Amanda J.

Review of Wheelspin Cycles

26 Feb 08, 09:42

Excellent Service

I was hunting down the rare and elusive Lemond Fillmore Single Speed (49cm) for purchase. After trying numerous shops in London, who could only promise me a delivery date for mid March at the earliest, I spent hours searching on the internet for other shops that stocked them. I found Wheelspin cycles and saw that they stocked the model I was looking for. I gave them a quick ring before I put down my hard-earned just to make sure they had one in stock. Unfortunately they don't normally deliver bikes (quality control and all that). The guy said he would give me a ring back to see if they could make an exception. Couple of hours later, he rang to say they could put it all together for me minus the front wheel and handlebars, then send it down to London. For no extra charge! WIN! So I paid on Friday and by 11:30am on Monday, my new bike arrived in perfect condition. 15 minutes later it was put together and I was on my maiden voyage. I even had someone compliment me on my choice of bike. Hopefully their in-store service is as good as their delivery service :)

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Review of Royal Academy Of Arts

18 Nov 07, 20:52

Always suprising

After enduring a maddening walk through London tourists in Picadilly Circus, I arrived at the Royal Academy, tucked away off Picadilly, for yet another afternoon spent perusing the galleries.

There are multiple galleries in the Royal Academy but usually I spend my time in the main galleries or the Sackler Wing upstairs. Exhibitions change every few months and they can be quite varied. In the recent few years they have shown: Georg Baselitz, Rodin, Munch, Bronze sculptures from India (Chola), an exhibition on portraiture from the 1760-1830 as well as the annual Summer Exhibition.

The Summer Exhibition is the largest open submission art exhibition and receives over 9000 pieces of artwork. Only a fraction are shown in the exhibition but even so, the rooms are the main gallery are filled to the brim with all manner of artworks. It's one of my favourite exhibitions every year.

Whilst the RA does not have many free exhibitions and may subsequently not be high on the list for those with only a passing interest, it's a must visit for those with a passion for art.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

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 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 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.

Review of Fernandez and Wells

14 Sep 07, 13:46

Fancy Pants Sandwiches

Stuck for lunch choices, I wanted something nice but not a full meal. I'd walked past this place a few times and been intrigued by the beautiful interior and design. Someone suggested it and actually having some money in my purse I thought "Why not?"

I'd heard good things about the bread, being some fancy French gear, so was keen to try a sandwich. I was torn between the big hunk of chorizo with peppers and buffalo mozarella, rocket and tomato as well as the myriad selection of salads. It was lucky the paella came out after I made my choice, otherwise I would have been stuck there for hours umming and aaing over what to have. In the end I plumped for the mozarella, rocket and tomato sandwich in the fancy French bread. It was £4.50 which is on the expensive side for a sandwich but you can tell where that extra money went on - proper fresh ingredients and lovingly put together.

I was also pleasantly suprised by the service too - They actually wished me a nice day and it seemed genuine!!!

It's a little expensive for an everyday treat but I'd go back in a heartbeat.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Evans Cycles

07 Aug 07, 14:43

Great Service

I broke my bike seat fittings this morning on the way to work. I was stuck, with a bike with no seat. I remembered there was some bike shops at Liverpool Street, which was a lot closer than trekking back home.

Surely I'm not the only cyclist who has had a mishap on the way to work, yet the first shop I went to was closed! Thankfully Evans Cycles was open.

They replaced my bike seat post and I took the opportunity to get a new more comfortable seat. All fitted, I was able to get to work only 30 minutes later than normal. What a lifesaver!

I've been to this shop previously and they've always been friendly and helpful. Highly recommended.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.