Helen's reviews
Review of The Greenery
12 Oct 07, 22:39
Poor Service Poor Food 
This eatery is always so busy and bustling every-time I go past, I just assumed the food would be something really special to attract so many people. Turns out I was wrong.
I got lunch - or what I thought would be my lunch from here the other day and was disappointed. It seems incredibly unorganised, the whole serving system they have. None of the staff really understand English making an already manic lunch time even more... well, manic.
Back to the food, so I got finally managed to explain what I wanted to the person serving only to be told they don't have it. I had to point out to the person that what I wanted it was right in front of them.
The service was forgivable but the food was inedible. My baked potato was undercooked and solid, the beans were everywhere and the cheese over greasy. I had about three mouthfuls and threw it out.
I wouldn't go go back, sorry.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of ExCel
12 Oct 07, 18:32
Great Space dissapointing Food. 
I recently went to a two day expo at Excel and was really amazed by the impressive space. It was really airy and accommodated the large amounts of people well.It was also quite picturesque, located in the heart of London's old docklands - overlooking the Thames. It also had some great staff that were all really helpful and friendly when providing directions etc.
However the thing that really lets this place down is the companies that they have let provide food within the conference centre. The prices were bordering on robbery and the quality was poor. Companys that I have eaten from outside of the centre were serving second rate food for double the money.
All the food was over salty and this was a really good ploy, as it subsequently meant you spent the rest of the day purchasing drinks.
Great concept and space, lovely staff but terrible food services.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Review of Benugo
12 Oct 07, 18:23
Good Quality, Reasonable prices. 
I went here for lunch for the first time today and I was really pleasantly surprised. I was at first a little overwhelmed by the amount of choice that they offer, but I soon sorted through the vast selection to discover something that took my fancy.
They make bespoke sandwiches and lots of pastas, salads, pies, soups, bagels and lots more. It all looked so good. The food is really fresh and freshly prepared in front of you. This place really shows up larger chain establishment for their lack of choice.
The prices really surprised me too, they were really reasonable. I managed to walk out with a huge filling tasty lunch for about £3.45. Now that is value!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Review of Frank
12 Oct 07, 18:09
Inspirational 
It was love at first sight when this shop arrived in my home town. It was to me the thing that Whitstable had been lacking for many years. Frank is inspirational - quite literally, I walk in the door and I feel inspired. Surrounded by all the wonderful hand crafted items adorning crisp white brick walls and white shelves I am in heaven. I always leave thinking 'I am going to go home and I am going to make something today'. Frank is stocked with an array of UK artist's handy work, from John Dilnott to Johnny Hannah. It sells everything a shabby chic lover/design lover could ever dream of. They stock prints, badges, gift wrap, greetings cards, tea towels, ceramics, jewelery, notebooks and much more. You can get bespoke ceramic magnets ordered here, or even bespoke screen prints ordered straight from the artists (the owners know all the artists personally). I love this shop, I love the atmosphere, I love the location and most of all I love the inspiration.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Screen On The Green
12 Oct 07, 15:03
Refreshing Cinema Experience 
This cinema is really lovely, it is an old original picture house and it just over flows with character. The entrance hall is very small, but first impressions are not reflected in the size of the screens as they are really large.The old red velvet seats are comfy too and make for some cozy viewing. Though I fear this is because I am short anyone over 6 foot may struggle with them.
I was pleasantly surprised by the price, not anywhere near as extortionate as some of the big chain cinemas. The same can be said for the really cute selection of snacks that they sell, chocolate bars and bottled water all reasonably priced. I even enjoyed the popcorn (it wasn't warm so I thought I might not) but it was really good organic stuff.
The films that they show are really great independent quality films. So you pay your money and know your going to get something a bit better than ordinary blockbusters!
All round this place makes for a great evening, really enjoyable.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Review of Thai Square
12 Oct 07, 11:29
Great Pad Thai!
This is one of those places that I had been meaning to go to for ages.
Having only ever experienced Thai from non- chain restaurants this establishment was surprisingly good. The food tasted really fresh and very rich in flavor. My fellow diner ordered the fillet of sea bass in ginger (often a risky choice in an unknown establishment) and the fish tasted really good. I stuck to more classic dishes like the Thai green chicken curry and pad Thai - the pad Thai was great.
Overall the staff were nice, though not that helpful. The atmosphere was a little manic, many people wanted serving all at the same time.
The thing that really lets this place down was the lack of little touches that you get in independent places trying to keep your regular custom. Things like crackers before your meal and larger portions. The food was served in huge bowels that were not even half full.
Great food, but just not enough attention to detail.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Pop Boutique
08 Oct 07, 22:24
Vintage Treasure
This place is dear to me, I began frequenting it at the tender age of 17 for vintage t-shirts, and now at the ripe old age of 22 I feel I am a veteran.
Pop is one of the founding vintage stores in London and sells a real eclectic mix if men's, women's and unisex clothes. It also stocks an array or miss matched home-ware and accessories.
It is in a prime Covent Garden location and really easy to get to, you simply can't miss the brightly coloured shop front.
This is the place Jamie Oliver used to get his t-shirts from, back in the day when he was still on a scooter.
Pop still stocks some cool and unusual things, however they started making their own pop new/vintage range, which was just not the same, it was not genuine vintage.
Cool friendly staff that are always happy to help, and the tunes they play are always super cool.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Tiny Tim's Tearoom
08 Oct 07, 22:06
Service with a 1920's smile.
This place is pure gold, I mean that literally. Since it opened in the summer of 2007 it has been very, very popular. It has the typical mix of any establishment in Canterbury of half tourists and half locals. The building is listed and very quaint, it has the additional feature of the upstairs 'ghost room' - a bit of a tourist attraction if you ask me. But that aside the food and service are second to none. It is a 1920's inspired tearoom with the staff dressed in black and white uniforms. The decor is all very British and really compliments the building. Their selections of teas and cakes is extensive and very seasonal. They offer high teas and afternoon teas and anything else you desire. The high teas are lovely and all served on pristine white china. Very friendly and efficient staff on hand to make the whole thing very enjoyable. A real treat - the raspberry and apple scones are to die for!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of BFI London Imax Cinema
08 Oct 07, 21:38
Good Clean 3D Fun!
Both times that I have been to the Imax have been great. This place never disappoints me.
The design it's self is a marvel, when you step inside and see the size of the screen the shape and size of the building suddenly makes sense.
I know it's a bit of a tourist attraction etc.. but to me the Imax it is a real gem. I love the little touches that they do there, like the introduction to the screening given by a real person standing at the front.The pre-film animations to show you the full 3D capabilities and the sound and light show to demonstrate even more of the impressive effects.
The films are always really good and often educational. I saw a documentary film on sea life and was quite scared due to it being so realistic. Great for adults and kids (I took my young nephews - they loved it).
It's good value for money, and there is lots of space everywhere in the building to chill out.
Beware this place is a bit of a maze to get into, with a series of crazy under passes to reach the entrance from the tube.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Yo! Sushi
05 Oct 07, 14:50
You Can't Order???
Ok, I love sushi and before I moved to London coming here to go to Yo Sushi was always an exciting prospect. I have been to a few branches around London now and this one is most unorganized by far.
The food is good and the atmosphere is also really buzzing, but the service is really patchy. I have been here at the weekend and the service was better but still not great.
There always seems to be a real atmosphere with the staff, when sat at the bar facing the food preparation area the staff (obviously overworked and under paid) were swearing and complaining about customers and management. It was really off-putting and it was hard to concentrate on the meal.
That was not the worst thing by far, it was more frustrating never being able to grab someone to take your order - this place is well set up for off the conveyor belt diners but not if you want to order off the menu.
Good food as always just too busy and bad employee relations!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.