Helen's reviews
Review of Wahaca
05 Nov 07, 11:56
A Feast for Thirty Pounds 
Wahaca lived up to my expectations, I had heard so many good things about the food, I was not disappointed. The restaurant gets so busy and they do not take bookings. You are given a time and when you come back at the given time you are guaranteed a table. This took about 30mins and once seated we were not rushed at all.
The service was a little erratic, but I think this was just our waiter as the other serving staff around us were very efficient. We had to ask for are drinks to be delivered to our table and this was after our dinner had arrived. The food was fresh, and it really did taste different to many other Mexican foods I have tried.
They offer small 'street food' portions and 'larger plates' you can pick and mix from both menus. My only complaint would be that because the food is not ordered (they bring it out as and when it is cooked) you can end up with all your food on the table at once and having to rush to eat it before it goes cold.
The atmosphere is buzzing and the basement hall settings are really funky, with coloured wall panels and painted bricks. Yummy tortilla chips, but their motto is that they try to stay away from 'nachos and fajitas' to make them selves more authentic. The problem is when your eating your tortilla chips and salsa you can't help but miss the melted cheese.
Great experience,but beware if you leave it late to eat you run the risk of not getting a table!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Review of All Bar One
05 Nov 07, 11:19
Friendly Place for a Drink
This bar is situated in a really central location close to Covent Garden and Leicester Square.The bar its self has a good atmosphere and the music is not unbearably loud, as it is in so many places.
The drinks were reasonably priced and well made. The staff were friendly and efficient. It is a very busy place with people having both drinks and food. There is a designated area at the back of the bar for people wishing to dine more quietly.
All round a nice bar, with a buzzing atmosphere that is not too over-crowded. Great for a pre and post dinner drinks.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Review of Greenwich Picturehouse
05 Nov 07, 11:06
Finally a Cinema to Write Home About 
This Picturehouse is nestled in a quite corner of Greenwich, slightly back from the bustle of the pubs and bars on the main high street.
This cinema is very modern and incredibly clean. I love the fact that Picturehouse is a small chain - and the quality of their cinemas is really impressive.
The entrance ticket is quite hefty on a Saturday or Friday night, at £10 I nearly collapsed. However after getting upstairs to the cinema bar I soon realized why this place was so pricey. The lounge bar for pre- film drinks was delightful. Comfortable sofas and lounge chairs scattered around - all overlooking a great glass window that overlooks the street.
The prices once inside the cinema were really reasonable, two soft drinks at the bar came to £3 and the most pleasant surprise was the price of the popcorn and soft drink. £4 for a large popcorn and drink, amazing seeing as most huge chain cinema's charge anything up to £10 for the same quantities.
The screens were also of the highest quality, and the seats were divine. They were low slung and reclined back to a comfortable half laying position. I don't think I have ever been to a better, more well equipped cinema. An all round joy! Great staff and a great atmosphere.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Chandos
03 Nov 07, 07:34
Out the Door Before Ordering! 
Ok, so I did visit in a Friday night, but to be honest it wasn't that busy - it certainly wasn't busy enough to warrant the service I received.
From the moment I walked into this brightly lit odd place I thought 'mistake'. It lacked atmosphere, and due to the lack of music the drone of people squealing and shouting was just tedious.
That was not the worst bit. We approached the bar and as soon as we had done so a couple proceed to push right in front of us and get served, after the barman had us seen waiting there first! We decided to let that one go.
Now the couple have departed and it's our turn again, or so you would think? Up steps a next guy yelling to the barman it's his turn - it is quite clearly not his turn and in true Chandos fashion the barman serves the yelling man again before us, knowing full well we were first!
This could have been excused if the staff were quick, but they weren't they were just dithering around preparing lack luster drinks.
Needless to say I abruptly left after the final insult. All in all, I never even stayed for a drink.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Review of Wasabi
30 Oct 07, 11:36
Variety Really is the Spice of Life
Wasabi is a chain sushi offering, however the amazing amount choice that they offer the customer is really impressive. I adore sushi, but not all - especially not the raw tuna, or smoked mackerel that most pre-packed sushi offers.
Wasabi offers the same amount choice that you get from the conveyor belt in many restaurants. It's simple, you pick up a tray, pick your individually wrapped sushi, grab some pickled ginger/ soy/ wasabi and then you pay for the amount that you have selected. Brilliant! Finally a place where you can have exactly what you want with minimal fuss.
The price is my next point, the sushi is so reasonably priced it's actually unbelievable, I always walk away thinking 'wow, that was cheap!'
Now the service is not the best, it gets very busy, as it is located in Victoria station. The staff can get quite confused with the money and orders. The problem arises from the fact that they are attempting to serve hot takeaway meals and sell sushi all from a tiny cart in the middle of one of the busiest stations in London.
I am sure any of the other branches across London are a little less manic. Still a great place to get a takeaway lunch for work or to fuel a long train journey.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Uniqlo
27 Oct 07, 20:45
Simple Functional Fashion
I am a big fan of simplicity when it comes to parting with my money for clothes. I love my fashion but I can't see the logic in owning millions of fussy patterned pieces and none of them able to constitute a single an outfit.
Rant over, Uniqlo offers simple Japanese design at it's best. The clothes are simple and design focused. They stock basics and more fashion focused items alike. I love the simplicity of the store layout and the fact that good design does not cost the earth.
uniqlo is still a bit of an underdog in the young fashion market and I think this draws me to it even more. When I walk out with a fab white smock top, or a great polo tee I am pleased because I know that not every other 20 something is wearing it too.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of C E Harrod
27 Oct 07, 20:29
Friendly Local Service
My late grandmother used this chemist for all her medical and toiletry needs and having used the place myself I can see why. The staff are very friendly and really helpful. What is great about the service is that they are incredibly friendly whilst still being very professional.
They stock high end goods including many lesser known (in the UK) French skin care products as well as an extensive make up and perfume counter. They sell almost everything - but they stock it in a very minimal environment as not to bombard you.
They have lots of staff to hand for a small shop and they are very knowledgeable about the products that they sell.
A great local chemist that offers far better service than most larger competitors.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Eds Easy Diner
27 Oct 07, 20:18
The American Way
What can I say about this place, I don't usually go for burgers, or chains, or eating so close to theatre land but I do really like Ed's.
I have been to the one in Blue Water Kent, but this one was so much better. The staff were really friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was actually really good. It hosted a strange mix of city suits, Americans and theatre goers.
The grill chef was a real old American guy dressed in the original white gill outfit. The burgers are more original, not gourmet, but still really good. You can get American classics like chili fries and peanut butter milkshakes.
Your burger comes in a paper holder, the grill chef asks how your want your burger cooked and he also takes an active interest in weather or not you liked his creation.
Give this place a go, if you want real American food, away from McDonalds and all the gourmet offering around these days.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Hamburger Union
27 Oct 07, 19:57
Hamburger Heaven
I have been to this eating establishment on numerous occasions now and I still really enjoy their offerings. The atmosphere is clean, fresh and relaxed.
It is an ideal place for a quick meal with minimum fuss. The decor is reminiscent of early 1950's minimalism, with an American diner edge. Yes it's a chain, but it odes offer seasonal specials and the food does taste fresh.
The menu is often varied and the burgers are good quality, I rarely eat red meat - but I do enjoy a Hamburger Union burger. The chips are really chunky and can be very filling. I would recommend the milk shakes they are very yummy (especially the chocolate).
The food is served quickly, but not worryingly quick. A great place to get a quick, filling meal for a reasonable price.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Miss Sixty
27 Oct 07, 19:41
Good Product Knowledge!
I can't say that I frequent this store on a regular basis, however when I did purchase a pair of jeans from here the staff were really great.
Unlike so many shops, Miss Sixty staff seamed well informed, clued up and bursting with product knowledge. This may sound a little square, but when you are parting with any thing up to £130 for jeans you want the person serving you to understand the products and the denim.
I was impressed that the level of service did not falter even though my visit was paid during a peak sale time.
The jeans are good quality and they are very inventive with their denim washes. All round great shopping experience.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.