Latest reviews by ceedoubleu

Kwan Thai

ceedoubleu — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:56:38 +0000

Rating: 0.0

Location: Unit 1, SE1 2HD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7403 7373

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

Tags: thai, oriental, business

Something missingI can't quite put my finger on Kwan Thai. The location is great, right on the riverside and the food is well executed and the set menus offer reasonable value: Satay, prawn spring rolls, a selection of meat curries and vegetables all of which are perfectly acceptable. It is just a little soulless. Acceptable, just bland.

Westfield

ceedoubleu — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 12:15:41 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: Ariel Way, W12 7GE, London, United Kingdom

Website: http://uk.westfield.com/london

The elephant in the roomSo I took a trip to the new centre for the worship of Mammon, and it certainly seems to live up to the hype. First of all getting there: Very easy, served by the Central, Hammersmith and City Lines and a mainline station or, in my case, a bus. It was the first Saturday and it was crowded, I mean very, very busy but surprisingly easy to get around. I didn't have any particular purchase in mind but Maryam wanted to buy some cheese, given that I had singularly failed in my Borough Market task the previous day.

So we wandered around and what struck me was the genuine enthusiasm of the people working there - they really are proud of being part of such a massive project.

Coming in from the Shepherds Bush entrance, you pass the restaurant row and then arrive in the luxury goods atrium - I think it is called the Village. Smack bang in the middle is a Champagne Bar, so we found time for a quick drink before going on to shop - it's fine and makes a good pit stop and is strategically placed fpr Tiffany's for some champagne fuelled shopping that I fear will cost a few people close to Christmas!

The opening hours are 0900 - 2200 with the restaurants remaining open until midnight. The cinema multiplex opens early next year.

So, its easy to get to, has shopping for all budgets but I would try and arrive early.

Amelies Restaurant

ceedoubleu — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:06:00 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 10 High Street, LL32 8DB, Conwy, United Kingdom

Phone: 01492 583142

Amelies is a family run Bistro in the centre of Conwy. The menu is simple, focussing on good quality mainly locally sourced ingredients with seafood and vegetarian options available. The portions are large and there was a genuine note of concern from the owner when she npticed that I could not finish my main course! The service is friendly and was unfazed by three large groups dining at the same time.

Gravy

ceedoubleu — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:13:22 +0000

Rating: 1.5

Location: 142 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8994 6816

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

Closed againProbably for good this time.

Sushi Bar Makoto

ceedoubleu — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 17:14:20 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 4 Devonshire Road, W4 2HD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8987 3180

Tags: lively, good value, japanese

Great local additionThis place has been open a few weeks now and I have been meaning to try it, but have failed because it has always been full. It is small and probably seats about 10 at tables and the same number at the bar. Anyways, we managed to get in today. It serves a range of Sushi, Sashimi, Nigiri and Donburi. We opted for Sashimi as the fresh fish on ice looked enticing. A set Sashimi lunch consisted of Salmon, Tuna, Mackerel and prawns together with Miso soup and rice.

It really was good quality and the fish was freshly prepared. They also serve a range of takeaway food (no delivery) which I an very tempted to try such as Sahimi for Â£20 - 3 pieces each of 7 fish and Sushi.

It is rightly popular and is a good addition to the local restaurant scene but do note that it is small, very busy and quite warm because of the open kitchen.

Chungs Chinese

ceedoubleu — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:08:01 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 25 Duke Street, W1U 1LD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7935 8992

Good no frills Cantonese restaurant just a short walk from Oxford Street and St Christophers Place. The food is freshly prepared and comes in generous portions.

Bengal Clipper

ceedoubleu — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:05:51 +0000

Rating: 3.5

Location: 31 Shad Thames, SE1 2YR, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7357 9001

Tags: indian, good value

LunchThey serve a good set lunch - two courses for Â£10. The food is well cooked and very tasty - it clearly does not come from a pre-prepared pot. I've been there twice for lunch now and the only thing lacking is atmosphere, it is strangely quiet with only a handful of customers on a Friday.

Eco

ceedoubleu — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:36:57 +0000

Rating: 4.5

Location: 144 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8747 4822

Website: www.ecorestaurants.com

Tags: italian, good value

Pleasant surpriseGot here on a wet Friday night, soaked and wanting to hate everything that had been responsible for me being dragged out on such a night. Walked in to a very friendly welcome and was surprised at what a great use of the space they had made (previously Southey's, where I had eaten forever). The menu is simple, we started with some fantastic Moules, plump and tasty and in our case served in either a cream or chilli tomato sauce, both tasty served with fresh bread with free top ups.

For the main course I had a parma ham pizza, light and fresh. All the others declared themselves pleased with their main courses but I can't for the life of me remember what they had. Puds were great, sweet and filling.

The bill came to a very reasonable Â£28 a head, including a fair amount of wine.

I like it.

The Bridge Tandoori

ceedoubleu — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:20:41 +0000

Rating: 1.0

Location: 214 Tower Bridge Road, SE1 2UP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7357 7826

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

LocationI see that it is popular because of its location, which is good because it has little else going for it.

A lunchtime visit witnessed charmless service, including throwing the wine list onto another table when we didn't order any and perhaps the worst indian food I have eaten in London. Sagwala Murgh had clearly been reheated from the day before, the chicken was tough and chewy and the entire dish seemed to lack spice of any kind. The only good point was the naan bread.

I don't like to give a negative review, but this place deserves one.

Gravy

ceedoubleu — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:41:10 +0000

Rating: 1.5

Location: 142 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8994 6816

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

Now openGravy has been open for a couple of weeks now so I thought it was time to try it. We hadn't booked but were able to get a table for four on a Friday night, it wasn't full. We were made very welcome and the service was first class, friendly without being cloying. There were no problems when we asked for Tap rather than still or sparkling water.

I would describe the menu as being good comfort food. I had belly of pork which was substantial and tasty, so did two others which is a bit limiting when it comes to commenting on the menu, although Maryam described her sea bass as being very well cooked and tasty. Puddings went down well.

The bill was reasonable, Â£120 for four including a bottle of wine and a couple of extra glasses plus a Cognac.

Nice place, I will go again.

Aubaine Restaurant Boulangerie Patisserie

ceedoubleu — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:32:53 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 4 Heddon Street, W1B 4BS, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7440 2510

Tags: french

Price and value changeAubaine have obviously taken onboard the local lunchtime clientele. They now offer two courses plus a glass of wine for Â£9.95 which, given the quality of the food, is really good value.

Piccolino

ceedoubleu — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:29:32 +0000

Rating: 2.0

Location: 21 Heddon Street, W1B 4BG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7287 4029

Website: http://www.piccolinorestaurants.co.uk/heddonstreet.html

Losing the plotThis place is really going downhill. We tried to get in last week but the unfortunate lady manning the front desk could not cope with a party of six in front of us. The restaurant was almost empty and other staff were hanging around chatting.

Today, we wanted to sit outside, but not a single heater was working which indicates sloppy management. Happily Aubaine, just 3 meters away, was in much better shape, more about which shortly.

The Urban Vitality Company

ceedoubleu — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 11:37:28 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: 42A Clovelly Road, W4 5DS, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8987 9478

Website: www.theurbanvitalitycompany.co.uk

Tags: Fitness and wellbeing, fitness and wellbeing

Was it worth it?The Boot Camp is over, a month of attending three nights a week and being pushed hard for about an hour and I can now review how it went.

The sessions were great. Good fun and physically demanding at the same time. It definitely helped to be a part of a group.

I delighted with the results. I have lost 4kgs and am generally much more toned than I was a month ago. I have a lot more energy, I am sleeping well and waking up refreshed and looking forward to the day ahead. My overall attitude has become very positive.

I'm now going to have a month of exercising under my own steam and then sign up for another Boot Camp in March.

It has been a very positive experience and I am pleased to highly recommend The Urban Vitality Company.

The Urban Vitality Company

ceedoubleu — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:48:07 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: 42A Clovelly Road, W4 5DS, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8987 9478

Website: www.theurbanvitalitycompany.co.uk

Tags: Fitness and wellbeing, fitness and wellbeing

A real lifestyle change!So, feeling unmotivated and lethargic after Christmas and generally unfit, I decided to do something about it. I came across the Urban Vitality Company, run by John Limpus. Urban Vitality offer advice on lifestyle and diet and, most importantly for me, thrice weekly outdoor bootcamps. These take place mornings or evenings in parks in Acton and Chiswick respectively.

I'm now into my second week and I am delighted with the changes that I am already experiencing. I feel fitter already, I'm sure that I have lost weight and am starting to tone up and my general outlook is far more positive. It's not easy, it does take a little motivation to go and exercise in a muddy park on a rainy night but it really is the best experience that I have had for a long time.

Try it!

Gravy

ceedoubleu — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:20:51 +0000

Rating: 1.5

Location: 142 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8994 6816

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

Re-opening soonJust a note to mention that after extensive refurbishment, Gravy is opening again shortly. I have peered in through the window and they have gone for a different layout, with softer chairs and tables spread about rather than the earlier bench seating. It is one of the few independent restaurants left in the area, I hope it does well.

Not risking awarding any stars though until I have tried it!

Well, only one star then because I have to!