• Added: 20th of February 2007
• Area: Chicago
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Chicago 60602

lisas said
Authentic Italian Cafe in the Loop
It was really by chance that I got into Lavazza Cafe'! It was cold and needed a coffee to warm me up. I saw a Lavazza sign and thought of going there instead of the easy Starbucks option.

I had a fantastic Cappuccino and also met about 20 people that welcomed me and made me feel at home, even in freezing Chicago. And the owner is very nice as well. I didn't try any of the cakes, but they looked very good, and I saw Nutella as well....highly recommended!!!

• Added: 20th of February 2007
• Area: Chicago
• Category: Restaurants

Chicago 60611

lisas said
Nice and Fresh Asian food in Downtown Chicago
I was walking in the cold discovering Chicago, and it was cold, very cold! And all I was dreaming of was a nice Vietnamise Pho Bo...when I spotted the Big Bowl sign. The place looks good from the outside, had a look at the menu and decided that was it!

And I was right: they have a nice menu with a good selection of Asian food, especially Thai, Chinese and Vietnamise.

I had a Pho Bo and a Pad Thai, and they were both delicious. I also had some jasmine tea that came in a very nice tea pot. The atmosphere is nice and relaxed, still with a very good style. Service was excellent. Highly recommended if you are shopping in Chicago, or just for a lunch break and I suppose it is pretty good for dinner as well.

• Added: 16th of February 2007
• Area: Fulham
• Category: Arts and Culture

London SW6 5HA

lisas said
Nice Bookshop + Cafe in Fulham
I have walked/driven by Nomad Cafe' on the Fulham Road many times, and it always looked good! I even got in there a couple of times but just to browse around. The other day I decided to go in and try the coffee. It was good!

Nomad Bookshop is not a traditional coffee shop: the decor is extremely nice, good atmosphere and there is a little cafe' very cosy...it really invites you to sit down and relax.

They have good coffee as well as delicious home made cakes...worth a trip down the Fulham Road (it is close to Parsons Green).

• Added: 10th of February 2007
• Area: Fulham
• Category: Food and Drink

London SW6 1AX
020 7386 0086

lisas said
Good Food, Good Atmosphere, Good Service in Fulham
I went to Aziz last night and I feel like adding a new review! We were quite a big group so I didn't expect anything special...as it usually happens for party of more than 6 people.

I was wrong. We went for the set menu which was very good value for money: 2 mezze, 1 main course and dessert...very good. The wine selection was good too. They also have a belly dancer. And I really love the place and the atmosphere.

We walked out very satisfied. Highly reccommended.

• Added: 25th of January 2007
• Area: Bayswater
• Category: Restaurants

London W2 5SH
020 7313 9832

lisas said
Best Dim Sum In London
I love Ping Pong! I have only been a couple of times but am already madly in love with the place, and the food!

Ping Pong is actually a chain and they are all over London, check http://www.pingpongdimsum.com/ for other locations

I have been to the one in Westbourne Grove and the one near Liberty, and both are very nice and serve very good food. You start ordering a few...and end up with a asking for more and more and more...in fact the food is delicious and the atmosphere very nice. And excellent value for money!

• Added: 16th of January 2007
• Area: Belgravia
• Category: Food and Drink

London SW1X 9HL
020 7235 5900

lisas said
Lebanese Deli in Knightsbridge
Sometimes you have to put a negative review! You gotta do it... So let's start...

I have been to Noura Knightsbridge a few times last year, and it was OK. So I decided to go again yesterday as I was in the area with a couple of friends and wanted to have a deli-like lunch in the area. Unfortunately the place was full but the waiter kindly "created" a table for us in the middle of the deli. That was very kind of him, unfortunately they keep the entrance door open and we were sitting just in front of the door...so we had to keep our warm jackets on...not very comfortable.

We then ordered our food, something quite simple as we are still trying hard to detox, you know after Xmas everyone does it ;-) The big surprise was the bill, they charged us as much as eating in a fancy restaurant with a proper service and table....so not very good. Quite disappointing indeed.

• Added: 14th of January 2007
• Area: Primrose Hill
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London NW1 8JH
020 7722 0950

lisas said
Nice Gastro Pub in Primrose Hill
I have heard people talking about the Engineer for quite some time so on Saturday I was in Primrose Hill and decided to have brunch there.

We had lunch in the pub as the restaurant was fully booked. I had two starters and they were delicious: Tequila cured organic salmon with corn blini and a mille foglie of tomato, ricotta and spinach. And a nice glass of prosecco, perfect!

The pub area is very nice: a nice bar, lively atmosphere, and very nice staff. They also have a garden, it must be beautiful as well as very busy in the summer.

• Added: 14th of January 2007
• Area: Chalk Farm
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London NW1 8LD

lisas said
Hidden Gem in Primrose Hill
I bumped into Primrose Bakery while walking along Gloucester Avenue on my way to the Engineer. It looked very nice and cosy from the outside and so I decided to go back in there for a coffee and dessert after my brunch.

The Bakery is very nice: the decor is quite simple and old fashioned, there are 3 comfortables tables and enough seating space for about 10-12 people.

They have good coffe (Illy Caffe' from Italy) and make very good cakes and have a very good selection of cup cakes. Definitely a very nice place for an afternoon coffee and cakes.

• Added: 12th of January 2007
• Area: Chelsea
• Category: Restaurants

London SW3 4LY
020 7730 3366

lisas said
Tired after shopping on the Kings Road...have a nice caffe'!
This is one of my favourite Cafes on the Kings Road. They have a very good selection of paninis and salads as well as desserts. And they also do cakes/desserts for people with food intolerances/allergies, so you will find the no wheat cakes as well as no yeast and so on. Fantastic!

The place is very nice, they have a conservatory and an outside area, so it's good for any time of the year and any weather. Price-wise is just OK.

Perfect place for a coffee with friends after/before/during shopping or for a quick bite.

• Added: 12th of January 2007
• Area: Piccadilly Circus
• Category: Take Aways

London W1J 9HG
020 7434 4218

lisas said
Want to cook/eat Japanese...here you go!
If you really want to try the real japanese experience...then you have to go to the Japan Centre at least once. I love it as not only can you eat japanese food but you can also buy it and cook/make sushi at home!

The place is very basic, don't expect a very trendy restaurant but the food is good. And they sell all the japanese must have....japanese people say it's good, so it must be!