• Added: 13th of May 2008
• Area: York
• Category: Bars and Pubs

York YO1 8RA
01904 634851

mazphd said
Time for the sun set
This is a review update. In light of Oogywawa's comments I did a return visit to Dusk. Sad to say standards have slipped. Where once this was a nice chilled place to come with laptop (free wifi) and enjoy a fairly decent mojito, or other 2 4 1 cocktail concoction, prices seem to have been raised with the quality neglected and flagging waaaaay behind. I was charged £4.80 for a sub standard mojito. That can at best be described as 'limey' and at its worst was produced with such little enthusiasm and limited skill so as to make me second guess whether i'll return again.

Dusk used to use dark Havanna rum that was always a double measure with fresh mint muddled with lime and crushed ice. Sadly the crushed ice machine fell victim to some mysterious deadly bar accident months ago and has yet to be replaced so cocktails come with 'mucho' ice cubes and little else.

On this occasion our mojitos came with a measely single shot of v. cheap (brand unidentifiable) rum, one sprig of mint, and lime juice. I had to remind staff to put in the dark sugar. Our concoctions were just left to 'stew' with no care or attention to muddling or otherwise. Pretty much sums up the attitude of the staff too concerned with their bowl of chips rather than decent customer service.

I'm disasppointed with Dusk, not least as York needs more independent bars, and this place could easily be 'cool', 'hip' and 'funky', if only there was decent service and facilities. Even an ice crusher would improve things...

I hope to re-write this review with a happier Dusk experience. For now, the sun's definately set on this bar. Shame.

• Added: 12th of May 2008
• Area: York
• Category: Food and Drink

York

mazphd said
Fine fodder
'Fine Fodder' as is written above the door of this newest and wee deli addition to York. And fine fodder it purveys too! Tucked away on Fossgate and what is fast becoming York's nicest and best row of eateries and foodie places the Hairy Fig is a delicatessen worhty of exceptional note.

first as the 'new kids on the block' the staff are open, enthusistic and contagiously excitable about food, with a passion!

There's the 'usual' deli delights, of posh cheeses, little nibbly bits from houmous to caper berries and a spicey tomatoe mussel sauced encounter that is well worth planning a whole meal around alone.

The USP Unique Selling Point of this deli are the range of European oils and dispensary of infused balsamic vinengars. check pictures: The idea is when you go for a first visit to purchase an oil/vinegar decantor of 100/200mls and then you select your preferred infusion from balsamic and tomatoe (my personal favourite), with fig, with pear, with... and so on. Some are much sweeter than others. But all are divine! From here the food adventure is your course to channel! Leave only for dipping bread into the balsamic is wasted in my opinion. Far nicer is to mix with a couple of drops of the oil of choice (also with your own refillable 100/200mls wee bottle) and to concoct your own salad dressing! Chef kudos indeed!

Once the funs been had with all the oils and balsamics, do go through into the 'quaint' back area where Mr Moo's Yorkshire real dairy ice cream will delight and make mouth's water. Essential for a NOW cooling-off sustenance.

Warning! Word is now 'out' about this little gem and despite being a mere 1 week old there were queues out the door and the houmous was totally sold out before lunch time on Saturday.

Visit once for play with oils and balsamics. Continue to re-visit to cultivate a rather charming addiction to the new tastes and palate led sensations. That or just try to get through the combination of flavours on 'tap'...

• Added: 10th of May 2008
• Area: York
• Category: Food and Drink

York YO1 7LA
01904 673877

mazphd said
indulgent deli
I have a weakness for the small and perfectly formed things in life: little fluffy kittens, fairy cakes, those small sandwiches that come with afternoon tea and so on. So it's only natural that my favourite kind of food comes from locally sourced deli's. York used to have a deficit in deli's , but in the past couple of months new ones have opened up and opened up the palates of the city!

Henshelwoods is one of the originals. Slap bang in the middle of the city market setting, one of the delights of going here is the rush , rush , rush of customers, tourists, york locals etc all clammering to get noses pressed against the cheese counter.

Very popular at lunchtimes Henshelwoods have some fabulous handmade sandwich choices you can choose to make up, which means they're a marked improvement on just two slices of dry bread. The bread choice alone; sundried tomatoe, rosemary and basil, ciabatta etc. makes things more exciting already. Top choice fillings are the locally sourced fresh ham, and for you vegetarians cheese, cheese, cheese and more cheese!

Best to get from here is the italian deli salad (come early it runs out quick!) and the beetroot balsamic and red onion salad. The seafood salad is defintately from a jar, which is a shame as there's a perfectly decent fish mongers next door! But best of all to select are those cheeses. Try some of the sheep and goat options; a great treat for any cheese board!

The only let down is that it is quite pricey. And annoyingly i've been caught out 'cash short' and have 'had' to spend over £10 to pay by card. Still with such decadent quality little fooded morsals on offer I wasn't too hard pressed!

Oh if you ask nicely and plan ahead they can make up picnic hampers too! ding dong! if only there was a wine cellar too...

• Added: 10th of May 2008
• Area: York
• Category: Bars and Pubs

York YO1 8AX
01904 620222

mazphd said
RE-view
Being one of the few late liscence bars, Kennedy's USED to be the domain of beer fuelled late night drinking and some very sweaty understairs dancing.

After a refurb, gone is the 'VIP' area that was enclosed in swaths of curtain material suitable for Aunt Matilda. IN instead is air con (!), subtle lighting, three newly stocked bars across three floors, the roof terraced more 'restauranty' area as well as new drinks and food menu.

Before i slated Kennedy's for being 'just another bar', which york has a LOT of. Now it stands alone not only for the brave new colour scheme that involves a lot of cream and purple which in the wake of the previous red/green/lilac combination is a vast improvement.

Improved too is the lavatorial experience. I can't say much for the guys, but the 'bettys' have squared sinks, loooong full-length mirror and the most exciting moment i've ever had in hand-drying. Seriously, you'll have to trust me on this one. Just one small note, the combination of low level 'flattering' lighting and dark colour scheme make for a somewhat claustrophobic trip to the loo, so if your over anxious go in pairs if only to admire the 'speed super-dry' hand moisture remover...

The menu's too are MUCH improved. There are now decent wines by the glass including Sancerre and Chianti, both of which are a nightmare in york to get outside of bottled measurements.

Like the drinks, food is more tempting and satisfying on the palate. When i was lazying on the roofterrace on a friday afternoon the newly appointed Cuban chef Carolos produced some very popular and generously portioned dishes. Looking especially good were the share plates that a party of six next to me had trouble finishing.

Down, understairs rumour has it that the dance area is still sweaty as ever. I was warned by the bar staff 'not to go down there tonight' followed by a nasal sniff , flick of the head and tut. So it seems improvements are moving in the right direction, but some things stay the same.

BUT ask nicely and they'll mix a fairly decent mojito, just watch them with the sugar; DARK, not white!

• Added: 9th of May 2008
• Area: York
• Category: Bars and Pubs

York YO1 9QL
01904 658580

mazphd said
Riverside Pitch
Another bar chain. *yawn* SO why the review? Well for those unfamiliar to York P&P offers a certain charm on the location alone.

'Boasting' (so say P&P's website) an enviable riverside location the bar has recently undergone a costly refurb. Once the downstairs toilets used to have a flooding/smell problem emitting from the 'enviable' riverside location. This has now thankfully been rectified. As has the horrid wall paper and nicotine stained sofas.

The bar area is separated into downstairs looooooooooong bar (as many customers served at the same time as possible), a set apart 'chill out' area and terrace. Upstairs shorter bar, booth seating and red/black theme to the decor that works only at night when you don't have to look at it.

Prices here are steep for what there is on the menu. The cocktails are very run of the mill with 'premium' spirits being Bombay Saphire Gin and Finlandia Vodka: So pitched for the mainstream end of the market. Ask and you might , if youre lucky, be found some Tanquerry, but last time I did this the bar staff didn't even know this was a Gin brand. I didn't even try for Hendricks...

The vibe is always busy busy busy and VERY popular with stag and hen weekenders. Loud, Krude and too rude in most cases. But on a sunny afternoon if you step outside onto the terrace, escape the meat market atmosphere of the bar area and ease oneself into watching the riverside, with the sun out you could fool yourself youre somewhere more continental. Until you take a sip of your drink that is...

P&P york; proof indeed that in the words of Kirsty and Phil Location, location, location is everything.

• Added: 8th of May 2008
• Area: Bankside
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

London SE1 9BU
020 7940 8333

mazphd said
Whine
The corporate money driven not 'done for the love of it' atmosphere really shines through here. Yes you're given wine to taste, and yes its quite pleasant moving from Shiraz, through Merlot, with an empty glass to fill and re-fill at your leisure, but there lacks passion and any real depth of knowledge about the grapes or even how to taste. Not that 'taste' was the order of the day, more appropriate in this setting was the drink to get drunk quick style of wine tasting.

The so called 'champagne package' our party had opted for was not that exciting, and it is never a good sign if your knowledge is superior to your that of your supposed tour guide. Nor that this particular tour had the edifying experience of a corked bottle. YUK.

For real wine saviness I would avoid this particular 'world of wine'. But if your task is to 'get drunk' and drink as much as you like, then Vinopolis offers much for the less than discerning drinker, and much for the drunker 'consumer'.

• Added: 8th of May 2008
• Area: Brighton
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Brighton BN1 4EQ
01273 681055

mazphd said
Gorgeous George
Ready yourself, this is a pub, but like no other. Being Brighton and that's all about being trendy and unexpected The George is a vegetarian pub. Now do not be put off by this unexpected twist in the tale, there's a really 'meaty' (even by vegetarian standards) menu to get your chops round and great selection of beers and wine!

This place is well known by the locals and fills up fast! Best time for a sitting is a lazy sunday when you can bask in the mostly ye olde wood bar surrounds and enjoy a Big George feast. My favourite was always the famed George salad, again 'salad' may sound dull dull dull, but this is BIG George with pine nuts, avocado, the famed vegetarian sausages, fresh leaves, spinach, sun dried tomoatoes and a springkling of seeds. And all for £6.25!

Incidently the wine is vegetarian too, so you can quaff guilt free, well aside from the potential impact on your liver...But at least no animals were harmed in its production and its got to be healthier too!

A note on Sundays: The roasts are huge so go empty, and do get there early to nab a table as people queue to be here! Food is sold until it sells out. Which is quick! Roasts are come with all the usual accompanyments and trimmings. AND with a crumble/strudle for dessert!

So this is how The George has gained in popularlity; you wont leave empty! Prepare to roll homewards, content and ever so slightly smug... Oh and Al Murry pops in every now and then too!

• Added: 7th of May 2008
• Area: York
• Category: Bars and Pubs

York YO1 7LF

mazphd said
more ugly ducking
Less swan than ugly duckling, this venue is for those who want over-priced with the taste of watered down beer, and vicinity for sports sports sports on the numerous tvs that surround.

The w/e crowd are the larger than life whatever is the sport of the moment supporters. Loud with a pint glass in one hand and the other free to make air jabs of success/support or hide mortification of being 'down one nil again' game watching.

If your idea of fun on a saturday afternoon is being surrounded by drunks, burly doormen and tv's turned to over-LOUD then this is your crowd. In need of a decent pint, and to be able to talk and to hear your neighbours? i'd avoid.

Still great fun if you're on a stag do !

Recently had a re-furb, so smokers are now 'out back' rather than out front. something for everyone then.

• Added: 5th of May 2008
• Area: York
• Category: Food and Drink

York YO1 7LX
01904 674684

mazphd said
Juiciest place
Small, perfectly formed and located on York's busiest tourist spot in the Shambles its well worth dropping into Juicy Moosey to admire the menu, sup a juice and get back out into the flows of bottle-necked tourists.

This juiciest place is under new ownership. Thankfully whilst the new owners Bruno and co. have changed the name from simply The Juice Place, they have kept the best of the already super healthy and vibrant menu! Yum!

Bruno is from Brazil and his influence has a packed a healthy punch into some newer juice blends: Hungover? try anything with Acai berries (thats the 'new' super berry on the block) guranteed to 1. taste great and 2. perk both you and your body up!

For the harder core juice heads and health conscious amongst you, you might like to the try the greener and leaner vegetable juices that include 'Green Peace': celery, apple and ginger, Or the juice supertastic (and not for the faint hearted) Dynamo: beetroot, spinich, celery and apple. Really brave? There's enough fresh wheatgrass and spirilina to kick start anyone's health metabolism !

The only thing that lacks are some super healthy and freshly made bars/muffins. I always feel that they've missed a trick here, but then you can't juice a muffin can you...

• Added: 28th of April 2008
• Area: Melbourne
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Melbourne 3053
03 9349 2775

mazphd said
Luxurious Chocoholic heaven
Never have i experienced a decadent force of such pleasure on my taste buds than that at KokoBlacks. It's hard to encompass exactly the 'what' Kokoblacks is, but the words sublime tempting sensation i think covers it.

KokoBlacks is a chocolaterie; basically a cafe/bar/restaurant whose main market is the sensational chocolate (that you can also buy in the separate 'deli' area). One can pop in for coffee and freshly made icecream. Drop by later in the evening for afternoon tea and some delicate chocolate nibbles. My favourite time of day is the evening when one can sit in the restaurant area and be served something temptingly delicious a little bit naughty AND did i mention that they do cocktails too! :-D

Oh yes a chocolaterie that serves cocktails. And mighty fine they are too!

There are several KokoBlack's in Melbourne, but the Lygon st one is by far my favourite with local residences from the trendy side of Melbourne, students and the young up and coming 20s crowd mellowing out after a hard days work.

If you do not have time to stop by, then pop in and by something to takeaway from the deli counter. I recommend any of their quality dark chocolate selections AND their hot chocolate is more than fabulous!

One trip to KokoBlack's is not enough. Which is why, despite the location being on the otherside of the world and in Melbourne, i'm planning my trip back already.