Latest reviews in Reading, United Kingdom

modern artists gallery - by MODERNARTIST

MODERNARTIST — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:16:07 +0000

Review by MODERNARTIST

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 01189845893

Website: http://www.modernartistsgallery.com

Berkshire's Leading Contemporary Art Gallery Specialising in British and International Fine Art by Professional Artists and Emerging Talent.

Berkshire's Leading Contemporary Art Gallery Specialising in British and International Fine Art by Professional Artists and Emerging Talent.

London Street Brasserie - by ageething

ageething — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:16:05 +0000

Review by ageething

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 0118 950 5036

Website: http://www.londonstbrasserie.co.uk

Tags: brasserie, expensive, crowded

Where to startâ¬¦â¬¦..
Well I guess being left standing at the door for 5 minutes, even though I made eye contact with two members of the waiting staff should have been enough to send me on way to somewhere a little more hospitable.

I canâ¬"t recommend highly enough that people avoid this establishment, anyone who serves mCCain's oven chips with their bland chewy steak really only deserves 1 star.
My girlfriend and I were looking for a nice treat, somewhere far from the pizza expresses, tootsies and other chain stores of the Reading high street, but we really should have just made it ourselves. The only way I can think of describing the whole eating experience is deflated, it had all the hype and glamour of something truly wonderful but once we took the wrapping of it truly fell flat on its face, it really did fail to deliver on all levels.

Just to break it down:
Food was bland, it did look nice but the flavours â¬ what flavours!
The waiting staff were absent at best and rude at worst
The prices were way too high for the food that was delivered, we usually eat at bluebeckers and I can honestly say we wonâ¬"t be straying into town again for such a nightmare of a meal.
Where to startâ¬¦â¬¦..
Well I guess being left standing at the door for 5 minutes, even though I made eye contact with two members of the waiting staff should have been enough to send me on way to somewhere a little more hospitable.

I canâ¬"t recommend highly enough that people avoid this establishment, anyone who serves mCCain's oven chips with their bland chewy steak really only deserves 1 star.
My girlfriend and I were looking for a nice treat, somewhere far from the pizza expresses, tootsies and other chain stores of the Reading high street, but we really should have just made it ourselves. The only way I can think of describing the whole eating experience is deflated, it had all the hype and glamour of something truly wonderful but once we took the wrapping of it truly fell flat on its face, it really did fail to deliver on all levels.

Just to break it down:
Food was bland, it did look nice but the flavours â¬ what flavours!
The waiting staff were absent at best and rude at worst
The prices were way too high for the food that was delivered, we usually eat at bluebeckers and I can honestly say we wonâ¬"t be straying into town again for such a nightmare of a meal.

The Bramshill Hunt - not worth it by doylee76

doylee76 — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:10:19 +0000

Review by doylee76

Rating: 1.00

Tags: just awful

not worth a visit at all. terrible food, a lovely little waitress who slightly made up for it. overpriced drinks and a horrible atmosphere.
not welcoming at all, not a place i would return to and would urge you not to bother!
there are nicer pubs in the areanot worth a visit at all. terrible food, a lovely little waitress who slightly made up for it. overpriced drinks and a horrible atmosphere.
not welcoming at all, not a place i would return to and would urge you not to bother!
there are nicer pubs in the area

The Earley Retreat - by womeninwaders

womeninwaders — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:05:46 +0000

Review by womeninwaders

Rating: 3.00now under new management this place seems to have rid itself of the undesirable elements it has had in the past. we had good food and the new manager is trying to make it family friendly with bouncy castles for the kids. Worth a visit.now under new management this place seems to have rid itself of the undesirable elements it has had in the past. we had good food and the new manager is trying to make it family friendly with bouncy castles for the kids. Worth a visit.

Moondogs - lovely little coffee shop / art gallery by debbiebacon

debbiebacon — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:55:59 +0000

Review by debbiebacon

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 07931 437312

Tags: cosy, cultured, friendly

what a great little find! Just a short walk from the main shops in reading is this cosy and chilled little place. Local artists contribute to the regularly changing exhibitions, and there are always plenty of friendly faces here. Great atmosphere, great fair trade coffee, a great independent business full of character.what a great little find! Just a short walk from the main shops in reading is this cosy and chilled little place. Local artists contribute to the regularly changing exhibitions, and there are always plenty of friendly faces here. Great atmosphere, great fair trade coffee, a great independent business full of character.

Altimus - by Hathworth

Hathworth — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:33:23 +0000

Review by Hathworth

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 0118 958 2211

Tags: rare finds, helpful staff, boot fitting outdoor footwear excellent service

Great range of gear, not just the usaual brands. The staff were attentive but not too pushy, the only problem was the heat, they don't have an air conditioner but they have shed loads of lights which not only light the place up but heat it like an ovenGreat range of gear, not just the usaual brands. The staff were attentive but not too pushy, the only problem was the heat, they don't have an air conditioner but they have shed loads of lights which not only light the place up but heat it like an oven

Kebabish Original Take Away & Restaurant - A hidden gem by joe12345

joe12345 — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:25:30 +0000

Review by joe12345

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 0118 9261222

Tags: rare finds, bargain

Okay, let's be clear up-front...this is NOT a place for a quiet, candlelit date, but it is a place for authentic, great-tasting Asian cuisine.

It amazes me that people go to mediocre Indian restaurants and pay a fortune for something bland and tasteless when the real-deal is available here at very affordable prices.

The decor is brash and functional but the food is excellent, and the service is surprisingly good. I've been here many times and keep going back...need I say more? :)Okay, let's be clear up-front...this is NOT a place for a quiet, candlelit date, but it is a place for authentic, great-tasting Asian cuisine.

It amazes me that people go to mediocre Indian restaurants and pay a fortune for something bland and tasteless when the real-deal is available here at very affordable prices.

The decor is brash and functional but the food is excellent, and the service is surprisingly good. I've been here many times and keep going back...need I say more? :)

Pierres - by takeaway

takeaway — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:52:33 +0000

Review by takeaway

Rating: 5.00Excellent fast service, great for baked potatoes.
Try their new fruit crumble slices with you coffee.Excellent fast service, great for baked potatoes.
Try their new fruit crumble slices with you coffee.

Pepe Sale - by shanaz42

shanaz42 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:53:21 +0000

Review by shanaz42

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 0118 959 7700

Website: http://www.pepesale.co.uk

Tags: italian, romantic, mediterranean

wicked food, shame about the service.wicked food, shame about the service.

Qumin - by shanaz42

shanaz42 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:48:54 +0000

Review by shanaz42

Rating: 4.00Good food and excellent service. I visited this place several times now, and they do a real good takeaway service. YumGood food and excellent service. I visited this place several times now, and they do a real good takeaway service. Yum

Strada - Quite good by rhoobarb

rhoobarb — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:13:08 +0000

Review by rhoobarb

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 0118 939 4861

Website: http://www.strada.co.uk

Tags: italian, lively, expensive

Quite good. Which means neither here nor there. The starters were good, if not a bit salty. The main courses were the pollo alla millanese - good, and the rib eye steak was over seasoned with too much salt and rosemary - overpoweringly so. We asked for medium to rare - it was medium to well done.
Quite expensive too, with drinks. The service was brisk. Overall, a nice environment and atmosphere let down by the average food.Quite good. Which means neither here nor there. The starters were good, if not a bit salty. The main courses were the pollo alla millanese - good, and the rib eye steak was over seasoned with too much salt and rosemary - overpoweringly so. We asked for medium to rare - it was medium to well done.
Quite expensive too, with drinks. The service was brisk. Overall, a nice environment and atmosphere let down by the average food.

The Warwick - Great Thai in casual pub by NYLON

NYLON — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:10:17 +0000

Review by NYLON

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 0118 950 0412

Tags: relaxed, dj, different pub food

Although have lived in Reading for 6 years, I had barely noticed the Warwick. However, after reading a review on another forum, I decided to give it a try. I was definitely not disappointed. Although a traditional pub (where you have to order your food at the bar), it has been decorated with Asian accents. Meanwhile, the food was absolutely delicious, with no holding back on the spices. While I would not go so far as to say it beats Thai Corner, I did prefer the more relaxed atmosphere here. My only quibble was that I thought that Â£4 for a pint of Hoegaarden was a bit too muchAlthough have lived in Reading for 6 years, I had barely noticed the Warwick. However, after reading a review on another forum, I decided to give it a try. I was definitely not disappointed. Although a traditional pub (where you have to order your food at the bar), it has been decorated with Asian accents. Meanwhile, the food was absolutely delicious, with no holding back on the spices. While I would not go so far as to say it beats Thai Corner, I did prefer the more relaxed atmosphere here. My only quibble was that I thought that Â£4 for a pint of Hoegaarden was a bit too much

East West - best meal we've had in a while. by jenniferJJ

jenniferJJ — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:17:41 +0000

Review by jenniferJJ

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 0118 958 8866

Tags: chinese, good value, oriental

We had intensions of going to Thai corner on sat, but came accross this place.
we sat, by the bar lookin out which was nice because of the weather.
The mela was the best we've had in a while!! We were pleasently surprised. when the aromatic duck came out it had the best aroma from any chinese restaurant we've been. The waitress recommended us some dim sum whic we were unsure of but it is definitley something we will be going back for! we recommend the chung fun and ciu mai
Service was good, they made an effort to make us feel at comfortable. Wil definitely be back with the misses. would def recommend this place to tryWe had intensions of going to Thai corner on sat, but came accross this place.
we sat, by the bar lookin out which was nice because of the weather.
The mela was the best we've had in a while!! We were pleasently surprised. when the aromatic duck came out it had the best aroma from any chinese restaurant we've been. The waitress recommended us some dim sum whic we were unsure of but it is definitley something we will be going back for! we recommend the chung fun and ciu mai
Service was good, they made an effort to make us feel at comfortable. Wil definitely be back with the misses. would def recommend this place to try

The Three Tuns - a new lease of life by darrenflo

darrenflo — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:11:37 +0000

Review by darrenflo

Rating: 5.00

Tags: live music, cool, friendly

the three tuns has had a bit of a bad past with land lords and land ladys but finaly it has hapend we have at last got one that cares and actualy likes the pub .thank god for ande the savior of the tunsthe three tuns has had a bit of a bad past with land lords and land ladys but finaly it has hapend we have at last got one that cares and actualy likes the pub .thank god for ande the savior of the tuns

Carters - by Hathworth

Hathworth — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:47:09 +0000

Review by Hathworth

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 0118 959 9022

Rude staff and overpriced
I would recomend either Blacks or Altimus both are in the town center
Don't ever try to return anything to Carters because they will try to humilliate youRude staff and overpriced
I would recomend either Blacks or Altimus both are in the town center
Don't ever try to return anything to Carters because they will try to humilliate you

Reading Ink - by laylowuk

laylowuk — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:21:17 +0000

Review by laylowuk

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 0118 9869451

Website: http://www.readingink.co.uk

Tags: tattoo shops in reading, tattooists inr eading, tattoos reading

thanks for the great tattoothanks for the great tattoo

Teamworks Karting Reading - Indoor go-karting circuit by mbryant

mbryant — Tue, 19 May 2009 09:43:22 +0000

Review by mbryant

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 08709003020

Website: http://www.teamworkskarting.com/reading/

Fast, fun and good value indoor go-karting. The newest kart circuit in Berkshire, and it shows!Fast, fun and good value indoor go-karting. The newest kart circuit in Berkshire, and it shows!

Harput Kebab & Burger - by minty1

minty1 — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:57:23 +0000

Review by minty1

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 0118 959 5363

Send in Gordon Ramsey !
This place needs a serious shake up!
Where do i start ?This was a phone order
Stale Pitta bread soaked in fat which fell apart on handling,Lamb cold and burn,t sauces cheap and nasty and overdone regardless of request.
Chicken kebab in half a pitta 4 pieces(That was a large!) Minimal salad and chips under cooked
Avoid at all costs £14 straight in the bin .Send in Gordon Ramsey !
This place needs a serious shake up!
Where do i start ?This was a phone order
Stale Pitta bread soaked in fat which fell apart on handling,Lamb cold and burn,t sauces cheap and nasty and overdone regardless of request.
Chicken kebab in half a pitta 4 pieces(That was a large!) Minimal salad and chips under cooked
Avoid at all costs £14 straight in the bin .

Hickies - Very pleased by Hardin

Hardin — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:59:06 +0000

Review by Hardin

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 0118 957 5771

They generally have the best selection in Reading if not in Berkshire. Perhaps not as many in total as the biiger London shops, but a good selection nonetheless.
The staff seem very informed and I think one or two actually play professionally, which must help.
I tried three guitars and bought one, for which they gave me a free gig bag. Very pleased!They generally have the best selection in Reading if not in Berkshire. Perhaps not as many in total as the biiger London shops, but a good selection nonetheless.
The staff seem very informed and I think one or two actually play professionally, which must help.
I tried three guitars and bought one, for which they gave me a free gig bag. Very pleased!

L'Ortolan - Disappointing by mrsevans101

mrsevans101 — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:53:58 +0000

Review by mrsevans101

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 01189 888 500

Tags: expensive, pretentious, french

We came here for my husband's birthday. We decided to splash out (as they say, if you're going to do it, do it properly) and have the menu gourmand with the wine pairings. Coming in at £115 each we had high expectations - similar selections in other Michelin starred restaurants have been delightful. And this was before we had had aperitifs, the extra wine course, the extra cheese course and tea and coffee...

It was a bit of a disappointment. Some of the dishes were exquisite (especially the foie gras - buttery smooth and served with a wafer thin gingerbread crisp and the Venison with spiced red cabbage, blackberries and chocolate sauce). Many of the dishes were very good. We had no real complaints about the food. There was a lack of excitement and for one course we had to chase after our wine pairings which seemed to have been forgotten.

The wine pairings were interesting and the sommelier was very friendly but we did feel that his pairings had been chosen to show off the selection of wines they had rather than compliment the food. In particular the decision to serve a grappa (82% by vol) with the dessert course was baffling - the sommelier even suggested breathing out as we sipped it, it was that strong. We saw lots of tables ordering traditional dessert wines to go with their desserts. Not sure if this was a money making ploy or a genuine error.

The worst complaint I can level at L'Ortolan, however, was its lack of soul. Past experiences at upper strata restaurants, with or without Michelin stars, have been warm, enjoyable and friendly.A much more joyful occasion. This felt cold and soul-less, like the food was more important than the customers.

I have paid more for meals in the past but on this occasion I really wished I'd gone somewhere more local and friendly (Mya Lacarte springs to mind). When the bill came we bth baulked a bit because it just didn't seem like it was worth the money. Sad.We came here for my husband's birthday. We decided to splash out (as they say, if you're going to do it, do it properly) and have the menu gourmand with the wine pairings. Coming in at £115 each we had high expectations - similar selections in other Michelin starred restaurants have been delightful. And this was before we had had aperitifs, the extra wine course, the extra cheese course and tea and coffee...

It was a bit of a disappointment. Some of the dishes were exquisite (especially the foie gras - buttery smooth and served with a wafer thin gingerbread crisp and the Venison with spiced red cabbage, blackberries and chocolate sauce). Many of the dishes were very good. We had no real complaints about the food. There was a lack of excitement and for one course we had to chase after our wine pairings which seemed to have been forgotten.

The wine pairings were interesting and the sommelier was very friendly but we did feel that his pairings had been chosen to show off the selection of wines they had rather than compliment the food. In particular the decision to serve a grappa (82% by vol) with the dessert course was baffling - the sommelier even suggested breathing out as we sipped it, it was that strong. We saw lots of tables ordering traditional dessert wines to go with their desserts. Not sure if this was a money making ploy or a genuine error.

The worst complaint I can level at L'Ortolan, however, was its lack of soul. Past experiences at upper strata restaurants, with or without Michelin stars, have been warm, enjoyable and friendly.A much more joyful occasion. This felt cold and soul-less, like the food was more important than the customers.

I have paid more for meals in the past but on this occasion I really wished I'd gone somewhere more local and friendly (Mya Lacarte springs to mind). When the bill came we bth baulked a bit because it just didn't seem like it was worth the money. Sad.