Duncan's reviews
Review of K & M Cars
09 Dec 07, 16:55
Best Taxi Service in the World 
I went to Wigan this weekend for a friends wedding and ended up using K&M Cars four times over the course of the trip.
Their taxi controller sounded a bit like Peter Kay and was both very friendly and extremely accurate. I had to change venues, times, number of cars and at every stage he came through for us. When we were leaving our hotel this morning I'd left booking a cab a bit late calling at 11.15am when we really needed to go by 11.30am to catch our train. I just said I need a cab to the station and his response was "I'm sorry lad but I won't be able to get you one there until 20 past" - that's 11:20 - I was seriously impressed.
Every journey was refreshingly good value and every cab driver friendly and professional.
If you're in Wigan you need their number. Hell I'm tempted to move to Wigan just so I can have them as my local cab firm.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Maze
27 Nov 07, 18:44
Chef's Table is Incredible 
This was my first time at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant and my high expectations were more than met.
We were lucky enough to have the Chef's table which is separate from the main restaurant by sliding doors. It's an incredible experience as you look directly onto the kitchen which is great for watching the food preparation but scary when the Gordon Ramsay style shouting starts. We were fed a delicious 8 different courses with each one being introduced and explained by the chef behind it. I'm not sure all of them enjoyed this experience but they did great job all the same.
The food itself was incredible and the variety of dishes ranging from mouth watering escalopes to peanut butter flavoured deserts. As part of the Chef's Table experience we were able to go into the kitchen where we met the head Chef Jason Atherton. One of our group even had a go at cooking. They are very keen to get you involved despite the fact it must be excruciating to have a bunch of people getting in the way in such a busy environment.
I would definitely recommend the Chef's table if you want to impress work colleagues or for a special occasion. Apart from the delicious tapas it's a truly unique experience.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of The Launderette Centre
14 Oct 07, 11:52
Fast, Efficient and Friendly
My washing basket had become a mountain and I couldn't face spending the weekend doing washing so I thought I'd go for a service wash.
I dragged 3 bin bags full of clothes, duvets and towles up to the Laundrette Centre on Gloucester Road on Saturday morning. I was impressed at the cost - 27 quid for the lot. They always have an attendant which is great otherwise I don't think I'd have felt safe leaving 90% of my clothes there! They provided a good turn around time - I dropped off at 11am and was told I could pick-up 3 hours later. In the end I turned up just before closing at 5:40pm and everything was cleaned, dryed, folded and smelling great. All together a good experience.
They also provide dry cleaning services and of course regular coin operated do it yourself washing machines if you prefer.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of doughmasters
10 Oct 07, 18:29
Delicious Alternative Sandwiches
I'm someone who eats tens of sandwiches every week. I'm insanely bored with the Pret and Eat selection so always get a little over excited when I find an alternative.
doughmasters is a brilliant alternative to the standard cold, pre-packed sandwich offerings out there. They make delicious rolled sandwiches right in front of you on baked flat bread. They have developed their own grilling machine - you can tell they are passionate about the concept!
The menu is great and full of interesting options. I opted for the spicy chicken, cheese and spicy potato grilled option. It was super tasty and there were about another 10 options I wanted to try. They've got a great vegetarian selection and a mix of cold and grilled.
Both of the staff were very friendly and they have a small sit in area as well as some tables on the beautiful Charlotte Street - a great place to people watch being directly opposite the Charlotte Street Hotel.
I'd highly recommend it to anyone who loves sandwiches, but lusts for something different.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Nandos
11 Aug 07, 17:23
Chicken Perfection
I am an unashamed fan of the whole Nando's restaurant concept. This particular Nando's just happens to be round the corner from me and opened recently.
The staff in this branch are lovely and the waiting team fall over themselves to help you out.
That asides I generally love the whole Nando's experience because:
1) You pay before you eat eat meaning you can leave as soon as you finish (I hate waiting for the bill)
2) The chicken is delicious, healthy with a spice level for everyone.
3) The combo deals make it great value and I love all the side options. Their spicy rice trumps regular rice, the peri peri chips are delcious and the coleslaw calms it all down.
4) They have an extensive range of condiments which you can attack at will. Think big bottles none of this rationing business.
5) They do bottomless soft drinks so you can keep chugging if you go for the very hot spice.
6) They have booths
7) They get your food to you super quick.
8) You get a great mix of people eating there. People all over the world unite for chicken.
9) They sell random Portugese beers to keep the whole Portugese thing going.
10) They do takeaway.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Press Bureau
11 Aug 07, 17:04
Magazine Heaven
The owners of this wonderful newsagents are constantly refitting it to make the layout better and better. They have recently given even more room over to magazines and for me its my first stop if I need any magazine. They have a huge collection which is very well laid out and the staff are knowledgeable and will try to order things in for you if they can.
I buy as many magazines as I can from here purely because this is just the type of local small business that goes under as people fail to support it and then miss it terribly when its gone. Keep up the good work guys and keep trying to squeeze more mags in.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Al-Dar II
11 Aug 07, 17:00
Stick to Takeaway 
I normally come here for a quick takeaway chicken shawarma and one of there freshly made smoothies but decided to go for the full sit down today.
They have a pretty huge menu with tons of vegetarian options and lots of classic grilled meat lebanese dishes - great if you're on no carbs.
I opted for the chicken shish toaok which came with some delicious garlic sauce at £9.50. Mixed with a little chilli sauce it came to life but was otherwise quite bland. I also opted for a Lebanese side salad at £3.25 which was nice enough. Add in a couple of diet cokes and a tip and there's virtually nothing left of a £20 note. For me this is too much to pay as you are sat on a pretty small table in a cramped busy area. I'd always opt for the delcious takeaway option which at £3 for a shawarama is much better value.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Richard James
11 Aug 07, 16:50
The Perfect Experience
Looking for the perfect white shirt (a hobby of mine) I visited Richard James as a last attempt whilst I'm sure the more enlightened would have visited it first.
The store is classic designer, expensive chic whereby the staff look like models and there is one shirt per 1000 sq ft. The assistant who helped me looked like Sophie Dahl (post plus size modelling). She was extremely informed and patient. Unlike every other store I'd been that day she let me actually try on the shirts I was considering to buy... yes she could cope with unfolding them and refolding them which seems like a big no no everywhere else.
The shirt that I bought fitted perfectly and whilst a little more expensive than Primark I'm going for that whole cost / no. of wears equation. If I'd had more money I would have bought another 10 shirts... and a suit... and a some shoes. If you really want to pimp it up you can visit Richard James bespoke across the road where I presume a Giselle look a like helps you out.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Gieves and Hawkes
11 Aug 07, 16:41
Great Range & Helpful Staff
I visited Gieves & Hawkes looking for a double cuffed white shirt for my wedding. The staff were extremely friendly and knowledable. They are not snooty in any way which I can pick-up pretty quick being a Geordie living in Chelsea.
They have a great range of suits, shirts and ties. If you are looking for something for a special occasion I would definitely recommend them as they will spend a lot of time with you to help you find the right item.
The one thing that annoys me however whenever I try to buy a smart shirt is that they never let you try on the actual shirt as its always folded up. The result is that you are given something in the same size which looks absolutely nothing like what you are looking to buy - think purple, woven checks when you are after a crisp white shirt. Luckily in Gieves they didn't have any "open" shirts in my size so I got to try on the real thing which is so much better.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Sen
21 May 07, 21:25
Second Time Unlucky 
I love massages and was expecting good things from Sen on the Kings Road. I first went several months ago and wasn't impressed but thought I'd give it another go as I walked past and it caught my eye again.
The premises are very slick and well decorated with a modern Chinese feel to them. The receptionist was pleasant and got me a session immediately which maybe should have set the alarm bells ringing given it was 1pm on a Saturday and typically that would mean pre-booked appointments only.
I went for the 20 minute Quick Massage for Stress which focusses on the shoulder, back and neck areas and costs £30 which is pricey even for Chelsea. The massuse didn't communicate with me to ask about pressure levels or anything like that. The massage was was on a table and felt awkard from the start because the massuse seemed to spend a lot of time trying to focus on my back when I was laying on my front which is quite a difficult and uncomfortable feat involving her ramming her hands beneath your back. I didn't find it relaxing or destressing although she did manage to work a few knots out of my back.
I think Sen is probably very good at accupuncture because that is its core business and the massage options feel as though maybe they have just been tagged on as an extra revenue earner. I won't go back for a massage as I'd rather hop over the road to Reflexions who do good chair massages (althought they are mainly focussed on reflexology).
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.