Vlad 's reviews
Review of Party Superstores
07 Aug 07, 12:38
Clowning around 
The place to go - in fact the only place to go in the area - if you need to hire a fancy dress costume. A huge array of outfits from the cheap and cheerful to the more expensive and ornate are held in the basement to hire or buy. Perfect if you need to stitch up a mate for a stag weekend / night.
The cost varies but look to spend an average of about £45 (this doesn't include the desposit on your card too, which is refunded if the item is undamaged). The cheaper ones do risk breaking though so err on the side of the more expensive if you can. On the down side, some of the outfits have been around for a while so get a bit tatty and some of the more encompassing ones have the lived in smell. Mind you, if it was perfection you were looking for you'd buy your own.
There are changing rooms so you can check how the outfits look before you rent them. Look at the website for a full view of all the types of outfits. Service is quick but on Saturdays it gets busy and can take some time despite the efforts of the three staff below.
Upstairs, the shop is filled with a variety of masks, party poppers, swords, wigs, fake blood, guns, ballons, fake dog crap etc etc etc. Anything and everything that you need to hold a party for young children or adults alike. Prices seem suprisingly cheap but it quickly mounts up. If they don't have anything you really want then ask the staff and they'll order it in for you.
If you are bringing children, there is an Asda car park round the corner which can be used by shoppers so worth parking there. CJ Train station otherwise.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Hive Honey Shop
06 Aug 07, 14:37
Oh Honey, Honey 
About as niche a shop as you can get....It's all about the bees.
You have to go here just to see the glass panelled working bee hive that they have in the shop. Children love it.
The store is about bees and honey. The honey with honey comb in it is particularly good but there are countless other varieties all from bees pollenating different plants and in different countries.
There are beeswax candles, royal honey, soaps, mead, anything bee related - you'll find it here. They'll even advise you on bee keeping if you want....
Note: During Christmas the shop sets a stall up outside selling Mead to shoppers (an alcoholic honey based drink). Bottles cost around £8 (spiced and normal) but are a delicious alternative to Mulled wine. Try it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Hennessys
06 Aug 07, 14:19
Support your independent butchers 
The Northcote road is well known for its independent retailers. This is one of them. Not for much longer maybe.
Hennessys are butchers selling fresh organic produce that are produced where possible organically and in the UK.
They know what they are talking about and will advise you on cooking times and even recommend alternatives or suggest cooking. Makes shopping fun. If you fancy eating some game - ask these guys.
A wide array of meats steaks and sausages. Prices vary but a joint of lamb costs around £14. Their smoked bacon is also very nice.
If you can, shop here. The landlords are raising the rents on the Northcote road so no doubt it'll disappear to be replaced by another bland supermarket who doesn't care what you cook as long as you buy it from them.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Northcote Road Antiques Market
06 Aug 07, 12:16
Deceptively small, satisfyingly full
This is the place to go locally if you love antiques - large and small. Don't expect anything smart - its not but this is part of the appeal. You get the sense that some bits have been here for decades.
Despite the small entrance the store opens up to reveal a large split level room split into numerous conncessions (20 in all?).
Some specialise in antique maps, some in 1920 items, others in wood, some in ceramics, silver, others are just a collection of bits and bobs etc
It seems to be run like a co-operative. As far as I can tell these are also offshoot stalls for people who have large stores elsewhere.
The stallholders stake it in turns to attend and man the till on behalf of those that aren't there. Just ask at the desk if you see an item that interests you.
It's worth going to but watch your ruckasks - it is packed with stuff.
There's also a little cafe at the top, up the stairs for a coffee or tea break.
As ever, prices vary and you can negotiate discounts even though the items are priced. Time passes very quickly in this place. Book a couple of hours in.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Carey B Restoration and Antiques
06 Aug 07, 12:05
Antiques and restoration
Two things to review here: The store and the other business - the antique restoration (run by the husband).
Starting on the good thing first: If you have any special furniture that is looking a bit worse for wear but you need someone to give it a sensitive revamp without trashing it, use these guys. The Husband who runs the restoration side is fantastic. Eccentric, chaotic looking but friendly, honest and delivers what he promises to you. We've had a couple of things done by him and they look great. He will come to your home and give you an honest free quote (he even advised us not to restore something as it wasn't worth the money). He'll carry the furniture away and deliver it back at a time connvenient for you (Weekends too). No extra charge for all this delivery.
The shop itself though is a more for those looking to buy the big bits of furniture rather than curios and the more affordable bits and bobs. Don't be put off by what they have outside the door - it gets better inside but be prepared to spend £100's not £10s.
It is well worth going to if you've got the cash to buy a big table, dresser and the occasional random item such as the 1937 petrol pump. Oh and they will negotiate. Don't go for the sale price.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Avalon Comics
06 Aug 07, 11:47
Go on....be a geek
I know its sad but I can't help it.
A fan of 2000 AD and the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers since I was 13, it's now in my blood.
If you're a collector or - even better - if you're not but enjoy the artwork and storylines or just have a bit of a thing for Halo Jones, then this is a good place to indulge yourself. Like most nice places its a bit of a journey to get to (the nearest train station is C Junction) but if you're driving there are parking metres around. Mind the Parking wardens though if your thinking of winging it.....They will get you.
Otherwise, its what you would expect of a comic book store (Although the guy behind the desk doesn't look like Comic store guy from the Simpsons which is annoying) . If they don't have it, they'll order it for you. Last time, I looked they will even buy any unwanted stuff from you.
In anycase, it's good to see independents surviving the onslaught of the big chains. They carry many more niche titles that the likes of WHS Smith. Graphic novels, comics etc from Maus to Sandman to 200 AD to all the Marvels....
It's the personal touch that counts which is why this gets an extra star.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Bombay Bicycle Club
06 Aug 07, 11:34
Currying favour
It's popularity as a takeaway is well deserved. The ingredients are fresh (try the Chicken Jalfrezi), dishes not cloying as others can be, the menu varied, the food is blessedly free of grease and has a deserved reputation as one of the best curry houses in SW London.
Delivery is quick and the food invariably still hot. Free poppadoms too. ;-)
My only complaint is that sometimes it can be difficult to get through on the telephone - a testament to its popularity, I suppose. Try ordering on-line instead. It saves a bit of frustration.
That's all that needs to be said really. One of the best.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.