Andrea's reviews
Review of Berkeley House
27 Aug 08, 15:19
Luxury bolthole - for work or social 
This beautiful massive townhouse in the middle of the Cotswolds can be rented privately and is the ideal place to share with friends for a short break or for a business away-day.
It has lovely gardens, outdoor seating and cooking area, plus an outbuilding with a big boardroom table and separate kitchen, for all that hard-core brainstorming and strategy planning!
Although it is self-catering, the owner, Lena, can arrange for caterers to come in and prepare food onsite - well worth it!
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Review of Perry's
25 Aug 08, 22:44
Serves brill, is brill
I ate at Perry's four years ago and thought the food was amazing. So when I returned to Weymouth this weekend, I thought I'd see if it had changed. And thankfully it hadn't.
Fantastic restaurant with lovely views of the posh boats in the harbour, Perry's is where to have a celebratory meal or just spoil yourself. With a menu focused on seafood, all of it sourced locally from Bridport, its fish is fresh, beautifully cooked and well presented. It does have some excellent meat on the menu (Dorset lamb and West Country raised beef), but the fish is where it's at. Worth trying one of the daily specials or the fish of the day.
From the regular menu, the scallops and the Portland crab are standout starters. And leave space for dessert - although the basil ice cream is a bit sickly after a few mouthfuls.
Perry's also has a huge wine menu and will give you advice if you're not too sure what to order.
Lovely, lovely restaurant.
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Review of The Victoria and Albert Museum
04 Aug 08, 23:25
Literally, a gem
For years the V&A has been one of my favourite museums for the sole reason that it allows me to salivate, albeit in public, over the the stunning collections of jewellery and fashion.
Where else can you revel in tiaras and knitting?
When my Elizabeth Taylor-esque diamond fantasy has worn off, I decamp to the V&A shop which stocks a vast selection of design and fashion books, ceramics and, of course, jewellery. It's also worth going to see the temporary exhibits: the Kylie and the Golden Age of Couture exhibitions were both amazing.
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Review of Childrens Bookshop
04 Aug 08, 23:01
Knowledgeable and helpful
The shop may not be huge, but what it lacks in space it makes up with an utter passion for getting kids excited about reading. It is stocked to the rafters with books for children of all ages. Buying suitable books can be daunting as picking something appropriate for a child's reading level and age is tough now that Enid Blyton has competition! But what makes this shop special is the staff advice and recommendations. They take the time to find out who you're buying for and what you'd like to get achieve with it: books not only to interest, but also books to challenge.
They do stock all the usual suspects, plus audio books and will order anything that's still in print but haven't got.
There should be more bookshops like this.
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Review of Spice Rack Lounge The Stanmore
04 Aug 08, 11:26
Curry in a thoroughly modern setting
This place is certainly not what you'd expect from an Indian restaurant. It's big and airy and kitted out like a large chain pub (albeit with an Indian twist). And you can come in for drinks at the bar as you might at an All Bar One.
But there the comparision ends.
Listen to the latest Indian hits whilst feasting on some of the best curry in London. But it's not for the faint-hearted! The spices have a kick and the flavours amazing. Good choice for veggies - try the Kachori and the Chilli Fish Masala.
Get there early on a Saturday night - it's very popular with the locals. And when I mean local, I mean North London. Definitely worth the trip out to zone 5...
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Review of Liberty and Co
18 Jun 08, 19:28
I want to live here
It's fabulous. I love the building with its carved staircases and uneven floors. I love the layout - not cluttered. I love the eclectic mix of designers and the handbags. The makeup department stocks Kiehls, NARS and Elemis which makes me very happy. It stocks a great range of products that use the Liberty prints (amazing bags and fabrics). And it has a bonkers vintage furniture within homewares which is brilliant.
Most of all I love the personal shopper. Not that I use her very often. But if you've got a special occasion coming up and you need an outfit, there's nothing better than trotting round the store and getting someone to pick out clothes that normally you wouldn't go anywhere near. It's marvellous . And a total eye-opener because they get it absolutely right. Every time. Just be prepared to take a hit to the wallet!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of The Quay Restaurant
18 May 08, 22:10
Art on the walls and plates
Owned by Damien Hirst, this restaurant and bar is worth a visit if you're in Ilfracombe. It's a showcase for some of his work as well as an amazing restaurant.
During the day sit in the bar and have a drink (excellent hot chocolate) and when you're not watching the boats in the harbour you can stare at the walls as they have pieces of art featuring butterflies: even the wallpaper has butterflies arranged like a children's kaleidoscope.
But come back in the evening for dinner. Booking is a must. We sat Harbourside (you can also book the Atlantic room, but sadly fully booked when we were there) which has some of the decoration from the now defunct Pharmacy bar. Food is stunning and well worth it for a special occasion.
Thumbs up for the Scallop & Chorizo with mash, the sardine tartlet or the fish cake and mango salsa to start. Followed by the lemon sole or the steak. And do not leave without dessert! I went to heaven with the Passionfruit souffle and raspberry coulis. Lots of local seafood too. And there's an excellent UK wine on the menu, from Devon, for those that are conscious of the food miles.
One last thing: the art in the loos. Not that I'm obsessed with toilets, but the loos have original drawings by wildlife illustrator Jonathan Kingdom hanging in them. V stylish!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Flat White Espresso Bar
11 May 08, 21:15
A coffee gem
This unassuming cafe on Berwick Street is a perfect antidote to the hubbub of the market and Starbucks.
It is small, friendly, serves very good coffee, yummy pastries and is a great place to chill out. I love that they serve tea in china teapots, complete with a proper cup and saucer, smothered in chintz. Long may they reign in Soho!
1 out of 1 person 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 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!
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Review of Mcanerney P.A Dental Surgeon
11 Apr 08, 14:57
Smile!
Patrick is fab. I've been going to him since 1994 and I can honestly say he's the best dentist I've ever had. And in that time I've had no fillings! He puts you at ease and he has calming fish in the waiting room.
He works with two hygenists - and the blonde one (sorry I can't remember her name) is particular good and very gentle, given that descaling teeth can be painful - not here though she used bubblegum flavoured gel to numb your gums. Yum!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Kettners
09 Apr 08, 18:55
Champagne and pizza = heaven
Kettners is like walking into the set of an Agatha Christie movie - oak panelled rooms, drawing room sofas and a man on a grand piano. And that's not the best of it. The Champagne bar is amazing. Whether you want just a glass, a Champagne cocktail or a magnum of Dom Perignon, you will find a glass of fizz to suit your palate. And my palate has sampled extensively!
It's also a good place to have a drinks party - you can hire a room here for a private function.
If you decide to dine here the food is an extended version of the Pizza Express menu (it's owned by the same people) which as always is consistent and reasonably priced.
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Review of Fagins Toys
09 Apr 08, 18:28
The perfect toy shop
Fagin's is a little treasure trove of a toy shop and the complete anthesis of a Toys R Us. It has everything from board games to dressing up clothes, arts and crafts to magic tricks. It caters for the newborns to family games . Plus stocks a decent selection of outdoor toys for the summer.
My particular favourites are the farmyard animals by the front door and the low table in the middle of the shop stuffed with silly little toys such as bouncy balls, colour pencils, creepy crawlies, glow in the dark stars. Magic.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Oscar
09 Apr 08, 18:03
Cocktails ladies?
This is my favourite spot for cocktails with the girls (if you don't mind blowing the budget). Hotel bars may no longer be hip (it's part of the Charlotte Street Hotel) but I love Oscar for the atmosphere and the bellinis. And the cosmopolitans. And the mojitos in summer...
The staff are always attentive and they do some fab specials there. They also know how to mix a cocktail not on the list - my litmus test is to ask for an Amaretto Sour and see if they can deliver (Oscar always does).
So if you've grown out of the heaving masses of Soho and want a more grown-up place to drink then Oscar's is for you. It's also a great place to start the evening with a plethora of good restaurants a stones throw away...
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of The Orrery
31 Mar 08, 16:00
A wine list to die for!
The best Conran restaurant I've eaten in and a great place to spoil your partner if they love food and wine. Order the sampler menu with a different wine per course - both change regularly. Robert the Sommelier is a genius so pick his brain if you're ordering a la carte. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy a long lunch...
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Review of Toffs
26 Feb 08, 23:33
Arguably the best fish and chips
About a year ago I went off to San Francisco for 2 weeks. And on my flight home all I could think about was fish and chips. Specifically fish and chips from Toffs. They are that good. And deservedly so.
I went straight from Heathrow to Toffs. No stopping at home to drop suitcase off, no shower, no quick nap.
Haddock, chips and a cup of tea. Lovely.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.