Heidi's reviews
Review of The Gap
13 May 08, 09:40
Good size 
I went in here for the first time at the weekend - it seemed to be the only air conditioned shop on Fosse Park! It's large and really spacious so you can see stuff clearly. The really annoying thing though is with those hangers whenever you touch anything it just falls down straight away. I kept doing it so just gave up in the end. Gap is good for T-shirts and plain bits for summer. Plus, on a hot day, head for this shop on Fosse Park because all the others are like saunas...
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Review of Pizza Hut
09 May 08, 10:16
Great before/after the rugby
They've quite recently given this place a facelift and it's looking a lot nicer and way more modern... it's the perfect place to go before/after a rugby match and last time we went, it wasn't that busy at all (despite there being a big match on). They do takeaway so you can ring up and then your pizza is ready to pick up straight away. I miss the potato skins they used to do. The staff seemed friendly and I got served quickly.... it seems a lot more grown up than the pizza hut in Milton Keynes and you won't be surrounded by kid's parties and ice cream like you always feel down the M1
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Review of Daniel's Bistro
08 May 08, 18:50
Daniel's Bistro
My sister has been here on two dates... but she said it wasn't good for dates because you feel so exposed, it's really light so they can see every imperfection like your tash or your spots (that's probably just me). It's cosy but not in a romantic way because of the lighting. You're very close to other people's tables unfortunately. I would say this place was expensive and the food was OK... some people rave about it but I think it was a bit over priced for what it was. I wouldn't rush back here. My sister has been here 3 times so likes it, but it depends on your taste. It kind of feels like it's in the middle of nowhere too. There's nothing around it apart from flats and a sports bar. It gets VERY busy so you have to book. The staff were foreign (I think the owner's Italian or French) but it's run by his family and friends. It was that typical foreign standoffishness.... very formal and not warm and friendly at all. To get to the loos, you'll find it really confusing! My sister ended up in the kitchen twice on her dates, but then she is blonde bless her :o)
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Review of Zizzi
08 May 08, 18:16
Shame about the loo!
This place has got a fantastic reputation for food and it has amazing views (as long as you get the right table). You need to have a window table really which over looks the harbour... you MUST book in advance. Most people go there to eat but there is also a lovely bar area with comfy leather sofas with very modern decor. It's not like a normal bar because a waitress comes over and takes your order (bit confusing as they'll only take your first order and not come back again! So remember to go back to the bar). It's very formal atmosphere wise and if you go for after work drinks it's very quiet in there... almost a tiny bit awkward at times. It's very pricey and the drinks are massively over priced. The wine is through the roof! Zizzi's loos are the only loos anywhere nearby... so there are loads of people who nip in and use it like a public loo. So that ruins the atmosphere too.
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Review of Ma Potters
08 May 08, 17:53
Who is this place designed for?
This place is nice, but I always find it really confusing! It looks like the sort of place you can pop in and have a snack, but come about 5pm, it suddenly morphs into this really formal place where you have to pre-book, pay a fortune for food and feel like you should be wearing peals and a scarf. I went in with friends for a few drinks and it looks like the sort of place you can relax, have a drink and some bar snacks in, but then it goes really formal all of a sudden. Always seems busy but I can't work out for the life of me who this place is actually aimed at! Service is OK but they tend to be foreign and pretty formal so you don't feel very comfortable in there. I'm not a huge fan of such formal places. If they decided who they were aiming at and made it more relaxed, it might make it more appealing...
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Review of Costa
08 May 08, 17:50
Avoid at weekends, or if you have a bad back!
This is a really great Costa because it has so many seats (unusal for Costa) so plenty of room. Staff are always really friendly and the service and atmosphere are great. The only downside is the seats are really hard! It's right inside the shopping centre but it has two walls cut away so you can people watch. No view of the harbour though. Don't try and go here on the weekends it's always packed, but after work, it's a great place to go for coffee and to relax. They do continental biscuits which are really nice too. Pricey, not good value for money, but you're always going to get that with Costa.
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Review of Waitrose
04 May 08, 13:14
Good size but pricey
This place is still relatively new to Ampthill and is classified as a 'superstore' so it's a good size. The food, as you would always expect with Waitrose is pricey, but if you just need to pick up a couple of bits it's handy. There's loads of parking here too. It's quite tucked away in Ampthill though! Just follow the signs to the superstore...
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Review of Bicester Village
03 May 08, 13:31
Jimmy Choo
This place has a Jimmy Choo and an Agent Provocateur... there is little need for me to say more. If you have lots of men, a long day and some anti-snob spray then I highly recommend you go here. Watch out for the trout faced footballer's wives and the perma-tan men in leather jackets. It's really pricey but you can get things at a big discount. There are quite a few places to eat, drink etc so it's really nice for an afternoon out. Avoid on a bank holiday as the queue to the car park stretches back through the centre of Bicester!
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Review of Michael Jones Jeweller
03 May 08, 12:49
Not much selection on show
I was a bit disappointed when I went in here a while ago because they only have two windows of displays and then very little inside. H Samuel round the corner have everything on show and loads to choose from. The jewellery is lovely in Michael Jones but I wouldn't recommend it as the first port of call if choice is what you're after.... plus it's quite formal so you may not feel as comfortable popping and asking to see something. It reminds me of a 1920s jewellery shop reserved for the rich and not for the likes of me!
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Review of Ann Summers
03 May 08, 12:22
Small shop - nice staff
I love Anne Summers, but I don't know why they are often so small (like this one). Last time I went in the staff were friendly, my friend and I were looking at some strange things laughing and one of the assistants said "you would be AMAZED what some people buy in here!" and we started having a chat. One thing I have noticed though, you tend to get quite a few dodgy men that lurk in this shop in Midsummer Place. Guys, if you're with your girlfriend it's fine, if you're on your own... I would suggest you shop online.
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Review of Madame Tussauds
29 Apr 08, 17:17
Great day - VERY expensive
This is a great day out - but be prepared to spend a fortune. If you book online you'll get them a bit cheaper. Trouble is, these London tourist attractions always cost a fortune because the management know there will always be 1000 Japanese tourists willing to pay the money. Adults are £22.50 and kids are £18 (I know!!) I love the dungeon, even though it's quite scary. If you've got kids they'll love it. The Cameron Diaz model thing is so spooky, as are most of them. Good thing is they measure them exactly so you can see ACTUALLY how small Kylie is and how big J-Lo's bum is. God I sound like such a geek. Definitely worth a day out but make the most of it because with the costs being so high you probably won't want to go again!
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Review of The Works
28 Apr 08, 17:52
Great bargains - grumpy staff
I don't know how they manage to keep their prices so low! Don't be fooled into thinking it's just books they sell. I bought my friend the most GORGEOUS watercolour set from here on offer for £10 down from £25 - she loved it. The books are really good value as is everything else in the shop. If you're looking for presents for kids then they have loads to offer like books and toys. They have a whole art section so if you fancy yourself as a bit of a painter, you'll find everything you need to start. Some of the staff weren't very friendly or helpful in my experience mind you.
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Review of Pizza Hut
28 Apr 08, 17:04
Good food - lots of children
This pizza hut is the perfect place to go when your feet are killing after shopping... but where are their potato skins nowadays huh?? They vanished. They may be back on again now but they were the main reason I went. The staff always seem very efficient. I tried the lunchtime buffet but we I'm not a massive fan of pizza. I prefer their salads and garlic bread. Watch out for the children's parties of which there seems to be many... take your ear plugs
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Review of Costa Coffee
28 Apr 08, 10:25
VERY expensive - lovely staff
I went in here on my way up to Leicester on the weekend and wanted to review it simply because the girl who served me was the loveliest waitress ever! She was really friendly and polite. Considering how miserable a lot of the staff can be in Motorway Service Stations she was really good. It's VERY expensive in here - like all the services they rely on your petrol being almost empty so they can charge you more, and that your blood sugar levels will be so low you think very little of paying £4 for a sandwich until you've eaten it and realised how ridiculously expensive it was. But their hot chocolate and coffees are lovely and will keep you going on your journey for a while...
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Review of George (ASDA)
26 Apr 08, 12:38
Bit unsure...
I'm still a bit unsure about George at Asda. At times it seems really mumsy and I struggle to find anything I like, or that fits well and isn't designed to cover every lump and bump. Having said that, I know friends who have bought a couple of dresses from here which have been absolutely gorgeous. The price is good so worth a look. This shop always seem really dark and uninviting to me... feels a bit like you've just walked into a cows shed in a way. They could do with brightening it up a little!
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Review of West One
26 Apr 08, 12:27
Good shoes
This place is great for really cheap stuff, but the quality always seem a bit rubbish.... it's adjacent to the market (I think you'd get much better quality on there). It's great for little tops for summer but for anything else I wouldn't really bother going in. Oh actually, the shoes are quite nice and they're certainly cheap. So may be worth a look for those alone...
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Review of Next
26 Apr 08, 12:24
Small but good service
I always find this Next a bit small to be honest... I went in with my friend the other day and we were crammed in for hours. I like the quality of Next stuff a lot, and it's great for suits and smart clothes, but be prepared to wait a while on a busy day. Mind you, they were giving everyone in the queue sweets as an apology last time so their customer service is really good. Amazing underwear and bags...
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Review of Swan Pool & Leisure Centre
24 Apr 08, 16:50
Small gym - great pool
I've been to some fitness classes here which were a real laugh, definitely worth checking out. The pool is large and there's a child's pool too so you can relax a bit more when you're with them as it's really shallow. The only slight downside is everyone can watch you and you feel a bit like you're in a goldfish bowl, but who cares, just work it! They also have a sauna and steam room so you can relax after a swim. Good price and really good for Buckingham generally. Gym is small though!
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Review of Dunnes Stores
24 Apr 08, 16:43
Good - if you go on the right day
This place is a bit hit and miss... I got some amazing knee highs for about £10 here a little while ago, but if you look at the clothing a lot of it is REALLY pricey but terrible quality. If you need nighties, undies (lots of padding in the bras, happy days!!) and cheap bags it's great, but if you're looking for shirts and trousers it's not good. They have a home bit attached which has some great things in. I bought some gorgeous black and white Elvis and James Dean framed posters in there. If you catch it on the right day, you can pick up a bargain.
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Review of The Bell Hotel
24 Apr 08, 16:23
Unsure about this one
If the Bell Hotel was run better, this could be a great place... there is SO much potential. If I had a pound for every hour I've spent in here I would be a millionaire. Two of my closest friends worked there (hence the hours I spent propping up the bar). I know for a fact that this is one of the worst places anyone could work. The managers make David Brent look like he knows what he's doing. The food is quite average (good value) but the decor is ancient.... it could really do with a facelift. It looks lovely from the outside mind you. I think it's kept alive by its regulars and the huge number of couples who book it out for weddings (it does have a nice extension out the back, I've been to two wedding receptions there). It's OK but if it's good customer service you're after, you'll struggle to find it here
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Review of Leicester Museum
24 Apr 08, 10:06
Free to get in
... I went to a photography exhibition here a couple of weekends ago. The photos were gorgeous but the building looked like it was falling down (they're having loads of work done). It's free to get in which I think is fantastic, they only ask for a donation. There were loads of children there who were having a whale of a time. Worth a visit if you're nearby!
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Review of The Secklow Hundred
24 Apr 08, 09:59
Staff are a little dappy
The staff here managed to double book my birthday party - joy. I rang up on the DAY to confirm and was told they had no record of my booking, despite me having paid a deposit AND had a receipt. Luckily, because I kicked up a fuss, they put the other party in a different section of the bar, but it's not what you want to be dealing with on your birthday. Plus they weren't very helpful at all. The manager there at the time was a proper dragon. Having said that, the upstairs bit is great to hire. Music is OK and it's not so noisy you can't have a chat. Nice to chill out in during the day too
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Review of Morrisons
23 Apr 08, 20:10
Long long queues.....
If you plan to shop in Morrisons, I would suggest you take an Ipod, a magazine and a book, preferrably Tolstoy's War and Peace because the queues in this place are so ridiculous at anytime post 9am. I don't understand why they don't open more tills. I complained about it once mind you and they did send me a voucher in compensation for waiting about 23872387 hours for a twix.... yes that IS how desperate I get for chocolate. Morrisons is what it is, but this one seems to be pretty disorganised as they go. You have to pay for parking too - hello. How annoying! They do reimburse you, but it's a stupid system
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Review of HMV
23 Apr 08, 19:09
Friendly staff
This place always seems to be heaving so can take ages to get served! But on a good note last time I went there the guy who served me was REALLY friendly and asked me how I was which I always think is nice! Over priced calendars and albums but that's pretty much always the case unless you buy online anymore....
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Review of Lloyds No. 1 Bar
23 Apr 08, 11:48
Pretty average
I'm not a massive fan of Lloyds - it's OK but definitely not the place to go if you actually want to have a chat with someone. Plus last time I went, the girls seemed to have difficulty in grasping the concept of wearing clothing. One girl decided to wear a TINY white mini skirt with no underwear which fully rode up as she danced - the bar got to see everything. She wasn't the only girl so keen to flash the flesh, so if you fancy a bit of a perve, then I think you'll like it. As bars go in MK it's pretty average but certainly not worth heading out to for a whole evening...
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Review of The Fragrance Shop
23 Apr 08, 11:44
Great choice
This place has pretty much every selection you could possibly wish to try! If you want to be spoilt for choice, then I would recommend you head here. And you know you can never go too far wrong with perfume...
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Review of Chubby's Chippy
22 Apr 08, 18:38
Good chips
I'm really fussy about my chips but this place does them well! Not as nice as the chippy along Well Street in Buckingham but one of the better chip shops around.... staff are REALLY friendly and it's really clean too
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Review of The Sumo
22 Apr 08, 17:48
Shame about the sport....
I went here for a speed dating night with some friends which was really fun (although the men were all weird...) It's a really nice bar BUT they play rugby/football etc sometimes which is boring and noisy. They DO get good artists playing here mind you, Sam Sparro was there last week and Captain are there soon so great for music! If you're a smoker there's a whole outside bit with heaters too.
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Review of Waterstone's
22 Apr 08, 17:19
Pricey but helpful
This is an expensive place to get your books, but the staff were really helpful when I went in there last time. They have really unique gifts too like a therapist in a box which are quite funny for birthday presents. The cards and bags are SO expensive though. If you're minted and on a mission go here, if you're poor like me and don't want to pay loads, I'd suggest you go online...
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Review of Centre MK
22 Apr 08, 17:16
Bigger isn't always better
If you love shopping, this is your heaven! It is enormous. It goes on forever. BUT if you don't like crowds, I would suggest you get there for 9am on a Saturday morning or go on a weekday. When it's quiet, this place is great, but when it's heaving, it can be torture trying actually see anything! Parking is REALLY expensive too. Avoid the red zones as it'll cost you £1 an hour and if you're there all day, it adds up quickly. If you're like me and don't like shopping, then drop off your partner/friends/family and go and sit in one of the millions of coffee houses (costa above Waterstones is lovely) while they force their way through the crowds....
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Review of The Mitre
22 Apr 08, 15:08
Nice during the day
I've been going to this pub for years. It's quite tucked away and really sweet and cosy inside, well I think so anyway... it's small but it's really nice for a quiet drink. I don't think I'd choose it for a Friday/Saturday evening drink though, tends to be full of really young, quite annoying people who wear lots of black....
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Review of Royal Albion Hotel
22 Apr 08, 13:48
Best to book early
I had a lovely weekend away with a friend here a little while ago. Got a really good deal on the room and it's right on the seafront and in the centre of everything. It doesn't have a car park but they do have a good deal with the NCP up the road so you get it cheaper. One of the receptionists was very rude and left me standing there for ages but other than that the staff were very friendly. It's best to book early or you'll pay double if you want to add on an extra night to your stay. It's a good price and location and if you're not fussy about decor or 5 star service it's the ideal hotel to stay in...
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Jaipur Restaurant
22 Apr 08, 11:46
SO expensive!
Yes it looks great from the outside... and the food is amazing... but it is SO expensive. When we went we were told we HAD to spend a minimum of £16 each! Considering I wasn't even that hungry I was so angry they insisted we did that. I would have left had I not been with a very large group of friends. It's beautiful, but be prepared to pay a lot... just make sure you're hungry
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Review of Jenny Wren Tea Rooms
22 Apr 08, 11:42
Lovely cafe - but lots of children
This place has got SO much better. I worked there for a little while many years ago and it was so badly managed it was a joke, but now it's a really nice place for lunch and cake. I warn you though, it's always FULL to the brim with mum's and their children, they have a whole kid's corner. My dad refuses to go in there because it can get VERY noisy but on a quiet day, with only a few children, it's lovely.
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Review of The Bear
21 Apr 08, 16:40
Good for a laugh
The Bear will really provide you with a comedy night out. If you take yourself too seriously or are on the pull DEFINITELY don't go there, but if you enjoy having a laugh and some karaoke, Friday nights are great.
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Review of Queens Head
21 Apr 08, 16:28
Great village pub
If you're looking for a quiet village pub this is ideal. The food is good and from what I remember (haven't been in a few months) good value. It's perfect for lunch if you're visiting Stowe Gardens, or they do dinner too. It's really cosy and the perfect place for an evening drink. It's always a bit of a pain to find parking though...
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Review of Topnotch
18 Apr 08, 11:24
Great gym - annoying music
I've been going to Topnotch for about a year now and I really like it. MOST of the staff are really friendly. It does get busy after work but it's not a problem because they have so much equipment. They also have a women's only gym which is really nice. BUT they DO need to get the music sorted out!!! They repeat it so frequently it starts to do your head in...
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Review of Papa Cino's
17 Apr 08, 17:43
Love it
I love this place - you feel like you're on holiday whenever you go there. The food's really nice and the way it's decorated is gorgeous. The only problem is it can get REALLY hot in there and you feel like you're eating in a sauna...
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