Sophie's reviews
Review of Square Peg
28 May 08, 14:15
Last Resort 
You don't need to be told what a weatherspoons is like, the surroundings are all pretty familiar. The significance of this one is that there are so few bars at the shopping end of town this looks like the only option! If you are happy with weatherspoons stay put but if you're after more comfortable surroundings head away from the shops towards the mailbox / brindley place.
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Review of Philpotts Quality Sandwiches
28 May 08, 14:09
THE BEST SANDWICHES 
Philpotts is by far the best quality takeaway lunch you could hope for! If you like food philpotts is like a treasure trove of treats. Due to the regeneration of the edgbaston shopping centre (e.g. it has been demolished) this branch has moved to broadway plaza and it's definitely worth the walk!
Philpotts is a chain (there are 4 branches in Brum) but it's small enough to feel special. There is a selection of pre prepared sandwiches and salads or you can have it prepared infront of you to your EXACT specifications (from the type of bread, butter or olive oil, fillings, seasonings, garnish etc. etc. ) There is a regular menu + daily specials.
If you facy something hot they have a carvery counter serving perfect hot sandwiches and wraps and they also do soups, although I think this is one thing that Eat does better, Philpotts soup is a little salty.
They also sell fruit, tyrells crisps and cakes.
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Review of French Connection
28 May 08, 13:57
Sporadic service
I really like french connection stuff, although it is often overpriced. A good tip is to hang on for sale time as there are always really good reductions. This store isn't massive but has a good location close to Selfridges in the Bullring. I have sometimes had really good service but sometimes you have to hang around at the till.
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Review of Taylor John's House
28 May 08, 13:52
Very Cool 
This is a great little venue, particularly by coventry standards. There are large origional oil paintings in the bar, along with exposed brick, giving the place an arty and intimate feel. The bar is a bit lacking, not much choice. The stage area is is a different room to the bar which I quite like, particularly as there are often quieter bands.
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Review of Cafe Giardino
28 May 08, 11:45
Over priced swill 
I had lunch here at the weekend and it made me really angry!! I ordered 2 prawn baguettes, 2 drinks and a packet of crisps and it came to nearly £15, not that unusal in todays cafe culture but the standard was awful!! The bread was soft like a roll, not a crunchy baguette. The prawns were TINY and tasteless, the marie rose sauce was watered down so much it turned my stomach. Even the bottled water wasn't very nice and my friend had an iced coffee, no sweet frappachino here, literally cold, bitter coffee. I don't care if the parking is free, get yourself out of this dated hole and go to the bullring!
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Review of Piccolino
27 May 08, 11:37
A cut above.
Brindley place is a lovely setting, and there are a number of restaurants to choose from, but I think Piccolino will give these established establishments a run for their money.
Enormous potted olive trees outside along with marble topped tables and padded seats are instantly eye catching and inviting and inside is no disappointment, very contemporary and stylish.
The staff were all very helpful and friendly and the food was delicious. I can recommend the calamari, swordfish, new potatoes and the selection of desserts to share!
We had 4 courses and drinks and it worked out at about £35 a head so quite expensive and we had to wait quite a while for the food but overall very good.
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Review of Jug Of Ale
06 May 08, 13:08
Going, going...
Quick! Get to the Jug of Ale! It will shortly be no more as it is being knocked down, presumably to make way for yet more flats. The pub itself is fairly average but the venue up the spiral staircase has a lot of history, playing host to a vast range of local talent. It will be sadly missed!
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Review of Asda Stores
06 May 08, 13:05
Bigger not always better!
This is a huge asda that's always really busy, this is it's main downside as it can cause trolley rage and you have to queue. However it does have all the extra stuff, clothes by george, home wears etc. There are counters serving fish, a selection of fresh indian dishes and pizzas. They could do with a better deli section / counter. They have always run out of hummus!
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Review of West Midlands Safari & Leisure Park
06 May 08, 12:57
Run down, but lots of fun!
£10.50 a person sounds like a lot, but I think for the range of activities the park has to offer it's good value! We were there for about 5 hours.
The safari trail itself takes about 1hr 30 to 2hrs and I recommend you park up and go to the shop first to get some diet feed for the vegetarian beasts on show. Of the larger animals the tigers and elephants were a highlight.
Inside the park there are leopards, creepy crawlies, free flying bats, fish, reptiles etc. as well as a cafe, fairground rides and a sealion show.
It's important to note that it is quite run down, there is a slightly dirty feel to the place and the food and rides on offer could do with updating. Particularly as the rides are £10 extra and 2 sandwiches and 2 drinks came to £12.
Overall a good day out.
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Review of Tap & Spile
06 May 08, 12:50
Open all hours!
Just off broad street this place is leagues ahead of the horrible chain bars that line the main strip. It has a traditional feel with lots of character, it's quite big but split out on 2 levels with a warren of little rooms still feels intimate. The basement level opens out onto the canal near the mailbox. We went there at 1am on a Tuesday night and the party staying in full swing until the small hours.
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