alissandra's Qype profile

The food is delicious, but there is not that much of it.My main course salad was really a starter.
The atmosphere is ok in a chain sort of way.It was perfect for taking my teenage niece out to dinner, but I would not recommend it for a romantic date.
The cappucino was outstanding-better even than those I have had in Italy.

I used to buy a lot of my working wardrobe from Harvey Nichols many years ago. It was, of course, immortalised in the BBC comedy Absolutely Fabulous, as the place where decadent vampish PR women of uncertain morality, sloshed on a mixture of drugs and champagne, spent ridiculous amounts of money on designer clothes.
Revisiting the store after many years I was surprised to see how limited the ranges are and how little it had moved with the times. Its glory days were in the early nineties where classic harmonised brilliantly with cutting edge.If you were looking for a working wardrobe that made you feel both professional and feminine, this was THE place to go.
I suppose if you are unfortunate enough to find yourself stranded in Knightsbridge you might as well put a brave face on a bad job and park yourself here as well as anywhere, but you will find exactly the same ranges at somewhere like Fenwicks without the snooty assistants.

This is a beautiful relaxed luxury hotel just around the corner from the Ritz, and only a few steps away from cafes frequented famously by stars of film.
I had a lovely stay here.Gorgeous interior, soft bed, marble bathroom etc., antique furniture.
The staff are very solicitous and kind.The only downside is that access to the internet is outrageously expensive, as is the terrace panaromic cafe, where I paid a very hefty price for a cup of hot chocolate about the size of a thimble.
A good buffet breakfast with just about everything you could ever imagine wanting is thrown in with the room price.
I do not know the cost of the rooms as my accomodation was a really lovely present , but the hotel has an English language web site which does seem to have special offers.
Guests are civilised international-very quiet, almost no children.If you have only a casual wardrobe, best to pack a silk dress or similar for evening as the clientele were amazingly well dressed.

Its quite useful to know the facilities available to visitors to the Free
A large cafe,whose stock has recently been improved to rise above institutional food,but again,there are Starbucks and other cafes offering superior fare outside the hospital.
A fantastic shop-which opens early at about 8.30 am-which sells papers,stationary, soft toys, slippers and every imaginable sweet under the sun from handmade fudge to humbugs as well as a superb range of bottled drinks(try the Kiwi and lime water).Definitely as good as if not better than local shops.
A wonderful art gallery on one long corridor where local artists sell their paintings with 10 per cent going to The Royal Free.The art work is surprisingly good and for around £200 you can get a very displayable original oil painting.I always stop here for a quick browse-original art for the price of a print has to be worth writing home about!

I go to Daquise for the atmosphere as much as the food.In the 1970s when South Kensington was home to Poland’s Government in Exile Daquise was a hive of Polish political intrigue, and although you can no longer spot a film star of pre-war Polish cinema, the cafe and restaurant retains its atmosphere of faded Ritziness.
And still attracts the eccentric-older Eastern Europeans sit sipping coffee whilst slipping pieces of praline gateau to small dogs on their laps and others still argue softly as though settling questions of long forgotten international importance.
The restaurant has been little changed in decor over the years and retains a very traditional Polish feel as well as one of faded past glory.
Wonderfully atmospheric.
UPDATE DEC 2011.Alas this restaurant has now been taken over by a chain and now looks like a hundred others.It has lost its loyal clientele and iconic status.What a shame-one of the great restaurants of South Ken.

I stopped here for a cappucino and despite its premium price it was the weakest wateriest capuccino I have ever had in London.Staff were surly and did not crack a smile.The decor is pretty and it is quiet-thats the best that can be said.

It was quite a trip down memory lane coming back here after 20 years, when this was an uber cool place to eat for students at Oxford.Not as glamorous as it was then, but very reasonably priced, and my burger was delicious.Tables lovely and widely spaced, so none of that cramped feeling.A bit of a walk from Oxford town centre, but with much more atmosphere than many of its new imitators on the High Street, I would definitely eat here again.Ideal for taking a hungry young student out to dinner as food inexpensive but good.

Surly staff, overpriced food and dodgy decor.All of which is a great shame as with a new chef and some sympathetic decor this could be a real gem. Even a few plants on the garden terrace would make a difference.
Go for the novelty value-it has the feel of a private house and a wealth of history connected to Poland-particularly the Polish Reisistance, but dont expect a gourmet dinner. Also if you like very uncrowded restaurants this one is for you-its almost empty.
Cries out for new management.

I am frankly amazed by some of the negative reviews of this restaurant, which almost put me off trying it.I am so glad I did. A family dinner of five and we all thought the food out of this world.I had fish cakes that were the best I have ever eaten(even better than at Le Caprice).Everything was bursting with freshness and flavour-their chips are also to die for.
Although a very busy saturday night with the place packed out, service was impeccable.
The restaurant has a lovely ambience-no music(thank God) reminiscent of a bistro in somewhere like Britanny. It is not noisy or crushed even at full capacity.
The paying gentleman thought that such a meal would cost twice or even thrice the price in London, so excellent value.
I can't wait to go back.

Sweaty Betty sell a large range of women’s sportswear-strictly for the gym.No mountaineering boots here but plenty of areobic trainers.
The look focuses on glamour at the gym, with lycra , black and shocking pink dominant.The range is designed so that you can dress yourself in it from top to toe-they even sell sweat wristbands.
Good middle to upper middle-market fashion,it is really only wearable by the thin and body conscious, with crop tops and leotards galore.
Good quality with a high cotton content.