Rachael's reviews
Review of David Lloyd Leisure Club
30 May 08, 14:16
Nice pool 
David Lloyds are quite pricey, that's why I left them in favour of a much more reasonable one in the neighbouring town. The sales people are really pushy! I only went in there to have a look around and the next thing I knew I was signing a contract. However, this is a nice gym, it has all the standard fitness classes. I particularly liked the pool, which feels really private, in a room that lets in a lot of natural light from a high window, and is designed to permanently overspill (I think these are called eternity pools? Might have that wrong). They don't allow children in there at all, it's purely adults-only. The only thing is, it's pretty small for serious swimmers.
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Review of Sir Robert Peel
29 May 08, 17:33
Rather ropey 
I have been to see a few bands here and they've been ok. But this joint is perhaps better known for it’s female, erm, exotic dancers performing on certain nights. Whilst I am intrigued about this side of the Peel's business, I am in no immediate hurry to rush over there and check them out. It is in the less desirable area of town so emerging after a late night out and having to pass the local estate on the way home isn't the most attractive prospect...
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Review of The Kingston Tup
29 May 08, 14:03
Popular but pricey
This is a good pub but a bit on the pricey side. It has salsa classes on a Monday, one of which I've been to and he's a good teacher. The food is fairly good also. I think it's run by Australians so it is big on screening all the big sports matches. The staff are pretty friendly and very efficient.
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Review of Evans
29 May 08, 13:20
A little expensive
Evans is situated in Kingston high street. Although I think it is the original ladies fashion store to do larger sizes I dont think it is the best. They do quite a wide range of different styles and fabrics but very rarely does something jump out and grab your attention. I think they are also on the pricey side. Bonmarche which is only a bus ride from Kingston do better clothes at a fraction of the price. I would not recommend this as the best store for larger women.
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Review of The Albert
29 May 08, 09:02
Expensive!
Well I suppose this IS the nearest pub to the Kingston entrance of Richmond Park and therefore they can charge what they like - but under £3 change of a tenner for 2 drinks? It is a nicely decorated place though, rustic mirrors and nice art on white and green walls. Downstairs are some interesting conservatory bits. They have a few tables outside on the ground level too which is good for summertime.
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Review of Thai On Thames
29 May 08, 08:59
Lovely - except not really on the Thames 
This is a really great Thai restaurant, with traditionally dressed waitresses and nicely decorated with wooden separaters and bowls of floating flowers. I recommend the £14.95 per person set menu, you get a platter of starters, tea of your choice (green, normal etc) and a choice of a main dish that comes with rice and vegetables. Beautiful green curry!
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Review of Six Bells
28 May 08, 14:15
Not it's real name!
This pub is now called The Honest Cabbage. It can be a bit scary in the sense that upon walking in all you get is stares off the locals...one of those joints that is almost TOO local, if that's possible haha. Women with goled 'mum' chains round their necks. Sometimes they sing karoake in there really badly. There is a Thai restaurant too, which I have not tried, but there's no way it's rivalling Kai's Thai in the Cricks, nohow.
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Review of Isha Lounge Bar
27 May 08, 14:13
Late night drinking hole
This place is good - the night I went there was a good DJ who played decent dancy chart stuff and took requests...even though we asked for the same Gorillaz tune about four times :) The drinks aren't too pricey, the staff nice and the crowd in there were cool. Definitely a better, classier bet than O'Neill's for a drink after hours.
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Review of Reflex The 80's Bar
27 May 08, 14:09
happy bar
I really liked the fountain too - I remember stepping in it once when very drunk and had to go home with one wet foot. And yes, I would have said this bar is more known for the gay vibe than it being an 80's bar. It's a good place for a fun night out.
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Review of Kingston Station
03 May 08, 10:42
Shabby looking
This station is not badly run, it just looks a bit dated in comparison to a station like Wimbledon, it is quite obviously in need of an overhaul. They have a decent amount of automated ticket selling machines, but only one manned window which could be improved on. There are ticket checking machines in and out of the platform area. A few shops are dotted within the entrance area, to get snacks and newspapers, there is also a dry cleaners which is handy. Considering the amount of London commuters within Kingston, it does not get too overcrowded - because half of said commuters live closer to Norbiton and go there instead, which makes for an even spread.
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Review of Jessops
02 May 08, 20:54
Trustworthy camera store
This high street camera store chain is very trustworthy. You can get some great deals in here which are presumably common to all the stores simultaneously...like Dixons but just for audio-visual tools. The great thing with Kingston, which makes it stand out, is the knowledgeable staff. You really feel like you're getting a good service. They will ask you exactly what you want (even if you're not sure yourself!) and direct you not just to the most expensive product for the sake of boosting their sales, but the camera model that best fits your requirements. They give a 10% discount to students also. It's the best place to go for photographic equipment, advice, printing and processing!
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Review of The Fighting Cocks
27 Apr 08, 13:14
Outside The Box on Mondays 
I forgot to mention the comedy club here at the Cocks on a Monday night - which is completely brilliant and always worth a visit. They have had some big names down there of late - Russell Brand, Frank Skinner and Stephen Merchant. Other names like Lee Mack and Russell Howard gig there fairly regularly. Also commendable are their regulars who return time and again to give the audience a great night of new material. The compere Maff is a straight talking funnyman in his own right and has grown the club fantastically well since it began there a few years ago...many nights you have to book in advance for, or you simply won't get in. So it is highly advised to get on their mailing list. And you need to go every week really - as the biggest names often pop up on the night unannounced! A couple of beers at this fresh Monday comedy night is perfect to counteract those back to work blues and to ease you into the rest of the week.
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Review of Frangos Restaurant
27 Apr 08, 12:36
Chicken restaurant - familiar style!
Frango's is a bit of a rip off of Nando's to be honest, though the format works and they seem to have pulled it off somehow. They market their chicken as 'flame-grilled' to draw attention away from the fact that the dishes, marinades and accompaniments are very similar, as is the way you order your food. It is one of the more decent restaurants in Kingston's Rotunda centre for sure, however, alongside Pizza Express and Finesse.
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Review of Specsavers Opticians
26 Apr 08, 10:27
Should have gone!
Now I am not sure about monopolisation of markets and the excessive, recent contact lens advertising that seems as though it's aim is to make people feel bad about wearing glasses. When I was a kid I used to visit an independant optician in a smaller suburb and they always did me fine. Though Specsavers has all the benefits of a well run, legitimate company. It is efficiently run, the admin (ie checkup reminders) is just on time, never intrusive or pushy. Once you get there, the staff are friendly and professional and give the air of knowing what they are talking about. They are keen to talk about new products only if they think they're of interest to you, not just to sell you the next big thing. I am happy with the level of service and care, and their procedures, for both glasses and contact lenses.
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Review of Fortune Cookie
25 Apr 08, 14:17
Great Take Away
This is such a nice Chinese takeaway joint - the food is reasonably priced and all the dishes are tasty and well cooked. They deliver or you can collect. I would never go to another Chinese take away simply because they have a long term offer on their aromatic crispy duck - which is always great, never just the ropey skin bits like some places try and give you. The offer is 1/2 duck for £7.99 if you buy one other main dish - brilliant value! You have to pick up your food yourself for this special, but it's a small inconvenience for a great deal, try it.
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Review of G & E Jewellers
19 Apr 08, 20:04
Lovely range to choose from
The two gentlemen who run this shop are very friendly, they know their onions and exude an old-fashioned, couteous sense of service. The jewellery is beautiful grades of silver and gold, and there is a large range of necklaces and bracelets to choose from. It is worth a visit if you are seeking something special at a decent price.
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Review of Clarks
19 Apr 08, 17:47
Vast range!
When I was a school kid Clarks used to be ridiculed as a choice of shoe brand, but revisiting it now as an adult, the range is out of this world - and there are loads of decent styles! Go there and be impressed. The prices are average, not particularly cheap but the shoes are all well made so it's worth it. There are loads of comfortable soft leather styles that both look and feel good. This Kingston branch is huge, with loads of kids, men's and women's footwear to choose from.
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Review of The Body Shop
19 Apr 08, 17:42
Good branch
This is quite a small Body Shop, though no matter what the size of the branch, they always seem to stock all items! They are just squeezed into smaller spaces on the shelves. This Body Shop has friendly, efficent staff. As with most branches, a free make over is available, and advice on which make-up products are best for you.
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Review of Pullingers Art Shop
17 Apr 08, 14:16
Good little art shop
This is a compact little independant art shop in central Kingston. Their range of stock is pretty good for the size of the shop. They sell everything from paper, to wooden models, crafts materials for children and brushes, with all mediums of paint. The staff are friendly and happy to help.
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Review of Oxfam
17 Apr 08, 14:00
Great 2nd Hand Books
Now if you like books and don't mind seeing what you can pick up 2nd hand, this is such a little find in Kingston's small streets! I found Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast trilogy here, in perfectly reasonable condition, and swiped it for just a fiver. If you know this trilogy at all, you will understand how special this is. This shop is full of treasures - they often have a lot of spiritual/occult books and older editions of favourite children's titles.
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Review of Books Bits & Bobs
13 Apr 08, 11:24
No 1 for Fancy Dress
This is under 'comic bookshops' although I have to say whenever I've gone in there, it's for dressing up items. And they have such a fine array of clothings, masks, hats and make-up you'll be dazzled. Seriously, if you need a prop shop in Kingston this is the first and probably only place you should visit...The only thing I've ever asked for and the guy has not had is a nun's habit, strangely enough.
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Review of The Cricketers
12 Apr 08, 17:43
Genius Thai Food!
The Cricketers is a great live music venue with a big stage, whose upstairs space I hired out for a big birthday party. They also have comedy and quiz nights, so a lot goes on... But the best thing about it by miles is the in-house Thai restaurant, 'Kai's Thai' which is genuinely amazing and really good value. The yellow and green curries with coconut rice are delicious, and the starters are beautiful, and the starters! Minced chicken on toast with sweet chilli sauce!! You can be guaranteed a delicious fresh meal here for a great price. The owner is a real character, what could be construed as stand-offishness we put up with because his food is so beautiful :)
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Review of Wheelwrights Arms
12 Apr 08, 17:31
Tiny old pub hidden amongst the shops!
Now this is what I'd describe as an 'old man' kind of pub, although it was brightened with a decorative overhaul quite recently. The location is brilliant for a quick day time beverage, tucked away between Argos and Specsavers, and I think that's what gives it the proper 'local' feeling about it, the realisation that a good few geezers would happily stop off there whilst their wife is doing the shopping. There is a more pleasant and safe feel to this venue, than in some bigger places in the town centre.
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Review of Il Capriccio Cafe
12 Apr 08, 14:43
Nice cafe
This is at the end of Castle Street, heading the valley of the meditarranean style restaurants. Il Capriccio is a nice clean place with English breakfasts as well as the usual Italian foccacias and paninis. The prices are perhaps a little steeper than neighbouring cafes but the menu is more varied. It seems to be an all female team, who are very efficient. My favourites in here are the risottos, simple tasting and wholesome, as risottos should be!
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Review of Finesse Cuisine
12 Apr 08, 14:35
Upmarket Chinese Buffet
This restaurant is so good!! It could become an addiction. Loads of delicious dishes line the buffet, a decent number of vegetarian ones too, like tofu, aubergine and pak choi. They don't sit there long, so there is a good turnover! I have only been in the evening though, so I can't speak for how busy and fresh everything is at lunchtime. Then you've got the Teppanyaki stand at the far end of the restaurant, where fresh salmon, prawns, beef and chicken (whatever you choose) are skilleted for you sweet chilli or satay sauce and brought to your table. It is quite noisy because it's so busy. They sometimes blare out bad pop tunes over everybody's chatter. They play a bizarre version of happy birthday for people celebrating in there, it sounds like a Christmas carol! All adds to the atmosphere though. The price changes according to peak or non-peak periods. It is about 11 or 12 quid a head on a weekend evening and worth every penny...go this weekend! And my advice is to pace yourself!!
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Review of Frankie & Benny's
12 Apr 08, 14:18
Snail's pace service 
These guys are so laid back they're on the floor...which is not good when you are in there with your friend trying to get a pre-film bite to eat. I waited for almost two hours for my food once, and when I asked what was happening as I had tickets for a film starting soon, they looked at me like they couldn't care less. The food isn't even worth the wait. Give this a miss, try one of the other Rotunda restaurants instead.
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Review of Odeon Cinemas
12 Apr 08, 14:13
Decent Cinema!
I read somewhere once that Kingston was the flagship Odeon, which doesn't make sense when comparing it to Leicester Square where all the premieres are held. Maybe I dreamt it. Regardless, this is a huge Odeon with 14 screens and all mod cons. Great sound (if anything a little too loud in some auditoriums). The ticket queues are often long but they move quickly, and the kiosk has recently been refurbushed to make purchasing your popcorn and goodies more self-service and streamlined, too.
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Review of The Kings Tun
12 Apr 08, 14:03
Cheap beer
This is a Wetherspoon's pub so you can guess the vibe - huge expanse of floor space and cheap lager...I don't know how they manage with these prices when they always seem able to snap up the biggest and most desired locations...just shows you how we pay disgustingly more than we should in other bars. This pub is right near the station and opposite the Rotunda centre, housing the Odeon, a load of restaurants and a bowling centre, so it's a convenient place to have a preliminary drink when out with mates. I have only been in there a handful of times though, due to the fact that Kingston's rougher crowd seem attracted to it.
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Review of Grey Horse
12 Apr 08, 13:52
Good Live Venue
Yes! The Grey Horse is somewhere I have visited on and off since my student days at Kingston College. Definitely a dusky, dusty student venue but open to anyone! I agree wholeheartedly with Bravenewmalden, this is a great live intimate setting, and the sound is better than in the Cocks because there is more space in The Grey Horse. The best band in Kingston - Tulpas - have played here many times. They also have a comedy club here on Sundays (think it's called The Crack). It is in the same back area as the live music, and they get some decent comics in. Go check it out!
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Review of La Fiesta
11 Apr 08, 14:20
Friendly and Popular
This is one of about 10 cafes on Castle Street - I think they are all owned by two separate families! New ones open all the time, I reckon they'll end up taking over all the shops :) But this is a great one, selling wraps and sandwiches, the falafel is good and they sell all sorts of usual meditarrean type mixes. They are very friendly and efficient and the testament to their food is obvious from the permanent lunch time queue snaking out of the door.
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Review of Clocks Fine Quality Sandwiches
11 Apr 08, 14:14
delicious
I really like the random name of this sandwich bar. It is tiny, little more than a booth, decorated old-fashioned style with lots of clocks (surprisingly enough) on the walls. Since the pedestrianisation of Castle Street they now have a few tables and chairs outside now in the street, which is lined with a number of other cafes doing the same - it gives a really nice feel. Their sandwiches are generously filled and abosultely delicious - especially the turkey, stuffing and cranberry one.
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Review of New Devi Tandoori Restaurant
09 Apr 08, 14:31
Good people, good food
This is a lovely restaurant - deserving of more business than they currently seem to have. I have only been there on a week night and would like to think the weekends get busier. The people are very sweet and the food is good.
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Review of The Fighting Cocks
09 Apr 08, 11:48
Best pub in Kingston
The Fighting Cocks is a great rocker's pub, when you first step in and see all the leather and piercings it feels like an exclusive joint but they are really friendly staff, mostly Aussies, and the people who drink there are cool too. If you like guitar music more than dance it's the best bet for you in Kingston!
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Review of Oceana
09 Apr 08, 11:39
Dive In!
I've only been here once - the decor is quite impressive in the themed rooms (boudoir, ski lodge etc) and the music is different in every one which is good, sometimes with good new live acts. Its got a meat market factor to rival The Works and is mostly quite a 'young people' place...on Wednesday's student night the queue goes round the block past the fallen telephone boxes.
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Review of Back To Health Chiropractic Clinic
09 Apr 08, 11:17
Kingston's No 1 Wellness Centre
Back to Health is a chiropractic wellness centre, a real haven in the heart of Kingston. Dr Daniel Rainbow is a brilliant chiropractor in a friendly, professional and educational office. They work wonders. Go and pay them a visit, it will be one of the best things you can do.
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