Helen's reviews
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 Chair
24 Jan 08, 15:05
Seriously Good Cuts! 
I have been frequenting the Chair for nearly two years now after my old hairdressers did a bad colour where by I emerged from the salon looking like a badger.
I always try to see George, she is a true wonder with scissors and really listens to what you want and delivers. The salon is off the beaten track of the Hight street but I don't mind as it makes it feel even more like my own little secret place.
It has a real laid back feel, away from any trendy salon stuffiness. I love the way the salon and staff all know what is going on, but don't try to give you a hair cut that is difficult to maintain or will be out of fashion in a week.
They enter and have won lots of hair dressing competitions and this is reflected in their cutting abilities. The best thing about this cute and cosy hairdressers is not all the usual stuff like; head massages, free drinks and product advice but the fact the cut they give you grows out well, and looks as good in 3months as is did when it was done - which when you don't have all the money in world is a real treat.
They also do free fringe trims, and that means not just the one but as many as you need between cuts. Now that adds great value to already reasonable hair cut!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
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
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Cafe Belge
24 Oct 07, 17:54
Cafe Belge
Cafe Belge Canterbury is part of a small chain of mussel restaurants in the South East. It is famous for it''s offer of '50 different ways to eat mussels'. I must admit it is very impressive. The restaurant is located in the Westgate area of the town and is a real hide-away for locals, as tourists rarely venture this far down the high street. I have been twice and both times have been a real delight. The food is always very fresh and the portions are generous. despite the 50 ways to have mussels I normal opt for the old favorite of mussels in a cream, white wine and onion sauce - it never fails me. The mussels are always served with both bread and fries and though delicious it is always so filling. Cafe Belge does offer options that are not fish related for those who are not keen on seafood. They have a great menu for starters and also puddings, my personal fav being the Toblerone fondue. A big draw to Cafe Belge has to be their extensive range of Belgium beers. They offer the most extensive selection I have seen this side of the Channel. I would recommend sampling their strawberry beer or even the coconut - yummy! The staff are really friendly and always make you feel important and valued. On your first visit they offer you the chance to sample their more unusual beers for free - which is a nice touch. Overall a lovely little restaurant.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of The Cuban
17 Oct 07, 10:15
Great Place with Great Atmosphere!
The Cuban has been open about a year, and what a year it has been, this place was the very thing that Canterbury had been screaming out for. It is fresh, funky and full of life. I am not much of a sit the local pub kind of gal so this place really excites me. It is a Cuban themed restaurant, bar and cocktail lounge. The ingredients in the drinks are always very fresh, the wine list is diverse and the cocktails are hand made with care. The same detail is put into the very tasty food. Fresh ingredients combined with great seasoning make every meal I have had here delicious. The Cuban chicken with the Mole rub is divine and well worth a try. As is the tapas style starters that they offer. The only downside to this place is the bar gets so busy - it is ridiculous. Staff are so attentive to the drinks they make you can easily spend 20 mins waiting for your next drink. Also I suppose it has to be mentioned, it is expensive. By this I mean compared to other places in the area. To be honest you pay £6 for a cocktail but you the amount of alcohol you get is a lot. The cosmopolitans could blow you away! Great place for people of all ages, go for a mid week night out as it gets very busy at the weekends.
0 out of 0 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.