Latest reviews by Frankie

Jemaa El Fna

Frankie — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 14:04:04 +0000

Rating: 3.5

Location: Medina, , Marrakech, Morocco

Tags: place, night, performers, meeting place, square, fair, festival, entertainment, street, stalls, centre, market, piazza, central

Place Jemaa El FnaPlace Jemaa El Fna is the huge open space in the middle of Marrakech Medina (old town). It has a long history of being one of the biggest markets or meeting places not only in Africa, but the whole World. It's a kind of a hub.

All the guide books will tell you what you can find there: snake charmers, tooth pullers, sooth sayers, story tellers, orange juice on tap, beggars, performers, sightseers.

It's as much a fair for Moroccans as it is for international visitors.

You will get hassled there by vendors but it's not too bad. Agree prices first (before taking whatever is on offer). For example, the night market restaurant stalls are very aggressive and will drag you to a stall and hand you a menu which seems to have set prices but the price at end will be very different!

Cafe de France is a big building on one edge of the square (sorry can't remember which) having a terrific view of the square, from the roof terrace.

I like just sitting and watching on the ground floor or the terrace... on arrival you really do feel staggered. It's like you just arrived on a magic carpet, it looks so different.

Here I want to say something about being in Morocco... Shops and restaurants and Souks are one aspect but I loved best, meeting local people. I found Moroccans very communicative - that is open about what they are thinking and feeling (both agreeable and disagreeable opinions). This feels unlike British culture which has a general tendency to constrain openness and encourage reserve. With Moroccans it is possible to enjoy a relationship which has the feel that a more established friendship would feel like in the UK, more easily and spontaneously.

So, I would say, take the opportunity to converse with people! When I went on to Essaouira, a nearby seaside town, I spent lots of time with my 'landlady'. Even though she didn't speak French or English and I don't speak Arabic or Berber! I ended up meeting her neighbours and her sister's family and it was great.

Cafe des Epices

Frankie — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 13:19:45 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 75 Rahba Lakdima, , Marrakech, Morocco

Phone: 024 391 770

Website: http://www.cafedesepices.net/

Tags: cool, cosmopolitan, access, internet, arty, wifi, roof garden, light, terrace, trendy, friendly, art

Marrakshi cosmo cafe - wifiIf you're a Londoner, you'll know what I mean if I say this cafe is a bit like Hoxton only bright, breezy, hot, and bang in the middle of the Marrakech Medina near Jammaa el Fna. It's a bit of a cool hang out in exactly that Hoxton kind of way. There'll be a web designer sitting next to you with his laptop on his knee talking through layouts with a client. It is a trendy tourist / trendy local sort of place. It's cosmopolitan - there's an excitement about visitors meeting each other there. The proprietor runs a couple of small riads and is now opening a new roof top restaurant (let you know more if I ever visit it when finished). He encourages clients to come to the cafe of course, and also randomly invites lucky people to book up for group dinners on the roof terrace at one of the riads. This means visitors end up meeting new people and having a good time. It's all very informal...

There are also art exhibitions there.

Food is good - typical for Marrakech... grilled meat sandwiches with salads of chopped cucumber and tomato; little glasses of latte; Moroccan mint tea and so on. Very good view from la terrace (polish up your French!) of the Spice Souk outside.

Cafe des epices even have their own straw hats with their name embroidered on the front :)

Khettab Said

Frankie — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 12:34:56 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: 17, Place El Khaima, , Essaouira, Morocco

Tags: unusual, sandals, slippers, raphia, rafia, souk, shoes, seaside, morocco, unique, shop

Unusual ShoesThis shop, in the lovely seaside town of Essaouria near Marrakech, sells high quality and very unusual shoes. It is the only shop that I noticed specialising in shoes made from rafia - plaited and tied coloured straw. There are dainty high heels and flat pointed slippers. I bought 3 pairs of slippers with an open pattern (see photo) for myself and friends. Prices were fixed (as opposed to bartered for) but I asked for a reduction buying 3 pairs, and that was fine. They cost about 100 dirham each pair which works out at about Â£6 each.

I liked this shop because I've never seen these shoes in London; because the price was good and there was a great selection of designs and colours. They do men's as well. To find the shop, turn left off the main Avenue Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah and walk up Rue Laalouj. In fact I think the business card they gave me may be a little out of date and the shop front is now actually on Rue Laalouj rather than just off Rue Laalouj in the Place El Kheima.

Here are some links I just found for similar shoes in Essaouira:

http://www.capessaouira.com/rafia.htm
http://www.version-babouche.com/collection.php

London Zoo

Frankie — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 22:54:17 +0000

Rating: 3.5

Location: Regent's Park, NW1 4RY, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7722 3333

Website: http://www.zsl.org/

Tags: fun, reptiles, aviary, butterflies, zoological, flamingos, penguins, pigs, llamas, gorillas, giraffes, tigers, lions, pets, creatures, zoo, park, family, animals

You make my heart singLondon Zoo is terrific. There are some wonderful, amazing creatures there and so close you could touch them (in the farm animal section you can touch the animals but other places you can't touch, for their safety and yours).

In the special Gorillas exhibition me and some friends had an amazing experience! We sat down next to a glass fronted caged part of the gorilla enclosure (most of it is open air with no bars though). Inside was the older female gorilla. She gets jealous of the younger female being with the male, so they get to take turns hanging out with him. Anyway, we sat down to draw her and she came over to investigate! We were sitting on little fold up chairs and she sat down right next to us on the other side of the glass. It was amazing! Being face-to-face with this biiig personality. We could see her breath on the glass. It was quite crowded with visitors and everyone saying "look at the gorilla posing"! Very hard to describe the impact of being near this animal in real life.

Another knockout was the Butterfly tent in the shape of a giant catapillar. A clever system of 'doors' which were curtains of plastic chains hanging down let humans enter and prevented the butterfies from flying out. Inside was a tropical environment with exotic plants (pink bananas and peculiar pouch shaped plants) and butterflies flying free around you. Despite it being rather crowded in there at 3 o'clock it was another amazing experience. You could see a special incubator with pupae lined up inside and butterflies hatching out. The most beautiful butterflies just flitting past. One was transparent like pretty lace (called a Glass Butterfly) and there were the biggest moths in the world displaying their wings proudly on the trunk of a palm tree.

Wow.

We didn't get a chance to see everything, maybe a third, even though we spent the whole day there.

The Zoo is beautifully kept, the staff are very friendly and even though it was a hot lovely day in August, there were no queues in the Oasis cafe.

It's a bit sad to see the big game animals in relatively small spaces but the enclosures are excellent quality and with the state of the world today, at least some animals are safe at the zoo.

Full entry price is about £13 for one adult, but everything (except food and gifts) is free once you're in and lots of '2 for 1' and other discounts are easily found on the web.

Heartily recommended.

http://zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo

tel: 020 7722 3333

Cremorne Launderette

Frankie — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:24:07 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: 395 Kings Road, SW10 0LR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7352 4201

Tags: friendly, laundry, digital, coin operated, spin, dry clean, wash, launderette, clothes

Swish LaunderetteLaunderettes often have interesting names like 'Washeteria Cafeteria'. This one doesn't. But it's a very good place to get your washing done.

You can drop off your washing or chuck it in one of the digital super drums. And check this out! There's change on tap! You go round to the other side of the smart glass dividers to the dry cleaning counter and you can change your notes into washing machine food.

Other features are the attractive blue glass vase arranged in front of a Dali print and a 'What's On' leaflet holder. It's really clean, the water is actually hot and it's great if your washing machine broke down and flooded the four flats below! While you're waiting you can go to the Chelsea Bun or the Mona Lisa or push the boat out and visit the Bluebird.

Tip - they close quite early at the weekend and last wash is about an hour before closing time.

The Three Kings

Frankie — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 20:51:50 +0000

Rating: 4.2

Location: 7 Clerkenwell Close, EC1R 0DY, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7253 0483

Tags: cool, snow domes, function, upstairs, open air, creative, jukebox, arty, special, food

Happy PubThis is a very friendly nook and cranny pub with an arty feel - music posters on the wall and the pub sign shows Elvis for one of the three kings. The owner chats with people around the place. They do some tasty spicy indian snacks.
What else? Nip upstairs for some space (especially now all the smokers are outside on the other side of the street). There's a snow dome collection and sort of balcony type windows lovely for a balmy evening. Laid back arty crowd.

LA Fitness - Holborn

Frankie — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 22:10:48 +0000

Rating: 2.0

Location: 84 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8RW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 0845 355 4489

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

Tags: fitness, spinning, exercise, sport, swimming, weights, gym, pool, health

Not much room to moveLA Fitness is fairly reliable across it's clubs but the ones on commuter routes are almost as bad as London Underground during the rush hour. In fact most of them are underground but the saving grace of this club is the ground floor location with windows and daylight!

Apart from that I was pretty disappointed. It's very cramped and manic in there with a damp sweaty atmosphere. Stretching mats are laid back-to-back, almost overlapping, the swimming pool is tiny and the showers are appalling. They dribble and you have to keep pushing a button to keep the water 'running'. The temperature goes hot and cold. yuch.

I'll finish with a couple of good points though: the spinning class has a separate room, the mats were new and the weights equipment worked well enough. Good selection of different aerobics machines such as sitting down cycling, running, normal cycling, cycling with your arms, stairs and more. Staff helpful.

The Fryer's Delight

Frankie — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:53:56 +0000

Rating: 3.7

Location: 19 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8SL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7405 4114

Tags: takeaway, 50s, mugs, classic, style, british, cheap eat, old, fish and chips, fresh, diner

Fish and Chips old styleSeat up to 8 at diner style tables and eat crunchy, light, fish and chips and mushy peas squeezed onto white oval plates, set down on ketchup coloured formica with mugs of steely tea.

What more can I say?

22.08.07
They shut up shop for holidays in August!

Camino

Frankie — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 16:06:39 +0000

Rating: 3.1

Location: 3 Varnishers Yard,, N1 9NR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7841 7331

Website: http://barcamino.com

Tags: tapas, safe, sheltered, after work, courtyard, reliable, spain, office, spanish, terrace

Safe after-work venueCamino is very big, with plenty of space outside. It is right next to Kings Cross, but you would never know, because it is behind other buildings. So you enter through a short, (slightly tricky to spot) alley and emerge in a hidden courtyard. Get a map from their website www.barcamino.com and send it to anyone you're inviting or you might end up with a few 'lost' friends.

If you regularly commute home from Kings Cross, this would be a perfect place to go with colleagues for one of those after work celebrations.

I enjoyed the white wine pronounced ree-o-ca (ok I have heard of it but I have no idea how to spell it) and the special lime cocktail that's famous in Brazil apparently. It comes with lots of chunks of lime crammed into a glass with chipped ice. The Tapas is entirely delicious although be careful not too order too many dishes with potato in them. I succeeded in tackling an open topped sandwich featuring a fried quails egg sunny side up without mishap. You've got to live dangerously!

The only reason I wouldn't give Camino more stars is that it felt a bit bland to me. But that's good for after work venues with a mixture of people, when you want something to suit everyone.

12 Bar Club

Frankie — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 22:07:28 +0000

Rating: 3.3

Location: 26 Denmark Street, WC2H 8NL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7916 6989

Website: http://www.12barclub.com

Tags: cheap, song writing, gigs, folk, solo, bands, circuit, band, grungy, grunge, country, venue, acoustic, open late, pop, indie, live, cheap eat, rock, new, small, soho, friendly, music, food

Hot Bed in Tin Pan AlleyThe 12 Bar Club is a hot bed of talent on Denmark Street. Denmark Street has been known as Tin Pan Alley for a long ole time... There are music businesses and shops all down the street.
Check out the festival! http://www.tinpanalleyfestival.co.uk

Anyway, 12 Bar... let me warn you, it's GRUNGY! Your feet stick to the floor. The stage is tiny and if you stand in front of the band you can't see their heads because of the low ceiling of the balcony above. So the tip is - follow the stairs up to the balcony and you get the best view.

New bands and promising unknowns play there and sometimes the place if full of music business people supporting the next prodigy. The audience tends to be friends and promoters of the band. Some people go there just to hang out in the bar and have a meal. I think it normally costs about £5 to get in.

Worth just dropping in if you're with a friend looking for something to do. It could be very quiet with only 10 people in the audience or it could be a mad crush 'secret' star performance.

http://www.12barclub.com

The photo of the cool girl band at 12 Bar Club is from www.thepatsywalkers.com and is of The Patsy Walkers!

Dana Centre

Frankie — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:09:19 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 165 Queen's Gate, SW7 5HD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7942 4040

Website: http://www.danacentre.org.uk

Tags: cool, entertainment, learning, teaching, hi tec, corporate hire, seminar, presentation, technology, internet, science, educational, calm, wifi, proper food, smart, quiet & relaxed, good brew, business, restaurant, lively, cultured, comfortable

Nanoo NanooThe purpose of the Dana Centre is to promote science in a popular way. They have a packed schedule of entertaining free events in the evenings each week. The Centre consists of upstairs seminar and presentation rooms, a ground floor bar, restaurant and events area (with equipment such as video projection) and an internet lounge. During the day it is often nice and quite (busier at meal times) and an excellent place for informal and semi-formal meetings. Free wifi.

On their website www.danacentre.org.uk you will find full listings of what's on, as well as corporate hire rates and even, an Event DIY page on how to run a successful 'dialogue' event.

The centre seems very well funded by various foundations and is a collaboration between the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science), the European Dana Alliance for the Brain and the Science Museum.

You will find the atmosphere very bright and uplifting. Lofty windows covered in a collage of transparent typography allow light to flood in. Theatrical lights and video projection add to a sense of drama, but the overall ambience is calm and collected.

The events are well worth a try. I do feel that they have been 'dumbed down' a bit since they first launched, but they are entertaining and sociable. If you have ever wanted to chat with TV science personalities like Richard Wiseman this is a great opportunity as informal discussion post event is encouraged by the friendly staff.

Examples of fascinating debates and presentations: the ethics of kidney donation; nano technology; the worth of alternative medicine... coming up 'Are fatherless children inconceivable?' and 'Angels, Demons, Antimatter'...

Waterstone's Piccadilly

Frankie — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:11:05 +0000

Rating: 4.3

Location: 203-206 Piccadilly, SW1Y 6WW, London, United Kingdom

Tags: comfortable, megastore, extensive, enormous, classic, bookshop, helpful staff, classy, books, literature, big

All very ship shapeAs Waterstone's says on their website:

"Now Europe's largest bookshop, it was once home to the renowned department store Simpson's...the inspiration for the much-loved television programme 'Are You Being Served'."

This is a very comfortable and spacious book shop that seems as though it was born to be a bookshop! I love the convenient chairs with big arms that have a flat top for your notebook and pen. Yes, if you're cheeky enough, you can sit and take notes from the books here (as long as you don't damage them) and no-one seems to mind. Well, you're just noting down the titles of books you want to buy!

A special aspect of the shop is the art deco fittings. The women's toilets are decorated with shiny black bakelite (well I'm guessing) and there is a porthole in the door. Ahoy there! yeah.

The marble stairs are so well worn on the pivotal spots that they have potholes in them.

And then, on the 5th floor is the 5th View Restaurant and Bar (reviewed separately on TP by lots of people) with a terrific view. Very classy place to meet someone.

Joury Knightsbridge

Frankie — Wed, 30 May 2007 23:29:59 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 146 Brompton Road, SW3 1HX, London, United Kingdom

Tags: comfortable, haven, refuge, pretty, family & home feel, good brew, good value, lebanese, romantic, lively, relaxed

JewelsI've got another web window open at www.joury.co.uk and it's playing a stringed instrumental while I write this review, it's very relaxing! (Not much on the website apart from that though).

I always end up at Joury after I've been to the V&A. My intention is usually to have a high tea in one of the fancy tea shops but there are always long queues of other South Kensington culture vultures. Joury is not so busy in the late afternoon as it looks like a restaurant. But actually they're happy to serve tea and coffee and they have nice fresh juices too, so you can just hang out without ordering a full meal.

It's the most relaxing place, really soothing. The prettiest thing is all the coloured glass lamps hanging from the ceiling. Some of the seats are benches with flat cushions, and even curly sheepskin laid out on them. There is a smell of strawberry smoke on the air which is a bit weird if you're not used to it, but if you are it has an instant calming effect.

If you do order a full meal, it's delicious. A sort of Samosa thing with pomegranate seeds (and lamb?) is really unusual and tasty.

The waiters are very friendly and good humoured.

Only downside, is the big TV screen which can be a bit distracting in the corner of your eye. Prices very good, especially for the area - right opposite Harrods.

Oh, forgot to say - it's Lebanese cuisine yum.

Clowns

Frankie — Mon, 28 May 2007 17:30:54 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: 54 King Street, CB1 1LN, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Phone: 01223 355711

Tags: italian, teenager, clowns, mixed crowd, pasta, family & home feel, cheap eat, young, cheerful, fun, lively, cheap

Slap UpNosh, hot and steaming!

Spinach lasagne superb. This is a super cheap and cheerful cafe / restaurant in the centre of Cambridge. There are usually lots of students in there. Last time I went, there was a group of kids around 14 to 15 hanging out there which I thought was cool, as there's not many places suitable for that age group to go on their own. There is usually the odd eccentric in there as well - you know the sort of person who probably has too many cats or smells of jostick. But everyone adds to the mix!

There are newspapers to read and more tables upstairs if it looks crowded downstairs. It's self service and the Italian lady at the counter is really friendly. I think she wears a frilly apron. There are clown toys hanging upside down from the ceiling and clown paintings, hanging up the right way. It's a cafe called Clowns : )

Curzon Soho

Frankie — Mon, 28 May 2007 16:57:14 +0000

Rating: 4.5

Location: 99 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5DY, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7734 2255

Website: http://www.curzoncinemas.com/

Tags: cool, chatty, glass walls, screen, hollywood, documentaries, cult, bright, mature, amazing brew, cool & smart, patisserie, alternative, students, cake, chic, soho, central, quick bite, intimate, trendy, friendly, film, relaxed

Cinema, cafe, bar, loungeThis is currently my favourite cinema in London because it comes with a terrific cafe and lounge bar.

Arrive early for a film, buy tickets before the queues and choose drinks or cakes (usually both) from the delicious spread whipped up by the Konditor & Cook patisserie-cafe on the ground floor. The area around Old Compton Street is well known for its extravagant cake shops (eg Patisserie Valerie) and I like the way Curzon Soho have carried on the tradition by hosting this one. It's especially nice that K&C do lovely seasonal gifts like tiny easter cakes and clown ginger bread men (for the clown season!) which you can surprise your friends with.

Little note about the chairs and tables in this cafe - they're the high sort and they're so comfortable and kind of 'chatty'. And if you're solo, there's a great view for people gazing, because the cafe has glass walls.

Downstairs there is a spacious but cosy bar with lots of sofas which is perfect for intimate chats after the film. Curzon make a point of organising special events here. Presently they have a Joe Strummer exhibition downstairs where they've papered a whole corner of the bar with themed posters. There are lots of mini film festivals which give you a chance to catch extras above and beyond the blockbusters. I just missed a Q&A presented by cult Finnish film director Aki Kaurismaki :(

Go Curzon Go! Other cinemas in this group are: The Renoir, Chelsea Cinema, Richmond Filmhouse and Curzon Mayfair.

http://www.curzoncinemas.com/flash/whats_on