Beach club review: Puro Beach, Palma, Majorca. Saturday 22nd September 2012.

NB. If you're staying at Hotel Puro use their free shuttle service to reach the beach club (10-15min journey). Remember to book your return shuttle, as it can get v busy when the beach club closes

It's Curbappeal:
- white on white chic


Crowd: [bare in mind we were there out of season] Wide range of Europeans. Groups & couples. Fairly chic lot.

Food & drink rating: tasty fresh food & decent portion sizes

The bill: not bad but if you're not a hotel guest & so paying for a sunbed it might feel on the pricey side. Not sure it's worth paying extra for a spot closer to the ocean

Anything we didn't like: the location seemed a little strange - surrounding buildings not that attractive, but as you'll probably be facing the sea it's not a big issue. Its also fairly close to the airport, although we kinda liked that as it felt quite Ibizan - seeing the planes take off & land

Recommended: Yes. It's a chic club with a cool (but not too pretentious) crowd & not far out of central Palma


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

Restaurant Review: Mari Vanna, Knightsbridge, London - 30th September 2012

What's the Curbappeal?
- the funkiest, quirkiest, posh Russian restaurant in town.
- really..really high quality food: fresh ingredients and v tasty dishes. We had some salads, dumplings & super-silky flat whites.

With Love,
Ms. Curbappeal x

P.S. some photos from my iphone...

polite notice: all photos copyright Curbappeal 2012

Beach club review: Mood's (Beach & Restaurant), Calvia, Majorca. Sunday 23rd September 2012.

NB. Our hotel concierge recommended Moods as an alternative to Nikki Beach. As we were staying at a cool hotel (Puro, Palma) we thought we'd give it a go...


It's Curbappeal:
hmmm we're struggling to be honest...
- outlook/views quite nice for this bit of coast
- the day beds were comfy & looked inviting; four poster style with hanging white floaty fabric & large bright yellow Verve branded towels

Crowd: bizarre combination of English cruise-liner crowd (i.e. largely middle aged & elderly) in the restaurant & few 'passed out' young people at the end (we did mention daybeds were rather comfy!)

Food & drink rating: we only had a fruit salad which was distinctively average. Glass of prosecco included with day-bed hire was nice enough

The bill: reasonable...but for a reason

Recommended: this place cannot make its mind what it whats to be; its a mis-match of designs, atmospheres & crowd. Whilst the day bed area was pretty nice, the loud singing from the live singer in the restaurant & the general strange atmosphere meant we didn't hang-around much after a brief snooze. Not our cup of tea.


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

Around town: Blackheath, London - 14 Oct 2012

It's Curbappeal:
- quaint village just a stones throw from central London: think quirky coffee shops, one-off boutiques and atmospheric restaurants. Fantastic Heath to walk off lunch.

Cafe review: Boulangerie Jade, Blackheath, London.Lunch. Sunday 13th October 2012.

It's Curbappeal:
- great setting in central blackheath, with tables outside allowing diners to take in the loveliness of Blackheath
- wide selection of delicious fresh cakes & pastries

Crowd: blackheath locals

Food & drink rating: we had quite tasty tuna salad baguette & a slice of banana & chocolate loaf - so delicious we gobbled it up before we had a chance to photograph it!

The bill: fair

Anything we didn't like: could do with getting a bathroom for diners

Recommended: Yes. Go for an outdoor table to soak up the autumn sun & take in the laid-back vibe of Blackheath


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

Restaurant review: Gonca, Torba, Bodrum Peninsula, Turkey. Dinner: Saturday 14th July 2012

What's the Curbappeal?
- relaxed setting on the beach & right by the sea - you can almost feel the water lapping up around your feet
- colourful seating; bright red & blue wooden chairs contrasts beautifully against the golden sand & the bright turquoise sea
- little lanterns hanging between the pine trees transform the restaurant into a romantic dining spot in the evening

Crowd: all types; groups, couples & families

Cuisine: fresh seafood

Food rating: amazing. Fish tasted so fresh, some of best fish we've ever had

The bill: when we sat down we weren't given a menu, instead we were shown the fish available & pointed to what we fancied (this seemed to be the norm at fish restaurants around here). Given the amazing quality, we thought we might get stung with a huge bill, but this wasn't the case, we'd have gladly paid more for this divine food & the setting

Recommended: Most definitely. Gonca is THE fish restaurant to dine at in Torba. Staying in Torba & not dining here would be a disaster!

With Love,
Ms. Curbappeal x

P.S. some photos straight from our iPhones...

polite notice: all photos copyright Curbappeal 2012

Beach club review: Nikki Beach, Magaluf, Majorca. Sunday 23rd September 2012.

NB. When we found out the exact location of Nikki Beach (Magaluf) we were somewhat deterred, but recently opened & recommended by our hotel concierge (at Puro), we thought we'd take a look...

It's Curbappeal:
- BIT of a haven within a rundown & tacky resort
- usual Nikki beach style chic ie brand consistency - you know what you're going to get
- top sound system

Crowd: bare in mind we were there out of season & so was pretty empty. Seemed to be predominantly groups of English 30-something's

Food & drink rating: we didn't stay long enough to eat or drink anything

The bill: n/a

Recommended: the actual design of the venue is ok (typical Nikki Beach look). The problem is the surrounding area; you can't escape views of rundown 80s tower blocks & the display of super cars at the entrance looks so out of place its tacky. If you have the unfortunate situation of being in Magaluf then seek (some) escapism here, otherwise don't bother.


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