Off Topic The Review Thread

[Stroller]

Just an idea for a thread where we can post reviews, recommendations or criticism of stuff we've enjoyed or otherwise.

I'll start by recommending a 'Gin Flight' experience (I didn't know either) at the Princess Victoria on the Uxbridge Road. My wife arranged it as a surprise birthday present. She did say that her preferred venue (somewhere in Covent Garden, I think) had a two-month waiting list, so this was her second choice (encouraging!), but when we got off the train at Shepherd's Bush my heart sank. Why the **** would she make me come here when there isn't even a game on? 'It'll be the Bush Theatre' I thought hopefully, but no. We marched on and on down the Uxbridge Road before she, panicking a little because we'd walked so far, told me where we were headed. I wasn't thrilled, but I should have been.

Most on here will be familiar with the Princess Victoria, but my memories of it (from a long time ago) were different than I found today. It's a lovely old Victorian building of course, but it's now an up-market gastro pub, and all the better for being so. The 'Gin Flight' (I suppose that really is a thing) consisted of a gin martini to start, followed by several more infused gins, interspersed with some absolutely delicious bar snacks (arancini balls, butter chicken and scotch egg). At each stage, the gins were lovingly presented and described to us by our guide Tom (waiter would not have been an appropriate title).

All of this for £40 a head. Fantastic value.

Please post your reviews of films, plays, bands, restaurants, anything.......

 

[Tramore Ranger]

Cracking idea Strolls.....

 

[sb_73]

I would very much like to offer a review of the Penderyn Welsh Whisky I tried last night at a charming soirée at a friend's house. However, as the sampling followed beers, fizzy stuff and several decent reds, I'm afraid my memory does not allow me to provide full tasting notes. In fact nothing beyond 'very smooth', 'tasty' and 'seriously, we've just drunk a whole bottle of whisky? I don't think I should drive' remains. Probably worth trying.

 

[1982_Ranger]

Good idea for a thread, though I'm going to stray from the OP a bit.

As I'm making use of it now, I'd like to recommend the Monitor Audio Airstream S150 Bluetooth speaker.

I wanted something portable with Bluetooth to listen to in the garden and kitchen, so with a quick Google for what to get, this came up with glowing reviews.

The sound quality is fantastic and would easily do as the sole music source in a small/medium sized room and the bass is impressive for such a small speaker.

The only downside is that it's mains powered, but that's not the end of the world.

For £150, I find it hard to believe you could do better.

Combined with a couple of beers, it's made for a pleasant afternoon in my sunny garden.

 

[durbar2003]

The Princess Vic was the first pub I had a legal drink in, soon after my 18th birthday

 

[Tramore Ranger]

I'm going to extol the virtues of a lesser known wine variety....gruner veltliner....an Austrian grape that is gorgeous.....if you like sauvignon blanc then you'll love this goes great with fish, thai food and pasta dishes....

Give it a go....

 

[sb_73]

I'm going to extol the virtues of a lesser known wine variety....gruner veltliner....an Austrian grape that is gorgeous.....if you like sauvignon blanc then you'll love this goes great with fish, thai food and pasta dishes....

Give it a go....

Tried this a couple of weeks ago and was very impressed.

Review endorsed.

 

[Stroller]

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Just wanted to share something that I came across a little while back. A just beautiful piece by William Logsdail, of St. Paul's and Ludgate Hill. I haven't seen the original, but I want it! Not a review as such, I suppose, but how magnificent is that?

 

[kiwiqpr]

is ssgb worth watching
I have it all recorded
but should I bother

 

[sb_73]

is ssgb worth watching
I have it all recorded
but should I bother

Watched ten minutes of it. No. Read the book, which is quite fun though not a classic. If you like your alternative history the film of Fatherland is not bad, though the book is much better.

 

[Steelmonkey]

is ssgb worth watching
I have it all recorded
but should I bother

I watched it - not a classic, but there are worse things....the guys voice grated on me though! As Stan said, the book is a better read, although it must be 20 years since I read it. If you want truly alternative history, I enjoyed The Man In The High Castle, where the US is run by Germany and Japan after losing WW2....bit of a headfuck though, as the resistance movement have footage of US winning the war...!!

 

[IwasanotherwatfordR]

Saw The Specials and Toots & The Maytals in Hatfield last weekend - Brilliant.

Saw the latest Alien film too - appalling waste of two hours.

 

[sb_73]

Review Requested has anyone read American Gods by Neil Gaiman? Fantasy type stuff is not usually my thing (though I did like the sadly deceased Iain Banks' sci if stuff as well as his non genre novels), but the premise of this seems really interesting. I think it's being made into a TV series in the US. Is he a decent writer (i.e. does he write well as well as having funky ideas?). For reference my idea of a bad (or in his case unreadable) writer is Dan 'the tall man sat in the chair' Brown. JK Rowling not far behind.

 

[Kilburn]

I'm going to extol the virtues of a lesser known wine variety....gruner veltliner....an Austrian grape that is gorgeous.....if you like sauvignon blanc then you'll love this goes great with fish, thai food and pasta dishes....

Give it a go....

You have inspired me to try a bottle Tramore - limited supply available in the government run liquor system here in New Brunswick, but I see from their store inventory that 10 bottles are available at my local outlet.

Grooner Gruner Veltliner 750ml
PC [HASHTAG]#9120010690839[/HASHTAG]
White Table Wines-Austria
Retail Price: $19.99
In Warehouse: 0

You must log in or register to see images

http://www.nbliquor.com/Home/ProductDetails/23338

 

[Hoop-Leif]

Review Requested has anyone read American Gods by Neil Gaiman? Fantasy type stuff is not usually my thing (though I did like the sadly deceased Iain Banks' sci if stuff as well as his non genre novels), but the premise of this seems really interesting. I think it's being made into a TV series in the US. Is he a decent writer (i.e. does he write well as well as having funky ideas?). For reference my idea of a bad (or in his case unreadable) writer is Dan 'the tall man sat in the chair' Brown. JK Rowling not far behind.

Just finished this. Not usually my cup of cha either really this genre, but have friends who have raved about Gaiman to me for a while so thought i'd try a couple..... Also saw the trailer for the show which got me interested so wanted to read the book before watching the show.

Have to say its rather surreal but very interesting and i found him to be a pretty good writer overall and really did enjoy the book...... Wouldnt be to everyones taste though!

 

[sb_73]

Just finished this. Not usually my cup of cha either really this genre, but have friends who have raved about Gaiman to me for a while so thought i'd try a couple..... Also saw the trailer for the show which got me interested so wanted to read the book before watching the show.

Have to say its rather surreal but very interesting and i found him to be a pretty good writer overall and really did enjoy the book...... Wouldnt be to everyones taste though!

Cheers Hoop. There are over 800,000 comments on it on Goodreads, overwhelmingly positive, but I couldn't be bothered to read more than about three of them. I'll give it a go.

 

[sheffordqpr]

Kylo Restaurant at the Rutland Hotel in Edinburgh.

Try the steak tartare to start or, for the more adventurous, the oysters which come in several different guises. The restaurant is famous for its steaks and I like mine done blue. The fillet is to die for and melts in the mouth. If you have room for dessert (I have never required one after eating here) the menu is extensive. Great food, great drink, great decor, great atmosphere. If you are ever in Edinburgh, give it a try.

 

[sheffordqpr]

Gin.

Just started to get into this. I have always been more of a vodka man when it came to clear spirits.

Anyway, I was tempted by the barmaid in my local and she got me on the Sipsmiths, Bombay Sapphire, Hendricks, Bathtub etc. Good range of flavours including Rhubarb, clotted cream, orange. Amazing range of tonics these days as well.

Some of the supermarkets are doing packs with assorted gins and flavoured tonics. Get some in!

 

[1982_Ranger]

Review Requested has anyone read American Gods by Neil Gaiman? Fantasy type stuff is not usually my thing (though I did like the sadly deceased Iain Banks' sci if stuff as well as his non genre novels), but the premise of this seems really interesting. I think it's being made into a TV series in the US. Is he a decent writer (i.e. does he write well as well as having funky ideas?). For reference my idea of a bad (or in his case unreadable) writer is Dan 'the tall man sat in the chair' Brown. JK Rowling not far behind.

I think the TV version is currently on Amazon, assuming it's the same thing. I've not started watching it yet, but it's a bit odd by all accounts.

 

[Steelmonkey]

I think the TV version is currently on Amazon, assuming it's the same thing. I've not started watching it yet, but it's a bit odd by all accounts.

There's six episodes currently available online through several streaming sites, plus two more to come - haven't watched it yet, but am intrigued enough to give it a go during the week (thanks Stan, was looking for something to keep me out of the boozer this week!)