Latest reviews by AlexWoods's friends http://trustedplaces.com/user/AlexWoods Reviews by friends of AlexWoods en La Casa del Abuelo - review by Jimbo http://trustedplaces.com/review/spain/madrid/restaurant/132at89/la-casa-del-abuelo
La Casa del Abuelo - review by Jimbo

Rating: 5.0

Location: Calle Victoria, 12, 28102, Madrid, Spain

Phone: +34-915-21231

Website: http://www.lacasadelabuelo.es/

Tags: lively, shrimp, prawn, seafood, cheap eat, good value, spanish, crowded

La Casa del Abuelo or Grandpa's place was founded in 1906. Prawns is the speciality of the house: a la plancha (grilled in their shells) or al ajillo (fried in oil and garlic). I cannot begin to describe how tasty they are.

There are no seats, of course. You walk in, order, eat and leave for another bar. All within 10 minutes or so. Exactly how a good tapas bar should be.

If you're in Madrid, this place is a must.

]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:33:54 +0000 /review/spain/madrid/restaurant/132at89/la-casa-del-abuelo408556341 lively shrimp prawn seafood cheap eat good value spanish crowded 42.8579602 -2.6609235 La Casa del Abuelo - review by Jimbo http://trustedplaces.com/review/spain/madrid/restaurant/132at89/la-casa-del-abuelo
La Casa del Abuelo - review by Jimbo

Rating: 5.0

Location: Calle Victoria, 12, 28102, Madrid, Spain

Phone: +34-915-21231

Website: http://www.lacasadelabuelo.es/

Tags: lively, shrimp, prawn, seafood, cheap eat, good value, spanish, crowded

La Casa del Abuelo or Grandpa's place was founded in 1906. Prawns is the speciality of the house: a la plancha (grilled in their shells) or al ajillo (fried in oil and garlic). I cannot begin to describe how tasty they are.

There are no seats, of course. You walk in, order, eat and leave for another bar. All within 10 minutes or so. Exactly how a good tapas bar should be.

If you're in Madrid, this place is a must.

]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:33:54 +0000 /review/spain/madrid/restaurant/132at89/la-casa-del-abuelo1051718366 lively shrimp prawn seafood cheap eat good value spanish crowded 42.8579602 -2.6609235 La Casa del Abuelo - review by Jimbo http://trustedplaces.com/review/spain/madrid/restaurant/132at89/la-casa-del-abuelo
La Casa del Abuelo - review by Jimbo

Rating: 5.0

Location: Calle Victoria, 12, 28102, Madrid, Spain

Phone: +34-915-21231

Website: http://www.lacasadelabuelo.es/

Tags: lively, shrimp, prawn, seafood, cheap eat, good value, spanish, crowded

La Casa del Abuelo or Grandpa's place was founded in 1906. Prawns is the speciality of the house: a la plancha (grilled in their shells) or al ajillo (fried in oil and garlic). I cannot begin to describe how tasty they are.

There are no seats, of course. You walk in, order, eat and leave for another bar. All within 10 minutes or so. Exactly how a good tapas bar should be.

If you're in Madrid, this place is a must.

]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:33:54 +0000 /review/spain/madrid/restaurant/132at89/la-casa-del-abuelo32879411 lively shrimp prawn seafood cheap eat good value spanish crowded 42.8579602 -2.6609235 La Casa del Abuelo - review by Jimbo http://trustedplaces.com/review/spain/madrid/restaurant/132at89/la-casa-del-abuelo
La Casa del Abuelo - review by Jimbo

Rating: 5.0

Location: Calle Victoria, 12, 28102, Madrid, Spain

Phone: +34-915-21231

Website: http://www.lacasadelabuelo.es/

Tags: lively, shrimp, prawn, seafood, cheap eat, good value, spanish, crowded

La Casa del Abuelo or Grandpa's place was founded in 1906. Prawns is the speciality of the house: a la plancha (grilled in their shells) or al ajillo (fried in oil and garlic). I cannot begin to describe how tasty they are.

There are no seats, of course. You walk in, order, eat and leave for another bar. All within 10 minutes or so. Exactly how a good tapas bar should be.

If you're in Madrid, this place is a must.

]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:33:54 +0000 /review/spain/madrid/restaurant/132at89/la-casa-del-abuelo1235013126 lively shrimp prawn seafood cheap eat good value spanish crowded 42.8579602 -2.6609235 TGI Fridays - review by Jimbo http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/guildford/restaurant/1193v7c/tgi-fridays
TGI Fridays - review by Jimbo

Rating: 2.4

Location: 2 North Street, GU1 4AA, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 300133

Website: http://www.tgifridays.com

Tags: american, junk food, family & home feel, expensive, lively

The only reason I go to TGI Guildford at least once a year is their Mojito and not the deep fried/over cooked tasteless junk they serve.]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:02:08 +0000 /review/uk/guildford/restaurant/1193v7c/tgi-fridays1954113063 american junk food family & home feel expensive lively 51.236805745305 -0.57182399018477 TGI Fridays - review by Jimbo http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/guildford/restaurant/1193v7c/tgi-fridays
TGI Fridays - review by Jimbo

Rating: 2.4

Location: 2 North Street, GU1 4AA, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 300133

Website: http://www.tgifridays.com

Tags: american, junk food, family & home feel, expensive, lively

The only reason I go to TGI Guildford at least once a year is their Mojito and not the deep fried/over cooked tasteless junk they serve.]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:02:08 +0000 /review/uk/guildford/restaurant/1193v7c/tgi-fridays1555788466 american junk food family & home feel expensive lively 51.236805745305 -0.57182399018477 TGI Fridays - review by Jimbo http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/guildford/restaurant/1193v7c/tgi-fridays
TGI Fridays - review by Jimbo

Rating: 2.4

Location: 2 North Street, GU1 4AA, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 300133

Website: http://www.tgifridays.com

Tags: american, junk food, family & home feel, expensive, lively

The only reason I go to TGI Guildford at least once a year is their Mojito and not the deep fried/over cooked tasteless junk they serve.]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:53:42 +0000 /review/uk/guildford/restaurant/1193v7c/tgi-fridays1351521843 american junk food family & home feel expensive lively 51.236805745305 -0.57182399018477 TGI Fridays - review by Jimbo http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/guildford/restaurant/1193v7c/tgi-fridays
TGI Fridays - review by Jimbo

Rating: 2.4

Location: 2 North Street, GU1 4AA, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 300133

Website: http://www.tgifridays.com

Tags: american, junk food, family & home feel, expensive, lively

The only reason I go to TGI Guildford at least once a year is their Mojito and not the deep fried/over cooked tasteless junk they serve.]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:02:08 +0000 /review/uk/guildford/restaurant/1193v7c/tgi-fridays847776428 american junk food family & home feel expensive lively 51.236805745305 -0.57182399018477 Byron - review by Jimbo http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/guildford/restaurant/133at88/byron
Byron - review by Jimbo

Rating: 3.0

Location: 244-246 High Street, GU1 3JF, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 535059

Website: http://www.byronhamburgers.com/

Tags: american, beefburger, hamburger, family & home feel, good value, burger, vegetarian, lively

Byron replaced Jo Shmo's a couple of months ago.

"Proper burgers" is the only main course on the menu accompanied by the usual side dishes such as onion rings, French fries, coleslaw, etc.

Food quality is great. In fact, I can assure you, if you like burgers, this is the place to go in Guildford (the other options are TGI and some other place I can't remember its name!!!).

Service is friendly and quick.

If you had been to Jo Shmo's before, the place still looks more or less the same, only with brighter colours.

Prices are surprisingly low: Around £30 for two (including appetisers, drinks and side dishes)


- Photographs are courtesy of Su-lin; Shared under BY/NC/ND CC3.0 license.]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:55:11 +0000 /review/uk/guildford/restaurant/133at88/byron577519287 american beefburger hamburger family & home feel good value burger vegetarian lively 51.236770760012 -0.56896006392333 Byron - review by Jimbo http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/guildford/restaurant/133at88/byron
Byron - review by Jimbo

Rating: 3.0

Location: 244-246 High Street, GU1 3JF, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 535059

Website: http://www.byronhamburgers.com/

Tags: american, beefburger, hamburger, family & home feel, good value, burger, vegetarian, lively

Byron replaced Jo Shmo's a couple of months ago.

"Proper burgers" is the only main course on the menu accompanied by the usual side dishes such as onion rings, French fries, coleslaw, etc.

Food quality is great. In fact, I can assure you, if you like burgers, this is the place to go in Guildford (the other options are TGI and some other place I can't remember its name!!!).

Service is friendly and quick.

If you had been to Jo Shmo's before, the place still looks more or less the same, only with brighter colours.

Prices are surprisingly low: Around £30 for two (including appetisers, drinks and side dishes)


- Photographs are courtesy of Su-lin; Shared under BY/NC/ND CC3.0 license.]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:55:11 +0000 /review/uk/guildford/restaurant/133at88/byron1358084191 american beefburger hamburger family & home feel good value burger vegetarian lively 51.236770760012 -0.56896006392333 Byron - review by Jimbo http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/guildford/restaurant/133at88/byron
Byron - review by Jimbo

Rating: 3.0

Location: 244-246 High Street, GU1 3JF, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 535059

Website: http://www.byronhamburgers.com/

Tags: american, beefburger, hamburger, family & home feel, good value, burger, vegetarian, lively

Byron replaced Jo Shmo's a couple of months ago.

"Proper burgers" is the only main course on the menu accompanied by the usual side dishes such as onion rings, French fries, coleslaw, etc.

Food quality is great. In fact, I can assure you, if you like burgers, this is the place to go in Guildford (the other options are TGI and some other place I can't remember its name!!!).

Service is friendly and quick.

If you had been to Jo Shmo's before, the place still looks more or less the same, only with brighter colours.

Prices are surprisingly low: Around £30 for two (including appetisers, drinks and side dishes)


- Photographs are courtesy of Su-lin; Shared under BY/NC/ND CC3.0 license.]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:55:11 +0000 /review/uk/guildford/restaurant/133at88/byron806996320 american beefburger hamburger family & home feel good value burger vegetarian lively 51.236770760012 -0.56896006392333 Byron - review by Jimbo http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/guildford/restaurant/133at88/byron
Byron - review by Jimbo

Rating: 3.0

Location: 244-246 High Street, GU1 3JF, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 535059

Website: http://www.byronhamburgers.com/

Tags: american, beefburger, hamburger, family & home feel, good value, burger, vegetarian, lively

Byron replaced Jo Shmo's a couple of months ago.

"Proper burgers" is the only main course on the menu accompanied by the usual side dishes such as onion rings, French fries, coleslaw, etc.

Food quality is great. In fact, I can assure you, if you like burgers, this is the place to go in Guildford (the other options are TGI and some other place I can't remember its name!!!).

Service is friendly and quick.

If you had been to Jo Shmo's before, the place still looks more or less the same, only with brighter colours.

Prices are surprisingly low: Around £30 for two (including appetisers, drinks and side dishes)


- Photographs are courtesy of Su-lin; Shared under BY/NC/ND CC3.0 license.]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:55:11 +0000 /review/uk/guildford/restaurant/133at88/byron1627174368 american beefburger hamburger family & home feel good value burger vegetarian lively 51.236770760012 -0.56896006392333 Franco Manca - review by Browners http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1u72n8v/franco-manca
Franco Manca - review by Browners

Rating: 4.5

Location: 4 Market Row, SW9 8LD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7738 3021

Tags: italian, cheap eat, lively

I took the rare opportunity of a day off in Brixton to sample the pizza at Franco Manca. After an in depth article in OFM a couple of months ago, the internet has been awash with chatter about this place. And I felt like it was my duty as a Brixton resident and foodie to see what all the fuss is about.

Foolishly I forgot to take a note of the address, assuming that it must be easy to find. But I found myself walking back and forth along Electric Avenue, dodging the market vendors, trying desperately to find this "hidden gem". It always helps of course if you are actually on the right road. A quick call to 118500 and I was back on track. I was put through to Franco Manca who then guided me into the restaurant which was about 18 yards from where I was standing. The charming chap on the phone even spotted me and came to greet me. Top class service from beginning to end.

Snuggled into the heart of Brixton Market, remember, if you can, that it's Unit 4, Electric Lane. The restaurant bridges both sides of the covered market alleyway which adds a great natural flow to environment. On either side are large pizza ovens that have been hand build over in Naples. They generate a temperature of 500'C which is the key to their sourdough pizzas having such a crispy crust and soft middle. I inspected them with great interest, taking notes for next year's big project where I am planning to build an outdoor earth oven in the garden. Should be epic. If anyone's got any advice, I'd love to hear from you.

I ordered the chorizo pizza which comes with dry and wet sausage from Brindisa. It arrived almost as soon as I had spoken. Given all the hype, I was determined not to be prejudiced and was hoping it would live up to all the noise. And it did. As promised it was gorgeously charred on the outside, with the appearance of tiger bread whilst the mozzarella, tomato and chorizo was perfectly cooked as well. The puffy crust was crisp on the outside and pillowy soft inside. A bit like a savoury, hot macaron!

The chorizo had a lick of char and otherwise was simply irresistible. I was tempted to add pepper and chilli oil but didn't want to tamper with something that had been thought through so clearly. The mozzarella made almost made me giggle as it unwound as I tried to eat it like some sort of practical joke. All this fatty, carby goodness was washed down by a jar of their delicious home made lemonade followed the best espresso I've ever had for £1!

All the ingredients are impeccably sourced with superb credentials. But the crowning glory is the sourdough base that takes 20 hours of careful nurturing before it meets its glorious fate in the super charged ovens.

I was amused when two gentlemen in suits arrived and loudly asked "are you the guys who make the best pizza in London". I felt like I stood out pretty badly in my brown cords and blue v-neck jumper, but I was a chameleon by comparison. It seems that word has spread and that this gem is fast becoming a lot less hidden.

Be warned that Franco Manca is only open on week days from 12-5. My pizza, lemonade and coffee came to well under a tenner.

]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:04:27 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1u72n8v/franco-manca1749952867 italian cheap eat lively 51.461347103645 -0.11417627334595 Franco Manca - review by Browners http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1u72n8v/franco-manca
Franco Manca - review by Browners

Rating: 4.5

Location: 4 Market Row, SW9 8LD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7738 3021

Tags: italian, cheap eat, lively

I took the rare opportunity of a day off in Brixton to sample the pizza at Franco Manca. After an in depth article in OFM a couple of months ago, the internet has been awash with chatter about this place. And I felt like it was my duty as a Brixton resident and foodie to see what all the fuss is about.

Foolishly I forgot to take a note of the address, assuming that it must be easy to find. But I found myself walking back and forth along Electric Avenue, dodging the market vendors, trying desperately to find this "hidden gem". It always helps of course if you are actually on the right road. A quick call to 118500 and I was back on track. I was put through to Franco Manca who then guided me into the restaurant which was about 18 yards from where I was standing. The charming chap on the phone even spotted me and came to greet me. Top class service from beginning to end.

Snuggled into the heart of Brixton Market, remember, if you can, that it's Unit 4, Electric Lane. The restaurant bridges both sides of the covered market alleyway which adds a great natural flow to environment. On either side are large pizza ovens that have been hand build over in Naples. They generate a temperature of 500'C which is the key to their sourdough pizzas having such a crispy crust and soft middle. I inspected them with great interest, taking notes for next year's big project where I am planning to build an outdoor earth oven in the garden. Should be epic. If anyone's got any advice, I'd love to hear from you.

I ordered the chorizo pizza which comes with dry and wet sausage from Brindisa. It arrived almost as soon as I had spoken. Given all the hype, I was determined not to be prejudiced and was hoping it would live up to all the noise. And it did. As promised it was gorgeously charred on the outside, with the appearance of tiger bread whilst the mozzarella, tomato and chorizo was perfectly cooked as well. The puffy crust was crisp on the outside and pillowy soft inside. A bit like a savoury, hot macaron!

The chorizo had a lick of char and otherwise was simply irresistible. I was tempted to add pepper and chilli oil but didn't want to tamper with something that had been thought through so clearly. The mozzarella made almost made me giggle as it unwound as I tried to eat it like some sort of practical joke. All this fatty, carby goodness was washed down by a jar of their delicious home made lemonade followed the best espresso I've ever had for £1!

All the ingredients are impeccably sourced with superb credentials. But the crowning glory is the sourdough base that takes 20 hours of careful nurturing before it meets its glorious fate in the super charged ovens.

I was amused when two gentlemen in suits arrived and loudly asked "are you the guys who make the best pizza in London". I felt like I stood out pretty badly in my brown cords and blue v-neck jumper, but I was a chameleon by comparison. It seems that word has spread and that this gem is fast becoming a lot less hidden.

Be warned that Franco Manca is only open on week days from 12-5. My pizza, lemonade and coffee came to well under a tenner.

]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:04:27 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1u72n8v/franco-manca1326846247 italian cheap eat lively 51.461347103645 -0.11417627334595 Franco Manca - review by Browners http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1u72n8v/franco-manca
Franco Manca - review by Browners

Rating: 4.5

Location: 4 Market Row, SW9 8LD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7738 3021

Tags: italian, cheap eat, lively

I took the rare opportunity of a day off in Brixton to sample the pizza at Franco Manca. After an in depth article in OFM a couple of months ago, the internet has been awash with chatter about this place. And I felt like it was my duty as a Brixton resident and foodie to see what all the fuss is about.

Foolishly I forgot to take a note of the address, assuming that it must be easy to find. But I found myself walking back and forth along Electric Avenue, dodging the market vendors, trying desperately to find this "hidden gem". It always helps of course if you are actually on the right road. A quick call to 118500 and I was back on track. I was put through to Franco Manca who then guided me into the restaurant which was about 18 yards from where I was standing. The charming chap on the phone even spotted me and came to greet me. Top class service from beginning to end.

Snuggled into the heart of Brixton Market, remember, if you can, that it's Unit 4, Electric Lane. The restaurant bridges both sides of the covered market alleyway which adds a great natural flow to environment. On either side are large pizza ovens that have been hand build over in Naples. They generate a temperature of 500'C which is the key to their sourdough pizzas having such a crispy crust and soft middle. I inspected them with great interest, taking notes for next year's big project where I am planning to build an outdoor earth oven in the garden. Should be epic. If anyone's got any advice, I'd love to hear from you.

I ordered the chorizo pizza which comes with dry and wet sausage from Brindisa. It arrived almost as soon as I had spoken. Given all the hype, I was determined not to be prejudiced and was hoping it would live up to all the noise. And it did. As promised it was gorgeously charred on the outside, with the appearance of tiger bread whilst the mozzarella, tomato and chorizo was perfectly cooked as well. The puffy crust was crisp on the outside and pillowy soft inside. A bit like a savoury, hot macaron!

The chorizo had a lick of char and otherwise was simply irresistible. I was tempted to add pepper and chilli oil but didn't want to tamper with something that had been thought through so clearly. The mozzarella made almost made me giggle as it unwound as I tried to eat it like some sort of practical joke. All this fatty, carby goodness was washed down by a jar of their delicious home made lemonade followed the best espresso I've ever had for £1!

All the ingredients are impeccably sourced with superb credentials. But the crowning glory is the sourdough base that takes 20 hours of careful nurturing before it meets its glorious fate in the super charged ovens.

I was amused when two gentlemen in suits arrived and loudly asked "are you the guys who make the best pizza in London". I felt like I stood out pretty badly in my brown cords and blue v-neck jumper, but I was a chameleon by comparison. It seems that word has spread and that this gem is fast becoming a lot less hidden.

Be warned that Franco Manca is only open on week days from 12-5. My pizza, lemonade and coffee came to well under a tenner.

]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:04:27 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1u72n8v/franco-manca1902331301 italian cheap eat lively 51.461347103645 -0.11417627334595