Saturday 29 September 2012

Hotel Review: Puro (Oasis Urbano), Palma, Majorca. Thursday 20th - Sunday 23rd September 2012


It's Curbappeal:
- Outdoor space. We kept coming across terraces hidden all over the hotel
- Great location. Stones throw away from many little bars & restaurants & c10mins from the Cathedral
- Earthly tones, modern art & luxurious leather furniture come together to create a relaxed but cool vibe (hence the name Puro 'Oasis Urbano')

Crowd: relaxed. Quite a few couples. Those seeking a cool city hotel

Food rating: only had breakfast. Fresh & tasty buffet with plenty of choice. Coffee lovers will be in heaven; delicious & strong local Majorcan coffee (Salar) on tap from espresso machine. We'd come back to Puro just for this coffee

Our room: 331 located in Private Wing. NB. We were in the 'main hotel' Thursday night but found it noisy so moved. The main hotel is set in an 18th Century palace where noise travels easily - especially from drinkers in central courtyard. Room 331 is alone on top floor, like an attic room & was much quieter.

The bill: e275 a night seemed ok for well located & funky hotel. If they improved service levels (seemed bit slow to respond to requests, lack of toiletries in rooms etc), we'd be happy paying bit more

Recommended: Yes. Love the design, location, coffee & outdoor space. Just make sure if you're not there to party you request a quiet room. Might be worth bringing earplugs just in case!

... Some photos straight from our iPhones...

Thursday 27 September 2012

Around Town: Palma, Majorca. Saturday 22nd-Sunday 23rd September 2012

... Some photos straight from our iPhones...

Bar review: Laganini, Palmizana, Croatia. 11th August 2012.


NB.This bar is reached by boat from Hvar

It's Curbappeal:
- back to nature chic (seating on sandbags, beautiful crafted natural wooden chairs & spot the seating in the trees!)
- relaxed setting by waters edge

Crowd: hipster & monied

Food & drink rating: we only tried the cocktails, they were delicious (esp the mojitios)

The bill: not bad

Recommended: most definitely, we could easily spend hours relaxing here


... Some photos straight from our iPhones...

Sunday 23 September 2012

Restaurant review (part 1): Princi, Wardour Street, Soho, London - Saturday 22nd September 2012

We'd heard such great things about Rocco Princi's über-chic Italian bakery that we were super excited to try it out, maybe that was our downfall...

..Ok we only popped in for take out, but asking 4 different staff to order and being directed to a non-existent "take out chef" was enough. After shuffling around the restaurant for an uncomfortable 10 minutes we simply left.

But, once the bitter taste of poor service has left, I'll be back; albeit I'll take a seat in the restaurant next time. This sandstone marble beauty with its gorgeous-looking pastries is just too hard to ignore...

...To be continued...

Some photos straight from our iPhones..

Restaurant review: Busaba Eathai, Wardour Street, Soho, London - Saturday 22nd September 2012

It's Curbappeal:
-Dark and sultry interior (mahogany woods twinned with amber lighting)
-Bubbly atmosphere (great for dining with friends)
-Good selection of Thai cuisine, fresh ingredients and very reasonable prices

- for some, the shared tables might be a downside but we enjoyed it

Some photos from our iPhones ...

Cafe review: Fernandez and Wells, Lexington Street, Soho, London - Saturday 22nd September 2012

What's the Curbappeal?

- Big and beautiful picture windows to watch the world go by (you won't be disappointed, Soho draws an eclectic crowd)

- Light and airy despite being long and narrow (the picture windows help)

- An oasis of calm (no music & hushed tones of staff and fellow customers)

- Beautifully soft and buttery croissants

- Delicate but strong flat white (one of the best I've tasted); normally I need to take sugar for the bitter after-taste but not here :)

With Love,
Ms. Curbappeal x

P.S. here's some photos straight from my iPhone...

polite notice: all photos copyright Curbappeal 2012