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/34030 This modest, unassuming shanty serves tinto de verano, a refreshing red wine and soda mix, boquerones (delicious deep-fried anchovies) and other tasty snacks. The charm of this secret gem lies in its unspoiled nature and totally undeveloped facilities. El Palmar is a deserted stretch of sandy, wind-blasted beach that goes on as far as the eye can see. There are no high rise concrete hotel blocks, no fancy restaurants, no lager louts demanding full English breakfasts.
Almost everyone in the bar is a local: either a crusty old fisherman taking a break from putting out the nets to discuss the tide and have a cold beer, surfer dudes or youngsters who come to watch the last 'golden ray' of the sunset while listening to local rock bands. It's always very, very windy here and there is little shade from the intense sun, except in the bar!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34030 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34000 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34000 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33995 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33995 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33994 On the menu are British favourites such as great roasts for Sunday lunch, and there are more adventurous offerings; such as fillet of Gilt Head Bream with fennel and lime dressing. There are plenty of veggie options too.
The Tiger is a great place to chill out with a cool drink, wake up with a coffee, or cheer on the team with mates.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33994 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32638 The Harbour Inn is a great place to sample Brain's bitter, a creamy, nutty brew. We enjoyed the fish and chips out in the sheltered beer garden and soaked up the last rays of the October sun while admiring the little boats stranded high and dry at low tide.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32638 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32637 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32637 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32636 The wide bay is filled with golden sand bordered by dunes at the back and craggy cliffs with rockpools and secret caves on either side. A wonderful place for a picnic, a paddle or a potter in the rockpools.
Visitors can park their cars at Stackpole Quay, have a bite to eat in the National Trust cafe in the boathouse and see the world's smallest harbour, with room for just one boat!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32636 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32635 It's a great place to try Welsh bitters and admire all the music memorabilia: framed pictures of Kiss, Jimi Hendrix and others line the walls and we didn't dare take on the locals at pool, after spotting all the trophies in a glass cabinet!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32635 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32633 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32633 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32630 There has been a church on this site since the 6th century and in the Middle Ages, it had a strategic position at the crossroads of the Celtic world: Ireland, Scotland, England and the Basque lands.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32630 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32628 More than 30 varieties of Italian ice cream are produced each day - I wolfed down a divine selection of three sorbets: lemon, creamy strawberry and raspberry, served with a crisp wafer. There is great coffee and a fine dining menu, chalked up on the blackboard, offering pasta, pizzas, soups, stews and salads.
The cafe is always full and visitors gaze through the vast glass windows at the view of Swansea bay; it's almost like being in Naples on a cloudy day!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32628 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32627 After several days of bland burgers and delicious, but samey fish and chips, Rose Indienne offered a wake-up call to the tired taste buds.
Everything about Rose Indienne breathes class. The service is polite and friendly without being overwhelming. The decor is delightful and the selection of starters contained some spices I had never experienced before. The vegetarian dishes were top-notch and I would dare to recommend this place as the best Indian restaurant in Swansea, maybe in all Wales?]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32627 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32624 It's located in a sweet former cobbler's workshop, and you can still see the gorgeous greeny-yellow stained glass sign reading 'Leonard's, for good boots and shoes' while you're perched on one of the three high, tractor-style metal (but surprisingly comfy!) stools. The coffee maker in the window is an authentic Elektra and there are sweet touches like the cobbler's wooden shoe mould in a frame and the little boot holding the door ajar.
Oh, and did I mention the coffee?
Smooth cappuccinos, rich dark espressos, lethal mocchas...all you could ask for, plus panini, home-made browies and bacon butties.
A real find.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32624 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32547 I enjoyed a great late Sunday lunch (after a strenuous pingpong championships on Camberwell Green!) with two friends and we sat up in the high gallery and treated ourselves to cool, refreshing, post-pingpong pints of Efes beer.
'Mangal' is, apparently, 'grill' in Turkish and the 'FM' refers to the initials of the head chef, who prepared a delicious aubergine and minced lamb dish, complete with a vast range of salad selections.
Not being a cheapskate, but what really won us over was the hospitality and all the complimentary items!
While we were perusing the menu, the friendly waitress brought us some amazing, smoky barbecue-flavoured flat bread and fresh, sweet lilac onions marinaded in a divine balsamic vinegar mix. After the meal, we were presented with slices of pineapple - although, strangely, no plates or cutlery to devour it with!
Finally, we were offered tiny shot glasses filled with a selection of three liqueurs: banana, coffee and tangy cherry.
What a great way to round off a great afternoon!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32547 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32350 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32350 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32349 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32349 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32024 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32024 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32023 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32023 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32022 Delicious spring rolls, sushi, sashimi, bento boxes, big bowls of ramen, pan-fried noodles and rice dishes all under one small, modest roof, tucked away in a back street off Railton Road. Charming service and a good wine list. Highly recommended.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32022 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32021 It's gone.
Poundland has now replaced its smashed windows, however the Peace Wall will be preserved as a piece of local history in Peckham Library.
Some of my favourite messages were/are:
'Well luv Pecknam' (sic)
'Diversity + jerk chicken'
'Stop the riot, allow Greggs, man' (referring to the trashed bakery)
'Love is the key']]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32021