Kerry 's reviews
Review of Walk In Wardrobe
22 Apr 08, 06:50
Top frocks 
Walk In Wardrobe is the place to go if you're off to a posh do...well for the ladies anyway. They have a huge selection of eveningwear to hire or buy (if you have the cash) including shoes and accessories
The lady that helped me last time (possibly the owner) doesn't mince her words or blow smoke up your backside...if you look like a dog's dinner in the dress you're trying on she'll soon tell you. She's also very good at picking outfits that will suit you and make the most of your body shape whatever that may be.
If you can't afford to buy an evening gown then why not rent one from Walk In Wardrobe...you'll feel like a princess.
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Review of Blanch House
21 Apr 08, 20:28
Pure class 
I've only been to Blanch House the once but was completely blown away. I went there to eat just before Christmas with my parents and their friends. We were treated so well by the staff...I'm a veggie and my mum is dairy intolerant and they made such a huge effort to make sure we were properly catered for. They really took the time to speak to my mum in particular about what she would like to eat even though the restaurant was full and they were very busy.
The restaurant itself is very intimate and not in the least bit pretentious considering what an amazing reputation this place has. Not only are the staff helpful but they are great characters too...they're smart and interesting and really know their food and wine.
After dinner we stopped for a cheeky cocktail or two in the bar. It's very plush but friendly with a massive selection of drinks...I was the only non-drinker in the group. The staff in the bar really went to town on my Virgin Colada...it was a work of art. Even the glass was shaped like a pineapple...Del Boy would have been envious!
Because of the prices Blanch House is to be visited on a special occasion...but make sure you go at least once. It really is very special.
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Review of The Hartington
21 Apr 08, 20:15
All you need from a pub
The Hartington is my mates' local. It's just up the hill off Hartington Road which runs off Lewes Road. I'd never been there until my mates moved to the area and now I go all the time. I like it because it's out of town and filled with the lovely locals that live near by. And it's not the sort of local where everyone stops what they're doing to see who's just come in the door. It's warm and welcoming.
They do fantastic food spanning different nationalities or you can go for good traditional British pub grub like the sausage and mash or a big fat burger. Everything tastes fresh and it takes a reassuring amount of time for your food to get to you...cooked to order not microwaved! The staff are great too...always very smiley. They clearly like where they work.
They display work of local artists on the walls...some really beautiful pieces. Oh and there's a pool table too.
Give it a try...you'll like it I promise!
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Review of Biscuit Factory
21 Apr 08, 17:55
It's The Wick Inn these days 
This is one of my locals...and a very decent one it is too. I've not sampled their food yet but go there regularly for drinks with mates. Since becoming The Wick (again) the place has had a full re-fit and looks really good. It's all dark greens and heavy wood...a little Dickensian I guess.
The funky round bar means you get seen and get served pretty much straight away...the staff are really quick and efficient. My favourite bit of the pub though are the big squishy chairs upstairs right at the back by the window. I've spent many an hour there watching the action below on Holland Road...most entertaining!
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Review of Shepherd & Dog
21 Apr 08, 17:32
Perfect spot
This is probably one of the nicest pubs in Sussex...in one of the nicest locations. It's at the foot of Devil's Dyke so is often full of walkers. For the lazy-arses amongst us (i.e. me) it's a really beautiful drive through the stunning Sussex countryside to get to it.
The pub itself is not that big so if the weather's bad you may have to wait for a table. That's no problem though...it's a lovely place to sit back and relax...and remember good things come to those who wait!
When it's nice there's plenty of seating in the garden and a little stream that runs by all adding to the idyllic setting. The scenery is quite breath-taking.
The food is excellent...a favourite of mine is the Sunday roast which they get just right. The only reason I haven't given The Shepherd & Dog 5 stars is because it is a little on the expensive side.
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Review of Pomodoro E Mozzarella
21 Apr 08, 11:38
Decent Italian grub
I really like Pomodoro...I'm not from Eastbourne but have eaten there a fair few times with mates who live in the area. We used to go on work nights out there too when I worked nearby. You do tend to know what you're going to get when you go Italian but the food and staff here are just that bit better.
The staff are very welcoming and genuinely bothered about how your evening is going in their restaurant. They don't fuss around you but make sure you have absolutely everything you need as soon as you need it. You'll certainly leave there pleasantly full up and all for a good price too. It's in the perfect location for heading off into town...well worth a visit.
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Review of The Talisman
21 Apr 08, 11:08
Good all-rounder
I don't live in the Park Gate area these days but whenever I'm visiting the family we usually end up at the Tali. It's a big pub with lots of character...plenty of room to park at the back too.
The best thing about the Talisman is the garden...lots of big chunky wooden tables and umbrellas surrounded by hedges and plants so when the sun's out it gets really warm. Their menu is excellent too...I suppose you'd call it a gastro-pub really. I'm a veggie and although there isn't a huge amount to choose from in terms of non-meat/fish based dishes what they do have on offer is always really good. I've never been disappointed anyway!
Inside the pub there are several different sections to sit and eat or drink in. Oh and roaring fires in the winter. There's a huge bar area for the Friday night hardcore...it does get really busy at weekends. But then in fairness there aren't really many good pubs in the area...the Tali does the job nicely.
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Review of Farm Tavern
21 Apr 08, 10:57
Relaxed and friendly
I love The Farm (the pub...not the band....actually I quite like the band too)...it's tucked away just behind Barney's on Farm Road just off Western Road. It's the second pub on the left up the hill. It's popular but never packed out...it's very rare that you don't find a cosy table for you and a few mates. It's the perfect Friday night pub if you're not up for a hectic one.
It's not flashy in any way...and the food is excellent especially the Sunday roasts. My favourite spot in the pub is the big table in the window upstairs. You'll have to get there early to nab that one though. The upstairs is pretty small but is available for hire. We've had a couple of dos there and you can get a set of decks in and about 25 people without it being uncomfortable. Just right if you haven't got that many friends...!
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Review of Coopers Cask
21 Apr 08, 07:06
Great food...
...but not a lot of room!
It's fair to say the Coopers Cask is very cosy. It's a tiny pub so you're lucky to get a seat at busy times but if you're the patient kind and very hungry it's well worth checking out. The veggie selection is particularly good and the prices are more than reasonable for what you get.
It's ideal either to get in there early for your tea before your night out or if you're just drinking it's one of the places to take in as you head towards town. There's a few tables outside too and as Farm Road is one of the quieter little one-way streets in Hove you don't have traffic screaming past you as you while away a couple of hours on a sunny evening.
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Review of Freemasons Tavern
21 Apr 08, 07:02
A mixed bag
The Freemasons is a good pub but I think is going through some sort of identity crisis. Esentially it's a pub downstairs with some cosy round booths. They serve decent food...especially the Sunday roasts although they do start to run out of stuff around 2pm.
Upstairs is the cocktail bar which is swanky with lots of mirrors (too many actually...you don't need to see yourself from every angle as you make you way to the toilets), blue lighting and perspex. Friday and Saturday nights it gets absolutely rammed with the pre-club crowd. They sometimes have a DJ on downstairs and pack the place out. That's all very well apart but you do end up looking a bit bedraggled by the time you leave!
All in all the Freemasons is worth a visit but not if you're looking for quite and intimate. Not a chance!
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