• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Manchester M1 3HE
0161 236 9003

cleobeo said
best for food on canal street
Velvet must be the best place on Canal Street to eat. Unlike the other places offering burgers and beer (ok I know that they're not meant to be fine eateries) Velvet is a little place of luxury. Going down the steps you walk over a glass-topped fish tank and you are invariably greeted at the bottom by one of their lovely waiting staff. On a Saturday night it was busy but we hadn't booked and luckily were early enough (6pm) to be seated straight away. My steak and chips were huge and were followed up by the chocolate purse dessert which was stunning. Brilliant champagne cocktails finished the meal off wonderfully, under 50 quid for 2 people, including wine. Fantastic value for delicious meals and a night to remember.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Restaurants

Leeds LS1 4LT
0113 242 8103

cleobeo said
American's delight
On entering TGI's (after driving your car over the terrible 'pop up from the ground' barriers which you need a code to escape from by the way) you are invariably greeted by a 16 year old faking an american accent who occasionally slips into a Leeds twang - would you like fries wi that? The food here is extortionate. Last time I went it was about 14 pounds for chicken fajitas, which came on a bizarre three tiered plate which dwarved the table and made any conversation impossible. This place has been forced upon me so many times for work nights out that I can barely stand to look at it as I drive past. It markets itself as child friendly, show me a family with a few kids who can afford these prices. Go to a proper pub and leave this place well alone.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Leeds LS2 3AW
0113 380 4992

cleobeo said
over-rated
Revolution is a chain, as with the vast majority of popular chains they draw in the crowds meaning it is difficult to get served, and that is despite this location been a million times more spacious than the call lane one.
The food is standard pub grub dressed up as something fancier and although it's not extortionate the deep fried fodder is not worth the money.
Packed full of trendies and hen-do's on weekends it's to be avoided. Go on an afternoon for a drink instead.
Good range of drinks and highly recommended is the woo-woo cranberry cocktail as well as the bees knees cocktail jug with fresh raspberries - delicious!

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Hotels and Travel

Birmingham B1 1XL
0121 246 5000

cleobeo said
stunning
Beautiful hotel in Mailbox complex. As soon as you walk through the doors of this hotel you know you're in for a treat. Sumptuously decorated in dark, stylish decor the reception alone is stunning. A standard room was an absolute treat. A huge bed and big tv along with an immaculate bathroom with a generous range (and size!) of toiletries which they actively encourage you to take away with you. Everything about our stay was perfect. If travelling by car you do have to pay for car parking but it's well worth it to stay here. Fantastic hotel in a great location. Recommended.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Hotels and Travel

Manchester M1 1LU
0870 333 9139

cleobeo said

Terrible terrible terrible. We thought we had a bargain. We were wrong. 79 pounds for a night in Manchester (web only rate, April 2008) well that's not bad lets go for that. If only i'd checked around for reviews on the web first. First impressions of the hotel from the foyer are that it's quite grand if a little outdated, but so far so good. On entering our room however, we were confronted with a large stain on the carpet. Additionally, there was a little storage type - freestanding - heater on the floor - possibly this was in case we were cold from the window that didnt close properly. The walls are paper thin so we heard all the antics of the hen party next door. Breakfast was greasy at best. All in all a dismal stay.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Hotels and Travel

Leeds LS1 4BX
0113 244 2000

cleobeo said

The Hilton in Leeds is possibly not as polished as it's counterparts in other cities however the rooms themselves and the service are second to non as you'd expect from this brand. I had a slight problem (I booked a double room and they gave me two single beds) however this was speedily rectified. My room came with 2 large bottles of water - one still and one sparkling. The room itself was spotless and in really excellent condition save a cracked tile in the bathroom, a minor fault in what was otherwise a thoroughly enjoyable stay in my home city!

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Food and Drink

Leeds LS27 8AQ

cleobeo said

Pizza Bello is delicious. It is in a tiny white building in Morley at the top of the high street then turn left. It only opens Thurs Fri Sat Sun and that's probably because it's so fantastic they can afford to! Run by italians Pizza Bello is really friendly. They have free garlic bread as a general rule while you wait cooked and put out fresh every so often if it is busy (which it always is). Pizza Melanzano is fantastic from there. Lasagne also brilliant, although too huge for one person! Gets busy on a weekend so call and then pick-up. Easily the nicest takeaway staff you have ever come across.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Restaurants

Leeds LS1 1EB
0113 244 2979

cleobeo said
the best restaurant in the world ever
Nawaabs is on Wellington Street just off the main beaten path not far from city square. It is delightful. The inside is absolutely immaculate and stylish. The staff are extremely helpful and polite, especially the manager who is generally at front of house. They are brilliant at recommending dishes if you're not sure and will adjust the spiciness of things according to taste. The butter chicken is amazing and chicken tikka starter is out of this world. The best thing about Nawaabs however has to be their Peshwari naan. Never ever has a naan bread been this good. My other half and I almost abandoned our (delicious!) curries in order to eat the generously sized bread. You will always get a good meal here. Go, now!

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Restaurants

Leeds LS27 9DF

cleobeo said
not as great as it thinks...
Amaans has a huge sign on the side of its building stating restaurant of the year 2006 or similar. I wouldn't be misled if I were you. It is one of those restaurants where every curry tastes the same no matter which you order. Inside it is quite nice and the staff are lovely. The problem remains with the bland food. The naan bread is soggy, the raita dip sour and the chiken korma grainy. Obviously I have not tried all of the menu but from my experience, it's not good. Tobaks - the tiny restaurant open until 3am for people who have been out all night beats this hands down, drunk or sober.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Leeds
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Leeds LS12 4TJ
0113 2792847

cleobeo said

The Dragon is an alright pub. It's cheap and a 5er taxi into Leeds so you can drink to your hearts content here on cheap beer and then jump in a taxi to Leeds to a club for a cheap night. Lots of people do that. If you are however, looking for something to eat I wouldnt recommend it. Their food is (or tastes) mostly frozen. Their Sunday dinner is over-priced as is most of their menu. They play a lot of sport on the screens in there and they have a pool table so it is quite a laddy pub. Full of locals most nights and a really friendly atmosphere.