Holly's reviews
Review of Oxfam
13 Nov 07, 22:44
fair trade... 
This is quite a good branch of Oxfam. It has both new and old stock. It sells a good range of Fair Trade products too. There isnt a huge amount in here sometimes, so its worth keep checking back to see if they've got some new things out. I can usually find a cool vintage bag for less than £3 though.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of T K Max
13 Nov 07, 22:29
A good branch...
This is quite a good branch of TK maxx because its never crazy busy and its quite tidy. They have some good labels at this branch such as fred perry, diesel, marc jacobs, c by chloe and ollie&nic. You just have to be willing to search. There is more womens wear than mens and a good selection of shoes for both sexes. The homeware section is nice too. You can be sure to find a bargain!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Toni & Guy
13 Nov 07, 15:33
good service...
Whilst at uni in Exeter, I never really got round to finding an independent hairdressers and just went for the safe option of going to Toni and Guys. Plus the first time I went here I ended up getting a free haircut by agreeing to be a model for the girl who cut my hair, which was pretty good as I went with the full intention of paying. So ever since then I decided I liked it. The service is good here and the staff are friendly. The prices are reasonable as most places now tend to charge a lot for a hairdressers. Though the price goes up the higher the hairdresser you have. A nice relaxing salon...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Warehouse
13 Nov 07, 13:42
not that great...
I dont particularly like this branch of Warehouse. It often seems quite messy and overcrowded. The staff are usually talking to eachother about what they got up to last night. There is hardly every anyone on the fitting rooms, so you cant get help or advise if you need it. Dissapointing!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Miss Selfridge
13 Nov 07, 13:40
shared shop...
It is quite a strange set up here, but Miss Selfridge is located upstairs from Warehouse. This means sometimes it gets overlooked by the lazy who cant be bothered to walk up the stairs. Its deceptively bigger than the Warehouse downstairs. It always seems quiet up here. The shop looks good and the staff are helpful .They have a good range of shoes here and have more to choose from than most Miss Selfridges I ve been to
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Thomas Cook
13 Nov 07, 13:12
really helpful... 
This was the first time my friends and I had booked a holiday without the help of our parents and the staff here at Thomas Cook were really helpful. They were good at helping us find the right kind of place and for the right price. They didnt take advantage of our apparant lack of knowledge of booking a holiday. They were really friendly and honest and were happy to ask any of our questions. The accomodation and location when we got there were what we were expecting and we had a really great holiday.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Wagamama
13 Nov 07, 12:09
go local if you can...
I really like Wagamama, it prides itself on fast fresh asian cuisine. This branch of Wagamama is very good, the staff are friendly and the service is prompt. This is just as good as any other Wagamama out there. What I really wanted to do in this review is make people aware that there is somewhere much like Wagamama but better and most importantly an independantly owned restaurant just up the road - Typyedong. So in my opinion you should check this place out as it has been struggling since Wagamama opened up.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of House Of Fraser
13 Nov 07, 11:41
improved...
Previously known as Dingles this department store now comes under the name of House of Fraser. This has meant there have been a few improvements to this somewhat outdated store. They now stock many more well known brands such as whistles and fench sole. The shop itself also looks better. The young trends area for girls is much better and has far more to offer now. I'm glad to see that this place is now doing better and I hope it continues to do so as it is part of Exeter history, its just a shame it had to become part of a bigger chain to do so
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Cafe Rouge
13 Nov 07, 11:13
parlez vous anglais???
I really like this branch of Cafe Rouge mainly because the people who work here are actually french. Theres something nice about sitting in a faux french restaurant and hearing people speaking the language. I could close my eyes and pretend I might be in Paris. The decor has a typically french feel and is very inviting. The food here is always good, I have only been here for lunch; but I have friends who have been here for dinner and rave about it. The menu offers traditional french food. The staff are friendly and serice is prompt. The prices are reasonable.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Gap
13 Nov 07, 10:53
wheres the stock? 
I really like Gap clothing, but I always leave feeling a bit dissapointed when visiting this particular branch. They never seem to have much stock, and the same stuff for ages. I dont know if this is because eveyone buys it all really quickly or what. For the only Gap in the south west I would have expected a bit more. The staff are friendly and the service is good. I just wish there were more clothes in such a big store
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Strada
12 Nov 07, 21:51
worth the second chance...
I've been here twice, once was really good the other we didn't even get inside. The latter, I think was down to the fact that they had recently opened and were still having some problems. We went there without booking a table and were told to come back in half an hour for a table, which was fine. This half hour soon got longer and finally we went elsewhere. The most annoying thing was that there were people in the restaurant who had paid their bills but hadn't left and were just chatting but the lady on the front house was too scared to ask them to leave. This was ridiculous! However, a few weeks later we thought we would try again and this time we got a table and had a really good time. The food was super yummy and a nice change from other Italian chain restaurants. The portions were just the right size too. The service was good and pretty fast on what looked like a busy night. We even got free liqueurs at the end of our meal. I'm very glad we gave this place a second chance, good food and good service
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Imperial
11 Nov 07, 13:53
student heaven...
The Imperial may well be a wetherspoons but the building itself is lovely. It used to be an old country house. The best part is the Orangery a beautiful large open conservatory style area. There is also loads of outside seating with plenty of picnic tables and room to kick a ball about. This place is quite studenty as it is located right near the university. But it is a nice place to get some food and drink as the service is pretty good. There is also a family dining area. Friday and saturday nights are packed in here as the drinks are so cheap. This is one of the nicer j.d wetherspoons out there.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Odeon Cinema
11 Nov 07, 11:38
Nice cinema...
This branch of Odeon is quite large for a cinema in the town centre. There are about 5 screens so there are plenty of films to choose from. If you like to snack whilst watching a film you have lots to choose from, lots of popcorn, ice cream and pick and mix. But as with most places this is quite expensive. Screens vary in size and sometimes you find you ve nearly got the whole place to yourself. This building used to be an old hall and has quite an impressive atrium. A nice cinema...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Thai Orchid
11 Nov 07, 10:50
Yummy Thai...
Beautifully decorated Thai restaurant on the Cathedral Green in the centre of Exeter city. The service is exemplary, very attentive without being intrusive. A very wide range of dishes to choose from on the menu, serving wonderfully cooked thai cuisine in a setting overlooking the grand cathedral. An authentic experience of thai food to be found unexpectedly in an old English building.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Red Square
11 Nov 07, 10:49
a hidden treasure...
A small Russian restaurant tucked away out of sight in the middle of the shopping district of the city. Very reasonably priced for decent sized portions of very expertly cooked Russian cuisine. Over 20 varieties of vodka. The service was good with the owners' young grandson helping to clear dishes when it is quiet! A wonderfully different alternative to chain restaurants. The small dining area gives an intimate, family feel. Surprisingly quiet for such a lovely place - the position of the restaurant is most likely to blame.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Mill On Exe
11 Nov 07, 10:48
Dinner by the river...
Traditional looking gastro-pub which is situated on the River Exe just outside of the centre of the city. To order drinks and food one must go to the bar then the meals are brought to the table. The food is good and the prices reflect the portion sizes. The service is average. Large, timbered, airy rooms with an open fire on cold winter days help create a friendly atmosphere. Always busy especially at weekends but the size of the building means one can always find somewhere to sit. Good outside seating on a decked terrace overlooking the river, and also benches on the river bank itself.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of H & M
10 Nov 07, 15:43
surprisingly tidy...
For regular shoppers of H&M they are usually very messy and busy and often you feel as if you have walked into a some sort of boot fair. This particular branch is different. Yes the place is very busy, especially on a Saturday, but the staff do a good job of keeping it in control. This store has also recently been refurbished and looks really good for it. It is also much bigger and holds a good selection of the different ranges within the H&M brand. The staff are friendly and helpful and I think they deal really well with the sheer volume of people that come into this store and trash it.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of PizzaExpress
10 Nov 07, 15:27
Italian by the cathedral...
I always enjoy going to Pizza Express, there is always a nice atmosphere in this particular branch. The decor is nice with a light contemporary feel. The food is really good. The portions are generous and the prices are reasonable. The staff are friendly and attentive. This branchis in a nice location as it overlooks the cathedral green. I had a birthday meal here before and we were wuite a large table and they coped very well, bringing everyones meals at more or less the same time. A nice place to eat...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Zizzi
10 Nov 07, 15:07
good food, good value...
I always enjoy going to Zizi's, there is always a nice atmosphere in this particular branch. The decor has a nice Italian feel about it, without being tacky. The food is really good. The portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable. The staff are friendly and attentive. This branch has a nice secluded outside seating area and large glass windows making it very airy and light inside.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Old Fire House
23 Oct 07, 23:46
The Firehouse
This is a lovely place to spend an evening. It has quite a rustic feel to it, maybe because theres a lot of candle light and the building is quite old. Theres a nice outside area which is great in the Summer. Inside, theres a bar on the groundfloor with friendly staff. Drinks are reasonablly priced. Upstairs there are different areas, there are plenty of tables and chairs as well as big comfy sofas. It has a nice relaxed atmosphere even though it can get quite busy. An enjoyable place to drink a bottle of wine...or two...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Timepiece
23 Oct 07, 23:38
Good but not great...
Timepiece is a good place to go out, it has a quite a lot to offer. There is an outside area with tables, which is now especially useful for smokers. On the ground-floor there is a large amount of seating as well as a dance area. It can get busy but the bar is usually well staffed. Drinks are reasonably priced. Downstairs has quite a "pubby" feel to it. Upstairs on the other hand is a proper dance floor. You have to pay extra to get up there, i think its £5. They do various different themed nights during the week. Fridays are indie night and are pretty good. Timepiece is popular with quite alot of people but for me I think the Cavern is better
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Angel
23 Oct 07, 23:19
Live music...
This place is quite studenty during the day as it is right next to Exeter College, and during lunch time it can be full of newly turned 18 year olds enjoying the novelty of having an alcoholic drink for lunch. At night its a pretty cool laid back pub with a nice atmosphere. On thursdays they do an open mic night, which always proves to be interesting, depending on the performers sometimes its good and well others not so much. Definetly worth a visit...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Vue Cinema
23 Oct 07, 23:06
a new viewing experience...
I was very excited about the arrival of a Vue cinema to Exeter as I'd heard it was better than other cinema chains. I was not dissapointed. It carries far more films than the Odeon in Exeter and gets new films quicker. The seats are comfy and spacious. Prices are high, but this has come to be expected when going to see a film no matter which cinema you go to see it in. Theres lots of refreshments to choose from, but again expect to pay above the odds. The Vue is good and a welcomed addition to Exeter (and I have to say I haven't been to the Odeon since).
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Juice Moose
23 Oct 07, 21:45
juicy....
If you're a bit of a health freak or like a smoothie this is the ideal place to go. Juice Moose offers a wide range of juices and smoothies made there and then. Some sound more appetising than others. They also offer some food, not a great amount, but it is all very good for you. Staff are friendly, welcoming and are happy to help you make your choice. There is some seating and the place has a nice fresh feel to it.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Ganges Restaurant
23 Oct 07, 21:40
friendly staff, ok food
Gandi's is a goodish takeaway. They are quick with orders and the staff are always very friendly whilst you wait. The prices are what you would expect, if not a bit more. The food is tasty but my only gripe is that they seem to put huge slices of lemon in most dishes. I'm not sure whether this is to add to taste or to simpy bulk up the dishes to make them look bigger. It can get a bit annoying after picking out about the third piece from the same curry. I think there are probably better curry houses in Exeter than here
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Gino's Restaurant
23 Oct 07, 21:31
plenty to eat...
Gino's is a traditional Italian restaurant. It has a cosy homely feel to it. I went here for an all you can eat buffet at lunchtime. There was a good spread and you could tell it had all been made freshly that day. There were pasta dishes as well as a selection of pizzas. The staff were attentive even though we were helping ourselves. It was a reasonable price of i think somewhere in the region of £8, which when you think you could pay nearly as much to go to a rubbish Pizza Hut. I ve also heard good things about their dinner menu and service. So if you want a little slice of Italy, this is a good place to get it...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Carden Estate Agents
23 Oct 07, 21:09
good service...
Cardens Letting Agency were very helpful in finding student accomodation. They were honest and understanding of our needs. They were punctual to viewings and were able to accomodate us if we were running late or couldnt make it. On finding a suitable place to live Cardens were very organised with all the paper work. They were helpful in telling us what we needed to provide and what the setup would be. They gave us a information pack on our property which proved useful and they also got in touch with the utility companies that provided our property; something which I dont think all letting agencies do. There was a fee for the administrive work carried out by them but this is ordinary practise and was a reasonable amount to pay. All in all they provided a hassle free service
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Victoria Inn
23 Oct 07, 21:03
students only...
The Vic as it is known to most is situated in the center of studentsville in Exeter. It is a nice pub and has a good friendly atmosphere. They serve tasty cheap student food, I reccomend the HUGE pizzas. Its quite a small space and fills up pretty quickly. Theres always something going on, either people meeting up to "study" or the starting point for some sort of a sporting intiation. I dont think I've ever seen a non-Exeter uni student there, so you may well feel a bit out of place if you do not fall into this category. However, if you are a student check it out if you havent already...though I warn you it could be the downfall of your studying
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Amber Rooms
23 Oct 07, 20:55
dissapointing...
When you first walk into the Amber Rooms is looks pretty impressive. The decor is cool and modern, with lots of room. However, the service I experienced was a bit poor. I waited ages for a cocktail as there was only one person on the bar and then when I got it it didnt taste half as good as the many other equivalents I have tried. Not only this but they were much more expensive costing about £7. There is a dance area upstairs but I didnt stick around to see whats its like. If you're looking for a decent cocktail and even nicer surroundings I suggest you make your way to Starz
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of John Gandys
23 Oct 07, 20:50
Nothing to write home about...
A good place to start your night off. Theres a good atmosphere, can get quite busy at the weekends. Better for an after work drink during the week. Lots of seating downstairs and upstairs. Quite a nice interior with big leather sofas. Is a bit more expensive compared to other places in Exeter. Its an ok place, but nothing really that special, hence I have not that much to say about it...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Real McCoy Cafe
23 Oct 07, 20:31
a hidden gem...
The Real Mcoy is situated in a strange little arcade away from the main of the high street, but its worth a walk down the hill. You walk into the "arcade" and you see the old school fronting of the shop with its tables and chairs outside. Thats right the real mcoy isnt just a super cool vintage store but also a place where you can hang out and get a drink and a bite to eat. Its a nice environment to be because its so unique, and as its in a covered area its a good place to be when the weather isnt so good. The food is alright but that isnt the main reason for coming here...its all about the clothes. The downstairs has a good range of men and womens vintage. Prepared to rummage as there are things hidden all over the place. There old shop drawers which are full of all sorts such as scarves, belts and braces. There is a section full of more delicate and special vintage pieces. Prices are quite reasonable, especially as there are no places like this in Exeter or the surrounding areas, as far as I know. Upstairs has more typical vintage items, such as leather jackets. They also stock fancy dress gear, which is pretty good. Then on the balcony there are just rails of all sorts of clothes some more desirable than others. As you can see the Real Mcoy has a lot to offer and its true to its name.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Starz
17 Oct 07, 23:06
Star treatment...
This is a great place to go for an evening out. There are 2 parts to Starz, you can either go to the restaurant upstairs or, my preferred choice is the cocktail bar downstairs. Both areas are good, the food upstairs is American style and is very tasty. The decor is really cool and relaxed, with dining tables and chairs, as well as a big comfy sofas. The restaurant area seems popular for big parties, many of my friends have been on work do's etc here and have really enjoyed it. However, the best part is the cocktail bar. It is really chilled out and plush. There are sectioned off booths with expensive drapes and leather sofas. The cocktails are amazing, I strongly recommend The Grasshopper. What I really like about it is that you dont have to queue at the bar, but staff will come and take your orders at your table. The drinks are quite expensive with a cocktail costing about £5, but with such a great setting and service its really worth it.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Zephyr
17 Oct 07, 22:53
not a good night out...
I've only been here once and that was enough. There was one person on the bar all night, so the service was really bad. Just generally I didn't like the vibe there and to be honest there were quite a lot of pikeys. I don't know if I just picked a bad night to go, but I'd say its the worst place I've been out in Exeter. I'd be interested to know what other people feel about it....??
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Typeydong
17 Oct 07, 22:48
so yummy... 
This place is so much better than the branch of Wagamama in Exeter. This is the real deal! The food is really good and theres lots to choose from the menu. The place itself is modern and clean and very friendly with good service. They also do a really good lunchtime deal of a meal and a drink for, I think, something like £7. I definetly know its a bargain. You must go here, as me and my friends often worry that it is now losing out due to the opening of Wagamama. Which, if so, would be a real shame as its far superior and most importanly in the spirit of welovelocal - its INDEPENDANT!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Node
17 Oct 07, 22:32
Node...
Sadly, there aren't many independant shops in Exeter, in fact I think it was once named the most clone like high street in the U.K. Node therefore is a bit special as its one of the few boutiques in the town. Its a good place to look if you like Paul Frank and other such labels. It carries both womens and mens wear. Its quite a small shop and a bit on the pricey side, but the staff are friendly and willing to help. If you're bored of the high street stores that Exeter as to offer then I'd suggest you take a look.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Cavern
17 Oct 07, 22:25
Good music, good venue
The Cavern is a good place to go if you are in to alternative music, it's not like "Arena" or "Mambos" of Exeter. It is a little underground venue, that does various different nights throughout the week. They have pretty good bands play each month, such acts have included Jamie T and The Rumble Strips. Saturdays are the best night in my opinion, especially when they do Indie night. Expect to get there early as it can get really busy. Doors open at 8.30, usually there will be a band to start the night of then a dj to see the rest of the night through. The Cavern has a nice atmosphere and theres areas to sit down and chat aswell. Drinks are cheap, for example, on a saturday a double vodka and coke costs just £2. The Cavern is also open during the day and serves lunches and coffee, though it is usually full of little scenester college kids who can't get in on evenings because they're underage. The Cavern is my favourite night out in Exeter, I always end up having a good time there; so I suggest you check it out...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Dinosaur Cafe
17 Oct 07, 21:59
Traditional Food
The Dinosaur Cafe is probably quite over looked in Exeter, due to its location away from the high street and because of its somewhat strange name. It might look a bit like a greasy spoon on the outside but its actually a cafe which serves traditional greek and mediterranean dishes. The atmosphere is really good, the owners are friendly and welcoming. All the dishes are home made by them and certain dishes are served on certain days to ensure you are getting fresh food. Theres lots to choose from and a salad/tapas bar up front where you can take your pick. Prices are very reasonable as the portions are generous. I would definetly recommend the dinosaur cafe.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Arena
12 Oct 07, 23:25
What's that smell??
This is the question that most people ask when they enter Arena nightclub in Exeter and the answer is: vomit. Yes, no matter when you go, there always seems to be an unpleasant smell as you walk through the doors. Don't let this put you off however; if you re looking for somewhere to dance the night away then Arena is definetly a good place to start. It is quite a cheesy club and you may well need to take full advantage of the various drinks promotions they have on offer to get truly into the swing of things. This is a totally student dominated nightclub during the week with each night offering a different theme. The weekends tend to see a more local based party go-er. I do occasionally enjoy going to Arena, but in order to stomach the cringeworthy horror of hundreds of male students taking their tops off to the Baywatch theme tune at the end of the night I have to be pretty drunk. But if you like to pull shapes to such classics as the Baywatch theme tune and Night Fever by the Bee Gees then Arena might just be the place for you. On the other hand if you're after a more alternative music scene you might want to look else where.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Boston Tea Party
12 Oct 07, 23:11
The original and the best
In my first year as a student at Exeter there were very few places to go and get a coffee and relax, though over the last two years the high street has been populated with all the usual coffee houses; despite the now wide choice I always find myself going back to Boston Tea Party. This is because it is the original and the best. Bostons is relaxed and comfortable with an impressive converted first floor hall which is full of old sofas and chairs as well as large dining tables. The food and drink on offer is good and made with local produce; it is slightly more expensive than some places but this can be forgiven due to the good service and the fact that they are offering something a bit different from all their competitors on the high street. Bostons does have quite a studenty vibe but this shouldn't put you off as its a lovely place to spend a lazy afternoon.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.