Sophie's reviews
Review of Around The World In 80 Dishes
29 May 08, 08:37
Disappointing selection! 
Around the world? To India and Italy and that was about it when I went! I expected a much wider selection of chinese, mexican, thai etc. etc. but it was predominantly curry. Other people I know have been since and found more variety but it has put me off going.
The food was ok but not great. It's location is it's main selling point in the middle of broadstreet, one of the major watering holes in the city centre, but I think if this is what you are after Jimmy Spices does it better.
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Review of James Hull Dental Care
28 May 08, 16:14
Shaby interior
I hadn't been to the dentist in nearly 3 years and selected James Hull as it is part of a chain but accepts NHS patients so I figured it would be reputable but affordable, having been to an appointment I did feel disappointed.
The location is good right on the High Street which is on the 50 bus route and the outside is well branded. Reception is manned by young and glamourous receptionists and this is all very reassuring then you get directed to your waiting room and discover that the building is incredibly tall and narrow and you have to trek up several winding narrow stair cases. The rooms are all very pokey and run down.
I didn't have to wait for long and the dentist was friendly but the check up was not very thourough and when he told me I needed fillings I couldn't help feeling suspicious that he was more interested in my money than the condition of my teeth!
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Review of Tin Tin Cantonese Restaurant
28 May 08, 15:49
Bring back the buffet!
Tin Tins are crazy! They used to do a week day lunch all you can eat buffet for £5 (or you could get a takeaway for £4) this was a regular Friday treat for my colleagues and I and then they stopped the offer! The food is good but the surroundings are only the standard of a buffet place, it's dated, dark and very basic so no way justifies the expensive full price menu.
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Review of Krispy Kreme
28 May 08, 15:46
Why is everyone queuing?
There is always a massive queue at this counter, which I suppose is due to the fact that the Krispy Kreme is still quite a novelty in this country. They are tastey but at £1.20 each, and half your recommended calorie intake for the day is it really worth it? I think if you buy in bulk and share with friends it makes sense otherwise I think there are better ways to satisfy your sugar cravings.
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Review of Frankie & Bennys
28 May 08, 15:24
Why would you eat here?
I have been to a couple of examples of this chain and it really is bad! It's obvious none of the food is fresh, but you would think that would make it idiot proof to prepare, but no! The food is overpriced and unpleasant, the decor is bland, there is no atmosphere. To add insult to injury this branch is in the middle of nowhere next to a dual carriage way. One assumes they rely on trade from a nearby hotel, why else would anyone go here?
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Review of Manzil
06 May 08, 12:44
Lack of spice!
We chose Manzils as it is the only curry house in the digbeth area, on reflection I wish we'd made the effort to look a bit further afield! There is some kind of maintence going on, you have to enter through a side entrance and the interior isn't very luxurious. The food was ok just very bland. I ordered a bhuna, not a hot curry I know but there was no spicy flavour at all! disappointing.
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Review of Glass House
29 Apr 08, 11:45
Dull
The glass house is located close to the university, so I would expect a young crowd in the evenings. I’ve only ever been in the day and found it quite empty and dark. It’s a chain place so lacking in atmosphere and falls foul of mock traditional style pub décor.
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Review of Chimichanga
29 Apr 08, 11:41
Not great
Chimichanga is ok; it’s a little bit too ‘themed’ for my liking. The food was ok and it’s busy but somehow lacking in atmosphere, the staff came across as inexperienced. I prefer tequilas at the top of steep hill. If you don’t fancy the walk Tootsies and Ask are nicer chain places by the brayford.
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Review of Little Italy
29 Apr 08, 11:31
Over priced
Some people might see this run down restaurant as charming, I see it as over priced and shabby. The service is very attentive but they need to compensate for the poor quality food and surroundings. Located right next to the traffic lights in Moseley it’s hardly picaresque and the pizzas are £12 + which is outrageous when you could get something of much better quality from pizza express. I’m all for independent places but this is just low rent.
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Review of TJ's Bar & Bistro
24 Apr 08, 13:25
Good for groups
TJ’s is ok, it’s quite small, there’s not enough seating and despite trying to position itself as a chic cocktail bar it doesn’t carry off the luxury feel. If there is a medium to large group of you it’s nice as you’ll half fill the place so it feels as though you’ve got the place to yourselves. If you’re going out as a couple I’d steer clear.
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Review of Kelsey's Public House
24 Apr 08, 13:24
Grim
Kelsey’s is located next to the train station, it’s a bit rough. A mix of students and, without wanting to sound to harsh, drunks. There are plenty of pool tables and there is a large room upstairs that you can hire for private parties.
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Review of Club Mirage
24 Apr 08, 13:19
If you ain't here to party....
The Christina Aguilla song 'dirrty' sums this place up well. It's very sticky and the popular place for a little bump and grind! It's quite big but rarely really full which isn't great for the atmosphere. There is limited seating, drinks are cheap and there is a stage and dancing platforms if you are feeling brave!
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Review of Ocean Bar & Restaurant
24 Apr 08, 13:08
Budget
Ocean bar feels a bit dirty, upstairs from street level with a slightly ‘Changing Rooms’ feel to the décor. It serves huge cocktails in fishbowls which is quite novel but if you’re over 21 it’s a bit budget.
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Review of The Lounge
24 Apr 08, 13:05
Disappointing.
The Lounge looks very nice from the outside but inside it’s a bit uninspiring. They could have made more of their prime high street location. Not a great atmosphere and the service wasn’t great when I was there.
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Review of Evergreen
23 Apr 08, 17:05
Greasy
This is the only takeaway on the main Moseley High Street so it's convenient but it's a bit greasy. I think you will be disappointed.
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Review of China Garden Buffet Restaurant
23 Apr 08, 17:04
Now Rejoice of Spice
This is now an indian restaurant and I must admit I've not been, however I felt the need to review as it has changed it's name about four times in the short time I have lived in the area (about 2 yrs) the chins garden was good but they have stedily declined in quality since then so I won't be risking this!
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Review of Village Inn
23 Apr 08, 16:55
lacking in atmosphere
The Village is only really good if you want to watch the sport. Otherwise it's lacking in atmosphere. It's part of a chain to expect drinks selection / decor akin to wetherspoons, it's not as dirty as that but still not luxury!
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Review of The Jade Chinese Restaurant
22 Apr 08, 12:59
Cheap but not cheerful
I think their main trade is from takeaway, I've certainly never seen many people in here and you can understand why, the feel is more like grimey canteen than luxurious restaurant. I think there is an all you can eat deal on in the week (made to order not buffet) but the food isn't great so I don't think you'd manage much!
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Review of Strada Restaurant
22 Apr 08, 12:37
All Style no substance
This restaurant has a lovely location next to the canal and is spacious and stylish inside but the food is below par. As it's a chain prices are reasonable and you don't expect things to be gourmet but I think pizza express is much better.
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Review of The Junction
21 Apr 08, 16:14
Lacking in atmosphere
The junction has been recently refurbished (previously drift) and despite a lot of work being done it's not changed that much. Neutral uninspiring decor, bland and dated 'ibiza chillout' muzak it really lacks in atmosphere. It advertises 'real music, real ale, real people, real late' but I think it's missed the mark.
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Review of Hair Cuttery
16 Apr 08, 16:35
Not Lux
A really awful hairdressing experience, I had booked in for the end of the day and was not made to feel welcome at all. All the other staff were standing around waiting for the girl cutting my hair to finish; they were all talking amongst themselves acting as if I wasn’t even there. The girl had an unorthodox style. She spent an hour washing, drying and styling my hair before she made a single snip. She then proceeded to gather up big clumps of my hair and hack away at it. A very crude cut.
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Review of Academy
16 Apr 08, 16:29
Dirty and expensive
The academy is the main mid sized music venue in the city, it’s dark, the floor is sticky and the drinks are very over priced. If there’s a band on you like it’s bearable for that, although if you’re standing downstairs make sure you are in front of the balcony otherwise the sound is rubbish. If you are thinking of going to a club night there and you are over the age of 20 think carefully about your decision!
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