Daniel H.

Review of Apple Store

06 Nov 07, 14:19

My bite of the Apple.

I agree with pretty much everything that has been said here, especially the fact they need to manage the sheer thousands of people who visit to check Facebook or Hotmail.

However I think it boils down to the fact that this is a brand experience, and an absolutely superb retail concept. To valid this statement, compare it to every other computer shop in London, especially those along Tottenham Court Road. Everything is pretty much delightful, from the customer service, the theatre, and the general design of the space.

It does work for gulls like me as well: I spent probably a little more than I should have on my MacBook Pro, but ultimately buying the thing in the shop is all part of the brand that you're buying into.

I'll be there to get my iPhone soon!!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Trek King

06 Nov 07, 14:11

Alternative to Blacks or Millets.

I visited here the other day for 'emergency trekking supplies' - as you do - and visited since there was no Blacks or Millets in the area.

I normally go to the aforementioned two, and I have really disliked the service they provide since nobody who works in these places seem to be interested in what they're doing.

Trek King was a nice surprise: small shop, packed to the rafters with everything you could need, and the customer service was great. I found everything I needed so was very happy.

I wouldn't recommend it for outdoor sports though: it seemed to lack trail running or snow-sports kit.

I'd also recommend this place purely because of its independence as well.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Blackwell's

06 Nov 07, 14:02

A labyrinth of books.

It probably sounds a little strange to be reviewing an academic bookstore that you find on the high street of most university towns in the UK. But Blackwells in Oxford is very unusual. Despite it's appearance outside - which makes it look like a tiny bookshop - it reportedly contains 200,000 titles, mainly housed in the huge Norrington Room, a vast subterranean chamber of over 10,000 square feet with over three miles of shelving. Such is its scale that it has a place in the Guinness Book of Records for having the largest display of books for sale in one room in the world, so as you can imagine it's quite a sight. A great place to go to browse.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Pitt Rivers Museum

06 Nov 07, 13:54

The most unusual/spooky/intriguing musuem in the UK?

General Pitt Rivers was an English British Army officer born in 1827, who also dabbled in archeology and ethnography. During postings overseas he became a noted scientist and amassed a huge collection of items from all over the world. This museum is the result of his donation to Oxford University, and is the most extraordinary place I have been to. The museum is situated behind the city's Natural History Museum (which in itself, while not to the scale of London's, is stunning). You enter a dark room, which is filled to brim with glass cases. Each glass case contains hundreds of objects of similar types, arranged by region, period, or any other of the many thousands of categories of items. It's difficult to describe the sheer range of curiosities on display, but the website tries: "a magnificent Tahitian mourner's costume, collected during Captain Cook's Second Voyage in 1773-74... a fine group of early masks worn by actors in Japanese Noh dramas... magic objects including amulets and charms... jewellery and body decoration... musical instruments..." - you get the idea. Each item has been tagged and described in painstaking detail on tiny little labels, useful for some of the - often quite creepy - items that are impossible to identify. The museum is free, and well worth a visit if you're in the area.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of M Newitt & Sons

15 Oct 07, 17:34

Family butchers still do exist.

Newitt's is a butchers that has been established in Thame for over 40 years. Some might know about them through their tie-up with Budgens (supplying quiches - haven't tried them, but are supposed to be good), but what's also very interesting is that they supply Raymond Blanc's le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons. I can only speak for the quality of the meat: the beef is exceptional and any special requests are taken into account without any problems (especially at Christmas). However, their pies are supposed to be excellent, apparently having received many awards!! Talking of Christmas, something odd tends to happen: queues form almost 20-30 deep outside in freezing weather, just so people can get their hands on their Xmas meats, which goes some way to demonstrate the quality an independent butcher can provide. It's a shame you don't see many like them.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Six Bells

15 Oct 07, 17:17

Great pub in a lovely Oxfordshire town

This is actually my parents' local (genuinely local: we're practically next door) so I have to review it here. It is a genuinely pleasant place, with a warm, cozy atmosphere (featuring a real fire) and filled with squidgy leather sofas as is the norm with these sorts of places. The restaurant area is contemporary and serve excellent food, especially good Sunday roasts. It is a Fuller's pub so it doesn't serve many local ales which is a shame, but has a decent enough range to keep you interested. The outside area leaves something to be desired, so it really is a place for Winter.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Red Star

15 Oct 07, 17:03

Nice Wagamama alternative in Cowley Road

Red Star is a noodle bar in the heart of Cowley Road, and given its clientele of mainly students the prices are pretty decent. The layout is similar to that of Wagamama's canteen style, but feels independent and more intimate. Service is rapid and food is excellent. Highly recommended.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Something Blu

15 Oct 07, 16:56

Something special in Fallowfield

This restaurant is in the heart of the student area of Fallowfield, so the quality of the food on offer is actually a surprise. You'd most likely drop into this place as a bar, to sample the great array of cocktails on offer. But the a la carte restaurant towards the back shouldn't be overlooked: great food at reasonable prices... but not exactly cheap. This means the clientele tends to be students with their parents (and their credit cards) but also groups of twenty-somethings celebrating something special. The atmosphere is great, and staff are friendly and helpful. Highly recommended.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Shelby Vehicle Services

16 Aug 07, 14:24

MOT tastic.

Just a quick note to say I'd really recommend these guys. I took the car in for an MOT not so long ago, and I was pretty stuck in that I wouldn't have been able to pick it up.

This wasn't a problem for the guy since he offered to deliver the car back to a suitable parking spot in my zone, and posted the invoice through my letter box on his way back. He even folded the road-side wingmirror back!

Small thing, but nice added value. Bear in mind I'm local, so I doubt they'd return your car to Clapham!

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of National Portrait Gallery

11 Jul 07, 11:41

Home of the BP prize and other contemporary greats

I've given this 4 stars rather than 5, despite it being one of my favourite galleries in London. This is because honestly, the majority of the permanent collection bores me.

However, it is home to the BP prize, which always boasts some fabulous work from hugely talented British artists. It also boasts a brilliant contemporary portrait gallery, which displays photos, paintings, and sometimes scultures of popular public figures. This gallery is always evolving with new acquisitions and mini-exhibitions, so every time I go there is something new to see.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The London Dungeon

11 Jul 07, 11:35

For kids, but whatever... :-)

We went here to kill a bit of time one day, not expecting much at all. The queuing can be hellish, so if you really need to go try and make it a weekday.

The place is very atmospheric through its well designed scenery and models, and it does provide plenty of thrills. But generally bare in mind that this is really for kids, so try and bring a few along to use as an excuse. As such the acting from the characters was often hammy, but it was all in good fun.

The whole tour takes a long time, so while it's expensive you do actually get a lot for your money, and I understand there is a new 'ride' whose theme is a hanging, where you are dropped from some great height. I probably won't be rushing back for that but would definitely return if I had to entertain some yoofs in the future.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of HMS Belfast

11 Jul 07, 11:25

Great museum

This is such a great museum which really captures the feel of a battleship both post-WW2 and pre. The quality of the installations is great: the ones I remember were the sleeping quarters, complete with swaying hammocks, and a simulated 'battle' played out in the operations room. Hugely atmospheric.

I agree that it is expensive, but I feel it's worth it especially since you can kill quite a few hours wandering the ship.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Nandos

11 Jul 07, 11:19

Fantastic building

It's rather weird reviewing a branch of Nando's on this site but this one is pretty special for the incredible building in which it is housed. It is under the railway by Southwark bridge and boasts hugely impressive brick vaulting.

Whether it should have been populated by a branch of Nando's is another question! The food is exactly as you would expect (very good quality for fast food, for the Nando's un-initiated) so it only gets the extra star for the building's wow factor.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Curzon Soho

26 Jun 07, 09:57

Better than most West End cinemas

I went here again recently after having not for a year, and was impressed with the small changes, especially the Konditor and Cook branch which has transformed what was a relatively grotty coffee shop! The lobby is now a nice place to relax, and probably a good place to go in its own right.

Look out for the celebrity presentations of movies. I went to see Mulholland Drive which was presented by Will Self, and I think they do a few of these events.

The screening rooms themselves are nothing special (but are fine), but what makes it a treat is that you can take drinks from the bar into them.

Fundamentally this is a way better experience than any of the other mainstream Soho cinemas, and cheaper too.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Angels

15 Jun 07, 16:27

Panic-buying costumes

I have to admit I haven't actually bought anything here, but I think everyone should know about it.

As you can imagine, when a guy needs to get a rabbit outfit, he probably hasn't a clue where to start. In fact, Angels is it. They have a staggering array of costumes, and I believe the shop only houses a small proportion of them. (I have heard that it boasts the largest warehouse of fancy dress in Europe or something...?)

Check out the website too for things to buy. A darth vader outfit for £900, anybody?

However, a moral of this story if that if you need a rabbit outfit quick, you really out to start looking before the day before Easter Sunday, because even Angels will run out of rabbit stuff. I'm currently in the market for a gorilla outfit, and Angels has about 4, differing in price and quality!!

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Gordons Wine Bar

15 Jun 07, 16:00

Atmospheric

This is such an atmospheric place (a friend of mine said it was 'scary', even), but unfortunately it is becoming so well known it's often very difficult to get a seat in the bar itself.

A major downside which I experienced the other day is the fact that it gets INCREDIBLY hot inside, so it really isn't suitable for the summer.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Victoria and Albert Museum

15 Jun 07, 15:56

Museum obv. faultless, but also...

Be sure to visit the café at the V&A - it's basically a branch of Benugo, but set in a stunning vaulted part of the building, which makes for a very atmospheric place for coffee, especially when it is quiet.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Smiths Of Smithfield

15 Jun 07, 15:53

Great food, buzzing bar

I have been here for drinks and dinner on the 3rd floor. I agree with the majority of what people have said.

The bar gets extremely busy, so don't expect to go here and be able to have an easy conversation: it's more about beers with pals rather than wine with a date. During the day/lunch they serve great sarnies, burgers and pies.

The food served on the top floor is very good indeed: I had salt beef with mash and was brilliantly tender and hugely rich. The service was a little off though: not particularly friendly I found, but am hoping this was a one-off problem.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Abacus

15 Jun 07, 15:21

Sleazy city nightspot... brilliant fun

I'll get so much abuse if my friends found out I gave this place 4 stars but I can honestly say I have never had a bad night here.

It's populated on Thursday and Friday nights by city types and slappers who have made the trip in specially to bag a rich, said city type. This makes for a brilliantly tantalising atmosphere of bum pinching and spilt sambucca.

The way to enjoy is to get pretty drunk and don't take yourself or the place seriously at all: the people who do end up at the side of the dancefloor waiting for decent conversation. It won't happen.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Builders Arms

15 Jun 07, 14:42

My old local

This place used to be my local and it is still one of my favourites; not because there's anything particularly special about it but just a nice, bright, airy bar with a little bit of outside space.

It's also off the beaten track, so it is definitely a locals' bar (a good or bad thing, depending on your view of Kensington residents).

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of The Elk Bar

15 Jun 07, 14:40

Better than expected

I had walked past this place so many times, thinking it was a typical, naff, Fulham Broadway bar. But then actually visited and had a genuinely great night.

The bar is much nicer than you'd expect, with nice big long tables along the middle.

Usual ozzie/saffie crowd but somehow feels nice than most in the area.

4 stars not because it was mind-blowing, but because it genuinely surprised me.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Farm

15 Jun 07, 14:38

Lovely restaurant; obscure location

I went here one for Sunday lunch. It is reasonably new place with a very stylish (if a little try hard) bar. The restaurant itself is very impressive to look at, with a tiny, stylish courtyard in the back.

The food itself... well it was very good but I wouldn't go nuts over it. It was a roast, and didn't come anywhere near The Trinity (see my review) but I think this place is marginally cheaper.

I would go back to try the dinner menu, but I don't think I'd go back for the bar (felt a little impersonal), unless you want to go somewhere very different to the other bars in Fulham Broadway.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Blue Elephant

09 Jun 07, 00:00

An institution

This really has to be seen to be believed. The outside gives nothing away, but when you go in it's immediately apparently why this place has made a name for itself. After walking over the bridge that spans the small river running through the restaurant (!) you are given a flower wreath and taken to your table, where you can enjoy really great thai food (a rarity in London, I think).

I think the food might be on the pricey side, but as an experience it's pretty great. Good for birthday parties.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Big Easy

08 Jun 07, 23:39

Great for groups too, but slightly pricey?

Agree with Lucy, though had a bad experience last time where my ribs and prawns arrived almost cold. I doubt this is a systemic problem.

The place is also good for big groups - they offer massive platters of great finger food, and often they have bands/singers which are very good quality indeed.

I have a slight issue with the price, which is above average, but I think that's only comparing it to actual American restaurants in the States who seem to do this sort of thing - unsurprisingly - so much better for a much better price.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Ma Goa Restaurant

08 Jun 07, 23:34

Extremely good Indian restaurant in SW6

This place is fantastic: very spicey Goan cuisine served by very friendly staff who really know their stuff. I don't think there are any other Indian restaurants around SW6 that are worth going to other than this.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Canteen

08 Jun 07, 23:31

Good, big, British food.

This is a very good restaurant which serves very rich food that your mum might make. Lovely sleek modern restaurant set against the ironwork of the market.

I had a great macaroni cheese which I'd recommend, and they do some very interesting beers too. I think the guys I was with complained that the roasts they had were a little on the small side.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Indian Veg Bhelpoori House

08 Jun 07, 23:26

Brilliantly naff and chronically cheap

You will not believe this place.

I think the last time I went, you could eat as much as you can for about £1.99, but this might have gone up to £2.50... not sure.

It is vegetarian only, and the place is so strange I don't know how to describe it. Imagine a slightly grubby Indian cafe in Delhi who have just bought a new machine which makes perspex signs, which they have used to write as many facts, charts, and graphs about Indian cuisine and the benefits of vegetarianism as possible. And then they have stuck up posters of Indian beauties (which they claim are all vegetarians, of course) which have slightly faded in the corners...

...difficult to imagine.

The food is very good indeed given the price, though I suspect its freshness is slightly random factor given that it is a buffet (during the week I bet things may have 'stewed' a little too long?!).

It's right next to The Elbow Room, so my suggestion would be to make plans to go there, and precede it with a rapid curry. Let me know what you think.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Crew Experience

08 Jun 07, 23:14

Agreed.

I agree with 'Annie'.

I have to say though that I have never had a 'quick' haircut - the guy who looked after me took such a long time because he was an absolute perfectionist. Good or bad thing, not sure.

They offer all sorts of other services too apparently, including a spa.

The web-booking is a good plus as well.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Chowki

08 Jun 07, 23:05

Unique, modern Indian.

This has been my favourite Indian for a very long time. It is laid out in a modern/industrial canteen style, which is fairly unique for an Indian, and the way in which you choose your meal is funky too, in that you select your starter, main, and desert by 'region'. The menu also rotates every month.

Meals come arranges as a thali, but instead of the dented, slightly manky metal platters you sometimes get when you order a thali, this comes as individual leaf-shape ceramic dishes arranged in a semi-circle above the main dish. Little details, but nice.

The food is extremely good in my opinion. However, I took a group of lads there a few months ago which included three Indian guys who were not at all impressed! I guess it isn't genuine after all, but is still better than anything else I have had in London.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Fishworks Seafood Cafe

08 Jun 07, 22:49

Unique concept

Absolutely lovely food and interesting approach to ordering. You can order your meal from the array of fresh fish outside, or from the pretty comprehensive menu.

Staff were extremely professional and pleasant, and the food was great. Not quite 5 stars, but close given that it is, in a way, a chain restaurant.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Little Bay

08 Jun 07, 22:47

Utterly cheap; utterly bonkers

I really want to give this 5 stars but I can't bring myself to do it: the decor is absolutely crazy/slightly nausea-inducing.

Take a moment to look at the price:

Starters all @ £1.95  from Noon until 6pm, £2.95  after 6pm; mains all @ £5.95  from Noon until 6pm , £7.95  after 6pm.

This is craziness, and the quality is incredible for the price. Friendly staff, and really cheap but good house wine makes it a winner.

Maybe 4.5 stars?

http://www.little-bay.co.uk/london.html

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.