Nicola's reviews
Review of Ciullos
25 Jul 07, 22:28
Best in Balham 
Love this place. It's got real character probably because it's a genuine Italian place with genuine Italian food. It' also really cheap - the garlic bread with tomato pizza we had as a starter was huge and only about £4. The staff are great fun too - lots of jokes, lots of smiles... The spaghetti marinara was delicious - loads of mussels, prawns, clams and perfectly cooked. Def worth a visit!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Raviolo
25 Jul 07, 22:24
Going to get even better... 
I like this place. The house wine, the bread which they serve with a lovely fruity olive oil and green pesto is all really tasty. With the pasta menu, you order what kind of pasta you want and then you choose the sauce which I think's really nice as then you can get exactly what you want. The portions aren't huge but it's good quality stuff and really, really tasty. They've just opened a upstairs which is great because the 'waggamama' style bench seating means it can feel a bit smug. The chocolate pudding with coffee is worth dumping your diet for. They've just opened and I think they may have had some teething problems but I really do think this place has a good future because the food really is memorable. One last thing - check out the handdryer in the ladies toilet - it's amazing!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Bertie and Boo Cafe
25 Jul 07, 22:16
Don't go here on a diet
...the food is too nice. Most of it seems to have been made by local yummy mummies but who cares 'cause they can't half bake. It's really, really child friendly and there's all kind of stuff for them to play with / destroy. Comfy sofas and very friendly staff, too. Be warned though, it is small so it's not neccesarily somewhere you'd want to go if you fancy a bit of peace and quiet. My top choice - the scones with jam. Yummy.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Moon Under Water
25 Jul 07, 22:10
Dodgy 
I'm sorry, it just is. Yes, it's cheap (so cheap in fact, it's almost worth going there) but I just find it a bit soul-destorying. Doesn't smell great, sticky tables, lots of people in Reebok classics. Mind you, the older boys (50 plus) quite like it and I think that's great. After all, with all the gastro pubs around nowadays, there aren't many places for them to hang out. But, to me, it's not somewhere I'd want to spend a night (unless, it's the day before payday that is!)
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Marmaris
25 Jul 07, 22:05
Best kebab shop ever...
Now I'm not the kind of girl that eats many kebabs (never know what's in 'em), but this place isn't like your normal kebab shop. For a start, it's not full of drunks and the food is delicious. I always go for the chicken kebab and am never disappointed. You can eat in too and it's actually a nice place to stop when you want a quick, tasty bite. Really like the staff too - really friendly and welcoming. You can trust this place....
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Balham Tup
25 Jul 07, 22:01
Great place to watch sports 
...not so great if you don't like burgers and chips but who wants posh nosh all the time anyway? Big screens. Big crowd on match days. It's pretty noisy though, not one if you want to hear yourself think....
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The County Arms
25 Jul 07, 21:56
Very much a gastro pub
This isn't the place for a rowdy night but it's nice place for a meal whether with the other half or with a group. The food is really yummy (the meat dishes, particularly good) but it's not cheap. Beer garden is pretty smart too and never busy - a rare thing in London.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Clarence
25 Jul 07, 21:51
My fav pub
This place has got some life to it which I love. Okay, it's got that wooden floor and miss-matched chair thing going on, but here they've done it really well. Great range of beers, great music (classic stuff for my 30-something self) and the biggest glasses of wine you've ever seen. Good, friendly crowd too.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Balham Kitchen and Bar
25 Jul 07, 21:47
Great meat
The steak and chips is expensive, yes, but it doesn't disappoint and was cooked perfectly (medium rare WAS medium rare). The Sunday lunch is pretty damn special too - there's no measly portions so unlike many places you don't feel like you've been robbed when you're given the bill (the cauliflour cheese that comes with it is life changing). House wine was very glugable and cockatils well mixed.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Chez Bruce
25 Jul 07, 21:40
One word:fantastic
Five out of five - no question about it. The food was fantastic. The service was efficient and swift. A great place for a romantic meal. Yes, you need to spend a few bob but it's totally worth it.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.