Reviews by pigletto

202 (Cafe)
16 September 2009

After a long absence, I went there again a few weeks ago with my husband and my mother-in-law. It was the perfect experience. The service was very nice and friendly, the food very good, atmosphere buzzy and relaxed, and prices - although not cheap - seemed to reflect the look and feel of the place. Only one waitress had a bad attitude: I ordered a salad without any vinegar on it, they served it with vinegar, but when I complained and sent it back, she got all moody and huffy. But other than that, no remarks whatsoever. I would recommend this place for a nice, relaxing meal in lovely surroundings and decent, well-executed food.

Troubadour Cafe (Cafe)
16 September 2009

What is this place doing on Urban Path?

I went to Troubadour Cafe as I heard that it was something of an institution. Perhaps it used to be, but totally below average food, bad coffee and couldn't care less attitude of the staff will make sure I never go back again.

The plus is a semi-nice back patio when the weather is nice; however, it gets so crammed that even that does not add much to the value of the place.

Napket (Cafe)
16 September 2009

Terrible, pretentious, uncomfortable, mediocre place... both food and atmoshpere-wise. Most of the staff are witless, the food on display, while looking nice, tastes no different than the supermarket fare. I guess what's saving this place is the fact that it is on Kings Road, so must be visited by many a bored, rich Chelsea housewife.

The Lounge Soho (Hair Salon)
27 January 2009

First, I want to say I am not a receptionist at the salon writing this review (they would never employ me as such - I am not funky enough and a bit too old!). Now that this is out of the way, in goes my review...

I found this salon on Urban Path, and after years of being given mediocre hair for very non-mediocre prices in other London salons (ouch!), I decided I'd give it a go. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I thought.

First impressions: the staff are very friendly indeed and the salon very unpretentious, a nice change - I guess being in Soho helps in this respect.

The look of the salon may not be to everyone's liking - it is ultra minimalistic (we wouldn't insult it if we called it spartan). In all honesty, I found it a bit uncomfortable. The sofa in the waiting area is so hard, I could not wait to be called in (so don't arrive too early). Downstairs area is very cold in winter - I was shivering while waiting for my hair to do its bit, even though I was well dressed for the cold weather. However, as long as I walk out of here more beautiful than I walked in, I thought, all is forgiven... and it is probably very pleasant and cool in the summer.

As for the mug shots above the basins... oh dear! All I could think of was "I hope I don't get out of here looking like these people, please God!" But then, I did say at the beginning, I am not very 'cool'.

Another little minus is, I was not offered nor given a head massage, even though it says on the price list that it is included in the price - a bit naughty, but, again, forgiven (especially because I was so cold, I could not wait to be taken upstairs where the hair dryers were blasting giving the much needed warmth). So, if you really want the head massage, don't be shy, ask for it, if it looks like it is not forthcoming voluntarily.

Now to the most important - and, thankfully, the best - bit: the stylist and the final result. The stylist, in my case Liga, was fabulous. Probably the best cut I've had in a long time and a wonderful color and finish. After all, this is all that matters, isn't it? She is also lovely, very no-nonsense, and obviously very talented in both the cut and colour. She completely understood what I wanted done (a relief, phew...), but also made her own suggetions when she thought that some of my ideas were a bit of 'dream on...' (of course, she did not put it that way, she is very polite). The end result: wonderful. And I'll repeat that: wonderful.

The price is reasonable. It is not a cheap salon, but neither it is expensive. Considering that you get people who know what they are doing (other salons, take note please), I would say that the price is fair, especially for central London.

Overall, I am extremely happy to have found this place, and even beside a couple of small remarks, I am giving it the full 5 stars for friendliness, non-pretentiousness and a fantastic stylist and end result. Only next time I will take my fur coat with me...