Latest reviews by helenlauralewis

Numidie

helenlauralewis — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:48:20 +0000

Rating: 4.7

Location: 48 Westow Hill, SE19 1RX, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8766 6166

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

Gorgeous little venue I almost feel like I shouldn't be writing a review of Numidie because I want to keep it for myself and my pals in Crystal Palace but I feel like doing a good deed today so here we go...

The wine bar downstairs at Numidie provides a welcome break from the pubs and restaurants in the area which can get very busy particularly at the weekend. However, Numidie is never empty and is always a favourite with a regular bunch of friendly people and those who have just stumbled upon the place much to their delight.

The wine menu is great, the staff are friendly and upstairs in the restaurant the food is particularly delicious. We went for New Year's Eve. Our group of 10 had a table in the corner in between the tiny outdoor courtyard which is perfect for the smokers in the group and the bar which got pretty packed up in the run-up to midnight.

I would definitely recommend a glass of wine here before dining upstairs or anywhere else in the triangle. I love the place.

The Duke Of Wellington

helenlauralewis — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 08:33:27 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 48 High Street, CF71 7AG, Cowbridge, United Kingdom

Warm, welcoming, and delicious pub grub in huge portions! In a fantastic part of the world, this pub has it all with a great mix of pub grub and Welsh specialities, as well as a good range of wines and ales. There is usually a mixed crowd in here with the younger people towards the front of the bar. The pub is cavernous - there are two big rooms out the back where food is also served - as well as a large function room. Enjoy!

Camino

helenlauralewis — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 10:55:32 +0000

Rating: 3.1

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

Phone: 020 7841 7331

Website: http://barcamino.com

Tags: relaxed, good wine list, outdoor area, young professionals, spanish, spacious, expensive, tapas

A bit of Spain in Kings Cross??After missing out on the opening night as I was on my hols I promised myself a trip to Camino as soon as possible. Last night I popped in for a glass of wine and some tapas, and have to say that unfortunately I came out a little disappointed. Positives: the wine was very tasty and the layout of the bar is great as it allows you to discover a quiet corner, or mingle at the bar. Down-sides: I was over-charged by a tenner which was refunded when I returned to the bar to complain. I had to chase the tortilla de patatas. It was lacking in atmosphere, which is probably not unusual for a Tuesday night but I do think its location means people are unlikely to simply stumble upon it and pop in for a quick drink.
All in all, the staff are very pleasant, there is a lovely fresh and new feeling to the place and the tapas is OK (bit too pricey in my opinion).

Tamnag Thai

helenlauralewis — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:21:18 +0000

Rating: 3.3

Location: 50 Westow Hill, SE19 1RX, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8761 5959

Website: http://www.tamnagthai.com/

Tags: thai, lunch deal, decent portion sizes, ornate, good value, Authentic, crowded

Thai food, Thai style, scary staircase...Tamnag Thai is one of a selection of Asian restaurants in the Crystal Palace triangle but its reputation with the locals is that it's the best by far. It gets so busy now on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights that it's necessary to book, or wait in line and munch on the free prawn crackers.
A special offer is available at lunchtime with a glass of wine, starter and main for less than a tenner. The food is always extremely well presented and authentic in flavour and appearance, and it's a great place for Thai fans or those looking for an introduction to the cuisine.
Oh, yes, the spiral staircase always gives me a case of the eeby-jeebys when I go there but I'm a strange person with a stairphobia so it may not be that bad for normal people!

Domali Cafe

helenlauralewis — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:56:47 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 38 Westow Street, SE19 3AH, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8768 0096

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

Tags: cultured, veggie, arty, good brew, fish, quick bite, chilled

Yummy veggie place that also serves fish?!I go to Domali at least twice a month for lunch. I work from home and it is a tasty treat for all my hard work. Lunchtimes is the preference for food as the specials such as the salmon bruschetta (wow) are half price. I'm not a cheapskate but I wouldn't pay full price for the same meal a few hours later. However, the happy (2) hours are worth checking out - half price cocktails etc and I love their Champagne Cocktails. Lovely little garden and one of the only places in Crystal Palace that has table service, huge chunks of cheese on toast, freshly made detox juices and the chance of catching some rays on a sunny day!

Estia

helenlauralewis — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:50:42 +0000

Rating: 4.7

Location: 3 Hampton Pl, BN1 3DA, Brighton, United Kingdom

Phone: 01273 777399

One word - delicious. Having returned from a spectacular week in Kefalonia my fella and I craved some 'authentic' Greek grub to recreate the happy memories. Brighton is rapidly becoming my favourite place in England and taking a day off work to mooch around the Lanes and chill by the sea was complemented by lunch at Estia. Top notch grub. Friendly service. It was really quiet in there on a Friday lunchtime so there was actually no need to book but I imagine it gets a lot busier in the evenings. I heartily recommend the hearty meze starter for two...and the Mousakka which comes with a gigantic Greek salad as a side portion!

The Garden

helenlauralewis — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:47:33 +0000

Rating: 3.3

Location: 179 Upper Street, N1 1RG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7226 6276

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

If this is a chavvy pub then I guess I should now been classified as an official chavette. The garden in summer is a lovely place to chill out and sip reasonably priced wine. I haven't eaten there so can't offer any foodie insights, but there are plenty of fantastic restaurants within a hop, skip and a jump away along Upper St. so this makes a great pre- or post-dinner location for some drinks in the evening sun.

Los Toreros

helenlauralewis — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:00:17 +0000

Rating: 2.5

Location: 35 Westow St, SE19 3RW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8771 0087

A little bit of Spain in the middle of Crystal Palace. Delicious tapas, gorgeous evening meals, and Sunday dinners. This place is much, much bigger than it looks from the outside with a massive restaurant area, but I prefer sipping Rioja and nibbling on Manchego cheese and olives in the bar area and chatting to the really friendly staff. They also have cabaret, dance and music evenings.

The Alma

helenlauralewis — Wed, 30 May 2007 14:30:54 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 95 Church Road, SE19 2TA, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8653 3223

A local pub for local people...old fashioned but not smelly. Nice bunch of people - you get all sorts in there. Much better now than it was a couple of years ago, and not full of 'trendies' like the pub opposite! ;-0

Lorenzo

helenlauralewis — Wed, 30 May 2007 12:30:56 +0000

Rating: 4.7

Location: 73 Westow Hill, SE19 1TX, London, United Kingdom

My favourite restaurant happens to be located within one minute's walking distance from my house so it's a regular haunt. I have been countless times, and sat upstairs, downstairs and on the ground floor. Each room offers its own atmosphere with the buzziest being the ground floor, the quietest and most 'romantic' for two people upstairs, and downstairs being great for a party (I've organised a girl's night out, Mum's birthday and friend's birthday here before).
The service, staff, food and wine are all spot-on. I recommend one of the delicious salad antipasto dishes to start or if you're feeling greedy have a pasta dish as a main course for a bit less cash. Mains include fantastic pizzas (no surprise!), calzones, pasta dishes such as Spaghetti Lorenzo are amazing, and there is a good choice of veggie-friendly options. Pud for me is usually off the menu as I'm stuffed by that point on pizza and prosecco, but the toffee and pecan cheesecake is pretty impressive, as is the tiramisu. Very reasonably priced.