Craig's reviews
Review of Toni & Guy
30 Apr 08, 17:11
Dodgy 
The reception were really helpful. The hair wash was exceptional. However, I was attacked with a pair of scissors forcing me to have another hair cut afterwards after coming out looking like I was trying to be in busted
The words "just a trim" and "don't take any length off the fringer were follwed by hacking my entire fringe off and leaving me with a mullet.
Thank god for Jellybeanz in Whitstable and Grant there for sorting out my joke of a barnet!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Bang & Olufsen
30 Apr 08, 16:47
Beautiful 
It's a bit like the sony centre up the M2 at Bluewater... not only because it's full of shiney audio visual equipment, but because there's always a hoard of men stood outside staring through the window.
Beautiful TVs and Hi Fi's... but also quite expensive. If you have to have Bang and Olufsen then come in here as the guys know their stuff when it comes to kitting out your living room
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Moss Bros
30 Apr 08, 16:44
Very Helpful 
Don't just wander along the high street in Canterbury, make sure you explore some of the parallel streets and the ones that head down to the Cathedral
Moss Bros is here and they do a good line in shirts. If you need to get dressed up for a black tie ball then check them out, they've always been helpful when I've had to rent a dinner jacket or tux
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Thorntons
30 Apr 08, 16:35
Small but perfectly formed
Not the biggest Thorntons that I've ever seen, however it knows what it's about as it just deals in chocolate. It's not ramming the place with people trying to find a seat for the coffee shop so you can get in, get your gift and get back out again.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Sugar Boy
30 Apr 08, 16:30
Nostalgia 
If you want to find the sweets from your childhood, but can't wait to have them delivered via the internet then this place will probably stock them
Sweets stocked in jars and measured out in to quarters (or whatever the poxy Euro metric law is now anyway)
It's like being a kid again and somehow they taste so much better from a tiny paper bag than a plastic wrapper bought off a supermarket shelf.
I'll often wander along the streets dreaming that I'm 7 again and ready to be signed up as a professional football. Once I'm finished I'm back to the crashing reality that I really wasn't that good at football
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Sugar Boy
30 Apr 08, 16:27
Nostalgia
This shop recaptured the days when we would walk down to the sweet shop and the old lady behind the counter would take down a jar of Rhubarb and Custard, measure out a quarter on a set of scales and tip it into a small paper bag twisting the corners to seal it.
Nobody died of botchelism, I never caught salmonella and the sun always shone and we spent all summer like Swallows and Amazons (ok that bit isn't quite true)
I'm still her and this is a real nostalgia shop. Walk in here and you'll be 7 again clutching your pocket money
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Burton Menswear
30 Apr 08, 16:19
It's a Burton
A long thin branch of Burtons in Canterbury. All the fashion clothes are at the front of the store, but if you head to the back you can find the suits and jackets.
Worth a look as although the quality is average, the prices are cheap.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Slater Menswear
30 Apr 08, 16:18
Hidden Gem
A hidden gem in Canterbury that deals specifically in menswear
It's up some stairs so it's not immediately obvious that it's there.
It has a wide selection in a very large shop with loads of choice. Staff are helpful and friendly and it's all very good quality
The main selling point for me is that it's not a high street chain so you won't have seen stuff like here before, unlike some of the places where it's exactly the same no matter which shop or city you're in.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Slater Menswear
30 Apr 08, 15:52
Hidden Gem
This is a bit of a hidden gem that you have to be shown by an "insider" as it's up some stairs and doesn't look like a shop
That is until you get upstairs. It's a well stocked spacious and well laid out shop
The clothes are designer brands and affordable high street items. They do a good line of shops and the clothes are of good quality. I know this because I still have a prescious red hooded sweater that is still going strong after 5 years.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of KMFM Radio
30 Apr 08, 15:49
CTFM
A typical local radio station. it's a bit older than it's competitor Invicta FM. A mix of old and new music and local djs.
Worth a flick around if you're looking for a song you're after (or avoiding a song you're tired of)
It used to be called CTFM and is now owned by the Kent Messenger newspaper group
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Chaucer Bookshop
30 Apr 08, 15:45
First Ed
It makes sense that this place is here as Canterbury is a place where rare and antique books were often first written and published
This is a little shop that looks like a house but is fascinating. I felt like an intruder at first, but quickly lost myself in the rare first editions and very old maps.
The person in the shop was extremely helpful and talkative. You can tell that rare books and first editions were their passion
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Fat Face Clothing
30 Apr 08, 15:30
Fat Prices
This is quite a big store full of surfer chic.
You'll fit in if you're off to Cornwall surfing, but you might find that the clothes are quite expensive. The are good quality though and you can be sure they will last.
The staff are helpful, but not experts and this isn't a specialist place like Snow and Rock, it's a fashion store
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Early Learning Centre
30 Apr 08, 15:27
Educational and long lasting
If you're buying stuff for children and you don't want it to be tat... or you're like my family and are obsessed with "educational toys" then you can hit a happy middle ground here.
There's a good range of toys and books that will stimulate little minds. I was once dispatched here for birthday presents for my niece and she's still playing with a lot of stuff that came from here, or it's been passed down to younger siblings. The staff were helpful and there was plenty of choice in this store
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Build-A-Bear Workshop
30 Apr 08, 15:23
Let the kids do it
I once built a bear for my niece, but made sure she was with me. It can seem like a long winded process if you do thi on your own, but the kids love it.
She enjoyed building "bear" from scratch (she chose the name, not me) I also skillfully avoided adding the voice box, which gave me some brownie points with my sister.
It's not as cheap as a normal teddy, but it's the fact that it's personalised is the plus point.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of W H Smith
30 Apr 08, 14:55
Expensive
A typical smiths that has a load of shop space and some great stationary, but for some reason they seel CDs and DVDs at top end prices whne they're much cehaper elsewhere.
the shop is well laid out and you can get around, which just means you can get back out and find your DVD somewhere else much quicker
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Kudos Chinese Restaurant
30 Apr 08, 14:48
Brilliant
One of the best chinese restaurants i've eaten at, anywhere in the country.
The amount of food you get is substantial so you could end up over ordering if you decide to have a bit of everything
Staff were great and the food was exceptional. Definately somewhere I visit when back in Canters!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Schuh
29 Apr 08, 22:16
Cramped
Canterbury had been crying out for more shoe shops and Whitefriars has provided this.
It's a bit of a smaller store in Canterbury than others that you'll find (eg Bluewater) and the range of shoes they do isn't quite as good as you might get elsewhere. The store is also a little packed with stock inside, so if it's a busy saturday you might find it difficult to navigate the store.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Matalan
29 Apr 08, 22:12
Warehouse Discount Store
It's like TK Maxx but with direction order and purpose. The clothes are well arranged like a large department store even though you're aware you're in a warehouse.
It's probably a bit biased, but I'm marking them well as I did the official opening of this place... how very local radio of me!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Marks & Spencer
29 Apr 08, 22:10
Fast Food Court
Part of the new Whitefriars section of Canterbury's shopping area.
It's a typical M&S, however it has a big food court and surprisingly for marks and sparks... they actually have enough tills so that you can get in and out of the shop quickly... especially if you're treating yourself for lunch
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Debenhams Stores
29 Apr 08, 22:06
Confusing
Another section of Debenhams that is one of the most bewildering places in the world. A department store is normally split over different levels... this one is split into 3 different shops that you have to cross the road to visit.
This one has the cafe in it. If you're on the wrong side of the street, you could be wandering around for ages tryng to find it.
The best way to remember it is... if you're anywhere near menswear then you won't be able to get a coffee
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Canterbury Tales
29 Apr 08, 21:59
Fascinating
This sin't the cheapest place to go, but Chaucer is an integral part of Canterbury's history.
Fascinating to look around (don't worry it's not all in middle english, so even if you remember the first few lines of the Wife of Bath from sixth form but not much else you'll be ok) and it's not too intellectual that kids won't enjoy it.
If you're going in Summer then be prepared to queue behind a large group of foreign school kids who probably haven't got a clue why they're there.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Canterbury Cathedral Shop
29 Apr 08, 21:56
Cathedral stuff
If you've been to Canterbury then you've probably been to the cathedral. If you're after quite expensive momentos (postcards and average items with an image of Canterbury Cathedral on them) then this place has the widest selection.
It's the standard selection that you'd expect from a gift shop, but i f you've got to have a souvenir then go here.
On the plus side... they do have a selection of books that it's difficult to find anywhere else that picks up an extra star
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of TK Maxx
17 Apr 08, 16:05
Jumble
A glorified jumble sale, where if you're lucky enough to find something that you want to buy... you're unlikely to find it in your size.
Like rummaging through a church fete, with very little order to the place apart from separating mens and women's clothing.
Not a sedate shopping experience, and if it's busy it becomes a bun fight
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Alberry's Wine Bar
17 Apr 08, 16:02
Cavernous
A cavern of a place and if you're taking someone out in Canterbury you can certainly do worse.
Find yourself a nook or cranny to hide away in. Looks tiny upstairs but opens out downstairs and even manages to hide a dance floor in the place.
One of the better bars in Canterbury which suffers from a very bland nightlife
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Hotel Chocolat Store
17 Apr 08, 15:57
Chocolate for the obsessed
Holy cow... my sister would live here if she could. However, she swears she puts on weight just by walking past the place.
The best chocolate you will ever taste, however the most expensive chocolate you will ever taste.
Tastes great, but you do pay for it. However it's ver plush and swanky inside. Definately worth a look
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Caffe Nero
17 Apr 08, 15:55
Fiddle while rome burns
wrong Nero, but the coffe place is basically Nero is a cheaper version of Starbucks and Costa Coffee on the high street. It is fortunate that the architecture of Canterbury dictates the interior, so inside and out, it's always attractive to look at.
Coffee is good, perhaps not as good as starbucks, but it's not far off and if you can tell the difference then you can make you're own choice on where to go
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Gap
17 Apr 08, 15:52
Well Stocked
Very central and has quite a bit of stock for what is a slightly smaller Gap than you may be used to...
Typical GAP preppy clothing... soft shirts, rugby tops and chinos for the boys, check out their online site for full details on stock.
A firm favourite of the student community in Canterbury, evn though it's not the cheapest fashion shop around
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Debenhams
17 Apr 08, 15:49
Past It
If you manage to find what you're looking for first time then you're either a genius or you need to get yourself a lottery ticket quick.
Split over what feels like 9 different shops, you'll find yourself crossing the street cos what you're looking for "isn't in this department"
A right royal pain in the backside, cramped and in need of moving to a new building. Still going, but in need of some help or putting down. Still cheaper than their other department store competitor
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Marlowe Florist
16 Apr 08, 17:20
Very Helpful
Friendly fresh and ready to help
The flowers are great and they'll custom make something for you, especially if you're a clueless man like myself and go in there, saying that you want flowers
No **** sherlock, you're in a florists! They talked me through prices, likes and dislikes so you end up with a bouquet that will get you into the good books
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Marlowe Theatre
15 Apr 08, 14:06
Funny Funny Ha Ha
Always high quality shows, especially those touring. It's a big venue to get top acts into Kent, for example the hgher ranking comedians will come to the Marlowe to perform (plus the smaller ones will go to the Gulbenkian)
Always worth being on their mailing list to see what's coming as the bigger shows get booke up quickly.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Starbucks
14 Apr 08, 18:06
Out Of the Way History... This Is Coffee
You know when people talk about commercialism taking over the world and stamping it's weight over historic commodities... then this is the perfect example.
The coffee shop is as you'd expect for what it serves, however it's built into the gated walls of Canterbury Cathedral. It does give the inside a charm. You have to explore nooks and crannys to find somewhere to sit, however, there's just something unsettling that they've bulldozed their shop into a world heritage site. What next... a cash point in the great wall of China? Hang on... there isn't one already is there?
0 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Little Italy
14 Apr 08, 17:29
Bizarre Menu
It's a great little Italian restaurant... beautiful inside, however the menu will confuse the hell out of you.
Everything you'd expect, but also stuff like a full roast dinner. I've never known an Italian restaurant do Roast Potatoes... spaghetti yes... Yorkshire pudding... no.
On the whole, once you've picked around the menu, the food is good and the staff are friendly
0 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of McDonald's Restaurants
14 Apr 08, 16:45
A Macdonalds With a Difference
Not really, it's just a macdonalds. It's the same everywhere, only this one tends to be rammed. I've never been past it when it hasn't been busy.
That's actually a lie, I once walked past it at 6.30 in the morning and it was only half full of tourists from various European destinations with that vacant "it's only a giant church, why have they brought us here?" look in their eyes.
0 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Nando's
14 Apr 08, 16:43
Thank The Lord
Thank The Lord for Nandos. Peri Peri chicken that's affordable and great tasting. It's like rocking up at a Portuguese bbq that only serves chicken. It's pretty much the same wherever you go, but they've just added Sweet Potato Mash (if that's your thing, I find it hard not to choose the spicey chips)
It's good value and I've never managed to empty the bottemless frozen yoghurt machines. I believe the may actually be bottomless.
0 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Wagamama
14 Apr 08, 16:40
Not Your normal Chinese
Never go in here expecting your normal Chinese takeaway. It's fast, fresh and authentic.
Nicely decked out, everyting is clean and minimalist. You often have to share a long table with someone else, so if you have personal space issues, you might have to battle your demons.
Beautiful food and nice for something different
0 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Cafe Des Amis Du Mexique
14 Apr 08, 16:37
Perfect Mexican
Great Mexican food. The Mole sauce is great and not quite what you think when you glance at the menu for the first time
You can buy all the art that's on the walls and it's got a great feel to it.
Great for a date, Great for a group night out. I love it, and it's in a top location next to the westgate, plus there's a carpark right next to it. Perfect if you can convince someone else to drive so you can have a drink
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Burger King
14 Apr 08, 16:06
It's a Burger King
What do you expect... it's a Burger King. If you don't know what one of these is, then either you've been living under a rock or you're one of those soldiers who has been hiding. Refusing to believe that the second world war is over.
To review it... it's better than Macdonalds as the bugers don't taste like someone's chewed them first.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.