Helen's reviews
Review of Claridges Hotel
12 May 08, 11:53
Relaxed Tea Drinking 
I must admit I am an afternoon tea obsessive. I prefer afternoon tea somewhere lovely to a posh three course meal out somewhere.
Crazy? Maybe but I am starting to think I am becoming a bit of a pro at knowing good places for a good tea guzzle and scone scoff.
Claridges is stunning both inside and out, and from the minute you walk through the revolving doors you feel transported to another (more elegant time). The tea saloon is nestled in the entrance foyer and is perfect for people watching. The thing I really loved was the vintage furnishings - 1930's originals, still in perfect condition.
Everything about this place is luxury and the attention to detail is meticulous. The afternoon tea is far less formal than that offered at the Ritz, where tea is generally served to the whole tea room at the same time. There is not a strict dress code either, attire is more smart casual.
The food and service was of a great quality, finger sandwiches - followed by light fluffy scones, finished off with French pastries. There is real emphasis here on tea, they offer a whole menu of different teas to try! As a bit of a tea fanatic I was pretty impressed, all teas I sampled were lovely.
Overall it was a fantastic experience. We went quite late in the afternoon (5.30), and even though this was the last tea sitting we were not rushed out and sat leisurely for almost 2 hours listening to the musicians perform and sipping tea.
Ambiance aside I do feel the food was slightly better at the Ritz, more classic British however for a more intimate and less formal tea Claridges really does exceed expectations.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of St James's Restaurant
22 Apr 08, 11:50
Lazy Afternoon Heaven
I can't vouch for all the food that this restaurant offers, but I when I went on a sleepy/snowy bank holiday Monday in the late afternoon the afternoon tea that was on offer was delightful.
Sundays and weekday afternoons are reserved for people taking afternoon tea and they have quite an extensive tea menu. From fine teas to breakfast teas - and one pot is plenty big enough for two to share.
Food was also of a superior quality - I opted for the clotted cream scones and jam, they were beautiful. I love expensive scones they cut like fresh cake, don't crumble and have no chalky flour anywhere in sight. The prices on the other hand were, as you would expect seriously inflated. I don't mind this as the quality was second to none, however the scones were tiny and two came in just under £6!
My fellow diner had the smoked salmon scrambled eggs and at £10 this looked a little more substantial for the money - but I was still pleased as punch with my scones (damn my sweet tooth).
The setting itself is very nice and has a rustic kitchen crossed with fine dining feel to it. Worn wooden tables adorn the room while huge chandeliers loom over head. You get lovely views over London - so bag a window table.
Lovely experience and a great place to come if you don't fancy going for a full afternoon tea somewhere - just be careful not to trip over all the lingering tourists.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Laduree
21 Apr 08, 12:07
Macaroon Swoon! 
I have a confession - I am totally in LOVE with macaroons and if you appreciate a fine macaroon then this is the only place to get them from.
The shop is swathed in gold and piled high with French delicacies including; cakes, macaroons, sweets and much more. The atmosphere is formal and traditional (as you would expect from The Burlington Arcade) - the service is impeccable. Staff with white gloves serve you your chosen treats and box them up beautifully. I don't think a shop or product could be more stunning and luxurious.
The macaroons themselves are feather light and dreamy in texture. The flavours really set Laduree apart from other macaroon makers, with delicious rarities like orange blossom and rose petal flavours they will have you drooling. They also have a whole range of seasonal flavours that they offer - of the same great quality.
They are expensive a small box of 8 will set you back around £10, but who can put a price on LOVE right?
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Noodle Express
11 Apr 08, 15:30
Pretty Yummy Noodles
I went for lunch here today despite Dan (see below) telling me it was average and bland - my thinking was it is best to give these things a try.
This little place is really well hidden, so well hidden that in my 6 months of lunch times in this area I never really spotted it. It doesn't look like much from the outside, however the inside is set out in the usual benches and is pretty cosy.
The general feeling is quite rushed as once you are seated the queue of eager diners extends out of the door. This didn't put me off, I was too busy browsing the extensive menu that caters for quite a wide audience with both, Chinese and Japanese options.
I went for the chicken ramen and was not disappointed. It was tastier than any Wagamama or Dim T noodle soup I have had, and at £5 you really cant go wrong. Service was a little abrupt and sometimes slow, but it was full to capacity and a lunch time, anyway I got my food very quickly, my fellow diners were not so fortunate!
The noodles were really fresh tasting and the chicken was nice a crispy - all round awesome Friday lunch (splash out on food day) option. I'll be back!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of City Fish Bar
07 Apr 08, 17:07
I would tend to agree
I would have to agree with Amber's review. As a local to Canterbury for most of my life I was always dubious of this fish and chip shop. I always approached with caution due to the fact that it really annoyed me the hoards of people that queue up for day in day out. I always thought what is so great about average fish and chips?
It appears that I was pretty wrong to give this place a wide berth as one day, I think only a year ago I succumbed to the smell due to severe after work hunger.I ordered my fish and chips!
They were good, no they were really good. Cooked to perfection, and seriously yummy. Now I am one of those people who queues up for their chips with everyone else in the city centre.
I sold out - but 'hey' it was worth it!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of The Orange Tree Theatre
01 Apr 08, 12:08
The Best Off-West End Around
I had no idea what to expect when I recently went to see the much hyped 'Chains of Dew' here. It was one of those impromptu bookings - which meant I barely looked at the theatre itself.
However it was stunning both inside and out. The theatre is set in an old school and once resided in the pub opposite, which is equally lovely. It's London's only full -time professional theatre in the round, and this makes for an amazing audience experience.
I was truly blown away by how dainty and small this theatre was - yet it was perfectly formed in all respects. The feel of this venue is similar to that of a local secret - without making you feeling out of place.
The foyer is small and serves up coffees, teas and soft drinks along with biscuits and sweets - however the performance was so gripping I think I barely paused to blink, let alone sip my water I bought.
Again, I can't say enough times that the quality of the performance was astounding. It deservedly has been hailed as one of the 'finest off-West End theatres around'. It was an amazing experience having actors create such atmosphere and drama so close to your seat.
I can't rate this quality theatre enough - you must sample it for something different and entirely refreshing.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Sundae Sundae
26 Mar 08, 10:25
Don't let this ice cream sail away!
Holly is right this ice cream parlor is top notch, not only is the shop the cutest thing in the world but also the quality of the product really matches up to the decor.
The owners really make this place they are lovely and always talk you through all their products, tell you where they have come from and what is in them.
The ice cream is delicious and in true local form if you go in one day and have ice cream, it's likely if you go back the next they will be sold out and will have to wait for more to be made.
To top it off it is served up to you in boat dishes (if you want you can have a cone) finished with a cute paper sail.
p.s if you get the chance to try the apple crumble ice cream - buy the whole tub before it goes - it is amazing!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Say Pasta
10 Mar 08, 10:24
Say No! 
It looked great from the outside; cheap, quick and easy food that through the window looked pretty faultless. I think it was the fact that I spied a huge strawberry sundae that a diner in the window was consuming that made me want to eat at this place so badly.
However as we entered and were seated next to the sundae eater I had that all too familiar feeling of 'oh no we have made a dud choice here'. The ice cream eaters were complaining about the ice cream to the waiter, babies were screaming and the air con was on so high the napkins were blowing in the wind!
So my line of thought was ' it will be fine, people next to us are just being over fussy'. The service was fairly quick and the staff were trying but they were not attentive enough - other diners around us were becoming agitated, and this is quite off putting when attempting to eat. I found myself playing a game of who is going to lose their cool with the waiter next?
All that aside, our starter of a bread board with olives was nice, tasted fresh and the the mains followed suit, nice pasta, possibly a little too creamy (bit of an over kill).By this point we were feeling pretty smug that we had managed to escape whatever it was that was annoying everyone else so much - but then came pudding!
This place is relatively famous for it's great ice cream offerings, and not having had an ice cream sundae in about 5 years I took the plunge and ordered their strawberry one and my fellow diner the chocolate.
They arrived quickly, looked and tasted great that was until I delved deeper into mine and found two giant black hairs embedded in the ice cream (I have to point out this it a nightmare situation for me that often induces a reasonable amount of gagging). I restrained this time, hailed the waitress and told her to take all puddings off the bill - they were apologetic, but not hugely bothered.
Paid the bill and got as far away from the place as possible! Never again - crazy, unorganized eatery that makes me shiver just thinking about it!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Review of Ilva
04 Mar 08, 14:25
Great Service even Better Discounts!
Recently went to Ilva to check out their sofa offerings for my new flat. I had studied the website, but needed to see them in the flesh - and boy was I glad that I did go there in person.
For any one who has ever been to Ikea, Ilva is similar in so far that both stores are of Swedish origin, but that really is where the similarities end. Ilva is far smaller in stature and stocks much less product, it also is more expensive and of a higher quality.
Descriptions and introductions over, I visited the store on a Saturday, when I walked in I greeted with the sofa collection and at the front was the special offers and discounted sofas. Staring at me was the sofa of my dreams (1950's modernist deep corner unit sofa in tweed/textured style cloth) and to top it all off the £699 sofa had been reduced to £250! Wow!
So after sitting on it, thinking about everything it would go with, and stroking it we decided to buy it seeing as it was the best looking and costing sofa we had found in all our hunting. We spoke to the very nice sales lady who talked us through the tiny hole that it had on it, she then proceeded to knock a further £100 off the total if we took the sofa away the same day - clearly that sort of discount was incentive enough - needless to say the rest of the day was spent trying to locate a van, and get it home.
However the moral of the review is the customer service at this place is great, were had already committed buy the sofa and they still offered us further discount. They had everything ready for when we wanted to collect the sofa, and everyone was really friendly.
The smaller selection and less minimal furnishings combined with the lack of bargain hunting hoards made this shop a real welcome break from Ikea shopping. Check it out it - they offer some fantastic deals, many to rival Ikea's prices!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Cote
25 Feb 08, 10:46
Fabulously French!
Cote is the newest offering from the company that own the Italian chain Strada - the idea behind the restaurant is to offer great quality French food at reasonable prices - and they really have met their specification with this one.
Situated in the heart of Wimbledon Village it is a real hit with the incredibly rich residents of the area, and I can see why. The great thing about this restaurant is that it is the type of place, like Strada where you can have an expensive meal or have a quick, much cheaper meal - you have the choice. On this occasion we opted for the more expensive meal option.
The atmosphere is relaxed and the service is attentive, yet discreet. The interior is quite reminiscent of a Hopper painting with, dark wooden seating in a slightly hidden and dark setting. This is contrasted with pie and mash shop style Edwardian ornate floor tiles - the mix works really well and makes for simple yet stunning dining.
The food is of great quality, and the wine choices are of the same high standard. I am always wary of French cuisine not being a fan of garlic or overly rich food, but was really pleased with how much fish and light dishes were on the menu - I was spoilt for choice.
I opted for mussels to start, followed by the special of lobster risotto, both of which were light and really tasty.The frites are similar to those served on the streets of Belgium and are top quality - don't miss them! Pudding was a push as portions are large but worth it. Crepes with strawberries and Chantilly cream, dusted finely with icing sugar - perfect!
Some elements are similar to Strada, you get a free bottle of filtered water on arrival, and the prices are a touch more expensive. Overall a perfect night out in a lively but intimate restaurant.
p.s. Don't forget to book, this place is popular and only half of the restaurant is reserved for people who have not made a reservation.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.