• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Sutton Coldfield
• Category: Restaurants

Sutton Coldfield B73 6SP
0121 3537785

rainbowannie said
Parson and Clerk
The Parson and Clerk Hotel in Streetly is a Toby Carvery and an Innkeeper's Lodge. It is situated opposite Sutton Park, and has a large car park.
The carvery here is one of the best I have ever visited. On entering, a member of staff will seat you and, if having the carvery, direct you to it. There is always a choice of three joints of meat, and they always look as fresh as if they had just been brought from the kitchen. The plates are huge, which is convenient because the Yorkshire puddings are too. The food always tastes as though it has been freshly prepared. There is a good choice of vegetables, which are rarely mixed with others so you can choose exactly what goes onto your plate. The staff are very helpful and happy here and this contributes toward the wonderful atmosphere. I can't wait to go back again!

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Restaurants

Birmingham B27 7DP
0121 7064709

rainbowannie said
Zorba's
We went to Zorba's Greek Restaurant for a work's Christmas party. As with most restaurants, the price of the set meal was a tad on the dearer side, and boy, was it jam-packed! However, it was certainly worth the money. It's a very sociable restaurant in the way the tables are positioned and once you have finished your meal and had a few drinks, you will probably find yourself chatting to people on other tables as well as your own. The food itself is good, but on its own would not make the night. The live music livens the place up though, and later in the night (very much later) there are Belly Dancers performing and encouraging customers to join in. Be prepared to get up for a jig around the restaurant (can-can style), through the kitchen and outside!
A good place for a proper night out, but I think more suited for groups than couples.

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Restaurants

Birmingham B7 5TR

rainbowannie said
Pizza Hut Star City
I have to give top marks to this Pizza Hut - we went to visit during one of their lunchtime 'All you can eat' buffets. My mum and I each had the pasta/pizza salad for £5.99 and ate way more than we should have done. The problem was, each time we would go up for just one more piece, something else would catch the eye. There was always a choice of different pizza crusts available, vegetarian options, and a wide range of salad. The staff ensured there was always more than one slice of pizza left, but they also swapped the pizza if it had been there too long. This, along with the friendly service we received, certainly left us wanting to come back. Although I wont be needing any thing to eat for a while!

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Events and Entertainment

Birmingham B7 5SB
08712 240 240

rainbowannie said
Vue Cinema
This cinema in Star City has a whopping 24 screens, 3 of which are gold class. Over 18s can pay a little more to sit in comfort and eat free popcorn during the film!
A family of four usually costs us £17.40, but if you wanted to take the kids and save money at the same time, they do have a kids club. This means two adults and two children would cost just £3 but the films are older ones, and only shown weekend mornings. The cinema itself is very large and spacious. It's kept clean and tidy, and staff are mainly helpful and friendly. Food and drinks are obviously overpriced, as in the majority of cinemas, but there are other restaurants in Star City to choose from. It is a nice location to visit for a night out.

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Guernsey
• Category: Restaurants

Guernsey GY1 1WF
01481 721552

rainbowannie said
Da Nello
From the outside, you wouldn't think this was much more than a town cafe, you may even be put off going in by the slightly higher prices. However, as soon as you walk in the restaurant, with its terraced area to the back, opens up in front of you. And from then, each customer is given individual attention throughout their experience. A variety of breads is brought over to your table as your places are set, and the menu is far from a typical pizza pasta menu. We shared a steak meal for two, which was cut and served to us at the table. I didn't get the pleasure of sampling the deserts, but the coffee was a perfect end to our meal. The staff were attentive throughout, and we did not feel rushed into leaving once we had finished eating. It's just a shame Da Nello is only in Guernsey.

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

Birmingham B30 2LU
0845 450 3599

rainbowannie said
Mmmm Chocolate
Learn the full story of where Cadbury chocolate came from, and how it's made in this interactive experience the kids will love! When you enter the working factory, you will first go through a 'grotto' styled area which tells the history of chocolate as far back as the Azteks. Then onto a couple a short films about the Cadbury family, and a fun one about the modern day production of Cadbury chocolate. There is a 3D display, and opportunities to make chocolate contraptions of your own. There is usually some sort of sampling going on in the demonstration area (the melted chocolate is a favourite with my children), and you always get enough chocolate to take home. And the price? Well, a family of 4 (under 4ys free ) can visit for £40, but an annual pass is only £104 and you may never need to buy chocolate again!

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Alton
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

Alton ST10 4DB
08705 20 40 60

rainbowannie said
Alton Towers
We went to Alton Towers on a wet day - what a big mistake that was. We arrived at the car park just as it started to rain, so we went to wait undercover for the monorail linking the car parks and the main park. After twenty minutes, we were informed by staff that this had broken down so rushed round on foot. Once we were in the park, the children got to go on one ride before joining a large queue for the next. After waiting in this queue for forty minutes, this ride broke down. Unfortunately, this was how the day carried on. We found that the rides were spaced out with very little cover between them, so we got very wet and ended up with miserable kids. On the plus side, everyone enjoyed the Willa Wonka ride, and there is a good variety of places to eat.

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Take Aways

Birmingham B2 4EG
020 7932 5243

rainbowannie said
Pret a Manger
I had my first Pret a Manger meal last week and I must say I was pleasantly surprised! I had thought it was just another boring sandwich shop, but someone else was paying so I couldn't really refuse. I chose a sandwich from the well stocked fridges and ordered a coffee. My coffee was made fresh in less than two minutes behind the counter, the date the beans were roasted on was displayed too so I knew it was fresh! The selection of croissants on offer had something for everyone, and where one of the range was missing, 'Chef at work' signs were displayed - in fact they were re-stocked before I had left the shop. Considering the amount of customers coming in and out, I was surprised not only at the efficiency with which I was served, but also the manner of the member of staff. She greeted and served me as if she was really proud to work there. And you know what? She should be.

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Nightlife

Birmingham B4 7LS
0121 262 3000

rainbowannie said
Carling Academy
I used to come here when it was The Hummingbird nightclub, and I'm sure the dirty carpet it still the same one! Only now, the bar areas are all vibrant, and clean and the Academy plays host to some of the best bands! Being such a small venue, the gigs here are far more intimate and enjoyable. There is no seating to speak of, so dancing is pretty much a necessity. Alternately, you can stand on the balcony and watch the goings-on from above. Smokers get a lovely inky stamp on their hand to gain re-entry, and many of the bands performing here host an aftershow party in the side room for a couple of quid more. All in all, the perfect venue for the style of band who performs here.

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Ilfracombe
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Ilfracombe EX34 8NY

rainbowannie said
Cook Island
We went to Cook Island on a Bank Holiday Sunday for a meal. To give an idea of cost, carvery meals for four adults and three children, plus three drinks cost £60. We were not able to book a table for our meal so had turned up on spec, but the friendly staff ensured they were able to find us a table without too long a wait. When I had to choose the meat for my meal, a new joint of beef had just been brought out. But the chef started to cut mine off from the dried up piece which was almost finished. I asked if I could have the fresh meat, as the older piece did not look too appealing but he told me I couldn't. Needless to say, I did not eat the beef but the turkey was fine. BUT the vegetables were mixed! Now, forgive me for this, but the thing I love the most about a carvery meal is the choice. I like to choose which vegetables I have, and how much I have, so do my children. The carrots were mixed with onions and something else, peas and sweetcorn were mixed together, in fact I didn't see any vegetable which was not mixed with something else! There was only one choice of potatoes (roast) and the yorkshire puddings were a bit soggy too. It might be ideal for some, but it definitely wasn't for us and I shant go back there again!