Amanda 's reviews
Review of Bow Tandoori
23 Oct 07, 13:26
Reliable Favourite 
When I used to live in Bow, this was my favourite Friday (or any night) takeaway. So it's hardly going to win a Michelin star but when you are craving a curry you can hardly go wrong here.
They do possibly one of the best sag aloo's in London. As for their other menu options, they are pretty good too. They had an takeaway offer where you got a free vegie curry for ordering over £15 and a free vegie curry + drink for ordering over £20. I haven't ordered for some time (as I moved away) so I'm not sure whether they still do this. Perhaps another local can verify this?
Service is always prompt and very friendly. I never remember receiving food that was lukewarm once in the 2 years that I ordered from them.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of The Morpeth Arms
21 Oct 07, 21:39
Finally a pub! 
We walked from Waterloo, all the way along the Southbank, crossed at Lambeth bridge, and then to the Tate Britain without seeing one pub doing a Sunday roast.
Thankfully my boyfriend remembered this pub just a little way down Millbank and it was serving Roasts!!
The interior seemed impressive and there was a number of tables outside. It was a beautiful Autumn afternoon and sitting inside would have been a great injustice to it so we took our place outside and awaited our late lunch.
The roast looked impressive, good size yorkshire pud, reasonable amount of beef, plenty of roast spuds and some freshly steamed vegies to go with, all topped with gravy. Unfortunately it was a little lukewarm in places and the meat was a bit dried out but otherwise it wasn't too bad. Maybe I have high standards as my Mum is the roast queen.
My boyfriend ordered the fish and chips and that looked a lot more impressive, with lovely golden chips and a fresh batch of tartare sauce on the side.
I didn't spend too much time lingering at the bar but I did notice they had Waggledance on tap.. Honey beer! Yum.
All in all, nice place for a pint in the sun.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Tate Britain
21 Oct 07, 21:28
More Stately Sibling
The Tate Britain always feels like the older, more responsible sibling to the Tate Modern.
It's perched on a spot on the river, away from the baying crowds of tourists that flood the Tate Modern / Southbank on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
It's an imposing building, all white and with the marks of a war so many years ago. The interior is just as impressive and it can be an absolute haven on a hot day.
Personally, I prefer modern art but it's the calm and quiet that attracts me to the Tate Britain every time. It's away from the crowd on a Sunday (when I usually end up there) and I can just relax and enjoy the art without being surrounded by so many people I can't see the art.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Royal India
21 Oct 07, 20:59
Best Sag Aloo
When I used to live in Bow, I would frequently order Indian takeaway from one restaurant. It had the best sag aloo. Every time I would go to a different Indian restaurant, I would order sag aloo hoping that it would be as good as the Bow takeaway.. I was always disappointed. No one could do it as good, let alone make it better. So, one night with a craving for Indian, we walked up to Church St and thought we would try Royal India. It got off to a good start with a funny waiter and an impressive selection of dips for the pappadams. We ordered various mains, as well as some naans, pilau rice and the sag aloo. It arrived quite quickly and we tucked in. I took my first mouthful of sag aloo. My boyfriend, watching on with hesitation, saw a look of joy spread over my face. The sag aloo was better than my Bow takeaway! I had sag aloo WIN! The other dishes we ordered were all quite good too, definitely above average for an Indian restaurant. The only niggle being the korma was a little too sweet perhaps. Service continued to be amusing and the bill was quite reasonable for the amount of food we ordered. I'll definitely be going back (and trying to get a takeaway menu!)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Mangal Turkish Pizza
21 Oct 07, 20:42
Good takeaway option in Stokey 
I'd been some time ago to this place but it was the strength of the review above that triggered another trip to this little place around the corner from my boyfriends apartment.
It was convenient and cheap, so that fitted nicely with our plans for a friday night dinner just before payday. We plumped for the pide which was slightly more expensive than the Lamachun at around £4.50. The pide was fresh and very tasty. I especially rate the container of salad they give you to have with it. Portion size was spot on.
I saw someone ordering the Lamachun whilst we were waiting and it looked amazing for only £1.50 - I know what I'll be getting next time I need a quick feed late at night after a few drinks ;)
Thanks to Joelle for jogging my memory!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Keatons
08 Oct 07, 17:26
Nightmare 
I rented a property through Keatons and I can't warn enough to potential renters or buyers to stay away.
They allowed me to put a holding deposit down on a property that was for sale, as well as for rent, without informing me that it was for sale.
They let me move into the property, neglecting to tell me that things were broken. Even though the owner had requested that they arrange repair (and bill him for it of course).
As soon as the property was put back on the market they were incredibly difficult. They asked me to deliver the keys on Saturday as viewings were starting that following week. As my boyfriend (who had my spare keys) was out of the country I couldn't get them until he arrived late Saturday and I informed them that I wouldn't be in the area and would put them through the mailbox on Sunday. I got angry phone calls on Saturday at 2pm demanding the keys because they had viewings to conduct that afternoon.
When the property sold, they lied to the owner and said I had been in the property for 6 months instead of 4 months. They promised the owner that they would locate me a new place so I could move out earlier (which I was happy to do so, if they did some leg work of finding a new place) but they never called. Hence, meaning the sale couldn't go through.
When I finally handed over the keys to my landlord, he was also not impressed with the service and was planning to pay them a visit to complain!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Fire and Stone
08 Oct 07, 17:17
Crazy Pizzas
I was impressed with this place. Nice decor, friendly service, reasonable prices.
What I wasn't so impressed with was the strange pizza I ordered. I went for the Bavarian pizza - Roast Pork, Cabbage, Sour Cream with cheese and a tomato base. I was hungover and I think this severely affected my judgement because the pizza was disgusting.
I'd probably give this a 4 stars if I had actually ordered a decent pizza but that pizza was truly revolting. Sometimes it pays to play it safe.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Design Museum
25 Sep 07, 15:39
I
Being a designer by trade, I'm somewhat biased of this lovely museum. Not only is the design and layout super trendy but it's one of the few places that has exhibitions that focus on print and interactive design.
It's also in a beautiful location, nestled in Shad Thames near some great restaurants and with views of the Tower Bridge. Ideal for impressing a date ;)
Membership is quite cheap, especially for those under 26 (sadly not me anymore). If you sign up to pay by direct debit, it only costs £15 to get in with a guest for a whole year plus you get to go to the members only openings! Bargain!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Ginnan
25 Sep 07, 15:32
Good Monday Special
Met some friends here for the all you can eat sushi special they have on Monday. Only costs £15 a head for all you can eat between 7pm and 8pm - Bargain!
The nigiri was all great - especially the salmon and tuna. Sushi consisted of some interesting choices but was again not to bad for buffet style eating. They also had chicken and vegetable katsu, rice, some noodle dishes, miso soup as well as a fruit buffet.
Service was friendly but the interior seems a little dated. Definitely recommend getting a group together for some serious sushi munchies!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Wahaca
25 Sep 07, 15:27
Yummy Light Mexican Food
I'm really impressed with this restaurant. It has all the right ingredients for a successful restaurant. Great interior, friendly service, easy on the budget and food made with fresh, local ingredients.
My companion and I both went for the street market food - Sharing various tacos and quesadillas with a portion of the green rice. Highlights were the skirt steak taco with cheese and gaucamole. It was suprisingly filling despite the small portion sizes.
Service was especially friendly, a little like they are trying too hard to please. I don't think they need to - they seem to be doing a great job despite some earlier niggles.
We went for an early lunch and that definitely seems the way forward, by 1pm when we left the place was filling up (and this was on a Tuesday!)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.