Latest reviews by Didi's friends

Lavazza Cafe - review by lisas

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 04:12:29 +0000

Lavazza Cafe - review by lisas

Rating: 5.0

Location: 27 W Washington St, 60602, Chicago, United States of America

Tags: italian, family & home feel, good brew, good value, lively

It was really by chance that I got into Lavazza Cafe'! It was cold and needed a coffee to warm me up. I saw a Lavazza sign and thought of going there instead of the easy Starbucks option.

I had a fantastic Cappuccino and also met about 20 people that welcomed me and made me feel at home, even in freezing Chicago. And the owner is very nice as well. I didn't try any of the cakes, but they looked very good, and I saw Nutella as well....highly recommended!!!

Big Bowl - review by lisas

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 03:55:15 +0000

Big Bowl - review by lisas

Rating: 3.5

Location: 6 East Cedar, 60611, Chicago, United States of America

Tags: relaxed, good value, chinese, thai, vietnamese, friendly, lively

I was walking in the cold discovering Chicago, and it was cold, very cold! And all I was dreaming of was a nice Vietnamise Pho Bo...when I spotted the Big Bowl sign. The place looks good from the outside, had a look at the menu and decided that was it!

And I was right: they have a nice menu with a good selection of Asian food, especially Thai, Chinese and Vietnamise.

I had a Pho Bo and a Pad Thai, and they were both delicious. I also had some jasmine tea that came in a very nice tea pot. The atmosphere is nice and relaxed, still with a very good style. Service was excellent. Highly recommended if you are shopping in Chicago, or just for a lunch break and I suppose it is pretty good for dinner as well.

Nomad Books - review by lisas

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 08:39:31 +0000

Nomad Books - review by lisas

Rating: 4.3

Location: 781 Fulham Road, SW6 5HA, London, United Kingdom

Tags: cosy, quiet & relaxed, good brew, delicatessen, quick bite, cultured

I have walked/driven by Nomad Cafe' on the Fulham Road many times, and it always looked good! I even got in there a couple of times but just to browse around. The other day I decided to go in and try the coffee. It was good!

Nomad Bookshop is not a traditional coffee shop: the decor is extremely nice, good atmosphere and there is a little cafe' very cosy...it really invites you to sit down and relax.

They have good coffee as well as delicious home made cakes...worth a trip down the Fulham Road (it is close to Parsons Green).

Aziz & Delaziz - review by lisas

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 09:42:56 +0000

Aziz & Delaziz - review by lisas

Rating: 4.4

Location: 24-32 Vanston Place, SW6 1AX, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7386 0086

Website: http://www.delaziz.com/

Tags: lively, middle eastern, north african, good value, brunch desserts, mediterranean

I went to Aziz last night and I feel like adding a new review! We were quite a big group so I didn't expect anything special...as it usually happens for party of more than 6 people.

I was wrong. We went for the set menu which was very good value for money: 2 mezze, 1 main course and dessert...very good. The wine selection was good too. They also have a belly dancer. And I really love the place and the atmosphere.

We walked out very satisfied. Highly reccommended.

Ping Pong Dim Sum - review by lisas

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:03:04 +0000

Ping Pong Dim Sum - review by lisas

Rating: 3.8

Location: 74 Westbourne Grove, W2 5SH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7313 9832

Website: http://www.pingpongdimsum.com

Tags: lively, Dim Sum, good value

I love Ping Pong! I have only been a couple of times but am already madly in love with the place, and the food!

Ping Pong is actually a chain and they are all over London, check http://www.pingpongdimsum.com/ for other locations

I have been to the one in Westbourne Grove and the one near Liberty, and both are very nice and serve very good food. You start ordering a few...and end up with a asking for more and more and more...in fact the food is delicious and the atmosphere very nice. And excellent value for money!

Noura Knightsbridge - review by lisas

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 18:26:14 +0000

Noura Knightsbridge - review by lisas

Rating: 2.0

Location: 12 William Street, SW1X 9HL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7235 5900

Website: http://www.noura-brasseries.co.uk

Tags: Lebanese

Sometimes you have to put a negative review! You gotta do it... So let's start...

I have been to Noura Knightsbridge a few times last year, and it was OK. So I decided to go again yesterday as I was in the area with a couple of friends and wanted to have a deli-like lunch in the area. Unfortunately the place was full but the waiter kindly "created" a table for us in the middle of the deli. That was very kind of him, unfortunately they keep the entrance door open and we were sitting just in front of the door...so we had to keep our warm jackets on...not very comfortable.

We then ordered our food, something quite simple as we are still trying hard to detox, you know after Xmas everyone does it ;-) The big surprise was the bill, they charged us as much as eating in a fancy restaurant with a proper service and table....so not very good. Quite disappointing indeed.

The Engineer - review by lisas

Sun, 14 Jan 2007 23:01:44 +0000

The Engineer - review by lisas

Rating: 3.2

Location: 65 Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8JH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7722 0950

Website: http://www.the-engineer.com

Tags: lively, gastro pub, family & home feel, beer garden, good value

I have heard people talking about the Engineer for quite some time so on Saturday I was in Primrose Hill and decided to have brunch there.

We had lunch in the pub as the restaurant was fully booked. I had two starters and they were delicious: Tequila cured organic salmon with corn blini and a mille foglie of tomato, ricotta and spinach. And a nice glass of prosecco, perfect!

The pub area is very nice: a nice bar, lively atmosphere, and very nice staff. They also have a garden, it must be beautiful as well as very busy in the summer.

Primrose Bakery - review by lisas

Sun, 14 Jan 2007 22:51:48 +0000

Primrose Bakery - review by lisas

Rating: 4.7

Location: 69 Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8LD, London, United Kingdom

Tags: cosy, bargain, quiet & relaxed, good brew, quick bite

I bumped into Primrose Bakery while walking along Gloucester Avenue on my way to the Engineer. It looked very nice and cosy from the outside and so I decided to go back in there for a coffee and dessert after my brunch.

The Bakery is very nice: the decor is quite simple and old fashioned, there are 3 comfortables tables and enough seating space for about 10-12 people.

They have good coffe (Illy Caffe' from Italy) and make very good cakes and have a very good selection of cup cakes. Definitely a very nice place for an afternoon coffee and cakes.

Manicomio - review by lisas

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 18:34:39 +0000

Manicomio - review by lisas

Rating: 4.5

Location: 85 Duke of York Square, SW3 4LY, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7730 3366

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

Tags: mediterranean, average brew, family & home feel, good value

This is one of my favourite Cafes on the Kings Road. They have a very good selection of paninis and salads as well as desserts. And they also do cakes/desserts for people with food intolerances/allergies, so you will find the no wheat cakes as well as no yeast and so on. Fantastic!

The place is very nice, they have a conservatory and an outside area, so it's good for any time of the year and any weather. Price-wise is just OK.

Perfect place for a coffee with friends after/before/during shopping or for a quick bite.

Japan Centre - review by lisas

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 18:26:20 +0000

Japan Centre - review by lisas

Rating: 4.0

Location: 212 Piccadilly, W1J 9HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7434 4218

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

Tags: japanese, bargain, rare finds, family & home feel, good value

If you really want to try the real japanese experience...then you have to go to the Japan Centre at least once. I love it as not only can you eat japanese food but you can also buy it and cook/make sushi at home!

The place is very basic, don't expect a very trendy restaurant but the food is good. And they sell all the japanese must have....japanese people say it's good, so it must be!

Favela Chic - review by lisas

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 18:37:09 +0000

Favela Chic - review by lisas

Rating: 3.5

Location: 91-93 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HZ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7613 5228

Website: http://www.favelachic.com

Tags: cool, free to get in, good value, crowded, trendy, friendly, lively, brazilian

Following the reccommendations on TrustedPlaces I decided to organize a party for about 25 people at Favela Chic last Saturday. I hadn't been there before....but I knew it was going to be good based on what I was reading....and I was right!

We had so much fun! We went there early as wanted to avoid the possible queue and enjoy some quality time with our friend Dora visiting from Australia. The night started quiet with some drinks, food and chats...but after the DJ started playing some very cool music and we had enough caipirinhas...well I can just look at the pictures and remember how much fun it was!
The place is just great....I hear the food is OK but that's not a problem, you go there for the excellent music, the place, the atmosphere and the crowd. It then helps to be with about 25 very nice and cool friends as it happened to me on Saturday.

Santa Lucia - review by lisas

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 09:59:59 +0000

Santa Lucia - review by lisas

Rating: 4.0

Location: 2 Hollywood Road, SW10 9HY, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7352 8484

Tags: italian, family & home feel, good value, trendy, friendly, lively

Santa Lucia is the brother (or sister :-) of Made in Italy, Marechiaro, Napule' etc....and it's just 2 minutes from where I live so I have been there quite a few times.

They do nice pizzas as well as nice Italian food. And as usual I have to add a special note on desserts: they are delicious!!!

The atmosphere is usually very nice anad lively, and in the summer they have tables outside which is quite nice.

Made In Italy - review by lisas

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 09:54:08 +0000

Made In Italy - review by lisas

Rating: 2.0

Location: 249 Kings Road, SW3 5EL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7352 1880

Website: http://www.madeinitalygroup.co.uk/restaurants-madeinitaly.asp

Tags: italian, Caotic funny, family & home feel, good value, crowded, lively

Once you get into Made in Italy you can start enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of an Italian pizzeria.

The place itself is quite different, they tried to make it look "Italian" and while it is not really authentic it is different and at least not pretentious... You will also probably hear a lot of Italian in there, as they seem to hire Italian people only which is good for the "Italian atmosphere" they want to create....nothing worse than an "authentic Italian restaurant" where there is no Italian touch!

The pizza is good. They do "Pizza al Metro" instead of the traditional round Pizza. It is quite fun especially to share with friends. They also have good desserts. Booking recommended especially if you are a big party.

Marechiaro - review by lisas

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 09:44:14 +0000

Marechiaro - review by lisas

Rating: 2.5

Location: 257 Kings Rd, SW3 5EL, London, United Kingdom

Tags: italian, family & home feel, good value

Marechiaro is an authentic Italian restaurant. It is the brother of Made in Italy, Napule', Luna Rossa and Santa Lucia, other good Italian restaurants in Chelsea/Notting Hill.

The food is good and they make fresh pasta, a plus! A couple of years ago they used to have home made desserts...the excellent ones from Napoli...yummy!!!!

I remember going in there for a quick brunch and spending all afternoon in there....and coming out with 2 extra Kg ! SO not good for your diet, but excellent for your senses!

The Orangery - review by lisas

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 11:47:36 +0000

The Orangery - review by lisas

Rating: 4.0

Location: Kensington Palace Gardens, W8 4QP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7937 9561

Website: http://www.digbytrout.co.uk/branches/kensington

Tags: cosy, quiet & relaxed, good brew, quick bite, cultured

The Orangery is a very nice and elegant Cafe/Tea Room in Kensington Gardens. The place is beautiful, very elegant and different. ANd the gardens outside very very nice.

They serve tea/coffee as well as snacks and light lunches.

Perfect for an afternoon tea/coffee when having a walk in the park...or if you need some peace after crazy shopping in High St Kensington!