Miles's reviews
Review of The Screen On The Green
13 Oct 07, 00:30
No Green Screen At Screen On The Green 
If you need reminding that there are films made outside of Hollywood, re-consider your usefulness in life. Oh, and get yourself to Screen On The Green. Otherwise, if you already acknowledge the 10:1 crap-to-less-crap ratio of most mainstream cinema, you will thoroughly appreciate this picture house. Clearly the owners are focused on showing less commercial pictures, opting for foreign/art-house and British films over spoon fed story-lines and copious amounts of special effects. The cinema reaffirms my confidence that not everyone forgets films are art, where a powerful story and great cinematography make a captivating piece of work, and help you forget the seats are a little uncomfortable.
Approaching the start of the main feature, Islington's original cinema auditorium quickly fills up, giving a sense of excitement and atmosphere, that should precede a film. Perhaps, it is because the audience know they are about to see a great picture, or that they are amongst similar minded viewers: the build-up factor definitely adds to the experience.
The small shop at the entrance sells everything you need to supplement your film watching experience. The bagged popcorn is far tastier than warm, freshly popped corn and is just the right amount.
If you enjoy real films and happen to be in Islington, this is a guaranteed great night out...
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Thai Square
13 Oct 07, 01:02
Sweet But Sour 
If I had to choose between Chinese, Japanese and Thai food - I would opt for Thai every time. My appetite for this exquisite Asian cuisine is more than satisfied at Thai Square.
The menu presents a refreshing selection of dishes, amongst which you will be able to find good examples of traditional meals as well as some more exotic blends of flavours. Thai food is a beautifully balanced mix of tastes and Thai Square are clearly experts in delivering the full cuisine. There is also a significant vegetarian section to the menu.
Whilst the food is very tasty, the portions are small, some 30% less than I would expect. This could be redeemed by an overall good restaurant experience: however this is not the case. The space feels a little cramped and dated. Waiting staff are pleasant but slightly less attentive than the price and location would suggest.
When you dine at Thai Square, your taste buds are in for a treat, your wallet/purse will lose weight and your desire to keep searching for that perfect Thai restaurant will gain momentum...
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of The New Culture Revolution
15 Oct 07, 12:00
The Art of Balance
An interesting little contemporary chinese restaurant - well they actually call themselves a "noodle and dumpling bar", which explains the more cafe like feel to the place, rather than a full on restaurant.
Their mission of creating healthy, well-balanced meals certainly shows. The food is clean, refreshing and tasty, with an encouraging lack of salt and artificial additives. All this is explained on the back of their relatively extensive menu. Something I was extremely grateful for as it kept me occupied during the long wait for my food!
It was the long delay between ordering and eating my meal that detracted from the overall experience. There was only one waiter, which was inadequate, but he was attentive and helpful. Other than that, this is a delightful place to eat, great, healthy food that is reasonably priced (for two people, around £25).
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Apple Store
15 Oct 07, 12:39
Think Different, please! 
I love and hate this place! 28,000 sq ft of Apple stuff - quite simply heaven... If only it wasn't for the people! Why are there so many of them. Clearly not all of them are Apple users/fans (about 99.99%), so why can't they just go away and leave me alone to actually appreciate the products, rather than peer over the shoulder of irritating tourists and confused microtards...
There should be a license, with an Apple entrance exam, that one has to display to get in... Or maybe shoppers should be forced to wear 'Bomb Redmond' pin badges... Or better still, you should get stripped searched on the way in. If you are carrying anything less than an iPod, MacBook, iPhone and a recent edition of MacWorld magazine, you should be ejected from the store for eternity!
However, if you are lucky enough to go to this place when it is relatively empty (perhaps late at night, or during a Windows update or something), you will find yourself walking around in awe, whilst convincing yourself that you 'need' that new iMac, iPod or other essential piece of hardware.
I love the fact that there is a place on earth with probably the highest density of Apple products per sq ft. And that the largest Apple Store in the world is here in London. For me, going to this place reminds me how much I love Apple. Their taste in design is exquisite and is reflected in this space, providing a retail experience that is second to none.
100 stars for the store, -95 stars for the annoying shoppers who are there for all the wrong reasons...!!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Ambassador
21 Oct 07, 18:45
Representative of Exmouth Market
Their brunch menu is fantastic, with good sized portions and reasonable prices. "The Londoner's Sandwich" is toasted chunky bread filled with yummy sausage and caramelised onions, served with fresh salad. This was the perfect way to subdue my hunger during that period between breakfast and lunch.
The eggs benedict is a great example of the dish, but go for the double option, as just one is a bit small.
The staff here were very attentive and the menu-to-stomach time was refreshingly short. All in all, this is a really nice cafe where you can enjoy the ambience of Exmouth Market...
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Pick More Daisies
24 Nov 07, 19:08
Yum Yum Yum!!
Wow, these guys served the best breakfast I have had in a long time!
I'd heard good things about this place, and after trekking a (very!) long way to get here - I was not disappointed. On the contrary, it was well worth the effort...
The "All-American" all day breakfast, was the best American style brekkie this side of the Atlantic. Fresh orange juice, generous portions and friendly service are included in the price, which is very reasonable.
If you happen to be within a 50 miles radius, don't hesitate to go here...
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Olympia Conference and Exhibition Centre
24 Nov 07, 19:16
Does the job!
If you are going to a show or exposition here and expect a reasonable sized, plain space to walk around all day, then Olympia will be just fine.
However, I would have preferred a more modern, innovative environment to explore, with much cheaper food outlets! For a building in which you might spend the best part of a day, there is a disappointingly bland selection of eateries, with equally disappointing prices.
Of course, it is the content of the show/event that really matters, but facilities and environment are important to enjoy the full experience...
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Cass Art
24 Nov 07, 19:28
Let's Fill This Town With Artists
The title is a motto of theirs. And it's clear they mean it! From stepping foot in this shop, I was pleasantly surprised. It seemed different to other art shops: bigger, more range of product, good prices and, overall, an inspiring atmosphere.
There really is everything you could possibly need (well, for most artists anyway). I was particularly impressed by the broad range of paints and related products. They stock the cheap basic acrylics, the expensive high quality oils and everything in between.
'Spoilt for choice', is a phrase that springs to mind, with great prices and knowledgeable staff... I hope they open more branches!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Borough Market
21 Jan 08, 15:07
Good food costs more!
I love food and therefore I love Borough Market! It's a veritable assault on the senses, with colours, sounds, sights and smells everywhere you turn. There is prepared food to eat while you make your way around the market; and plenty of choice for tonight's dinner.
As you would expect, the quality of the food is reflected in the price; those used to supermarket prices should stay well clear. Personally, I think great food is worth paying for and will happily dig a little deeper.
The only downside is that it can get really busy. They need to implement some sort of one way system, especially as the volume of people can add to the overwhelmingness of the market.
I will definitely be making regular trips here to experiment with different foodstuffs in my cooking...
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Say Pasta
11 Mar 08, 14:54
Forget Say! Hear Would be Nice! 
On the outside this fresh, clean looking pasta restaurant looks unassuming and harmless enough. Once you have readjusted your vocal chords to cope with the high levels of ambient noise, the menu seems enticing and the food fresh.
The prices were very reasonable and the service good; but there was no need for the inclusion of two free hairs with desert. The cost of which was promptly deducted from the bill, but this was much to little compensation.
In hindsight, the experience was not that great. Fortunately, for me, the company was, which inevitably softened the blow. And we happily made a quick getaway...
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.