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/20082
In late August 2008, the owners opened another restaurant, Bristrot et Chocolat, which, although I haven't tried it, looks fantastic. It's located on Rue de la Râpe, near the Cathédrale de Notre Dame.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20082 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19813
Candle Cafe is a mostly vegan bistro on the Upper East Side. Very reasonably priced, although it can get crowded. Great veggie burgers and sandwiches.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19813 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19340
The Cafe Europa opposite the castle has enormous cheap veggie food and serves beer too. It has an eclectic mix of seating and reading material to keep you happy.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19340 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19239
I had an awesome breakfast, looking over the mountains, in the (very rare!) lakeland sunshine. Great food, good portions, and a cool bike shop upstairs too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19239 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19118 Walk or bike from Chorlton and cross the meadows.
Scrumptious.
Super for lunch.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19118 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18672
As far as I'm aware they rent the place for visiting tutors so, naturally, the programme varies. These are just examples from when I looked at the website, but some are regular or annual events (drumming, Irish music and yoga).

Anyway, I found it a really relaxing place to just chill and unwind. It is run as an eco community with help from WWOOFers, the people there are lovely and very welcoming and friendly. Quite an international collection!

The best thing I found was the completely natural and homely atmosphere, and also the scrumptious homegrown organic veggie food, all served up there in such a beautiful secluded setting.

There is a stone circle, tonnes of walks in their own land or on the neighbouring Burren landscape (unique apparently and certainly very bizarre and fairytale like), and the coast and beaches are great for surfing too! They are a hostel/B&B too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18672 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18265
Whilst it doesn't have as an extensive menu as some of the other vegetarian places, the food there is superb - totally vegetarian (with some vegan) and really good quality. The onion soup is exceptional!

Unlike the other vegetarian cafes in Krakow the emphasis at Mlkynek is on superb food, good service and relaxing surroundings rather than simply 'healthy' food. This means you can actually get a beer or a bottle of wine with your meal (an essential part of the equation, in my book!).

What is more, like many places in Krakow, the food is unbelievably cheap (though the wine isn't that cheap).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18265 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18162 Atmosphere buzzy and fun. Great value with three courses for £13.50. Licensed with fine wines and welsh beers.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18162 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18135
Yes, the decor a is a little OTT including the large basket of faux fruit, (check the web link) but it made for an amusing start to the holiday.

We only stayed for two days (late Feb 2008) so didn't spend much time in or around the hostel but the location was perfectly within walking distance of the Cathedral (2mins), the Albaicin quarter (3/4mins) and the Alhambra (10/15mins to the ticket office); however, if your holiday party includes people not as fit as most then something a little closer to or in the Albaicin might be better as the city is sited on a gradiant with the hostel at the bottom.

Some of the rooms (and the one we stayed in) are situated in a building two doors from the main hostel with the reception.
We had the apartment, but looking back this was perhaps a waste of 20 euros per night as the only things (I imagine) we gained was a flight of stairs to reach our room on the top floor, a tiny 'kitchen' food prep area and tiny terrace with no view.
The kitchen wasn't much use due to the lack of pans (for the two-plate hob) or kettle so no night-time cocoa or early morning tea. Only coffee drinkers were catered for with a stove top coffee pot, but all they provided was clean etc.

Everything in the apartment was clean, tidy and hygenic however the notice in the bathroom reading 'Please do not flush towels, use the bin provided'; with a rather dubious looking open-topped wastepaper bin beside the toilet was a little offputting...

Overall, I'd recommend a stay because the owners are so nice and friendly, making no fuss over the fact we were a gay male couple... but perhaps not in the apartment as it wasn't much use in the end. Save those additional euros for some tapas or drinks in the bustling bar on the plaza instead or the fantastic veggie restaurant Botanico on C/Malaga round the corner.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18135 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18065 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18065 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18055 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18055 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17979 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17979 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17726 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17726 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17589
My favourite two places were Sucre and Miranda, the first a pretty hip restaurant, the second more informal. Always washed down with an amazing glass of malbec.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17589 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17586
My husband - a meat eater - tells everyone he meets about the steak that he had there, whilst I - a non meat eater - can say that the meal I had there was the most generous and varied vegetarian meal I have ever tasted.

It consisted of every type of vegetable imaginable, fresh and beautifully cooked. Add to this, the fantastic view overlooking Manly Beach and the ocean and the buzzing atmosphere; yes, I would definitely cross the world to eat there again!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17586 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17560 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17560 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17533
A top tip for a tasty lunch for around a fiver. Funky exhibitions from local artists. Cool tunes in an ambient style. Live music provided by a resident harpist.

It's a chance to rub shoulders with the Scouse literati and wrap your lips round a stonking beanburger.

Toilet needs nerves of steel, stout heart and effortless self confidence.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17533 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17506 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17506 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17353
The service was immaculate: serene, polite and friendly, quite unlike anything European, and the whole experience was calm and almost meditative.

The restaurant is tucked away down a back street of old Tokyo houses. Booking is required.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17353 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16591 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16591