• Added: 17th of September 2008
• Area: Stockton On Tees
• Category: Events and Entertainment

Stockton On Tees TS17 7BU

Nikiolola said
In need of refurbishment
Located next to the Gala Casino at the North end of Teesside Park, this 14 screen cinema has seen better days I feel. It just looks a bit shabby when compared to the newer cinemas in the area. There are always long queues for tickets and food, and the seats in the screens look and feel old. The screens seats are also on a slope, rather than being on a set of steps. As a result your view of the screen can often be impeded by the person in front.
On the positive side, the cinema does serve a decent variety of food. As well as the usual hot dogs and nachos, they sell burgers and chips. The chicken burger I had was pretty good although it did take a while to come, partly because I went at a quiet time of day. It is also in a good location in terms of restaurants and shopping.
Also, the google map image for the cinema is the wrong location, although the address is correct.

• Added: 17th of September 2008
• Area: Gateshead
• Category: Food and Drink

Gateshead NE11 9YG

Nikiolola said
A great mid-shopping refreshment
I love Revive! It is a regular stop for on my metro-centre visits. Located in the red mall, near Primark and Superdrug, the smoothies are delicious! I am not really a smoothie person but I find them irresistible. They are made while you wait. As well as a variety of smoothies and fruit crushes, you can add "shots" to your drink. These have lots of different benefits apparently, from relieving tiredness to providing your entire daily vitamin intake. I have had a shot which apparently made me more alert, but didn't really notice any difference. The smoothie alone is enough to refresh me! There are also numerous special offers to take advantage of, there is a smoothie of the day, "Wheatgrass Wednesdays" allow you to buy a Wheatgrass shot for only £1, and there is a loyalty card, which is very useful if you are a regular customer, offering free shots, free upgrades and, eventually, a free smoothie.
My only gripes with this place are there is no seating; This is fair enough as they don't sell food (although I think they may sell cereal bars and such), but since you can't really go into shops smoothie in hand it would be nice to have an allocated seating space, rather than trying to find a bench somewhere (although that is usually possible!), and also, there can be a fairly long queue at times because it is so popular. But, in my opinion, it is completely worth the wait!

• Added: 12th of September 2008
• Area: Sunderland
• Category: Sports and Leisure

Sunderland SR5 1HX
01915656001

Nikiolola said
Much better than it looks from the outside!
From the outside, Sunderland Bowling Alley looks shabby and not very appealing. However, once you are through the doors, be prepared for a surprise, because inside it is a rather nice bowling alley. There is a bar/restaurant selling the usual array of tolerable junk food and a selection of arcade games as well as a pool table. The bowling shoes are, as is the case in most bowling alleys, serviceable but rather worn, and the seats by the lanes are often not very clean, however other than that it is definitely better than many of its competitors.
I have often found it difficult to find a ball however. There is usually a large selection of extremely heavy and extremely light balls but few in between. Also, the mechanism for lifting pins up has occasionally to knock the odd pin over, and therefore changing the score of the player.

• Added: 12th of September 2008
• Area: Sunderland
• Category: Sports and Leisure

Sunderland SR5 1SU
0191 561 6161

Nikiolola said
The Aquatic Centre
The Aquatic centre is very new - only opened in April 2008, and is undoubtedly a fantastic asset to the city. Located next to the Stadium of Light, it also shares parking facilities. The centre itself is dominated by an enormous swimming pool, of 50m in length, with an array of diving boards and platforms at one end, and a large seating area. There is also a large gym and two exercise studios, offering an array of classes from aerobics to dance mat sessions. Swimming lessons are also offered for everybody, and diving and water polo courses are expected in the near future.
The changing facilities are clean and do not smell of chlorine or have wet floors. However they are mixed, which is rather unusual. The pool itself is amazing, and, during recreational swim sessions, offers lane swimming as well as areas exclusively for floats. The exercise studios are also immaculately clean, one with a large panel of mirrors running down one side, and the other boasting a view of the pool.
Of course at the moment, the Aquatic Centre is revelling in its newness, and whether it will remain cleaner and generally nicer than the average swimming pool and leisure centre, only time will tell, but at the moment, it gets a thumbs up from me

• Added: 12th of September 2008
• Area: York
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

York YO1 8QP
01904 659142

Nikiolola said
Mmmmmmm....
Bettys is very old fashioned, but at the same time it is lovely and quaint and unmistakably English. Not for nothing is it the most popular tea room in York. There is a high percentage of frills in the dining room, particularly upstairs, but both upstairs and downstairs rooms are nice, although rather different. A first time visiter should definately try to get a seat upstairs, even though the queue will be longer, because it is light and airy and exactly what a tea room should be like, plus tables by the window provide an excellent location for people-watching. Downstairs it is darker but much roomier, and feels a bit more private and restaurant-like. You can usually get seated a bit sooner if you don't mind being downstairs.
As for the food, it's delicious! Make sure you save room for a desert, although it can be difficult with the very generous portions on offer, because it is the cakes that this tea-room really excells at. As I do not drink hot drinks, I am afraid I cannot comment on the coffee and tea, but I am assured by my tea- drinking friends it is as good as one might expect from such a well known establishment.

• Added: 12th of September 2008
• Area: Sunderland
• Category: Restaurants

Sunderland SR1 3DZ
0191 5640200

Nikiolola said
Very nice, but not wonderful
Lucianos is probably one of Sunderland's most popular restaurants. It is always full on weekend evenings, so a reservation is essential. The food is good, as it is in most Italian restaurants, with a decent variety of dishes, but the main charm of this place is its homely feel. It is clearly not a chain restaurant but a family one. The staff are very friendly and accommodating, and it's not unusual to hear several staff choruses of "Happy Birthday" in a night.
However to me, the restaurant itself is rather dark and crowded, making it a bit claustrophobic. On the other hand this definitely adds atmosphere. Lucianos is a friendly family place, and my friends all love it there, but I can’t help but feel it is really just an ordinary Italian restaurant.

• Added: 11th of September 2008
• Area: Sunderland
• Category: Restaurants

Sunderland SR1 1TX

Nikiolola said
Very good - as long as you like chicken.
Nandos is a chain of Portuguese chicken restaurants. You chose your meal (of which the main ingredient will almost certainly be chicken), then decide how spicy you want it and what side orders you would like with it.
All Nandos restaurants are carefully designed and this one is no exception. The design is rustic and Mediterranean, whilst the high ceilings make the restaurant seem spacious. There are several booths along one wall, which make for a lovely secluded meal, however often they are all taken, as they are by far the best seats in the restaurant. The toilets are also always clean and well designed.
The food, which is always served in 12 minutes or less, is simple but delicious. The deserts are equally good, although you probably won’t have room left after the main course!

• Added: 11th of September 2008
• Area: Durham
• Category: Restaurants

Durham DH1 1SQ
0191 3831390

Nikiolola said
Fat Buddha - Walkergate
The Fat Buddha describes itself as an "Asian Fusion" restaurant. It is undoubtedly one of Durham’s funkiest restaurants by design, with a bar/lounge downstairs and the restaurant above it. The interior has been carefully thought out and beautifully done, creating an unusual, modern and quirky setting.
The food itself is also good and reasonably priced. I particularly like the Pad Thai, and the chocolate desert is delicious. However, having been several times with friends, a couple of people have described their meal as only average and have been a bit disappointed.
The Fat Buddha can get extremely busy on weekend nights and reservations are definitely necessary. On lunchtime, however, it is always easy to get a seat.

• Added: 11th of September 2008
• Area: Hartlepool
• Category: Events and Entertainment

Hartlepool TS24 0XS
08712 240 240

Nikiolola said
Vue Cinema Hartlepool
This cinema has many things to recommend it. Located next to Pizza Hut and KFC, and across the road from Gala Bingo, it is by far the least busy cinema in the area. Screenings are rarely full, although it does occasionally happen with very popular films. The queue to buy tickets is not often very long, although this has increased since tickets have started being sold in the same place as food.
Also, the cinema itself is fairly new, meaning there is lots of legroom in seats, and a good view is almost guaranteed.
The usual variety of food can be found - boxes of minstrels, malteasers, revels etc., hotdogs, nachos, popcorn and a pick and mix, as well as a recent addition of a Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream stand, selling B&J ice-cream with all sorts of delicious toppings.
Discount vouchers are given upon purchasing tickets. They are valid for a limited time, but offer a substantial discount. The cinema also participates in Orange Wednesdays.

• Added: 11th of September 2008
• Area: Peterlee
• Category: Restaurants

Peterlee SR8 1QB
0191 5182222

Nikiolola said
Mahils - Peterlee
This Indian restaurant and takeaway is so far off the beaten track it relies almost solely on its reputation for customers. However it really is a hidden treasure. The restaurant is completely unpretentious, but it is always clean and looks good, and the staff are always lovely, but most importantly the food is superb. It is always worth choosing from the "Chefs Recommendations" on the menu, rather than going for an old favourite. Each dish is different but totally delicious, and I have yet to find an Indian restaurant that beats it. However the recently introduced range of deserts is not of the same quality as the main courses and starters and so pudding is really a course not worth bothering with. I would recommend this restaurant to anybody, and I don't know anybody who has said a word against it. Definitely worth a visit!