Andrea's reviews
Review of Adam Kennedy
02 May 08, 19:38
Embodiment of why estate agents are hated 
If I could submit a one word review with simply "awful" I would. I sold my flat through Adam Kennedy last year and the whole experience was frustrating. I was recommended them by a neighbour and they were not worth the commission.
I was assigned the most junior member of their team as my main point of contact. Her inexperience and lack of urgency rendered her completely hopeless! Managing viewings was an ordeal, giving feedback was slow and how to co-ordinate between seller and buyer was shocking.
It was only when it looked like the sale was going to fall through and stating that I was going to part exchange with the building company I was buying my house from, did the branch manager step in.
If you have to sell through an estate agent in the area, don't bother with Adam Kennedy. Head to Muswell Hill where there is more choice, more expertise and more competition.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Souk
28 Apr 08, 19:41
Tasty middle eastern lunches 
I stumbled upon Souk and it is a real find if you want a break from sandwiches or soups from the regular chains. The menu includes wraps, falafels, couscous and they offer hot specials for both veggies and meat eaters. If you're hungry their "lunchboxes" are a good option where you can pick a couple daily dishes to have with rice or couscous for just under £6.
The only unauthentic thing about this place is the staff uniforms: unfortunately it is fast-food restaurant attire, complete with baseball cap. So I half expect to be asked if I want my food super-sized. Shame really.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Kelly's Of Cornwall
28 Apr 08, 00:36
Beware the evil seagull! 
There's nothing better than an ice cream from Kelly's in St Ives on a sunny day. Wide selection of ice creams and lower fat frozen yoghurts. Word of warning though: take your ice cream across the road to the small strip of sand and jetty at your peril. There's a gang of ASBO seagulls that look for opportunities to catch unsuspecting tourists as they pass by the hut next to the beach. The seagulls launch themselves off the hut, catch your hair to distract you and knock the ice cream and cone out of your hand and fly off with it!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Vine
28 Apr 08, 00:21
Lovely gastropub 
There's no shortage of places to eat in Ware, but The Vine is one of the good pubs to try. Lots of stripped oak, big tables and leather sofas, you might mistake it for an All Bar One in a period building. But it isn't. Which is a good thing. The menu, on first read looks like it serves all the usual dishes: bangers and mash, Sunday roasts and lemon meringue pie. But they do a fab tagliatelle with wild mushrooms and the smell of the beef bourgignon and the gravy with the bangers was enough to make me want to convert back to being a meateater! Portions are substantial, so make sure you save room for dessert.
Wine list is pretty decent and much of it you can order by the glass. They're currently running some specials on Australian wines - the Yering Station Pinot Noir is a particular favourite.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Wet Fish Cafe
27 Apr 08, 23:55
People watching paradise
Built on the site of a Victorian fishmongers, this cafe has been sensitively decorated, keeping the original tiles and glasswork. On a sunny day the tables on the pavement get packed, so opt for one just inside the window. Despite so many restaurants and bars to pick from, it is one of the best places in West Hampstead to watch the world go by and secretly delight in the bad outfits / parking on the high street!
Menu is typical cafe fare. During the day they do an excellent iced coffee but brownies were a bit disappointing (too dry). Dinner menu is varied and unusually you can pop in there on your way home and buy any bottle of wine served on the menu at retail prices (not the dining price). Opt for a rose in the summer (the one with the grenache is particularly quaffable!).
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of David's Jewellers
24 Apr 08, 00:27
Antique & vintage heaven
Richmond isn't short of jewellers. But David's stands apart because it has a great selection of antique and vintage pieces. They also specialise in resetting older stones in more contemporary settings, including coloured diamonds.
I'm a fan because I like that antique rings and necklaces have history. And you get more bling for your buck! The staff at David's are knowledgeable and will give you advice without making you feel pressured. Plus for anything purchased, they'll provide a valuation for insurance purposes. Without question I would recommend David's if you were buying an engagement ring. So be warned: enter this shop at your wallet's peril!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Cafe Diana
22 Apr 08, 19:40
Brunching and people watching
With an interior that is a bit of a shrine to Diana, Princess of Wales this little cafe is a lovely place to have Sunday brunch in the sunshine. Located just by the driveway to Kensington Palace (hence its name) it has all the typical breakfast staples, served by friendly staff and good coffee.
Worth picking up the paper and having a leisurely breakfast before charging round Kensington Gardens to work off that fried egg...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Livebait
22 Apr 08, 19:26
Lovebait!
If you're a fan of fish then Livebait is a good option. The restaurant interior is like a posh old-fashioned fishmongers with tiled walls and tables and booths. There's a bar area at the front of the restaurant, great for a pre-dinner tipple.
It has a wide menu with classics such as fish pie and fish and chips but also caters to the more exotic with thai fish curry and spicy sea bass. And of course oysters. Main courses are reasonable (starting at £13) and although a bit pricey, the starters are well worth it too - the whitebait or the smoked salmon / poached egg / potato rosti stack I can recommend (the latter if you're particularly hungry). They also do a well-priced set menu (useful for those going to the theatre nearby) and seasonal daily specials.
Two criticisms: the loos - make sure you you plan your trip in advance as they are tucked under the main dining area, which means a long walk back through the bar. The other is the wine list: it is extensive but I think it should also carry more full-bodied whites such as a Riesling and a Gewurztraminer to pair with the smoked fish and spicier dishes.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Sway
21 Apr 08, 19:39
Best Friday night party venue
I can't vouch for dining at Sway, but if you're looking for a lively place for a drinks party then this is fab!
Downstairs the place is split up into a number of rooms. There's the main bar with a massive dance area (seating around the edge) and a second large-ish room, the Crystal Lounge, which has a less frenetic feel and is decked with chandeliers and crazy wallpaper. Alternatively, you can hire out the Suede Room (my favourite) which is furnished with comfy seats, mood lighting, padded walls and its own private bar: very chilled out.
Drinks aren't massively expensive and the service is pretty good: they made me an amaretto sour :)
Altogether a good venue for birthday drinks.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Phoenix
18 Apr 08, 15:19
Mediocre
Tucked just behind BHS on Oxford Street this is indeed the only pub on Cavendish Square. I wouldn't normally drink there as there are far better pubs just the other side of Regents Street (The Yorkshire Grey and The Crown & Sceptre to name but two). It's not the fastest place to be served - definitely not enough staff. And when my gin and tonic arrived it came without lime / lemon and a distinct absence of ice! The beer drinkers are much better served here.
That being said it is a comfy pub with benches and big tables. If you have to eat there, the nachos are the best bet.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.