guestspy http://www.guestspy.com undercover, independent reviews of places to stay & eat Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:07:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Mildreds Vegetarian Restaurant London http://www.guestspy.com/2010/12/04/mildreds-vegetarian-restaurant-london/ http://www.guestspy.com/2010/12/04/mildreds-vegetarian-restaurant-london/#comments Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:10:50 +0000 Undercover Brother http://www.guestspy.com/?p=79 As someone who thrives of a healthy diet of meat and bread a trip to a vegetarian restaurant only happens once a year, on my better halves birthday. Dragged past the numerous steak houses like a petulant child I was eventually glad to be seated inside the long. warm and cozy dining area of Mildreds the famous vegetarian restaurant smack in the centre of Soho. Having already come this far I opted to go vegan for the starter, home made hummous with chili oil and a nicely char-toasted flatbread. If all vegan food tasted this good I wouldn’t hesitate in making the switch. Between our group we sampled everything on the starter list and not one comment was even remotely negative. Judging by the standards expected by some people in our group this is very high praise indeed.

Having washed down the starter with a nice organic cider  we moved to the mains. Opting for the sundried tomato and buffalo mozzarella risotto cake accompanied with wilted spinach, green beans and grape mustard cream sauce I was not to be disappointed. The stunning array of flavours and the perfect texture left me quite literally stunned. I now thought I understood why this place is so highly rated but the truth was I had yet to sample their coup de grâce.

The white chocolate and pistachio cheesecake is out of this world. I have never tasted a cheesecake close to as good as that in my travels around the globe. If you are in London even if only for one hour get yourself to Mildreds and indulge. Stunning!

]]> http://www.guestspy.com/2010/12/04/mildreds-vegetarian-restaurant-london/feed/ 0 Aspect Hotel Kilkenny – Surprisingly Good Value http://www.guestspy.com/2010/11/05/70/ http://www.guestspy.com/2010/11/05/70/#comments Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:01:59 +0000 Undercover Brother http://www.guestspy.com/?p=70 I have just returned from a fantastic stay at the Aspect Hotel Kilkenny.  I drove down from Dublin on the new M9 which took a little over an hour, even on Friday evening and with the big signs on road into Kilkenny you can’t miss it!

Check-in was great, really friendly receptionist (Sinead) gave us lots of ideas for our visit and even booked our table for dinner that night.  Room was good size, clean and comfy bed.

After looking for a restaurant in Kilkenny using the free wifi we decided to eat in the hotel restaurant on the first night. The steak was excellent, loved the sauce but the real treat are the hot fudge brownies.

Next morning we got up early and had a great breakfast with proper sausages (always a test of a good hotel).  We walked into town for sightseeing.  Had been bit worried about how far it was but only took 10 minutes to get to everything.  Kilkenny is lovely city with excellent shopping (might have to come back to do some Christmas shopping, excellent selection of large shops and lots of smaller ones you don’t get everywhere else).

We asked at reception for restaurant reservations (don’t want to eat at same place twice) and the girl (Jane I think) recommended Café Sol in the town centre.  After a lot of wandering around the shops we didn’t feel like walking back into town but Jane organised us a taxi on the hotels special rate!  Restaurant was great and close to lots of great bars so we had a bit of a night on the town.

Sadly our weekend was over before we knew it!  Still lots for us to see in Kilkenny and when we come back we will definitely choose the Aspect Hotel Kilkenny again

]]> http://www.guestspy.com/2010/11/05/70/feed/ 0 The Happy Pear – Organic Food in Greystones http://www.guestspy.com/2010/09/17/the-happy-pear-organic-food-in-greystones/ http://www.guestspy.com/2010/09/17/the-happy-pear-organic-food-in-greystones/#comments Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:43:59 +0000 Undercover Brother http://www.guestspy.com/?p=74 Once in a while I find I’ve had enough of gorging myself in swanky Dublin restaurants. This new found disinterest leads to itchy feet which in turn can lead me to forage further a field in country back waters such as Greystones, Co. Wicklow. Ok maybe it’s not so backward but being the last stop on the southbound Dart it is the further most limit of many Dublin commuters. The negative feelings of having to travel for an hour to get to the city centre are offset by quaint establishments such as Three Q’s and the Happy Pear, both just metres from the Dart station. Locals are well aware of these benefits and can frequently be seen queuing up to spend their hard earned Euros on the finest organic foods the country has to offer. From the traditional brown bread, mouth watering pestos and delicious smoothies to a wide selection of the finest local produced vegetables the Happy Pear has it all. The fact is that the supermarkets in the area cannot compete with such high quality standards. The only consolation I have when exiting through the doors of Tescos is the weight of my wallet. Quality does not come cheap in Greystones but if you beat the recession and are still flush the Happy Pear is the place for you.

]]> http://www.guestspy.com/2010/09/17/the-happy-pear-organic-food-in-greystones/feed/ 0 Bergamo Zoo – Le Cornelle, Parco Faunistico http://www.guestspy.com/2010/08/12/bergamo-zoo-le-cornelle-parco-faunistico/ http://www.guestspy.com/2010/08/12/bergamo-zoo-le-cornelle-parco-faunistico/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:37:52 +0000 Undercover Brother http://www.guestspy.com/?p=64 I have mixed feeling about Zoos, and I don’t go often; I find the repetitive pacing of animals that evolved to roam large spaces unsettling, as I do the behavior of visitors; trying to spur the apathetic animals to action by shouting and making noises. In this regard Bergamo Zoo is like any other.

Captive sImian in Bergamo

It’s a compact area and the edge of the town and the enclosures for the large animals are not anything like the size of their corresponding areas in Dublin Zoo. There is a large supervised carpark @ 3euro per day, and entry to the zoo is 11euro for adults with under 4’s in free.

Brown Bear in Bergamo Zoo

There is a kennelling service for people with dogs: in Italy people still bring their dogs everywhere with them, and in a country where the car temperatures soar in the summer, this seems like a sensible approach to animal welfare. How much of this carries over to the rest of the zoo, I’m not qualified to judge, but I have a gallery with some of the animals here.

Parrots in Bergamo Zoo

One thing I can say for certain: it’s a big hit in the 4 year old demographic, and there are a lot of merry go rounds and petting zoo type animals, including one tiny pony with a bossy attitude that has to been seen to be believed; he charges in from far, head held high and mane flying, with nibbles and karate-precise kicks to rouse his herd to action. I didn’t get a picture of the pony (I was too shocked at his management style), but this one from the fairgound part of the zoo will give some idea of his outlook:

Mechanical Pony Ride in Bergamo Zoo

Don't share an apple with this one.

My vote would be to populate the whole zoo with similar domesticated beasts with attitude and let the big cats and other animals roam the savanna, but I’m unlikely to have the last word.

Their website is in Italian only, and the navigation doesn’t translate with Google Translate, but this page contains a map. I suppose they’ve never head of multilingual content management for tourist attractions :)

If you’re trying to get there with a Tom Tom it’s not listed as an point of interest, you’re going to need the street address. As with all Italian maps on Tom Tom get ready to be misdirected down some roads that are one way (frequently), or haven’t been built yet (when you’re rushing to the airport). Morbegno bypass is a good example: the GPS shows a spagetti junction, while reality shows a field with some red and yellow poles in it.

The address of the zoo is Via Cornelle, 16, 24030 Val Brembo (BG)

Service is very friendly and bring a picnic, there are loads of covered eating areas.

]]> http://www.guestspy.com/2010/08/12/bergamo-zoo-le-cornelle-parco-faunistico/feed/ 0 Theatre Restaurant Riga http://www.guestspy.com/2010/06/04/theatre-restaurant-riga/ http://www.guestspy.com/2010/06/04/theatre-restaurant-riga/#comments Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:42:16 +0000 Undercover Brother http://www.guestspy.com/?p=55 On my recent trip to Riga the capital of the Baltics I stumbled upon the Theatre restaurant hidden in a courtyard away from the hustle and bustle  of the busy streets. With pleasant weather touching 20 degrees it was perfect for sitting outside. A really nice place to relax. Shame about the food. Cheaping out on the salad sauce by using sunflower oil instead of olive oil. Bizarre considering the effort taken to create a nice atmosphere in the restaurant. The portions were decidedly small. After my useless salad starter I indulged in some pasta carbonara. This was also so-so. Not as good as I would cook at home which is not good enough from a professional chef. Deserts?… nah why bother with being underwhelmed again?

On the up side the coffee, drinks and cocktails were good. Would definitely recommend it for a tipple in the sunshine but avoid the food. I’ll be covering a better option for grub, just around the corner, in my next post.

]]> http://www.guestspy.com/2010/06/04/theatre-restaurant-riga/feed/ 0 The Unicorn Dublin http://www.guestspy.com/2010/02/11/the-unicorn-dublin/ http://www.guestspy.com/2010/02/11/the-unicorn-dublin/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:36:14 +0000 alexevil67 http://www.guestspy.com/?p=60 Sick of hearing about this recession drivel my colleague and I decided the best detox would be to visit The Unicorn just off St Stephens Green for lunch. Rubbing shoulders with the movers and shakers of the Irish finance industry during this lunch hour it was clear by their pot bellies that their recession is confined to sensational newspaper headlines and an is primarily an event that is happening elsewhere. How fitting that the people who caused this mess get off scot-free. I digress….

The place was rammed to the gills and we were lucky to get a seat. After enjoying an excellent lunch it is easy to see how this place remains so popular during these supposedly tough times. The variety on offer for the buffet starter would have been enough to satisfy even the most choosy of eaters. After enjoying the juicy olives, mozzarella, tomatoes salad and a range of other tasty morsels it was onto a main course of roast lamb. The lamb was slightly over done by my taste but I’ve unfortunately come to expect this in many Irish establishments. The roast potatoes, veg and yorkshire puddings which were served as accompaniments were however excellent.  As we had a full schedule in the afternoon we stuck to water though the extensive wine list was enticing.

4/5 for the Unicorn.

]]> http://www.guestspy.com/2010/02/11/the-unicorn-dublin/feed/ 0 Banger Bros – Fast Food Review http://www.guestspy.com/2009/04/07/banger-bros-fast-food-review/ http://www.guestspy.com/2009/04/07/banger-bros-fast-food-review/#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:59:17 +0000 Undercover Brother http://www.guestspy.com/?p=45 If you’re ever down at the Portobello Market and feeling a bit peckish but don’t feel like spending a fortune I can only recommend Banger Bros. The name says it all. They specialise in the finest sausages the UK has to offer, between a bun.  The result is a burger like sausage sandwich which out-strips the efforts of any ‘insert nasty faceless corporation here’ . I walked away feeling  satisfied safe in the knowledge that my money was well spent and didn’t feel the usual headheades and pangs of hunger half an hour later which I normally associate with fast food. Top effort. Check out the menu.

Banger Bros Portobello ]]> http://www.guestspy.com/2009/04/07/banger-bros-fast-food-review/feed/ 0 Hotel Barcelona ME – Merry Crisis http://www.guestspy.com/2009/03/24/hotel-barcelona-me/ http://www.guestspy.com/2009/03/24/hotel-barcelona-me/#comments Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:07:10 +0000 Undercover Brother http://www.guestspy.com/?p=28 I was lucky enough to spend a few days in the brand new designer Hotel, Barcelona ME, when I was visiting the city for a show earlier this month. This hotel had it all but you would want deep pockets. Maybe not the ideal time to open a hotel of this grandeur. On the other hand if you want to escape the rat race with a weekend in Barcelona I would highly recommend the ME. Situated in the 22nd district near the Pobleneu Metro station it’s stunning architecture (see the slide reel below) and everything possible concierge left me with a feeling of awe. I can only thank God that I wasn’t paying with a double pack of Durex (flavoured albeit) coming in at a tidy 15 Euro and a bag of crisps (small snack size) at 6.50 Euro.
The room was small but comfortable with a large panorama window giving a eye catching view which had you looking straight down the outer wall. The bathroom was all you would expect and featured a large window into the bedroom which gave the room a spacious feel. If you like a good book there was also a Roman style triclinia in the corner. It was 160 Euro a night. The cheapest option.
Breakfast was quality. A buffet with a large selection of tropical fruits, cereal, pastries, cheese, bread, cold cuts, juice, coffee and tea along with a menu where you could order a range of cooked items. I couldn’t resist the chorizo sausage, bacon and eggs (along with a good helping from the buffet). They do say breakfast is the most important meal! The butter was, strangely, noticeable through it’s absence and if I have to admit it, it wasn’t missed so grand was the selection on offer.
Unfortunately I didn’t have any time to get stuck in at the pool or gym (after a breakfast like that it would have probably been a good idea) or any of the bars or lounges. I did however manage a few sneaky pics for you on my final morning.
]]> http://www.guestspy.com/2009/03/24/hotel-barcelona-me/feed/ 0 Recession Hit Dublin – One Pico Restaurant Dublin shows the way http://www.guestspy.com/2009/03/20/recession-hit-dublin-one-pico-restaurant-dublin-shows-the-way/ http://www.guestspy.com/2009/03/20/recession-hit-dublin-one-pico-restaurant-dublin-shows-the-way/#comments Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:26:45 +0000 mwhelan http://www.guestspy.com/?p=26 The Irish government, with the foresight and moral fibre it’s become world famous for, is busy increasing taxes on consumption to fix our economy. They plainly miss good ol Charlie Haughey and want a throw back to the days of belt ‘tightening’.

One Pico are working against this trend, as are a number of other restaurants in Dublin. They want to let our belts out a few notches by stuffing us with cheap, gourmet lunches. I applaud their grasp of economics, the political classes should take a leaf out of their book.

I was in there for a birthday a little while ago, and decided to drop in while doing a photoshoot on the other side of the Liffey in the Belevedere hotel near O’Connell Street. It worked out to be a 13min brisk walk to just off molesworth street.

The return journey was a less brisk 20mins, an indicator of value for money in dining. Let me tell you why…

Arrived at the restaurant: the prices have gone down, but the service levels haven’t: they recognised a repeat customer from the birthday a week before and we got a friendly greeting and the last table free in the restaurant: An illustration of the concept of what our (not so wise) friends the economists call ‘Price Elasticity of Demand’, basically drop your prices, sell more and (hopefully) make money.

Straight into the meal: A fishcake with a posh name and some posh dressing for a starter, not huge but adequate portion and delicious. A winner.

Then, I had to do it: Confit du Canard on potatoes and a turnipy / squash thing. Apparently (according to a heavily worked looking chef) these things are cooked all night at a low temperature and then crisped quickly in one of those high temp ovens, thrown on the mash, covered in the sauce and served to me to make me late back to my client near Parnell Square.

Here’s the thing: I’ve seen these things in tins in France, eaten them and they were no where near as good as this, and they cost what my meal in One Pico did. How are they doing it? I don’t care as long as it is economically sustainable.

Not like our housing boom, where we were all going to do great having banks and builders sell substandard houses to us for inflated prices – and then we would live like kings on the benefits of trickle down economics. I can only assume One Pico were serving this food up to the great and the good before I could afford to eat there, and they made all their decisions after lunch. Mmm – it is around the corner from the Dail.

Onto desert: with my liver struggling to process the delicious crispy fat, I can barely remember something about little round donuts and in-house ice cream. I remember I thought it was good, and included in the 3 course price. I wouldn’t have been able for it if it wasn’t included in the price.

There are the little extras: sparkling water, a good espresso ristretto that add a small amount onto the bill, but even in the upsell they’re not gouging, and they’re not pushy.

The service is top class: unfussy, friendly and extremely professional. Surroundings are extremely agreeable. Long may it continue, finally some value for money in a restaurant in the middle of Dublin.

Take note politicos: In the 80’s good old Chas was urging belt tightening, robbing us blind, buying Kinsealy and cutting the health service. This decade we had the Mahon Tribunal to enrich the lawyers, while in the same sector the banks and builders were running the biggest ponzi scheme in Irish history. The mortgages taken out to pay these inflated prices will put a dampener on consumer spending for decades to come.

The common folk need to tighten the belts and share the pain? They already have plenty…Lucky for us that the silver lining may be that the little money we have can get us a decent meal in Dublin. And you never know: wasn’t it the MRSA that finished Charlie off? The universe may have a plan for these chumps yet.

Here’s the inside of One Pico, apologies for the poor quality, it was covert, as is the Guestspy approach to reviewing. They never see us coming :)

If you have an opinion on this restaurant or others like it (proper value/ proper food): Guestspy is always looking for reviewers: PLEASE COMMENT and if you’ve got what it takes I’ll make you an editor.

]]> http://www.guestspy.com/2009/03/20/recession-hit-dublin-one-pico-restaurant-dublin-shows-the-way/feed/ 1 Simpson’s In The Strand – Quality British!! http://www.guestspy.com/2009/03/10/simpsons-in-the-strand-quality-british/ http://www.guestspy.com/2009/03/10/simpsons-in-the-strand-quality-british/#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:15:45 +0000 Undercover Brother http://www.guestspy.com/?p=25 Located on The Strand a few hundred metres from Trafalgar Square Simpson’s In The Strand promised something special. Traditional British ingredients prepared in a traditional British manner (no not Donner kebabs after downing 1 or 10 too many!). The carvery at this establishment is famous and lessons are available so punters like you and me can become experts in this age old craft. According to the website Simpson’s have been practicing it professionally for over 150 years now. Seeing as this was the speciality of the restaurant and highly recommended by all who had been before our table of six all order the roast beef. The beef is the finest Scottish beef left on the bone and cured for 28 days and it tastes even better than the marketing blurb suggests if this is possible. Absolutely amazing. Our waiter/carver for the evening, Giuseppe, displayed his considerable talents of carvery table-side with the help of a antique silver-domed trolley for added effect (maybe this is why the room is so well lit!) . He also happily returned to serve seconds (at only £5 a go for seconds its a true bargain).

Master Carver

Giuseppe shows how it’s done!

With the added sides of horseradish garnish, cabbage, roast potatoes and (un)healthy amounts of wine I was stuffed. Dessert! I hope you like custard…..

All in all a top meal with no expenses spared. At roughly £55 a head all in it’s not for the faint hearted but then again lifes too short. A must for anyone visiting London and seeking a truly British experience.

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