Helen's reviews
Review of Bloomsbury
07 Dec 07, 17:39
Hidden Treasure 
This little shop is tucked away between a pub and a cookware shop so you would be forgiven for missing it completely. It's tiny stature is no reflection on the extensive array of lovely stock that they have inside.
Bloomsbury is delicately adorned with glass cases of fine and costume jewelery. They stock the fabulous Greengate stoneware, napkins and other trinkets, this pleases me greatly as so few places stock the Danish companies wares.
This shop stocks so much more I could write so much, but its book selection and great gift selection really make it stand out. The staff are very discreet and browsing is always allowed - infact it is a must!
Highly recommended!
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Review of Cafe Latino
07 Dec 07, 17:16
Milk Shakes and Wraps!
I LOVE this place! It has been a favorite of mine ever since the day it opened - all those years ago.
It was the first of it's kind in the area, and this little cafe really did it well. It bought a little bit of culture and cafe chic to Herne Bay. The interior and design of this place is simple and effective, but it is the food you walk out remembering.
I have sampled quite a few wares here and my fave combo by far is the chicken, stuffing and brie wrap - with cranberry dip. It is just the best and really dreamy. All the ingredients always taste fresh and the menu is imaginative, something that so many places lack.
The milk shakes deserve a mention too. The best being the strawberry, I am not sure what goes into them but I know it is a lot of real strawberries and some good old cream, I don't really care because the end result is amazing. Topped with whipped cream and some fresh fruit on the side - need I say any more!
If you down at the seaside or in the area give this place a try - you won't be disappointed. Beats soggy fish and chips on a hot day. Warning it gets busy so head for lunch early!
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Review of Family Tree
05 Dec 07, 14:30
Hidden Gem!
This little shop is a real hidden wonder, it is nestled away on Exmouth Market and not one to be missed. The lovely minimal interior is dotted with unique design lovelies. All the products are really unusual and of the rarer variety. It has a Swedish design feel with screen printed Japanese paper light shades filling the walls and window. I read that all the products in the shop have been made and put together by friends and family of the owner - quite impressive! The Camembert cheese box clocks are novel and very charming. They also stock some great hand made cards and gifty items. A really lovely local shop in the heart of the market! Well worth a visit.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Ikea
03 Dec 07, 12:21
Busy, Crazy and Huge! 
I like Ikea but this place is just too much. Every time you come here regardless of time, or day it is heaving with people wanting to consume cheap furniture, trinkets and food.
I have been to other Ikea's and they don't seem as crazed as this one, by a long way. Everywhere you turn there are hundreds of people all trying to do the same thing, it seem disorganized and lacks any personality. Not just because it is a huge chain but because all the staff look like they are having the same nightmare as the shoppers are.
There are community support officers walking round, which doesn't fill me with confidence about the security of my shopping experience.
Enough, negatives. This places does do the job intended and they are often well stocked and the food is strangely tempting (I heart meatballs). Just go knowing what to expect and you will be fine!
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Review of Pussy
29 Nov 07, 15:35
Unique!
I love this shop, it is really unique - it stands apart from all the other gift shops in Brighton. For one it sells Paul Frank, and not many places do outside of London (handbags and everything). It also sells Tatty Devine jewelery, again very difficult in shops outside of the capital.
This little funky shop also hosts lots of other cool things, like retro inspired furniture and many gifty items along with some great modern art books. I think they sell the art as well? It is sometimes to miss these stores as they are quite small and discreet, so keep an eye out next time you are on the lanes (both sets).
They have two stores in Brighton which is representative of their popularity. Friendly staff, a shop with a good atmosphere. A real treat, or just good for a treat!
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Review of Alberry's Wine Bar
27 Nov 07, 16:00
What a Great Cave!
I love this place, I don't really know why, but I really do. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that Canterbury has very few good after hours night spots.
Alberry's always seems to host a much older crowed, as opposed to the 16-18 year olds that populate the rest of cities night haunts.
Some of the best nights out I have had in Canterbury have been in Alberry's and I spent last New Years Eve here and wasn't disappointed.
It has two bars both upstairs and down and seating on both levels. The downstairs is like a cave in the sense that I think it is an old celler and the tunnel like celling gives the feeling that you are in a cave. This idea never fails to amuse me when drunk. Oh I should mention this is the Dj and dance area.
Friendly staff, and always a good crowd. Drinks are really reasonable and on some nights they have buy one get on free offers. The music varies from night to night, so do check if you have specific tastes.
Best place to have a dance in Canterbury
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Review of James Smith and Sons Umbrellas
27 Nov 07, 15:03
Hand Crafted Wonders 
I always have the utmost respect for any business that has been around for 175 years, especially in a market that is now dominated by cheap, machine made imports.
This shop is a London institution and very exciting. I love the old- worldy style shop front and the excellent customer service within.
It is a real wonder all the different umbrellas on display, and to think that they are custom made- it really is inspiring.
Located in the heart of New Oxford Street, it is worth the detour off Oxford Street, even if for nostalgic reasons. A truly beautiful shop.
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Review of China Chef
27 Nov 07, 14:51
Friendly Local Chinese Resaurant
This restaurant/takeaway has been my local Chinese for a long time, well, until I moved away. The staff are really friendly and are always very polite.
The food is good and the sweet and sour chicken is a real winner. The service for both the restaurant and the takeaway service is always quick and efficient.
Lovely little building with a real homely atmosphere. It gets really busy in the summer, especially around Regatta time. It is quite small so it is a good idea to book on a Saturday or Friday night.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Pick More Daisies
27 Nov 07, 10:14
Best Breakfasts in London, By Far!
What can I say about this place? Well, 'wow' pretty much covers it. I was totally blown away by their 'All American' Breakfast offerings. This is the best breakfast I have had in a very long time - scrap that, I think might actually be the best I have ever had!
I love American breakfasts but this had a dash of English flair. By that I mean it was cooked with English produce, and was much lighter and less greasy than the same breakfast in the USA (trust me I have been a few times).
The atmosphere is really cool, and where I was sitting I could see the chefs working. The American breakfast came with buttermilk pancakes and they too were the best that I have tasted. They offer such a great array of different breakies; from granola and yogurt to a full English - with everything American in the middle.
This is a real must if you are in the area, or if you like me and have made an almost 2 hour trek to get to it you won't be disappointed.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Italian Food Hall
27 Nov 07, 09:58
The Hub of the Town
This place is really vibrant it offers Italian food to buy but also a dinning area in which to have lunches. I visited at the weekend and the atmosphere was just buzzing, needless to say it was really busy.
The interior is really retro Italian - and very European, however it is really charming and nicely preserved. I did not eat here, I simply purchased some food from the food hall area - hence why I can't really give it more than three stars. The food I bought was really pricey - but as a treat it was yummy. I read about this place in a book and they described the prices as some rival Harrods food hall, I can see the comparison.
However saying this I had a peek at the dinning menu and the prices were very cheap, and the food that all the locals were scoffing looked amazing. The smell of fresh pasta really flooded the air and made me want to come back for a good feed.
The staff were friendly, maybe a little harassed, but hey, it was really busy. An all round unique experience.
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