http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26473 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26473 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23145 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23145 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22150 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22150 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22008 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22008 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21543
A literal 'hole in the wall' - located off of 3rd Avenue in what is typically considered a gregarious garage of grunge, VD is the home of the most freshly-made, oddly named, uniquely indescribable fast food ever.

Try the bacon-maple bar - a generously rectangular confection of maple and a slice or two of crispy American-style bacon; the Dirty Ol' Bastard - fat, round and smashed with Oreo cookies; the Dirty Snowball - a chocolate doughnut with a pink glaze and mystery creme inside; the Voodoo Doll Doughnut - chocolate with an oozy blood red center. VD specializes in the bizarre and untried (the Nyquil-filled doughnut is currently on hold) and the unnameable: 'specialty' doughnuts are made to order and may closely resemble the body part of your choice.

Thinking of tying the knot in Portland? VD is also known for the weddings - held in front of the "Holy Doughnut under the Cruller Chandelier of Life". Cockfights and contests are also known to be held there.

Expensive it is not - always entertaining - as they say, the 'magic is in the hole.']]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21543 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21437 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21437 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21428 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21428 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20428 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20428 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20345
Also, I witnessed something I couldn't believe. Two ladies sitting next me were leaving just as I was settling down, I guessed they were just having coffees and cakes and they left 50 euros for a tip, would you believe it!

I'd recommend going to Angelina instead, or Mariage Freres on the rue De Bourg-Tibourg for a nice cup of tea.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20345 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20242 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20242 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19780 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19780 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19697
I can recommend the ‘H.C. Anderson’, named after the famous author, which is a delicious mix of raspberry, lemon, nut and white chocolate.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19697 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18299 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18299 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16262
It's a traditional teahouse - with fin-de-siecle decor and mouth-watering cakes on display cabinets by the entrance that will have even the most die-hard savoury fans entranced. It's on Rue de Rivoli, opposite Tuileries, so you can have a wander round the gardens and over to the river when you've had your fill.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16262 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16234 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16234 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16046
Just down the hill from The Sheraton, is the St George Gallery, which has a wonderful display of quality goods, both antique and modern. Further down the hill were shops that sold jewellery by weight of silver. It was good quality and reasonably priced.

We did most of our gift shopping at a group of shops just off Churchill Avenue on the right up Nigeria Street.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16046 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16009 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16009 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15524
It serves great java and sells art, antiques and homewares making it really classy and very quirky.

There's something really special about Agnes Curran. It is full of character and a real find; not only that but it is renowned for the Kiwi delicacy Lamingtons: a wedge of sponge soaked in dark chocolate, coated in coconut and served with raspberry jam and cream. The staff are lovely too. What's not to love?]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15524 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13331 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13331 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13315
Set in the wooded Dartmoor village famed for its Cleave, Lustleigh avoids the worst of the tourist influxes suffered by Widecombe and Haytor. Its thatched cottages centre around the church and its neighbour Primrose Cottage. As well as astoundingly good cream teas (served since the 19th century) the tea rooms also have an incredible selection of homemade cakes.

Work it all off with a walk along Lustleigh Cleave, a steep wooded valley through which the River Bovey bubbles.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13315