Helen's reviews
Review of Pasha
25 Sep 07, 14:12
Cous Cous to die for 
I went to Pasha at lunch time on a weekday and it was very empty, however I am told by friends that it gets really busy in the evenings.
From the moment you walk in the decor blows you away. It really does feel like your stepping into a resturant in Marroco. It is very elaborate and really stunning.
The staff were all really helpful, as with any new resturant and menu arrangement I am never quite sure how large the portions are and thus how much to order (especially with tapas style food). They are more than happy to explain all the dishes and typical native ways to enjoy the food.
The food it's self was devine, I have eaten in similar places but the quality of food in Pasha was superior. The cosus cous in particular should be mentioned as it was the lightest and best I have ever tasted, as was the merguez sausages .
Price wise it was reasonable, a three course meal for two with all the trimmings (we were very hungry) was about £80 and that included after dinner mint tea and pasteries (the waitresses can pour the tea from the pot to a tiny glass from a distance of appox one meter it is really quite impressive).
I would love to go back in the evening and see the belly dancing that they put on, I think it would be the cherry on a well iced cake.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Hummingbird Bakery
27 Sep 07, 16:09
Crafty Cupcakes!
The Humming Bird never fails to disappoint me, from the moment I walk in the door (or reach the door in the que) I forget my que rage and suddenly I am emerged in a mental battle of which delicious cake to consume.
The place is just so pretty it gets me every time. I even pay extra for my cake to be put in a box because I love the cute pink bird stamp they put on the top.
The staff are always really upbeat and can advise you on their best tasting cakes. The 'red velvet' cupcakes were flying out the door when I visited, however I opted for something with a bit more flavour - the lemon frosted cake followed by a bannana muffin (carrot cake was sold out).
It is pricey but I love the fact that when I walk out I feel inspired and always want to (and often do) go home and make similar cakes.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Zetter Restaurant and Rooms
27 Sep 07, 16:38
Amazing Attention to Detail 
The Zetter wowed me from the moment I clicked on it's website it just shouts 'cool' but in a really discreet way (so more of a whispa really).
The Zetter is the type of hotel that is even better in the flesh. It has all the cool design quirks featured in the photos on the website but with the added punch of it's buzzing atmosphere.
The rooms are effortlessly cool, with Cole & Son wall paper adorning the exposed brick walls on strategically placed boards. However it is not the main design of this place that makes it so great, it is the attention to detail. The rooms are decked with knitted hot water bottles and Penguin books. The lounge chairs are covered with Tricia Guild (or very good imitation) fabric.
The best bit being the lighting, the rooms have pink mood lighting hidden within the fitted fixtures giving the rooms a real tranquil feel without being tacky.
What more can I say I am a real advocate for the hotel. It's unassuming as opposed to being pretentious, which is priceless to me.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Review of Absolute Vintage
28 Sep 07, 16:35
Super Cool? 
I love vintage everything, I collect vintage everything and very particular about how much I pay for my vintage.
Absolute Vintage is amazing in stature, it outsizes any vintage shop I have seen in the UK so far. It has expansive walls filled with shoes and bags from all decades - most prominatly the 1980's.
It has a really electric mix of clothing andis a refreshing alternative to the now standardized Rokit shops that populate London.
However size aside this place is not cheapand it is quite to find. I took a liking to a pair of shoes that while trying them on half of there sparkle detail fell off - I took them to the counter and managed to get a £12 discount on them after much deliberation on the part of the staff.
All this aside it is well worth a look, just remember to visit your local charity shop first if you are looking for something particular (much cheaper and results guaranteed).
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Cath Kidston
28 Sep 07, 18:24
Shabby Heaven!
I must confess in advance - I am the biggest Cath Kidston fan walking so it is no surprise that I love this shop.
I am yet to frequent the other branches in London however they will be next on my list. I love the way no matter how many times I visit the shop or peruse the catalogue I always walk in and think 'wow'.
This place is decked from floor to celling in floral lovelies. I adore the glossy painted wooden fixtures and additional vintage objects dotted around the shop.
I always walk out with an unintended purchase and the longing for more. Cath always gets it right and her shops never disappoint.
Friendly staff and a great atmosphere.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of The New Culture Revolution
01 Oct 07, 12:51
Good Food Slow Service
I ventured to New Culture Revolution on a Saturday afternoon and it was fairly quiet with a few tables of diners.
The concept of this pleace is refreshing - it is a clean and non fussy eating space without the communal dining bench favoured in so many places now. The outside looks a bit strange like it should house a corner cafe not a Chinese resaurant.
However the food was good and bthe prices were reasonable, with meals in the region of £5 - £6.50 on average. The food tastes fresh and much lighter than normal Chinese food.
However the real downside to this experience was the fact that there was only one waiter and the service was slower than slow. A quick lunch turned into an hour and a half. This really puts me off when you don't want to spend a large chunck of your already short day eating.
I am sure this is not always the case, however beware of the weekend service.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Paul Frank
02 Oct 07, 15:08
Paul Frank is Your Friend
I have been a huge Paul Frank fan for well over 7 years now and I still find his creations really unique and inspiring.
The shop in Covent Garden is great, however sometimes it can be hit or miss with how much stock they have in. Well, affordable stock that is. The best bits always sell out first - like the pin badges and other random accessories.
I love the Paul Frank collaborations and every time I go in I see the end products of a new collaboration that Frank has pulled off. Notably the best lately being the Andy Warhol collaboration.
This is not the sort of shop where I always buy something, but I always enjoy going in. It is fun and I love the fact that the whole label does not take it's self seriously at all.
Having sampled the New York store I think London wins, it has just got a really fun feel and they always have some awesome tunes playing when you go in.
3 out of 3 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.
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 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.