Latest reviews by handbag's friends

IndigO2 - review by QueenB

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:02:24 +0000

IndigO2 - review by QueenB

Rating: 4.0

Location: Millenium Way, SE10 0DX, London, United Kingdom

Tags: stylish, VIP, helpful staff, live, modern, comfy

I've been to the O2 arena and this IndigO2 each a few times now and I keep happily going back - long gone are the Doomed Dome days.

IndigO2 is a smaller, more intimate live venue. It has a multitude of events on its listings. So far, I have been to an after party from the PRince O2 gig, a Jonguelers comedy night and on Saturday I saw Erro live - who was amazing by the way!

On the night of Comedy we sat downstairs on a group table just infront of the stage, we had great view, easy access to the bars and were very comfy for the evening.

Saturday just gone we were upstairs, and it lives up to its VIP name! Shown in past the q's, We had seats in the Kings Row, right at the front over looking the stage - perfect view.
There was a beautiful bar, with an array of drinks and snacks also available from Gaucho kitchen downstairs, all served by friendly, helpful staff. Spacious areas with booths, sofas, stools and seats in plush suede, leather and velour finishings you were so relaxed and chilled you were set for the night.

I would def recommend you try for the Kings Row as and when possible!

Babble - review by QueenB

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:46:06 +0000

Babble - review by QueenB

Rating: 1.5

Location: 59 Berkeley Square, W1J 6ER, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7758 8255

Website: http://www.babble-bar.co.uk

Tags: dance, young professionals, reasonably priced, young and fun, cheesy, friendly

I wouldn't really go out of my way to go to Babble but it works well as an after works drinks spot.

It has an happy hour(s) from 5 - 7pm and is generally full of office workers from around the area.

The outside gets full of smokers and the door staff can be a bit stroppy later in the evening but I think thats more to do with the area/image they think they have.

It's quite typical of most the LateNightLondon group bars, looks all modern and trendy but is really done on the cheap "all that glitters is not gold" springs to mind again (Digress, Loop, Agenda...)

Drinks are average price for this area but below quality really.

Staff are OK if you know them but generally quite moody.

I do like the booths downstairs in the basemento fthe club but that smells stale since the smoking bana nd needs a good airing.

Piya Piya - review by QueenB

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:01:00 +0000

Piya Piya - review by QueenB

Rating: 3.0

Location: 1 Oliver's Yard, EC1Y 1HQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 0845 475 1971

Website: http://www.piyapiya.net

Tags: lively, good value, chinese, thai

How friendly can staff be?

Go here and you will forget all the nasty staff you have ver met in London!!!

Genuine, sweet, polite staff, quick service with a smile - you have to love it!

Happy hour for cocktails or if you have a TasteLondon card use it for 50% off the Thai/chinese food menu.
The sharing platter s are quite small for the original price but fine when you get the discount.

The yummiest cocktail that I could drink all night was the Nichilicious _ passion fruit vodka, honey, pomegranate, mint and lime juice! Toooooo tasty!

Chilled, relaxed and even the football on to keep the lads happy but discreet enough without it turning into a sports bar.

the food is nice enough but nothing amazing or overly authentic but tasty all the same.

I'd got back for an after work do or pre-club drink

Vertigo 42 - review by QueenB

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:29:40 +0000

Vertigo 42 - review by QueenB

Rating: 4.0

Location: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, EC2N 1HQ, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7877 7842

Website: http://www.vertigo42.co.uk

Tags: cool, mature, cool & smart, young professionals, glamorous, sexy, trendy, friendly, relaxed, posh

Head for the tallest building in the city. You can see the blue strip of lighting from miles away.

Enter through a lilac-lit building entrance that reminded me of the Mayors Office.

Check in with a very smart glamour-puss of a receptionist and get shown to the lift that will whisk you directly up to the ear popping 42nd floor.

There you enter a dark, stylised reception area, greeted warmly by staff who take your coats and show you to your seats. With mirrored walls on your right and glass from floor to ceiling on your left, you can't help but feel a little unsteady on your feet!

Gazing out over a moon lit London, we spotted many buildings and got a breath taking view while sipping Lychee Bellinis (Â£12.50 each)and a plate of lovely marinated olives and shared a bottle of red (Australian Shiraz).

The staff were attentive, smiling and very helpful. Our waiter was sweet and took photos for us and when the more sought after seats with the better view became available (the first seats as you walk in) he kindly moved us and our drinks there without us even having to ask.

There was nice soulful house music playing quietly in the background, the clientelle was wealthy 30 somethings of all nationalities, along with a handful of tourists.

I would def would come back here, for a special night out out or a romantic evening.

If you don't have ahead for heights though, don't even attempt this! I had legs like Bambi for the 1st 15min!

Rosa's Dining Room - review by QueenB

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:35:49 +0000

Rosa's Dining Room - review by QueenB

Rating: 4.8

Location: 69 Westbourne Park Road, W2 5QH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7221 5329

Tags: romantic, Fair priced, british, international, family & home feel, great wines, good value, Delicious

I LOVE ROSAS.

The staff, the ambience, the food - always without fault.

I've been coming here for years now, never had a bad meal or even run of the mill - it's always delicious.

Despite the A List customers,this place lacks any sort of pretention. Thankfully, also a lot of the people who go there could care less if you are Kate Moss or Kate from up the road. everyone is treated equally well and welcomed warmly.

It's such a laid back unassuming affair that you can't help but go back. Perfect for intimate dinners but also nice for joint coupley nights or girl gatherings.
The decor is is homely but still stylish and unusual.

Babylon at the Roof Gardens - review by QueenB

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:58:31 +0000

Babylon at the Roof Gardens - review by QueenB

Rating: 3.8

Location: 99 Kensington High Street, W8 5SA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7937 7994

Website: http://www.roofgardens.com

Tags: lively, british, seafood, international, good value, crowded, vegetarian, expensive, romantic

When: a Friday night, 9pm
Who: Me and the boyf
Booked: 2 days prior on the phone
Deal: None

After being ushered into the lift at the ground entrance to the restaurant, we were greeted at the door and offered drinks on the terrace first or straight to our table - hungry as we were we went straight to the table!

It was busy but not overly so that you felt it was chaotic, there was a nice buzz with a mixed crowd.

Our 2 waiters were charming without being over bearing.

Starters:
1 x Dorset Crab and Morecambe Bay Shrimps with pink grapefruit, avocado, baby red chard, dandelion leaves

1 x Seared Scottish Diver Caught Scallops with raw fennel, radicchio and orange salad

Mains:
1 x Grilled Fillet of Organic Salmon with baby onions, button mushrooms, celery, turned carrots, summer truffle and parsley mash

1 x â¬SSurf and Turfâ¬

Euro Car Parks - review by IndiePrincess

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:56:29 +0000

Euro Car Parks - review by IndiePrincess

Rating: 1.7

Location: 65 Upper Parliament Street, NG1 6LD, Nottingham, United Kingdom

Phone: 0115 950 4317

Website: http://www.eurocarparks.net

Nottingham has a shortage of car parking places available - particularly at a reasonable price. Although I tend to use Euro Car Parks due to its price and location (Upper Parliament Street), I do find that the facilities offered are somewhat lacking. For instance, as mentioned by the other reviewer, it is badly designed, particularly if you have a large vehicle. Moreover, the lift only services the even-numbered floors. Also, the pedestrian entrances and exits are neither very well located nor lit and there is little, if any, CCTV which has caused me significant nail biting if I'm returning to my car alone of a dark evening.

Like most car parks, cleanliness is a big issue. The stairwells are urine stained and so you can only imagine the stench. The lift is also similarly 'perfumed' and I don't dare linger too long by the payment machine for fear of catching something unpleasant (the metal buttons are heavily stained - odd, I know!)

Nonetheless the cheap cost of parking cannot be overlooked, particularly in the evenings. So if I am not alone and looking for cheap car parking in Nottingham City Centre, this is usually my first choice. Despite the negative aspects of this car park, I am not alone in opting to use it, there are usually queues out onto Upper Parliament street on Saturdays (at least 5-6 cars long).

Eat Tokyo - review by chuichi

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:32:46 +0000

Eat Tokyo - review by chuichi

Rating: 4.5

Location: 14 North End Road, NW11 7PH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8209 0079

My favourite japanese restaurant in Golders Green after Akasaka's demise (how sad when that happened).

This place serves big portion of good quality japanese food, with the chance to collect points in exchange for some goodies!

Kiraku - review by chuichi

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:29:34 +0000

Kiraku - review by chuichi

Rating: 5.0

Location: Uxbridge Road, W5 3LD, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8992 2848

This is one of the best authentic japanese resetaurants in the Ealing area I've been to.

Good quality food, nice portions, will definitely go back again and again.

Momo Japanese Restaurant - review by chuichi

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:26:37 +0000

Momo Japanese Restaurant - review by chuichi

Rating: 3.0

Location: 14 Queens Parade, W5 3HU, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8997 0206

This place is lovely, it serves authentic japanese food, and most of the customers are japanese.

Food is of good quality, however the portions are small, and over-priced.

Unlikely to go back there anytime soon though, because have found better alternatives nearby.

Okawari - review by chuichi

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:23:07 +0000

Okawari - review by chuichi

Rating: 2.6

Location: 13 Bond Street, W5 5AP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8566 0466

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

Tags: expensive, pretentious, japanese

This place reminds me of Hi Sushi.

It's not run by japanese people, rather some Malaysian Chinese. It's not authentic japanese food, but the prices they ask for match those of authentic japanese restaurant.

Really not worth the money to eat there, quality of food is below average, and all the while we were there we felt like we were being scammed.

Pizza Express Restaurants Ltd - review by pingu

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 19:19:08 +0000

Pizza Express Restaurants Ltd - review by pingu

Rating: 4.5

Location: 31 Berkeley Square, BS8 1HP, Bristol, United Kingdom

Phone: 0117 9260300

I went for a pizza here the other day with a couple of my mates.

It was a weekend but we were seated almost immediately, without having to wait for tables, etc. (there as 7 of us). the place is nice clean and family friendly. staff is helpful and lovely. waiting time was not too long (compared with PH).

the pizzas we ordered was nice and delicious. Generous toppings and the base was also nice. The meat on the pizza was not too dry and the vegetables are not burnt, which is good. There was an excellent choise of pizzas and sides. Good choice of drinks as well. the waitress who served us was lovely and was very patient while we deliberated whether to go for chichken or meat. etc.

price range was within budget and ok. Not too expensive and great tasting food. Highly recommended.

Kebabish Original Take Away & Restaurant - review by pingu

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 19:02:57 +0000

Kebabish Original Take Away & Restaurant - review by pingu

Rating: 5.0

Location: 221 London Road, RG1 3NY, Reading, United Kingdom

Phone: 0118 9261222

Tags: bargain

clean, bright-lit and nice little place to have your kebab.

The kebab served here is reputed to be the best in Reading. A selection of freshly grilled meat is also available. I would recommend the Chicken Tikka and the Mango Lassi, as they are my fav.

This place is cheap compared to other kebab shops around it. The staff are friendly and eager to help.

Family and children friendly, but not recommended for a romantic date, as the odour of grilled meat lingers on your hair and clothes for hours after your meal.

Nia Cafe - review by kittieskitchen

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:02:43 +0000

Nia Cafe - review by kittieskitchen

Rating: 4.0

Location: 87-88 Trafalgar Street, BN1 4ER, Brighton, United Kingdom

Tags: cosy, proper food, amazing brew, breakfast

I had dinner here some time last year... but despite thoroughly enjoying the food it somehow ended up being almost a year before I ventured back in.

I won't be as slow for next time though!

The is a great little restaurant - a lovely menu and friendly staff. Though small, two sides of the restaurant are pretty much full length windows - perfect for watching the world go by.

My last visit was a breakfast trip. I had eggs benedict - huge english muffins (I think homebaked) with beautiful smokey bacon and poached eggs done just as I asked (no egg snot!) I couldn't finish it - which is very unusual for me! The coffee was very very good - I'd go back there for breakfast for the brew alone! Breakfast is served until 1pm - next time I'll be trying the smoked haddock to see if it matches what I'm used to in Scotland ;)

Breakfast is only one part of this restaurant - I'm looking forward to trying the evening menu again soon!

Wai Kika Moo Kau - review by kittieskitchen

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:30:30 +0000

Wai Kika Moo Kau - review by kittieskitchen

Rating: 3.0

Location: 11A Kensington Gardens, BN1 4AL, Brighton, United Kingdom

Tags: vegetarian, healthy food, cafe

This is a pretty nice little place to stop for a healthy veggie wrap or soup. The menu used to be fairly extensive, but I think it has reduced in scope in the last year or so - and now isn't anything above what you'd expect from a vegetarian cafe in Brighton...

Despite this, the food is tasty - last time I had a falafel wrap, and thoroughly enjoyed it!

There is a nice outdoor seating area - on the bustling Kensington Gardens, always good for people spotting! But it does often get busy - and speed of service can suffer as a result.