
186 Tooley Street
London SE1 2TZ
T: 020 7403 4112
http://www.thebridgelounge.co.uk/contact.html

*Sadly, we went back to try the lunch menu. We won't be eating here again. The sausage and mash, which is advertised as the house speciality, looked and tasted small and sad in the cold, watery mash. My fish finger sandwich was dry and and lukewarm. These are not difficult dishes to get right. It's a shame, because the pub is so cheerful and the table is very accessible. We'd like to like this place, but will keep it as a back-up drinks place only.

Shortwave Cinema

The Shortwave Cinema is a very small, independent cinema located in Bermondsey Square. There's no easy train/tube access, so this is really only a destination for people who live near Bankside. If you do happen to be around the area, though, then this is a nice option if you fancy watching a film. 

The Shortwave is completely accessible. It is located on the ground floor and has indoor and outdoor seating as well as a very large size disabled bathroom. There is a bar that serves some nice beer and a limited, but good, wine selection. The nibbles are mostly heated up in a toaster oven, so don't arrive hungry unless this doesn't bother you. Although service can be slow, the people who work at The Shortwave are all incredibly nice.

The wheelchair seats are at the very ends of the first row in the cinema. There is plenty of room, but because they are on the very ends you do have to crane your neck a bit. However, it's not too bad.

On nice days, it's pleasant to sit outside and watch the world go by. Every Friday there is an antiques fair, and on Saturdays there is a small farmers market.

Keep an eye out for special events hosted at the Shortwave. By chance, we went to the Shortwave when Saint Saviour (Groove Armada lead singer Becky Jones) was warming up for an album party later that night. Great music, great time.

Details:
10 Bermondsey Square
London SE1 3UN
T: 0207 357 6845
www.shortwavefilms.co.uk

BFI IMAX

The BFI IMAX is a 500 seat cinema with a screen more than 20 meters high and 26 meters wide (for us Yanks, that's over 65 feet high and 85 feet wide). It's big. It's where you go when you're not up for the arty films at the nearby BFI and just want to relax with a blockbuster. Getting there is a bit tricky. It seems so easy since it's right in the middle of the roundabout by Waterloo. But to get to the entrance you have to use the subway, and only certain subway entrances have ramps (we do not recommend the lift to the subway on the Waterloo side -- kind of whiffy). Keep in mind that the subway itself may be a bit intimidating to a wheelchair user (or any pedestrian), especially late at night as lots of people seem to sleep rough there. 

The IMAX has a cafe as well as a bar. We were running late and so didn't try either but they appear to be accessible. Wheelchair users enter the theatre from the very top entrance. There is a lift that takes you up to the top floor, but if you don't have use of your arms then someone has to go with you since there are a series of doors that you need to open before arriving at the theatre entrance; there were no staff on hand when we were there to offer assistance.

The seating is a bit confusing. Everyone has a designated seat number on their ticket, but the wheelchair spaces are not numbered. If there are multiple wheelchair users, it is anyone's guess on who actually has dibs on the few spaces. 

One cool thing about watching films in England is that qualified disabled people can apply for a Cinema Exhibitors' Association (CEA) card, which allows an accompanying carer to have a ticket for free. http://www.ceacard.co.uk/. Another cool thing is that you can order popcorn that is sweet and salty. I miss the trough-size tubs of popcorn oozing with butter and salt, but Chazz says the small bags of sweet and salty popcorn are much more sensible. As usual, he's probably right.

Details:

Directions: http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_imax/visitor_information/how_to_get_here

Tickets and Enquiries: 020 7199 6000

Tube/Train: Waterloo

Buses: Loads -- check TFL web site for all routes.

Adapted Vehicle Hire

We rented a Renault Kangoo from Adapted Vehicle Hire ("AVH"). This was the only adapted car hire service that offered small(er) automatic drive vehicles. For an extra fee, AVH delivered the car to our home. The delivery person was very nice and helpful, and took the time to show all of the car's features, including how to pull down the ramp (manual, but lightweight and easy) and secure locks around the chair.  Renting adapted cars is not cheap, and because there are so few vendors you should book well in advance.  

For the Americans -- if you can drive stick, you'll have a much wider choice of rentals. Also, when renting a car in the UK make sure and give it a thorough inspection -- inside and out -- not just a superficial once over. Make sure and note each and every scratch, tear, dent, or hint of the foregoing on your acceptance form. Also, some of the gas caps won't come off by just unscrewing them.  You have to actually insert the car key into the cap and turn (I won't say how long it took me to figure this out...in the rain). I can only guess this is because petrol (gas) is so expensive. 

Details:
Adapted Vehicle Hire, Poplar House, Cowley Business Park, Cowley Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2AD
T: 0845 257 1670
www.adaptedvehiclehire.com