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133 Uxbridge Road, London W13 9AU
Island Spice Carribean Takeaway
HackneyShamus
last updated on 08-09-2008:
(updated on 07-11-2008)
This is what central Ealing has been missing, fantastic Caribbean food at very affordable prices, and local.
Their menu hasn’t missed a thing, every Caribbean dish, snack and drink is available here. There are various sized portions, offers and discounts. Main meals are priced between £5 & £6 -
The Curried Goat/Rice and Peas is “comfort food in the extreme. The Jerk Chicken wakes you up, the Curry Chicken hits the right note! I will never admit to ordering Cow Foot - its so very, very wrong (my G.P. says!) But it was so delicious!
All main dishes are served with a choice of side dishes - Plain Rice or Rice n Peas or Mashed Potatoes or Boiled hard food or Fries, and each, includes a portion of Coleslaw or Salad.
Value, Value, Value. A large meal is easily shareable - £6.00.
Two days after they opened, I popped in to collect a menu, whilst there I met the owner, a lovely and friendly, ENORMOUS chap who after introducing himself, arranged for me to take away (Gratis) 2 Jamaican Patties and a bottle of their own made Guava Twist juice. Sure, good marketing relations, but it felt very welcoming and friendly, and tasted wonderful.
I have been back too many times, my belt and trouser waist band are evidential, however, my wallet has never complained.
Delivery - free - within 3 miles - orders of £10+, charge of £1.50 if under. Or they have a 50 seater, licensed restaurant at the rear (Not been yet, so no comment)
They accept SMS orders - 07738 25 25 25.
Service - The staff are professional, prompt and very friendly.
Criticism - Occasionally they can run out of tings….
I love this place and hope it grows in popularity.
4 people thought this review was helpful
52 Pitshanger Lane, Ealing, London W5 1QY
HackneyShamus
last updated on 07-11-2008:
Nice little local place, quiet and well packed in. Seemed to be popular with a well dressed, mature clientèle, the food was good, well cooked and tasty. Prices were standard.
However, I probably will not return - Despite advertising their take away service in the window, I was struck by the manager’s obvious distaste at my appearance. I had been decorating at home all day, not shaved and wore slightly scruffy jeans and T shirt…
Whilst waiting for 'ones’ Take Away, 'one’ has to sit perched on a stool, practically in the doorway, next to the very small bar and peer down upon those customers who clearly had the manners to “dress” and book a table for dinner. I appeared to make things worse when I ordered a half of lager whilst I waited. The manager and a waiter twittered away, giving me side glances which left me feeling that they were assessing me for loutish potential… I was served the beer with an assurance that my meal was on its way, the waiter rushed to the kitchen to check on this assurance.
I love curry, but hate pretentiousness! Moreover, where its misplaced. Samrat is a standard, local Indian restaurant that serves nice food.
1 people thought this review was helpful
71 Ealing Broadway Centre, Ealing, London W5 5JY
HackneyShamus
last updated on 15-10-2008:
The last few reviews are confusing or a little misleading!
There are 2 good sized passenger lifts next to the main stairs, these lifts go to all floors(inc the multi-storey car park).
Indeed it is a busy store, it serves the area between Southall and Hammersmith.
The Ealing branch is an Argos Extra store, which means it carries 2,500 extra product lines. Making it easier to collect items that may require ordering and waiting for, when purchased at other stores.
As for them not having sought after/required products? With access to the internet (or just a phone) you don’t have to visit the store to find out if they have what you want. You can do everything on line(or with a catalogue and phone), check for products, buy the product and arrange for it to be delivered (£5.95 per order).
It may not be the best, but its been serving the people of Ealing Broadway for over 10yrs.
1 person thought this review was helpful
20 Bedford Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9HP
HackneyShamus
last updated on 12-09-2008:
(updated on 14-10-2008)
The Bok Bar is Lekker - My 2 China’s (a SA mate & his wife) took me here one Saturday afternoon and I really enjoyed it.
After a number of “Springboks” and Peppermint Crisp shots and some SA lagers later, I completely understood why the Bok Bar was popular and crowded, people were there to enjoy themselves, and that’s what they did, many spoke Afrikaans and were clearly relishing their home comforts, Castle and Windhoek to mention a few (which I happily consumed), whilst learning a few chosen Afrikaans swear words. All too rude to repeat here!
The atmosphere was great, the girls danced and sang along (to old pop songs) the men drank and spoke sport - Christ, they were big blokes!
We have been back a couple of times, each as good as the previous. We haven’t eaten here yet, but the menu is interesting and of course is typically SA, its on our list to do.
The shop upstairs sells a mass of SA food stuffs and my 2 mates spent a fortune and giggled like kids - I regularly pop in and buy my own stash of Biltong and Droëwors.
Update: I have recently heard that The Bok Bar has experienced some poor press, and slated on other review sites. I felt that I wanted to address this.
Of the sites I checked, they largely refer to the Bok bar’s previous guise, when it was The Springbok. They mention poor service, predictable/crap Thai food. Over zealous door staff, and some customers not being as welcome as others.
Bok Bar offers something different - Its a real taste of SA, right in the heart of the West End, it has authentic SA food, drinks and snacks, (menu on website - No mention of Thai food!)
Not to be compared with Walkabout bars. Bok Bar is for grown-ups.
Whilst there, and I have been back since I wrote my initial review, I have seen both white and black customers, each were treated by the bar staff in a courteous and welcoming manner.
Door Staff: All staff employed to provide security in London are now licensed by the SIA (www.the-sia.org.uk) anyone concerned about their experience or treatment from door staff can complain to the SIA/the local licensing authority and/or the establishment’s management.
There is a new management team in place since the days of The Springbok and they seem really enthusiastic and genuine in making the Bok Bar a good experience for regulars and new customers alike.
If you like sport, esp Rugby, Cricket and football - they have 12 Plasma / LCD screens set around the place for your enjoyment.
Because the bar is of a basement/dive type, it is unfortunately not accessible to wheelchair users. This is the only negative I have to make.
If you are in the area, give it a go. BTW - I’m Scottish, you don’t have to be South African to enjoy the Bok Bar.
1 people thought this review was helpful
14 Belgrave Road, Victoria, London SW1V 1QD
HackneyShamus
last updated on 10-10-2008:
Oh… deary me….
If you are in the area, catching a train/bus, renewing your passport (its the closest pub to the passport office) Don’t do it.
My mate and I like visiting old pubs, those with character, selling ale, have a promising frontage and possibly holding something within… How wrong we were. It looks very olde worlde without, however, trek inside and it was a sham.
If I was being kind, I’d say “old meets new” What was clearly, once upon a time, a lovely old local, hanging flower baskets, beams and leaded windows, etc. Has become a hash of crazy chalk boards and useless advertising boards. Over large pillars, high tables/stools mixed with badly placed benches and traditional tables, makes for a mish-mash of seating areas in a very small bar area.
The other part of the bar has been given over to a “80 seat - restaurant area” whose selling point was British Sausages, These were exclusively - Sausage Sandwiches, Sausage and Mash or Toad in the Hole - The sausage range.. interesting? Nah!! - Pork, leek and apple?? Beef & Horseradish, the list went on - for a total of 8 (?) special and different (horrid) types!!
The restaurant area was empty/closed and when I tried to order a sausage sandwich, was told the chef had gone home. Time of request - 5:30pm.
The place was filled with commuters and office workers, very loud and everyone was jostling for space in the small bar area, nobody seemed to venture into the closed/empty restaurant area?
The male facilities were disgusting - very smelly, one (of two) sink was hanging off the wall and the trough was filled with stuff that should have been put in the bin.
Stairs to the facilities make this a total no, no for those with mobility problems or wheelchair users.
The small bar area was so packed and unmoving that wheelchairs users would find it difficult at peak times.
Also the bar was nearly chest high.
The only highlight of our experience in the St Georges Tavern was that my mate noted one of their boards advertising Hobgoblin Ale - and that all the barmaids appeared to be under 4’ 5”....
If I am ever catching a train from Victoria, I’d sooner venture into one of the closer pubs, frequented by beggars, druggies and pickpockets, than visit this place.
Disgruntled Shamus
2 people thought this review was helpful
47-50 East Street, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7SW
7-8 Culmington Parade, Ealing, London W13 9BD
159 Brick Lane, London E1 6SB
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