Claire C.

Review of Brunswick Road Dental Practice

29 May 08, 10:54

No need to be frightened

I am a bit of a scaredy-cat when it comes to dentists, one two many teeth pulled out in my childhood/adolesence. But Brunswick Road Dental Practice is perfect for someone like me. They are kind and friendly, clean and efficient and importantly quick! I had my teeth cleaned recently and the hygenist was excellent, taking time to explain what she was doing and checking I was comfortable at regular intervals. If I didn't hate going to the dentist so much I'd recommend a trip!! :-)

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Review of Furniture Village

27 May 08, 12:12

Large carpark

This branch is on the busy Old Shoreham road, at the junction with Sackville Road. It has a large free carpark which is accessed from the Old Shoreham Road. It is a big branch, with a large selection of furniture on two floors. The furniture is fairly expensive, mainly 'cos unlike Ikea a lot of it is solid wood... however, like most of these stores they seem to have a sale every fortnight so you can pick up a bargain or two.

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Review of Coral Brighton & Hove Dog Stadium

27 May 08, 12:05

Good night out with friends

We went with work and had the Six Pack deal - that includes (wait for it, deep breath!) admission and racecard, a basket meal, 2 free drinks, a free jackpot bet (very complicated if you've had a few beers!?) and a scratchcard. And all that for £10! Recommended for a fun night out with friends, just don't expect the bookies to smile!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Bankers Fish Restaurant & Take Away

22 May 08, 18:21

Not quite Grimsby... but it's good

Bankers is a lovely fish and chips restaurant, okay it's not Grimsby fish and chips which is the best in the world, but it's not far off. What makes it so delicious is the fact it's not greasy and you get nice fat chips. The waiting staff are very friendly and attentive. It's really popular with families.

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Review of Central Hove Surgery

22 May 08, 07:58

Small and friendly

Compared to some of the big medical centres one encounters these days - the Central Hove Doctors Surgery feels small and friendly. The waiting room is clean, comfortable and although the receptionists have the usual doctors surgery attitude (you know what I mean, I am in control here and I will make you feel like you are a pathetic timewaster for wanting to see a doctor) they aren't as bad as some I've encountered. I should add though, I am no longer a patient here because they rejected me for moving two streets away!!?

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of La Veramente

21 May 08, 22:01

Greek and Italian in one restaurant!?

This an unusual restaurant in that it serves both greek and italian food. I've been here a couple of times and really enjoyed it. The food is good and being as they are taking dishes from two countries there is something for everyone and a really good selection. It's very good value and the staff are really friendly.

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Review of Hove station

21 May 08, 21:58

08:11 to London Victoria is leaving from Platform 2

Hove station is pretty average, been to worse, been to better. The thing that is very annoying is how if we experience 1mm more rain than usual the underpass floods. Oh and there is always a queue to buy a ticket. Inside there is a small newsagent stand. Outside there is a flower stall and a fairly small carpark.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Fabulous Floors

21 May 08, 21:44

Amtico

Fabulous floors is actually ever so slightly up Wilbury Road, just round the corner from Topolino - the Italian restaurant on the corner. What makes fabulous floors fabulous is that they stock amtico floors. Amtico is the Ferrari of floors with a price tag to match. God they're gorgeous... I just walk past and window shop 'cos I can't afford one just yet.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Ganges

21 May 08, 21:31

Pretty Googes

Ganges is pretty good, not amazing Indian food but pretty good. What makes this place though is the G Bar underneath. It's a small bar which is open really late and is a great alternative if you don't want a nightclub and you don't want to go home. Because it's practically at the end of my road my friends and I have been known to pop in here for a cheeky vodka on the way home. The staff are so friendly and the atmosphere is really chilled.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Arrogant Frog

21 May 08, 15:04

Arrogant Frog - what a great name!

The Arrogant Frog is a great French restaurant (obviously) on Church Road in Hove. Inside, it's had a mega refurb since it's previous life as a cafe. It is now all wooden floors and fab wallpaper. The menu is what us Brits would imagine to be traditional French. My best bit? The amazing deserts, particularly the Crepes Suzette. They do an early bird deal which is very good value for money, but limits your choices.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Orsino Cocktail Bar Restaurant

20 May 08, 12:33

Love Orsinos

Orsinos on Church Road in Hove used to do the most amazing deal, £5 for three courses on a Monday. Not sure if they still do it? Either way it's a great italian - with some more upmarket dishes than the usual pizza and pasta. They do fantastic starters - mozzarella, deep fried brie, calamari. And the risotto is delicious.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Topolino's Duo

20 May 08, 12:04

There are better Italians

This is a pretty average Italian restaurant on Church Road in the centre of Hove. The things that make it good - fairly cheap, great outdoor seating area at the front, friendly staff. It's just the food isn't that great. The pizza I had was a bit dry/hard... it's not awful, it's just Leonardos (down the road, see my other review) is better.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of A D M Heating & Plumbing Engineers

18 May 08, 19:08

Plumbed in my gas hob

ADM heating gave me a very competitive quote for my central heating, but in the end I went with another firm who had installed the central heating in the flat upstairs and came recommended. However, when I needed by gas hob plumbed in ADM did it for me. They did a fantastic job. Very professional, fast and friendly. And the price was considerably cheaper than other quotes.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Flight Centre

17 May 08, 22:10

What you can't give no stars?!

This is a really strange store, with naff decor and uncomfortable seats, where you end up sat higher than the staff and can't look them in the eye - weird. I went in here to book a round the world ticket. The woman took my details and promised she phone me, but never did. When I called they promised to call me back but never did. They weren't rude, just lazy.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Hove Cycles

17 May 08, 22:01

need your bike serviced?

I was feeling a bit intimated and worried about getting my bike serviced and I feared this shop would be full of bike nerds... but they were lovely and so friendly. The service I received was excellent, but it was midweek so it might be different on a weekend.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Foxy's Roast and Grill

17 May 08, 21:58

Yum!

Great british food - serves really high quality meat and fantastic potatoes. They also have excellent wines. At first I thought it was a bit odd that there weren't any puddings on the menu but there isn't room after the massive main course.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Wickes

17 May 08, 21:51

way better than B&Q

This store has an excellent product range and a great layout. Unlike B&Q there are always staff on the customer service desk. The problem is discussing bathrooms or kitchens 'cos you can't make an appointment and it can take ages. There is a great burger van in the carpark.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Bali Brasserie

17 May 08, 21:40

It would have got 1 star if it wasn't for the decor!

This is the oddest restaurant situated in a block of flats on Hove seafront. I went here for one of the Argus £5 meals one Saturday lunchtime and we were the only people in there. The service was quite manuel-ish and the food was average.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Babylon Lounge

08 May 08, 12:29

This should be great.. what a shame it's not!?

The Babylon Lounge is in a fantastic location right on Hove seafront, inbetween the lagoon and the King Alfred. I SO want it to be great, but it's not. The beer is overpriced, there is no atmosphere to speak of and the benches outside are uncomfortable. They advertise Salsa lessons but I've never been. Come on Babylon Lounge - up your game!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Thai Connection Catering

08 May 08, 12:18

Very good Thai takeaway

I have never eaten in the Thai Connection, though it looks lovely inside. I have had takeaway food from here though and it was excellent. The only negative is they don't deliver. But it is worth the trip 'cos the food is very good.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Pizza Express Restaurants

08 May 08, 11:52

Probably one of the best

This is probably one of the best Pizza Express restaurants around. Particularly if you get a table near the back, which is really light and airy. The staff are very friendly. Also, as it's often pretty quiet on a weekday you can turn up with a big crowd of you unannounced and they're very accomodating.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Westbourne The Public House

08 May 08, 08:48

Nice local

The Westbourne has two bars, the back one has a better atmosphere - nice lighting and lots of comfy sofas. The menu is a good but a bit faffy (is that how you spell it?!) Don't take the car, it's permit holders only around and about or you have to pay, so walk and have a drink or two.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Bagelman

07 May 08, 13:43

Buy me a bagel baby

Bagelman is a great bagel shop on Church Road in the centre of Hove. It has some fab fillings but my favourite is the old favourite - smoke salmon and cream cheese. I'm told they have recently started selling bacon (it did have Jewish roots) but I've not been in to see if that's true.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Specsaver Opticians

07 May 08, 12:42

Adjust your specs

This is a small branch of Specsavers but it still has a good selection of glasses. They have little booths at the back where you can go and have your glasses adjusted if they don't fit right, which mine never do at first.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Shell

06 May 08, 17:48

Cheap petrol

This Shell currently has the cheapest petrol I've seen in the last few days £108.9. Much better than £111.09 at the BP on the seafront. Goodness, what has the world come to when you think £108.9 is cheap!! Oh and it's open all hours which is handy.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Homebase

01 May 08, 22:33

Not great, not bad either

This is a pretty average homebase, next to carpet right just off the Old Shoreham Road. The staff are very friendly and helpful but it's not as well stocked as the nearby branch at the Holmbush Centre at Shoreham. When I was doing up my flat I went here a couple of times for things they didn't have, some particular shades of paint if my memory serves me correctly.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Tesco Stores

01 May 08, 22:15

Steering wheel not always in action here!?

Tesco uses a business tool called the steering wheel to make sure they are doing everything possible to make the company successful. One of the areas on this wheel is "the customer should find what they need" - I'm afraid this is often not the case in this Tesco. It is a good size and the staff are friendly and efficient, but all too often it's shelves are empty - not good.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Blockbuster Video

01 May 08, 21:52

It is small... but the staff are very friendly

This is a very small blockbuster video... makes me think of that add they did when they first arrived in the UK "I've never seen ten thousand videos all in one store?!" Well you won't do here ;-)

However, what they lack in size they make up for in being very fast and efficient and kind. I joined recently and rather than give you the third degree and treat you like you're trying to join the freemasons they very quickly sorted me out with a card and the DVD of my choice.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Palmeira

30 Apr 08, 14:34

What is happening to the Palmeria?

When I walked past the Palmeria at the weekend it was either undergoing some massive refurb or builders were in the process of turning it into a whole bunch of flats?! It was closed and covered in scaffolding. Watch this space....

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Caffe Nero

28 Apr 08, 21:56

This is a good one....

This is a great branch of Cafe Nero. It has lots of comfy sofas and well spaced out tables inside. And on a warm summers day it's lovely to sit outside and watch the world walk by up Church Road.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Starbucks

28 Apr 08, 21:54

Good 'cos it relatively new

This Starbucks is so good cos it's relatively new so the comfy sofas haven't been totally trashed yet. It's also great 'cos it doesn't get as busy as other branches.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Velvet

28 Apr 08, 21:34

Looking for something different

Velvet is great for buying your friends who have everything something different/unusual for their birthday. It sells a bit of everything - clothes, shoes, picture frames, ornaments, cards, a bit of everything really.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Parsons Son & Basley

28 Apr 08, 21:30

I bought my flat from Parson Son & Basley

Parsley, Sage and Basil as this estate agent is known by some witty people sold me my flat. They were incredibly helpful and honest. They worked hard to make the sale go smoothly and even took me round the flat for a second viewing in the evening so I could hear how noisy it was at night time.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Timpson

25 Apr 08, 14:53

Great for all your watch battery needs

I have a fossil watch where the face moves and as a consequence I need a new watch battery about once a fortnight. The staff here are very helpful and fast.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Dominos Pizza

23 Apr 08, 13:41

Great takeaway pizza

This is fantastic takeway pizza place, the pizzas are tasty and the service is very quick. Plus they once let me take a group of Brownies round and we all made our own pizzas it was brilliant - the girls loved it.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of St Ann's Well Gardens

20 Apr 08, 17:02

Fantastic when it's too hot and crowded for the beach

St Ann's Well Gardens, just North of the seafront is a great park with lots of shade and big trees, perfect when the beach is too crazy (especially if you've got young kids you want to stop getting burnt) They sometimes offer yoga in one of the formal bits of the garden. The cafe is excellent, I particularly recommend the meatballs. It has a spring (hence the name) but it is a total disapointment 'cos they've got rid of the well!?

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Hove Park

20 Apr 08, 16:56

popular with joggers

Hove Park is very popular with joggers, cos you can run all the way round the outside and it's quite a nice loop. It's great "attraction" is the Goldstone - a huge rock which is believed to have been worshiped by Druids. The park also has a miniature steam railway, which is open during summer weekends.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Brunswick

18 Apr 08, 20:35

£5 to get in and the band were rubbish!?

I might sound like a right cheapskate but there is nothing worse than paying to go into a pub (cos all your mates are in there) and then discovering there is a rubbish band on who you don't want to listen to anyway. I'm told this used to be a proper frightening pub. Not anymore, it's large, contemporary and I'd recommend a visit (just make sure they haven't got live music on!?!)

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Station

18 Apr 08, 20:32

Star spot - Steve Coogan

The station is a good pub, but it should really be a great pub. I would recommend it for an after work drink but it's not somewhere you'd want to stay all night 'cos it doesn't have the best atmosphere and the bar staff are a bit slow. I once saw Steve Coogan (aka Alan Partridge) in here, he lives in Hove don't you know.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Sussex County Cricket Club

18 Apr 08, 09:10

Watching cricket in the sunshine with a pint - perfect

Now I'm a big fan of cricket and I feel I need to confess that at the start of this review so you can understand where I'm coming from... Sussex County Cricket club have won the Championship the last two years. They are an excellent club to watch, particularly their star bowler Mushtaq Ahmed (Pakistan - known as Mushy!) who is brilliant. The ground is small compared to other county grounds, they are hemmed in at all sides by houses. Being a small ground does has it's advantages though - it makes for a great atmosphere. If you're new to cricket can I really recommend going to see a twenty20 game. Much shorter than regular cricket, the batsmen are trying to get as many runs as possible in as short a time as possible so they're knocking it all over the place. It's a great spectacle, if ever so slightly cheesy (each of the players comes out to bat to their own song "I am the one and only" by Chesney Hawks seems to be a favourite!?!) Just make sure you book well in advance, the games always sell out.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Karims

17 Apr 08, 22:16

I thought it was pretty good myself

I went here with a few friends for a night after a massive night out curry and thought it was pretty good and I've since had a few takeways from here. I thought the Bhuna was particuarly tasty. The atmosphere wasn't up to much, although it was a Sunday night so maybe that's why it was pretty empty.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Harrys

17 Apr 08, 21:08

Massive portions

My brother loves this place for one main reason they serve massive portions, particularly of pie! It serves traditional English food and burgers. It would be great for breakfast if you didn't have to book... I mean who books breakfast?! They shouldn't take bookings in my opinion it should just be first out of bed wins!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Biscuit Factory

17 Apr 08, 20:58

Now called The Wick Inn

The biscuit factory is now called the Wick Inn, which I'm guessing must be it's original name? This pub is in a great location on the corner of Palmeria Square. It is frequented by a really mixed crowd. The upstairs in better than downstairs, with lots of sofas and big comfy (and less comfy) chairs. I don't know if they do food? I tend to come here after work for a few before heading on into Brighton (or home depending!?)

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of 1st Avenue Treatment Rooms

17 Apr 08, 13:33

Best eyelash tint I've ever had.

The First Avenue Treatment Rooms is a beauty salon in Hove, at the Church Road end of 1st Avenue. It is provides all kinds of treatments, facials, manicures, hair removal. The staff are very friendly and professional and make you feel welcome. I have had my eyelashes tinted often in lots of different places and this is the best. The beautician left the dye on my eyes for a lot longer than others have and the colour lasted for ages. Now it always stings a bit and as she'd left it on for so long I was prepared for the worst, but it wasn't bad at all. Eyelash tinting is the best thing if you've got blonde eyelashes like me and you don't want eyelash roots when you apply mascara, god the things we women have to think about!?!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Freemasons Tavern

17 Apr 08, 13:23

Freemasons - no secret handshakes required

The Freemason's is a great bar on the way into Brighton from Hove with a big square bar in the middle so it's easy to get served. Downstairs there is an Interesting mix of chairs/sofas/circular bench thingames to sit on. It has a really buzzy, fun atmosphere on a weekend and the staff are all very friendly. Personally I don't like the upstairs as much as downstairs. The seats are uncomfortable and they have these ugly pendant lamps over the tables, which make it look a bit like a snooker club!?

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Hove Place

16 Apr 08, 17:52

Pub with an Italian walled garden

This pub looks like nothing special from the road... But the reason for going to is the Italian walled garden -which is glorious. I'd imagine if you're a smoker it's a joy to find such a nice area with heaters where you can slowly kill yourself. The inside isn't up to much.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Charter Medical Centre

16 Apr 08, 14:37

Book your doctors appointments online

The best thing about The Charter Medical Centre is you can book your appointments online. You select the time/date and doctor and don't have to speak to a moody receptionist. Infact you don't have to interact with the receptionists at all, 'cos when you arrive you can use the touch screen to login. Genius. My doctor is good, just don't ask him how he is feeling!!?

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Forager

16 Apr 08, 14:29

You're lucky if it's your local

I went in here a couple of weeks ago on a Friday evening and there was an enormous group of gorgeous blokes in there... this may skew my review slightly.

Great wine, friendly bar staff and they put your crisps in a bowl for you!?! It's a bit of a tardis inside and you can usually find a seat even if it looks busy. Not eaten in here but the food looks good.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Meeting Place Cafe

16 Apr 08, 13:01

Fantastic - as long as it doesn't rain

The meeting place cafe is a great place for breakfast. It's outdoors though so be warned, you'll need to wrap up warm on the 359 days of the year it's not hot enough to sit out. Nothing like having your hangover blown away while eating a fry up! My only negative... they give you one sausage and cut it in half to look like two OUTRAGEOUS!!

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Bona Foodie

16 Apr 08, 12:09

Celeb spot - Bianca from EastEnders (Patsy Palmer)

Bona Foodie has a huge range of organic and locally sourced food, plus lots of specialties from around the world. You can eat in or takeaway. The food isn't cheap and the portions could be bigger but everything I've eaten there has been delicious. The tables are quite close together which is fun when you're sat next to a Hove celeb!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Ancient Mariner

16 Apr 08, 09:54

Star spot - Coronation Street killer Richard Hillman (Brian Capron)

This a great pub right in the heart of the poet's corner bit of Hove. The food is good, bangers and mash and the service is prompt and friendly. The quiz night on a Monday is a little chaotic, but good fun. During the day there are lots of people taking advantage of the free wifi and comfy sofas. In the evenings, particularly on the weekends, it gets busy and the atmosphere is quite buzzy. If it was your local I reckon you'd be pretty pleased with yourself.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Tin Drum

16 Apr 08, 09:46

One of four Tin Drum's in Brighton

The Tin Drum pubs are a Brighton and Hove chain with bars in Hove, Kemp Town, Seven Dials and Fiveways. They are all very similar, a bit like a warmer, more personal All Bar One. The food is good - not your usual pub menu. I particularly recommend the Morrocan Spiced Lamb Tagine. If you're a smoker this branch has a heated smoking area along the length of the front of the bar. It's pretty quiet on a week night, sometimes heaving on weekends.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Leonardo Ristorante Italiano

16 Apr 08, 09:33

Loads of Italian restaurants in Hove... this is possibly the best

Leonardo's dishes up above average Italian food in a part of Brighton with more than it's fair share of Italian restaurants. The atmosphere is excellent, really fun and friendly (they have been known to have a clown in on a Sunday lunchtime, but don't let that put you off!!?) A bit of advice - the menu is extensive but stick to the pasta and pizzas, my brother had a steak and it was tough.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Marrocco's Restaurant

11 Apr 08, 15:54

We all scream for icecream!

While doing extensive DIY on my flat we would visit Marrocco's for an icecream on a sunny afternoon when were totally knackered. It is fabulous, they have a big range of flavours and they produce it all themselves. It gets mega busy in the summer but the queue moves quickly and it's worth waiting.

I can only comment on Marrocco's icecream, as I have never eaten anything else there!?!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Sussex Cricketer

11 Apr 08, 15:20

Next to Sussex County Cricket Club

This pub is crazy busy and has a great atmosphere when Sussex County Cricket Club are playing at home. The rest of the time it can be pretty quiet and lacking in atmosphere. If the weather is good it has a nice sunny garden. The food is okay, if a bit pub chain-ish.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Sanctuary Cafe

26 Mar 08, 22:46

Fabulous carrot cake

Sanctuary has been around for over 14 years. It mainly serves veggy and vegan food (lots of salads and soups) but it isn't SO green it would scare meat eaters. They do a fab hot chocolate and lots of yummy cakes. Some of the staff look a little grungie - but I'm told it has four stars for hygiene :-)

I would recommend The Sanctuary for lunch when you've indulged too much over the weekend and need to feel a bit healthier... or for tea and cake when it's freezing outside and you've just been for a brisk walk on the seafront.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Blind Busker

20 Mar 08, 15:32

Good pub quiz

They have a good pub quiz on a Sunday night, maybe I'm only saying that 'cos we won it three weeks in a row not so long ago! You win a tab behind the bar which we used to buy a sunday lunch which was good, not amazing but I've had much worse. They also show live football and have a buzzing atmosphere during a big game.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.