Rachael B.

Review of Giraffe

29 May 08, 18:21

Lovely restaurant with lots of choice

I really like Giraffe, it has a menu with a difference, with dishes from all over the world, from burgers to spicy rice meals. Plus lots of vegetarian choice...and fresh smoothies as well as alcohol on the menu, making it family friendly.

It is decorated nicely, brown woods and bright orange. They support charities overseas and have loyalty clubs/competitions for regular diners. The best dish, in my opinion, is their white chocolate cheesecake dessert! Absolutely delicious.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Lal Akash Restaurants

29 May 08, 18:13

Great curry

This is a very good curry house. It is family run by some good people, they take pride in their food and rightly so. I recommend the bhunas...excellent. It serves the best Indian food in New Malden.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Railway Tavern

29 May 08, 17:59

Very nice place for a beer

This was a nice pub I visited recently. It was full of men being rather loud, the younger ones were a friendly crowd. The rest were old folk nursing their pints, watching the football on the small telly above the bar. We walked into one bar and were kind of nicely directed into the next...So who knows what goes on in the first bar, maybe it's locals only for whatever reason! The drinks were so cheap, though it is because I am used to London prices. Very nice place to go simply because of the back drop to the pub - beautiful rolling hills.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Ram

29 May 08, 14:09

Jolly nice riverside public house

The Ram is a good pub, specially in the Summer as it has a large riverside seating area at the rear. They occasionally have live acoustic bands. It's a traditional old building, with a 'real' pub feel, in the nicer part of town, and the prices for drinks are very reasonable. I have been here many times and love the vibe.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Thai On Thames

29 May 08, 08:59

Lovely - except not really on the Thames

This is a really great Thai restaurant, with traditionally dressed waitresses and nicely decorated with wooden separaters and bowls of floating flowers. I recommend the £14.95 per person set menu, you get a platter of starters, tea of your choice (green, normal etc) and a choice of a main dish that comes with rice and vegetables. Beautiful green curry!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of CHI

28 May 08, 14:04

Healthy Veggie Chinese Food

This is a really nice place to go for a take-away box of healthy Chinese food, for a decent price too. I am pretty sure it's all vegetarian, I have only ever seen tofu dishes and vegetables in different sauces, alongside noodles and spring rolls and the like. They are very friendly and quick to serve you. You pay for the box (I think it's £4) and fill it up buffet style with whatever you choose.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Isha Lounge Bar

27 May 08, 14:13

Late night drinking hole

This place is good - the night I went there was a good DJ who played decent dancy chart stuff and took requests...even though we asked for the same Gorillaz tune about four times :) The drinks aren't too pricey, the staff nice and the crowd in there were cool. Definitely a better, classier bet than O'Neill's for a drink after hours.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Hamburger Union

25 May 08, 20:00

Nice chunky chips

Yes bring back the £5 deal! I agree with Callum. This is a nice burger place though, with great chunky chips too. The prices aren't too bad though, as the ingredients are nice and fresh tasting. The style is canteen like, with long wooden benches, you order your food at the counter on the way in and it is brought to you. It's a nice site on a corner of the entrance to Leicester Square, an all window front which lets in a lot of light. Nice lunch venue.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Corean Chilli

25 May 08, 19:27

Great Karaoke!

Korean food is lovely and this place serves great dishes. Go here for a change from the Chinese restaurants of Soho.

The best thing about it is you can hire a Karoake booth downstairs - the machines are easy to use and have a wide selection of songs to choose from. They serve you drinks as you need them so you can ahve as many as you need to get the bottle up to sing!

We had such a fun works do in here - go and check it out, reasonable prices for a top night out.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Rubicon

25 May 08, 18:54

Good bar

This is one of the bars in the long line of drinking establishments on Maple Road, and it's quite nicely done out in comparison to the older pubs. They have live music evenings downstairs with some decent acts. It's like a grotto down there with fairy lights all over the back wall, and there's only a few seats so it's nice and intimate.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Millie's Cookies

23 May 08, 17:43

Great muffins not just cookies

When I worked in Kingston my workmate and I used to make trips here most lunchtimes to get the muffin + free hot drink deal, it was a naughty treat but the sugar rush was too good to resist. My absolute favourite has to be the white chocolate muffin, though they are all good, all warm and delicious…the cappuccino one is another winner. This is a convenient little cookie shop, very popular with good reason, and Millie’s has a more wholesome air about it than krispy kreme for me, I’m not sure why!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Zizzi

22 May 08, 21:47

Fresh and funky Italiano

Zizzi's is a really great Italian chain, serving lovely food with obviously fresh ingredients - I would liken it to Carluccio's in it's simplicity of tastes. The dishes are reasonably priced too. Lovely penne and filled pasta items to choose from, lasagne and plenty of vegetarian dishes. The one with chilli, olive oil and cherry tomatoes is great.

The design of the restaurant is nice, good furniture and spacious eating area, with a wall feature of sawn off logs (which I guess is for the wood fired ovens) - the person I was dining with suggested this could be a health and safety issue but I doubt it - and it definitely looks cool!

Go check out Zizzi's - it's well worth a visit. Friendly staff and buzzing atmosphere.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Comedy Store

22 May 08, 17:37

One of the greatest...

This is a renowned comedy venue for big names in the business. Portraits of famous faces line the walls by the bar. After a long gap I visited again recently and was not disappointed, all the comics were good which is a hard thing to achieve with in any line-up. It is a huge place, with benches to the side (where we sat), and chairs at round tables on the main floor. The drinks are reasonably priced, you can get lager by the jug which is really handy for grabbing rounds in the breaks.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of LOccitane

21 May 08, 17:41

Lovely lotions and potions

This is a beautiful shop - perfect place to go for gifts. You can can lovely smelling and soft feeling perfumes and lotions. My favourite is the honey range - especially the eau de toilette...I like the quirky packaging - it comes in a large yoghurt carton thingy with a design on it like something out of a children's story book. There are two floors of delights here - go check it out for something for auntie or gran, or treat yourself why not?

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Cannizaro Restaurant

20 May 08, 18:04

Lovely atmosphere

This is quite pricey but the location is worth it...Cannizaro park is absolutely beautiful. Eating establishments in old stately homes should be supported and upkept at all costs. Great place to go in the summer, to sit outside, especially when the art students have installed their work on the grass outside for the public to enjoy.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Tudor Williams

19 May 08, 13:42

Good choice of Merchandise

Tudor Williams is smaller than some department stores but has a good variety of merchandise. On the ground floor there is a perfumery and cosmetic department. On the same floor they do some really lovely glass wear good if your looking for a gift that is a bit different. On the same floor they also do kitchen goods also bed linen and towels etc. There is also the luggage department and handbags and sell a small range of jewellery. On the first floor are ladies fashions they do casual wear and also something for that special occassion. You will also find the lingerie and nightwear on this floor. If you get peckish while shopping there is a restaurant where you can get a meal or just a snack and the people that serve you are very friendly. On the top floor is the furniture department which has a good range of sofas etc. They also stock beds . There is also a small haberdashery department on this floor which you dont find in many shops now. I would say that Tudor Williams is a good all round store..

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of NatWest

15 May 08, 20:45

Good little branch

I like this little branch of Natwest, it is conveniently located in the main shopping centre and is open at weekends which is really handy. It is very small but has all you need - paying in machines and cash/statement self-service tills too. Friendly staff who put themselves out to help you also, I have been in a couple of times and got excellent advice.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of HSBC

15 May 08, 14:14

Very efficient!

I really love HSBC's paying in machines - they give you a receipt with a scan of the cheque! This is a very state of the art branch with machines galore, hence my giving it four stars. They are very clearly separated and marked into 'cash' 'statements' and 'paying in' and there seem to be enough to keep the people traffic moving effectively. Also, if you are seeing someone about information on your account, an agent will take you into a private booth area rather than you having to discuss personal matters in front of everyone. What is not so good is the 'telephone banking' in house phone system - which is confusing and unclear. However, a decent branch in all other respects!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of NatWest

15 May 08, 13:19

Good management

The staff in here are always really friendly and helpful - I think this is the most important feature of any bank. As it is a central London branch, it gets pretty busy at lunchtimes, though the staff never look harrassed. They keep an eye on the queues and bring out additional members to help as soon as there are more than three people in the queue. It is nicely laid out too, you're either in the till section or at the information desk - a simple and efficient use of the space. A good bank on the whole, and a great branch at Charing Cross.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of El Desperado

13 May 08, 17:44

Great fajitas!

The decor in this restaurant is so saturated in 'Mexican'ism that you cannot fail to get into the spirit. Either that or you may get seriously annoyed that they've tried too hard. The waitresses look a little miserable in their cowboy hats, but they are friendly enough when actually serving. There are banjos and cactuses everywhere and enough colours to bring on an epileptic fit.

But the fact of the matter is, a good Mexcian meal is hard to find when dining out and the food here was the best Mexican I've tasted. I had honey duck fajitas - can highly recommend these! It's in a strange location, out of the way at a large junction on the way to Sutton - but well worth a visit!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Bon Marche

12 May 08, 13:46

Good Value

Bon Marche is a store that provides good quality clothes at very reasonable prices. They have a good range and also provide items for that special occasion ! They also cater for larger sizes which not many other shops do. They do classic and more up to date items. Although alot of people would like to shop in this store I would say teenagers would possibly prefer to shop in more of a boutique style store. But all round I would say it has good fashion at exceptional prices and the staff are always helpful.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Scholl Centre

07 May 08, 00:03

Good shoes and good advice

This is a great shoe shop as they can advise you on common foot ailments. Their shoes cover a variety of needs, all comfortable and well made, and Scholl are reknowned for their wide fitting range. On examinng your feet they are able to recommend solutions to problems like bunions and fallen arches. Go there if you care about the health of your feet! You'll feel like a school kid again - when every time a new pair of shoes was needed, your feet were measured to perfection!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Keys Residential

06 May 08, 23:52

Quality estate agents

Keys Residential are a very professional and well run estate agent - I would recommend them to anybody for lettings (the capacity I have used them in). It is a company who build their reputation through mature and friendly staff, a perfect example of quality service attracting quality properties and tenants naturally. They charge no more than necessary for vetting and admin fees and do things very thoroughly in return for your business. Look them up if you're looking for a place to rent in New Malden or the surrounding areas!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Muji

06 May 08, 18:06

Japanese store

Muji is a great shop - you can buy all sorts of items here from stationary to bedroom furniture - all from a Japanese design point of view. They have unusual ornament gifts - last Christmas I bought 'Paris in a bag' which was small wooden models of Parisian buildings in a cloth bag, which you'd take out and place on a mantelpiece at home...something different! Generally everything is minimalist, basic materials - some items are more enduring than others. The clothing is good - linen and cotton in simple, flattering cuts. This Muji in Kingston is not particularly roomy but they pack a lot of stock in to choose from.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Old Well House Inn

05 May 08, 22:47

Hugely characterful

I really liked this pub for the true 'local' flavour that hits you as soon as you walk through the door. We went in for an afternoon pint and there was a jazz instrumental version of 'Summertime' playing on the juke box. We got our pear ciders and sat down to drink them, watching an elderly man dressed in a smart suit dancing happily to the music. When I approached the bar to ask one of the staff directions to somewhere, I got referred by the young barmaid to a more mature lady whom, I was told, had lived there all her life.

Another elderly man then complimented me on how lovely I looked, and asked me to take his pound coin and put on some similar tunes on the juke box, as he could not see the items properly. So I went and had a look and found all these different groupings music, by classification of genre and period - what a brilliant juke box. I just knew that the classical and jazz were the most played in there, and that is why I would always go back just for that great atmosphere and friendly people.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Spinning Wheel Inn

05 May 08, 22:33

Great pub

This pub is a very popular drinking hole, situated right on the sea front. It is a good place to sit outside with a fish and chip lunch taking in the oceanside views. The table numbers (which you are asked for when you order food at the bar) are hard to find however - being etched in red pen on the wood! If you can't find it the staff are very helpful.

In the evening they have great live music interspersed with a DJ playing all sorts of tunes, modern pop and 80s classics. The band we saw played great covers, with a strong female vocalist. The DJ is situated upstairs in a strange barrel pod from which he plays his set - see the pictures for the band and DJ set up. It gets busy but the size of the place makes it OK, we found seats even in the middle of the evening. All in all a really good place for a night out - my favourite in Paignton!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Jessops

02 May 08, 20:54

Trustworthy camera store

This high street camera store chain is very trustworthy. You can get some great deals in here which are presumably common to all the stores simultaneously...like Dixons but just for audio-visual tools. The great thing with Kingston, which makes it stand out, is the knowledgeable staff. You really feel like you're getting a good service. They will ask you exactly what you want (even if you're not sure yourself!) and direct you not just to the most expensive product for the sake of boosting their sales, but the camera model that best fits your requirements. They give a 10% discount to students also. It's the best place to go for photographic equipment, advice, printing and processing!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Natural World

27 Apr 08, 13:44

Unusual gifts

This is a lovely place to shop for children's gifts, or to take children into for a mosey around. The stock focusses on toys that are educational and environmental, or just plain quirky. To name a few then, you have a lot of models in there, from the human body to bodies of animals, as well as books, stuff animals, home plant-growing kits, water features and light features such as fibre optic lamps and heat sensitive globes. Good for stocking fillers!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Past Times

27 Apr 08, 13:38

Old fashioned gift shop

This is a really nice shop to try when you're looking for a gift, possibly more geared towards ladies than men but give it a look if you have any uncles/aunts/grandparents to buy for. The jewellery range is brilliant, you've got all sorts of regional designs like Celtic patterns and Catholic crosses, and styles that pertain to different eras (e.g.victorian or edwardian).

Past Times basically stocks everything from old fashioned tea sets and toiletries to historical coffee table books with quotes and trivia. There is so much inspiration for gifts that you can get lost in there for quite a while!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Specsavers Opticians

26 Apr 08, 10:27

Should have gone!

Now I am not sure about monopolisation of markets and the excessive, recent contact lens advertising that seems as though it's aim is to make people feel bad about wearing glasses. When I was a kid I used to visit an independant optician in a smaller suburb and they always did me fine. Though Specsavers has all the benefits of a well run, legitimate company. It is efficiently run, the admin (ie checkup reminders) is just on time, never intrusive or pushy. Once you get there, the staff are friendly and professional and give the air of knowing what they are talking about. They are keen to talk about new products only if they think they're of interest to you, not just to sell you the next big thing. I am happy with the level of service and care, and their procedures, for both glasses and contact lenses.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Fortune Cookie

25 Apr 08, 14:17

Great Take Away

This is such a nice Chinese takeaway joint - the food is reasonably priced and all the dishes are tasty and well cooked. They deliver or you can collect. I would never go to another Chinese take away simply because they have a long term offer on their aromatic crispy duck - which is always great, never just the ropey skin bits like some places try and give you. The offer is 1/2 duck for £7.99 if you buy one other main dish - brilliant value! You have to pick up your food yourself for this special, but it's a small inconvenience for a great deal, try it.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of HMV

24 Apr 08, 17:52

Always busy but great

This is a huge HMV store which is deservedly busy so on a weekend you can expect the queues to wind for quite a way...and Christmas is a madhouse in there. However, the staff are effective and keep things moving quickly. I have never gone in there and not found something I want. Things are laid out well, they make good use of the space. And you can't beat the 3 for £15 or £20 deals on CDs and DVDs!!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Nandos

23 Apr 08, 13:02

Lovely

This is a huge Nando’s, nicely furnished with huge tables so perfect for large groups. You order your food, get given a number then choose your table. It is always busy during lunchtime (as I imagine in the evenings too) but the staff get the orders taken as quickly as possible. I am a big fan of the food, and tried the new mango marinade here recently rather than the medium piri piri that I usually go for – it was a winner. Try their sweet potato mash too – it is something a bit different and very tasty.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Gourmet Burger Kitchen

23 Apr 08, 13:01

Lovely fresh food

Two words – Chips and Sauces. The chips are amazing, proper fish n chip shop style, large and well cooked (crispy but not too over done). All the sauces are homemade and come in little pots, absolutely fresh and delicious. Oh yeah – and the burgers aren’t bad either! They do all the combos you can imagine. This is a lovely place to eat, close to the river, go check it out.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of West Cornwall Pasty Company

22 Apr 08, 14:17

Great pasties

The West Cornwall Pasty Co is great - I like the veggie pasties and the cheese and onion rolls are good. It's take away or sit down. If you sit down, they serve alcohol too - bonus. It is central to all the action in the marketplace, with views of where those steet artists do their thing. Lovely eaterie in a great part of town.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Julian Graves

19 Apr 08, 20:10

Healthy snacks galore

This shop is great, they always have something good on special offer. It is chock full of fresh nuts, sweets and nut/sweet combinations, as well as dried fruits and crisps from organic suppliers. Well worth a visit - I defy you to go in there and not come out with something! They've got everything from plain, untouched healthy nuts (for cooking or salads) to chocolate covered raisins, so there is something for everyone.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Rock & Roe Fish & Chips

19 Apr 08, 19:46

Lovely fish n chips

Really nice fish and chips here. The place has recently undergone a refurbishment (I think it is new management) though I must say I kind of preferred the old layout. Recommended for a nice take away supper though.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Office Shoes

19 Apr 08, 17:51

Shoetastic

Office is a great shoe store for value, this branch is a fair size and there always seems to be decent stuff on the sale shelves. It is probably one of the best shoe shops in Kingston, usually pretty busy but the staff are attentive so you don't wait too long.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Clarks

19 Apr 08, 17:47

Vast range!

When I was a school kid Clarks used to be ridiculed as a choice of shoe brand, but revisiting it now as an adult, the range is out of this world - and there are loads of decent styles! Go there and be impressed. The prices are average, not particularly cheap but the shoes are all well made so it's worth it. There are loads of comfortable soft leather styles that both look and feel good. This Kingston branch is huge, with loads of kids, men's and women's footwear to choose from.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Body Shop

19 Apr 08, 17:42

Good branch

This is quite a small Body Shop, though no matter what the size of the branch, they always seem to stock all items! They are just squeezed into smaller spaces on the shelves. This Body Shop has friendly, efficent staff. As with most branches, a free make over is available, and advice on which make-up products are best for you.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Waxys Little Sister

19 Apr 08, 15:44

Characterful little place

This is a really great, tiny pub tucked away on a corner. The staff are friendly and it has a good atmosphere. My favourite feature is the small drinks pulley lift that is used to transport upstairs orders of more than two drinks, or stout pints that take longer to pull. You go downstairs to order and pay, then return upstairs and wait for the lift to deliver your drinks! Fun factor 10. Being quite small you feel it when it is busy so my advice is to head there as early in the afternoon as possible (or straight after work) to get a seat on one of the couches upstairs.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Waxy O'Connor's

19 Apr 08, 15:34

Treemendous

Yes! The tree in the middle of the pub, scaling each floor and spreading its branches akimbo is quite something to see. The layout of the pub is sprawling and unique, there is nowhere quite like it in Soho. I don't mind the tenuous Irish connotations. They serve great Guinness, and that's enough for me...what do you want, Irish dancers kicking away like in the Irish pubs in the US? They wouldn't have the room to do it around the tree in this place anyway :)

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Eden Project

18 Apr 08, 14:40

Great ecological place of interest!

The Eden Project is the must-see place of interest on the South Coast in my opinion. The entry fee was only £15, very reasonable value for what lay inside. It is an educational charity for ecological awareness, made up of three different sections, housing plants and even animals from three different climatic conditions around the world. Imagine Kew Gardens but much bigger and better. The view of the Project from the outside is a work of art in itself, an impressive structure which resembles a huge glass caterpillar! They have seasonal festivals on here, from live music to educational events.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Oxfam

17 Apr 08, 14:00

Great 2nd Hand Books

Now if you like books and don't mind seeing what you can pick up 2nd hand, this is such a little find in Kingston's small streets! I found Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast trilogy here, in perfectly reasonable condition, and swiped it for just a fiver. If you know this trilogy at all, you will understand how special this is. This shop is full of treasures - they often have a lot of spiritual/occult books and older editions of favourite children's titles.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Pizza Express Restaurants

16 Apr 08, 14:17

Perfect Pizza

This restaurant gets my thumbs up in every respect. The pizzas are great, a good size and thickness and lovely topping combinations. Pizza Express always have a single fresh flower in a vase on each table too - a really nice touch. They normally choose really spacious, central venues. A winner, either for dinner with friends or a date.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Watershed Bar

16 Apr 08, 14:07

Live Venue

This is a basement bar at the end of Wimbledon Broadway, an excellent venue for comedy and live acts. It is deceivingly spacious inside, with two large rooms and interjoining spaces to hang out. Go and check it out!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Alexandra

15 Apr 08, 21:12

Central

This pub is very central to Wimbledon's busy high street so perfect for a pint between shops or at the end of a busy day of retail therapy. They even allow children in the early evening, directing you to the quieter area in the hindquarters. A decent venue by all accounts.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Dog and Fox

15 Apr 08, 21:09

In the heart of Wimbledon Village

The Dog and Fox is a large, nicely designed old pub at the top of Wimbledon Hill, really close to the wonderful Common, yet smack bang in the middle of all the boutiques and restaurants of this popular, upmarket area. It serves a good selection of beers and wines and decent food. There are plenty of seats outside which keep it in line with the rest of the area's public houses. A top venue.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Crooked Billet

15 Apr 08, 20:59

Pub on the green

Alongside the Hand in Hand, this is another great pub for social summertime drinking. You can combine it with a ramble in Cannizaro Park. And you can take your drinks outside and sit on the grass. Great food available, and a roaring fire so good in the winter too. What a gem, this and the Hand in Hand are definitely the two greatest pubs of Wimbledon Village as they are right on the Common.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Hand In Hand

15 Apr 08, 20:51

Summertime Venue

This pub is so great because of it's location. Inside it is a really nice old pub with character, and with a great selection of tap beverages. Outside is where it's at in the warmer weather, people can take their drinks and sit on the grass outside to socialise in the sunshine. Beautiful.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Rumours

15 Apr 08, 20:30

Nice bar

Rumours is probably the bar of choice on Worcester Park high street. It is very civilised, with a nice crowd and good drink selection. Worth the walk up the hill!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Royal Oak

14 Apr 08, 14:14

Quite a nice boozer

Good roast lunches here, comfy seat, real 'pub' feel. It's big enough and far enough away from the high street to feel a bit more special than the other central drinking holes, which can attract the rougher of the locals. If you're going to pick one New Malden pub, try this one first.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Charterhouse

14 Apr 08, 14:03

Lovely Pub

The building is such a cool shape, as you can see in the photo, and once you step inside it is bigger than you thought it would be. We used to go for hangover lunches here, for huge all day breakfast. Hence my review is more for a lazy Sunday meal than an evening's drinking, but definitely go and check this place out!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Half Moon

14 Apr 08, 13:59

Good Live Music Venue

I have been here a few times for gigs and it's a good venue for it, quite intimate with a small stage to the corner of the room. The bar area outside is much larger, with band photos all over the wall to get you in the mood. One of south west London's most renowned live music venues.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Wimbledon Windmill Museum

13 Apr 08, 11:50

Nice Day Out for the Kids

Windmills are an example of life in days gone by and this small grain mill in Wimbledon will be a source of delight and interest to any children you take along...it has not worked since 1864 when it was closed down and made into accomodation but there are still parts of it that have been preserved to show how it was back in it's working period. There is information on how this mill used to work and how it varied with other types elsewhere in the UK. There is a cafe right next to the Windmill which is a profound favourite of mine, it serves home made dishes from breakfasts to pasta bakes, as well as a great selection of cakes and pies. There is seating outside and inside, it is a great family venue at all times of year and gets particularly busy at weekends. Then you can go for a ramble on beautiful Wimbledon Common.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Books Bits & Bobs

13 Apr 08, 11:24

No 1 for Fancy Dress

This is under 'comic bookshops' although I have to say whenever I've gone in there, it's for dressing up items. And they have such a fine array of clothings, masks, hats and make-up you'll be dazzled. Seriously, if you need a prop shop in Kingston this is the first and probably only place you should visit...The only thing I've ever asked for and the guy has not had is a nun's habit, strangely enough.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Bentall Centre

12 Apr 08, 18:01

People travel here from miles around

The Bentall Centre...what can I say? It is a true shopping centre of the 21st Century, the inside structure even resembles that of a Cathedral and I am probably not alone in considering shopping the new religion. There are four levels of shopping heaven here, crowned with a gym. Kingston generally is mega for shopping what with the marketplace and the high street and all the interlinking roads chock full of high street names and indepedant boutiques...but the Bentall Centre is the headquarters I guess...to name but a few you have Muji, Bay Trading, HMV, Waterstones, McDonald's, Sole Trader, La Senza, The Pier and the department store that is the mighty Bentalls itself, which governs all four floors of the far end of the complex. My second job ever was in the school uniforms dept. It's a good store, probably better than stuffy John Lewis.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Druids Head

12 Apr 08, 17:20

Good for Daytime

I really like this little pub, I advise that if possible you make it a lunchtime or afternoon visit and that you take one of the very few, coveted window seats as they are perfect for people watching in Kingston's busy market place. There are two entrances - a smaller bar on the right hand side that is separated from the rest of the pub, good if you want a quieter atmosphere...otherwise, the bigger bar on the left is busier but just as nice. They serve the usual pub sorta food.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Gazebo

12 Apr 08, 17:13

Kingston's cheapest pub?

The Gazebo is another great Sam Smith venue with all it's own branded, ridiculously cheap and fine tasting alcohol. Located on the river it's a perfect summertime pub, you can sit on the benches outside or on the balcony upstairs. The food is fair, atmosphere nice, and the staff seem mostly made up of travellers.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Boaters Inn

12 Apr 08, 17:00

Great Live Jazz!

The Jazz on Sundays is what The Boaters is all about...the musicians are really very good and for those who know their jazz, there seem to be a good mix of styles from week to week. It gets busy, so arrive early if you want a seat. The Boaters is a very popular pub in the summertime (with outside seating), it is found a good walk down the river from town, so quite exclusive and out of the way.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Chandos

12 Apr 08, 16:12

A real boozer!

You just can't argue with the value if this place, it has been mentioned in many of it's reviews already but a pint for 2 quid? Isn't that what the bloke with the cask fixed to the top of the building is there for - shouting it from the rooftops?!

I only go in there at lunchtime so the vibe then is very much an old man's one, I can only imagine how busy and loud it gets at night. But rightfully so.

The booths are great, I love the 'real' pub decor, the darkness of downstairs is a stark contrast to upstairs, it's like two different venues almost. Go and check it out, it is a little hidden gem within the busy expensive venues near Leicester Square.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Borders Books

12 Apr 08, 15:05

Best Bookshop

Whatever you want, a book, a CD, a gift, a DVD, a newspaper, a coffee and snack (Starbucks inside), a birthday card (Paperchase inside), Borders is a great one stop for all the above. The staff are genuinely nice, they seem to be students for the most part, laid back but helpful too. There is no objection to you picking up a book or magazine and sitting in one of their many easy chairs dotted around the floor and reading away. I have lost hours in here before, and not in a bad way.

Borders is brilliant, there is a real sense of community surrounding this shop, built up by it's uber-sociable opening times (it stays open til 10pm every night except Sundays), and it's commitment to hosting family events at every opportunity.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Terrace

12 Apr 08, 14:57

Really great food

This cafe serves huge, delicious meals, the salads are awesome and if you don't believe a salad could fill you up, you need to get down to this place and be proved wrong. It is a converted house, so pretty cramped inside, but there are tables and chairs outside in the warmer seasons. The best place to sit inside is probably downstairs, at the far end as you go in. It is one of the priciest cafes in Kingston, but worth it. Great coffee and fresh fruit juices and smoothies too.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Finesse Cuisine

12 Apr 08, 14:35

Upmarket Chinese Buffet

This restaurant is so good!! It could become an addiction. Loads of delicious dishes line the buffet, a decent number of vegetarian ones too, like tofu, aubergine and pak choi. They don't sit there long, so there is a good turnover! I have only been in the evening though, so I can't speak for how busy and fresh everything is at lunchtime. Then you've got the Teppanyaki stand at the far end of the restaurant, where fresh salmon, prawns, beef and chicken (whatever you choose) are skilleted for you sweet chilli or satay sauce and brought to your table. It is quite noisy because it's so busy. They sometimes blare out bad pop tunes over everybody's chatter. They play a bizarre version of happy birthday for people celebrating in there, it sounds like a Christmas carol! All adds to the atmosphere though. The price changes according to peak or non-peak periods. It is about 11 or 12 quid a head on a weekend evening and worth every penny...go this weekend! And my advice is to pace yourself!!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Grey Horse

12 Apr 08, 13:52

Good Live Venue

Yes! The Grey Horse is somewhere I have visited on and off since my student days at Kingston College. Definitely a dusky, dusty student venue but open to anyone! I agree wholeheartedly with Bravenewmalden, this is a great live intimate setting, and the sound is better than in the Cocks because there is more space in The Grey Horse. The best band in Kingston - Tulpas - have played here many times. They also have a comedy club here on Sundays (think it's called The Crack). It is in the same back area as the live music, and they get some decent comics in. Go check it out!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Cammasan Chinese Fusion Restaurants

12 Apr 08, 13:16

Lovely food

This restaurant is a small two tier one near the river in Kingston. It has the same kind of canteen layout as Wagamama's - rectangular wooden tables at which up to ten people can opposite each other - but without the feeling of being rushed in and out on a conveyor belt. The people serving you are really sweet and friendly. The plates are funky square ones, on which your food is often divided out, like the Indian version of a Thali. All in all, a delicious Asian-fusion option and good to go to with a large group of friends.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of La Fiesta

11 Apr 08, 14:20

Friendly and Popular

This is one of about 10 cafes on Castle Street - I think they are all owned by two separate families! New ones open all the time, I reckon they'll end up taking over all the shops :) But this is a great one, selling wraps and sandwiches, the falafel is good and they sell all sorts of usual meditarrean type mixes. They are very friendly and efficient and the testament to their food is obvious from the permanent lunch time queue snaking out of the door.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Clocks Fine Quality Sandwiches

11 Apr 08, 14:14

delicious

I really like the random name of this sandwich bar. It is tiny, little more than a booth, decorated old-fashioned style with lots of clocks (surprisingly enough) on the walls. Since the pedestrianisation of Castle Street they now have a few tables and chairs outside now in the street, which is lined with a number of other cafes doing the same - it gives a really nice feel. Their sandwiches are generously filled and abosultely delicious - especially the turkey, stuffing and cranberry one.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Tinseltown

09 Apr 08, 22:00

That's Hollywood, Kid!

Hilarious place, really surreally kitsch. Framed prints of film stars line the walls and you eat your food in booths. It is a pretty dingy venue, you sit either in the dark or under a really concentrated bright spotlight. Contrary to some of the above reviews I have never seen it lively but we kept going back there when living in the area just for the draw of being able to order a meal at stupid o'clock. And, yes the milkshakes are a winner, who wouldn't want a mars bar flavoured drink? The people are horrendously moody but that adds to the experience. Go there!!

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Gabys Deli

09 Apr 08, 20:18

Amaaaazing!

Gaby's is wonderful, its my place of choice to get take away lunch. My favourite dishes are each only 3.50 and fill you up a treat...the falafel in pitta is delicious and the '5 salads' are pretty healthy, a genius invention whereby you choose a large spoonful of 5 different foods like lentils, green salad, aubergines, spinach and chick peas...there are so many to choose from. They occasionally give you an extra falafel ball in your packet. And they are always smiling...can't big them up enough.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Fighting Cocks

09 Apr 08, 11:48

Best pub in Kingston

The Fighting Cocks is a great rocker's pub, when you first step in and see all the leather and piercings it feels like an exclusive joint but they are really friendly staff, mostly Aussies, and the people who drink there are cool too. If you like guitar music more than dance it's the best bet for you in Kingston!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.