Reviews by The bristar

Sartoria (Restaurant)
14 May 2008

Great service, great food, lovely restaurant.

We went on a fixed-price menu as part of a deal, and the staff treated us no differently than had we been a la carte.

Highly recommended.

Euphorium Bakery (Baker)
14 May 2008

Great shop, far better than its other store in Chapel Market.

It's expensive, but worth it. Packed on Saturdays and Sundays.

It seems so small inside now, that it's hard to believe it was once a bustling restaurant, Head-Cheffed by John Torode!

Diverse Menswear (Streetwear Shop)
14 May 2008

I love this store! It is pricey, yes, but has some fantastic stuff, with great staff. They are always helpful and never enter into the hard sell.

As I live close to this store, I'd much rather shop here on a Saturday in their laid-back, chilled store, than suffer the horror that is a hideously-packed Oxford Street on a Saturday afternoon!

The Laden Showroom (Boutique)
14 May 2008

Fantastic t-shirts!

The clothing here is very much like All Saints used to be before it became essentially another High Street chain.

Highly recommended.

Browns (Designer Shop)
14 May 2008

I have to agree with the comments about the staff in the menswear store. I once bought a coat there that cost over £1000 (and this was 7 years ago!) and literally after one wear the lining came unstitched. Took it back and, reluctantly, they sent it away for repair. When it came back (a month later!), they told me it would cost me £25!! After much heated exchange, they handed over the coat without charge... only for the manager to tell me that he strongly suggested that I not bother shopping in the store again! (Not that I would have done anyway!!)

Was Browns Head Office interested when I phoned them? No. Did they ever reply, let alone apologise? No... I have rated the store with one star, but only because this website doesn't let you give a zero rating.

Pearl (Restaurant)
19 April 2008

Pearl certainly isn't cheap, with lunch for two coming in at just under £200. However, it is worth every penny! Delicious food, great service and, unlike many other high-end restaurants, you can actually relax in there. Highly recommended.

Vivienne Westwood (Designer Shop)
17 April 2008

I agree totally with most of the comments here about the Conduit Street store. The clothes are largely fantastic (although now that the brand has grown so much, things like dog accessories seem waaay too 'Versace' for my tastes!), but the staff are vile in my experience. I went in there the other week to buy a number of rings (I ended up spending not far short of a grand!). The lack of effort or interest of the female American assistant who served me was so appalling that, coupled with her rudeness, it prompted me to complain to Head Office. In addition, when I went downstairs to menswear, the staff were far more interested in singing along to 'Jolene' that was blasting out around the store than in helping any of their customers.

If you have experience of Westwood's stores over the past 20+ years, you will know that the staff have always been, largely, notorious for their appalling 'customer service'.

The problem with Westwood is that, unlike many stores/designers, the entire collection is not housed under one roof. As such, whilst I much prefer to shop for my Westwood at Liberty, Selfridges, or at www.hervia.com, there are times when what you want can be bought at Conduit Street only, sadly.

My one-star rating is for the staff, but the clothes would get 4-5 stars.