Latest favourites and wishlist by andreams

Hart's Boatyard - review by simonheeley

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:15:23 +0000

Hart's Boatyard - review by simonheeley

Rating: 2.0

Location: Portsmouth Road, KT6 4ES, Surbiton, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8399 7515

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

Tags: different pub food, gastro pub

Just had lunch at Harts. Waited 20 minutes for a waiter to come to our table before deciding to go to the bar and order our food there instead. Then waited a further 35 minutes before the waiter told us the kitchen had not received our food order. Just as he told us that, another waiter appeared with our food! Incredible.

The food is excellent and the view across the river is great, but the staff are generally the sort of disinterested, uncomfortable adolescent types you see in McDonalds, and they really don't have any common sense whatsoever, let alone any sense of urgency.

To have to wait over an hour on a quiet Wednesday lunchtime for our food is inexcusable.

Great place for a drink, but for God's sake don't order any food...

Bill's Produce Store - review by teddybear

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:17:48 +0000

Bill's Produce Store - review by teddybear

Rating: 4.7

Location: 100 North Road, BN1 1YE, Brighton, United Kingdom

Phone: 01273 692 894

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

I concur with the other reviews re the quality of the food. The lunch menu is nothing to write home about but it is the vast selection on the boards where this place comes into its own. The presentation of the meals was second to none - positively artistic - like the uniformity of the produce on the shelves. It's great for a quick snack or 3 course meal.

They also have an evening menu but can't comment on that.

Service was good and friendly.

So why not 5 stars? Well it's the place - being so popular the place is inadequate. People queue right next to the cramped tables looking pitiful at those lucky enough to be seated. Being a cafe too there are people just having a drink. They need at least double the area to cope with demand.

Bill's Produce Store - review by kapow26

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:13:34 +0000

Bill's Produce Store - review by kapow26

Rating: 4.7

Location: 100 North Road, BN1 1YE, Brighton, United Kingdom

Phone: 01273 692 894

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

Bill's at Brigton & Lewes, are the best places for wonderful, healthy, tasty food, & a great atmosphere too.

Canteen - review by lowtide

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 17:09:30 +0000

Canteen - review by lowtide

Rating: 3.0

Location: Southbank Centre Square, SE1 8XX, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 0845 686 1122

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

I first dined at Canteen when it opened in 2007? My experience then totally positive, the food was superb the puddings delicious â¬ the treacle tart amazing. I have retuned on a number of occasions. Sadly each subsequent visit the disappointment has increased and my last visit on Saturday will definlty be the last. I can't help feeling Canteen's policy at RFH is cram 'em in, feed 'em pre-cooked food and get rid of 'em. A truly terrible eating experience. I wanted to put no stars but it wouldn't let me!

Due South - review by teddybear

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 19:38:42 +0000

Due South - review by teddybear

Rating: 4.0

Location: 139 Kings Road Arches, BN1 2FN, Brighton, United Kingdom

Good food at a price in a great seafront location. Fish was great but next time I will have the head cut off as it kept staring at me. Service efficient and attentive.

Earlsfield Bookshop - review by CaliSW18

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:53:18 +0000

Earlsfield Bookshop - review by CaliSW18

Rating: 2.5

Location: 513 Garratt Lane, SW18 4SW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8946 3744

Pop in here if you're prepared for wretched customer service and generally rude staff. I had high hopes for such a sweet looking independent bookshop, and I'm all for buying used, but I'll never step foot in there again after the way I was treated!!!

Bill's Produce Store - review by rivalee

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:16:01 +0000

Bill's Produce Store - review by rivalee

Rating: 4.7

Location: 100 North Road, BN1 1YE, Brighton, United Kingdom

Phone: 01273 692 894

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

Tags: cosy, top food, proper food, amazing brew, good brew, crowded, cultured

If you're unprepared, walking into Bill's for the first time is quite special. The ceiling is high and your vision is filled from top to bottom with fruit, vegetables, and greenery of every kind.

Perhaps this is an odd thing to review, but the sound in the place is great. Even though Bill's is often packed, it's easy to converse with whomever you're eating with. Not sure why this is: do vegetables absorb sound? Maybe it's because the ceiling is so high? Anyway:

The coffee and croissants are delicious, and my takeaway sandwich was great. Very appealing to the health-freak veggie in me. The sandwich involved alfafa sprouts, some sweet jam, roasted vegetables, and for dessert, included in the package, a plum.

If that doesn't appeal to you, they had many other options including "mainstream" sandwich fillings like tuna mayonnaise.

It's a great place and very unusual. Worth a visit or three!

Bill's Produce Store - review by builtbydave

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 13:56:41 +0000

Bill's Produce Store - review by builtbydave

Rating: 4.7

Location: 100 North Road, BN1 1YE, Brighton, United Kingdom

Phone: 01273 692 894

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

Tags: cosy, proper food, good brew, crowded, lively, cultured

Bills is great for any meal, any day. It's a really nice place, and I believe mostly organic, etc. But what you *really* need to do, is tea/coffee & cakes at about 3-4pm. It's usually not too busy, and their cakes are a little special :D

Bill's Produce Store - review by kittieskitchen

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:36:20 +0000

Bill's Produce Store - review by kittieskitchen

Rating: 4.7

Location: 100 North Road, BN1 1YE, Brighton, United Kingdom

Phone: 01273 692 894

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

Tags: lively, healthy food, top food, proper food, amazing brew, rare finds, knowledgeable staff, delicatessen, organic, crowded, breakfast, friendly staff

This is an amazing store/cafe which prides itself on fresh produce, freshly prepared.

I had visited the original store in Lewes, and tried the juice bar here before (as per previous review!) however only recently managed to get into the Brighton one - due to it's overwhelming success and popularity!

We arrived outside on Sunday morning at 0930, only to find out that it didn't open until 10am. Given the gorgeous day we sat outside at nearby Carluccio's for a coffee, and wandered back down a few minutes after 10... to find out it was queued out the door.

After a minute or two's thought we decided to wait - and boy was it worth it! (The queue was staggered, so went down fairly quickly!)

By 20 past 10 we were comfortably sat in the upper seating area, with a fab view to the bustling floor below, a birdseye view of the food preparation area, and an all too tempting display of the produce that owner Bill Collison, sources from all over the world. Given our hunger levels we both went for the full breakfast - but I am very much looking forward to going back to try the rarebit, pancakes, vegetarian breakfast (none of your Linda McCartney sausages on this menu!) and eggs benedict! We also both ordered a fresh fruit juice of the day - I had passion fruit, pineapple and grape, my boyfriend's had watermelon and raspberry in it. After the slight excesses of the night before, the vitamins overload is just what was needed!

Breakfast arrived in good time: portobella mushrooms, herby grilled tomatoes, herby sausages, thick slices of bacon with crispy edges, creamy scrambled eggs (boyfriend has fried - over medium as requested) and toast. But it was the sheer quality of ingredients that made this memorable :)

Bills also serves evening meals, the menu looks great.

Don't forget to take a wander round the shop - particularly recommended is the freshly baked bread and cakes - YUM!!!

Bill's Produce Store - review by natbat

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 20:29:32 +0000

Bill's Produce Store - review by natbat

Rating: 4.7

Location: 100 North Road, BN1 1YE, Brighton, United Kingdom

Phone: 01273 692 894

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

Fantastic healthy food nicely presented

Bill's Produce Store - review by kittieskitchen

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:36:20 +0000

Bill's Produce Store - review by kittieskitchen

Rating: 4.7

Location: 100 North Road, BN1 1YE, Brighton, United Kingdom

Phone: 01273 692 894

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

Tags: lively, healthy food, top food, proper food, amazing brew, rare finds, knowledgeable staff, delicatessen, organic, crowded, breakfast, friendly staff

A lovely cafe - if you get get a seat!

My first experience of Bills was in the Lewes branch - but this one is just as good. I especially like the side bar for ordering made-to-measure smoothies and fruit juices.

Particularly recommended if you're feeling a bit tender after the night before - the food is good, filling and healthy!

Jack and Linda Mills - review by andreams

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 11:36:06 +0000

Jack and Linda Mills - review by andreams

Rating: 4.0

Location: Brighton Seafront, BN1 1NB, Brighton, United Kingdom

Tags: sandwiches, traditional smoked fish, cheap eats, seaside, fresh fish

The best way to eat fish is right by the sea, and the best way to do that in Brighton is to head to Jack and Linda Mills fish smokerie and sandwich shop and try their hot fish rolls. A board outside tells you the catch of the day - the red mullet and mackerel are the freshest I've ever tasted. There's no fuss or frills here, just fresh and traditionally smoked fish sandwiches to takeaway. The sea is just steps away, or you could always take a look in the fishing museum next door.

Whitecross Street Market - review by andreams

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:30:26 +0000

Whitecross Street Market - review by andreams

Rating: 4.0

Location: Whitecross Street, EC1Y 8JL, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7378 0422

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

Tags: mediterranean, preserves, pickles, mushrooms, cupcakes, market, rare finds, cheese, delicatessen

The sun was (finally) shining when I visited this bustling market/food festival which takes place on the first Friday and Saturday of every month, 11am-6pm, on the site of one of London's oldest street markets,dating back to mediaevel times. There are fantastic local and regional food producers (Neal's Yard Cheeses, Burnt Sugar fudges, Crumbs and Doilies cupcakes and more), and some from further afield. Lots of lovely things to sample or buy to eat as you browse - stuffed chillies, pies and tarts all looked great, but it was the gorgeous aroma of wild mushrooms cooking on Sporeboys mushroom stall that decided us - cooked with a little parsley and held between two slices of sourdough bread with some parmesan and a drizzle of oil, this was probably the best sandwich ever, and a recipe I'll definitely try at home. You can take home cheeses, meats and pickles, and chat to the makers - the Bendgate pickles and preserves people from Yorkshire were particularly friendly and had lots of helpful recipe suggestions. Definitely worth a visit - and in September there's an extra 3 day market (21,22,23)to celebrate Islington car-free day. Sporeboys are also at the Covent Garden night market, but this is currently Bendgate's only London market, so worth a trip to EC1.

The Harp - review by andreams

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:47:22 +0000

The Harp - review by andreams

Rating: 4.0

Location: 48 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HS, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7836 0291

Tags: small, different pub food, traditional pub, sausages

Tiny, traditional pub with a (less traditional) all-female bar team. A great stopping off spot between the West End and the Southbank, my parents highly recommend the sausages - special guest sausages on the menu every day - but no other food so not a great place to take your vegetarian friends.

Due South - review by andreams

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:32:48 +0000

Due South - review by andreams

Rating: 4.0

Location: 139 Kings Road Arches, BN1 2FN, Brighton, United Kingdom

Tags: romantic, sea view, british, local produce, good value, expensive

On a sunny day, the outdoor terrace must be one of the best places to eat on Brighton seafront, and if its raining then there are a few tables inside which look out over the beach so you can enjoy your food while watching the waves crashing in.The menu is enticing with an emphasis on provenance - freshly caught fish, Sussex grown salads and local cheeses - this is reflected in the prices so it is definitely not a budget eat!