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A bookshop that stays open late is a wonderful thing. Being able to step inside before catching a bus home from work, or before meeting friends in town alows us to spend fruitfully those few spare minutes we might have between arrangements in one of the best ways I can think of.

Delicious paradise.. On which the Sun more glad impress’d his beams..
To have thought up a place like Hotel Chocolat is a feat surpassing all else. A Hotel - for chocolate? Well, it’s not exactly that, but still every aspect of this goodly haven has surely been designed and implemented with secular precision - from the layout and atmosphere to the chocolate itself.
Dark chocolate? No problem, see right-hand wall, back of the shop. Berries? You got it! Swirly mixtures of toffee and chunky crispy bits? Say no more. Hotel Chocolat has combinations to choose from that will leave you spellbound for hours. Just drifting slowly through the shop is an amazing experience, and every lovingly-crafted artefact (for that’s what they are; these aren’t chocolate bars) is placed perfectly on its shelf like a museum piece. The speciality of Hotel Chocolat appears to be thick, swirly slabs with other wonderful treats sunken in; slabs ranging from pocket to pillow-sized.
With its dark, moody walls and pristine layout, its hard to imagine that this is a shop at all, or a hotel for that matter. Paradise, however, it may well be.

A pleasant restaurant with just the right relaxed, controlled, Italian atmosphere. Excellent service from poised and courteous staff, and a wide selection of dishes to chose from.
On summer evenings it is particularly enjoyable to sit beneath the high, conservatory-style ceiling in the main restaurant - a gem which can go otherwise overlooked on darker nights.
Watch out,however, for the table water which is bottled, not tap (if you flinch mercenarily at the sight of a clear, shiny bottle advancing your way with the promise of lightening your pockets unnecessarily.) The artwork around the room is also a reletively distressing subject. Unless sugary re-workings of holiday snaps are your thing, simply avert your eye and conentrate on the food.

If chic cocktails are your ting, drop in to Mint for a hint of the glam and quirky. Taste experiences range from bitter and leafy to the sensationally smooth - I urge you to try the mint choc chip cocktail, a drink worth planning a night around. In fairer climes, cool down with Mint as its whole front wall opens its patio doors onto the summer street. Fabulous.

They haven't done much with the interior of the place, and the experience is fairly mediocre. Still, The Voodoo Lounge is a great place to go in a big group, as large, circular sofas provide the perfect arrangement for good chatting.

In a wilderness of traditional pubs clashing with undesirable underage club-dwellings, The Tap Room of St Ives provides shelter for the classier, trendier beverage-seeker. With a modern interior and vibrant, intelligent atmosphere, this is without doubt the place to go. Visitors to the town will find it pleasantly situated by the ancient and picturesque bridge, and with lovely lunches also to be come upon, The Tap Room satisfies all good tastes.

I love Cafe Rouge, it's so beautifully French and welcoming, with wonderful food and sumptuous, artistic decor. They've really succeeded in making it an eyecatching and intricate venue, the shop front looks so inviting and inside it's even better.

Bright, vibrant and exciting tapas restaurant on Bridge Street. Large and interesting venue enfolding under and around ancient beams and river-sides. Great atmosphere and awesome food, this place definately deserves a visit.

It may be underground but there's nothing Hobbity about Raza, the spacious, stylish cafe bar on Rose crescent. As it's large you'll almost always find a table and the sofa's are comfy and chic. Rumour has it the waitress speaks five languages...

Piano-key decor and ever so snooty waiters help radiate the sophistication of this restaurant. Expensive but quality food and a lovely atmosphere for a more special occassion. There was a pianist and singer when I visited on Valentine's day providing smooth, unobtrusive music just perfect for the environment.