The Best of Leicester

[Captain...]

Not lived in Leicester for over a decade now, and my infrequent trips back to see the folks rarely see me leave the comforts of Birstall, except for going to the football, or shopping in the City Centre.

So I really don't know what's hot and what's not any more, not that I ever really was all that clued up.

I'm back in the City for Christmas, and my girlfriend is coming up to visit the folks for the first time, and see Leicester for the first time, so I am appealing to the FT collective mind to recommend some places to go.

What would recommend around the City Centre for:

Eating:

A decent not too expensive lunch time bite:

A decent evening meal:

Expensive restaurant, really splashing out and making a fuss of someone:

A relaxed late bar to have a few drinks:

A nice Coffee shop sort of place:

Interesting unusual pubs/bars with a bit of character:

Any decent independent little shops that you don't really see anywhere else:

Any interesting sights or places to visit:

Anything, other than football, that would make a trip to Leicester more interesting/exciting/enjoyable:

Cheers

[FoxesAreBlue]

What would recommend around the City Centre for:

Eating:

A decent not too expensive lunch time: Croques

A decent evening meal: - Wagamamas, Real China or Carluccios

Expensive restaurant, really splashing out and making a fuss of someone: San Carlos or The Case

A relaxed late bar to have a few drinks: Terrace? Can get busy though

A nice Coffee shop sort of place: God knows, hate coffee!

Interesting unusual pubs/bars with a bit of character: Taps - pour your own beer!

Any decent independent little shops that you don't really see anywhere else: Anywhere up "The Lanes"

Any interesting sights or places to visit: Watermead Park? Wrap up

Anything, other than football, that would make a trip to Leicester more interesting/exciting/enjoyable:

Not sure if its any good or just for the kids, but possibly the Space Centre? Never been myself though.

Cheers

[The Year Of The Fox]

Bradgate park for a walk could be decent though im sure nothing there will have changed since your last visit

[Zingari]

Bradgate park for a walk could be decent though im sure nothing there will have changed since your last visit

I was shocked when I found out the car park was no longer free .

It used to just ask for a voluntary donation , so I used to pop in a couple of old washers .

Oh , and the deer seemed a lot more tame than they used to be .

But the rest seems pretty much the same .

[Parafox]

I wouldn't take a girl to the National Space Centre. :xmasblink:

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=shops%20in%20stoneygate%20leicester&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goleicestershire.com%2Fsee-and-do%2Fstoneygate-home.aspx&ei=wPjaUNyuGKaa0QWKx4GgCA&usg=AFQjCNEnqA1PEjSKprNDaMmNJCmEkiAd1w

Posh shops in Allandale Road.

Otherwise not much in the city to impress.

[Parafox]

I was shocked when I found out the car park was no longer free .

It used to just ask for a voluntary donation , so I used to pop in a couple of old washers .

Oh , and the deer seemed a lot more tame than they used to be .

But the rest seems pretty much the same .

Tightwad... those toilets dont flush themselves you know

[FoxesAreBlue]

I wouldn't take a girl to the National Space Centre. :xmasblink:

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=shops%20in%20stoneygate%20leicester&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goleicestershire.com%2Fsee-and-do%2Fstoneygate-home.aspx&ei=wPjaUNyuGKaa0QWKx4GgCA&usg=AFQjCNEnqA1PEjSKprNDaMmNJCmEkiAd1w

Posh shops in Allandale Road.

Otherwise not much in the city to impress.

I was scraping the barrel a bit with that one!

[Zingari]

I wouldn't take a girl to the National Space Centre. :xmasblink:

http://www.google.co...DaMmNJCmEkiAd1w

Posh shops in Allandale Road.

Otherwise not much in the city to impress.

That’s so sexist. :xmasangry:

I suppose you’ll be saying they shouldn't get the vote or be allowed in football grounds next

:xmassmile: :xmaswink:

[Zingari]

Tightwad... those toilets dont flush themselves you know

I use the old "john" at the top of the hill

[Parafox]

I use the old "john" at the top of the hill

I've seen your silhouette from the house ruins.

Also, too many dogs at Braggy for me

[ithuriel]

Do you like theatre?

Where the Curve is, the cultural quarter, you have two theatres, a cinema, a fe bars including a hotel and a nice indian restaurant.

Where the highcross cinema is you have a fair few places to eat too.

[Zingari]

I've seen your silhouette from the house ruins.

Also, too many dogs at Braggy for me

Lots of people have . I think it's one of the main attractions

[Parafox]

That’s so sexist. :xmasangry:

I suppose you’ll be saying they shouldn't get the vote or be allowed in football grounds next

:xmassmile: :xmaswink:

I wouldn't take a girl to the National Space Centre. :xmasblink:

That’s so sexist. :xmasangry:

I suppose you’ll be saying they shouldn't get the vote or be allowed in football grounds next

I meant as it wasn't a place I would take a girl if I was trying to impress and make her feel good about me... unless it was someone brainy.

Carol Vorderman would love it.

PS. not suggesting capshrap's girl ISN'T brainy

:xmassmile: :xmaswink:

[kingfox]

New attraction is a car park.

So make sure you visit it

[Parafox]

Lots of people have . I think it's one of the main attractions

Thats one impressive handle you got there :xmasbiggrin:

[Zingari]

Thats one impressive handle you got there :xmasbiggrin:

And it was a cold night too :xmassmile:

[Soar Fox]

Not lived in Leicester for over a decade now, and my infrequent trips back to see the folks rarely see me leave the comforts of Birstall, except for going to the football, or shopping in the City Centre.

So I really don't know what's hot and what's not any more, not that I ever really was all that clued up.

I'm back in the City for Christmas, and my girlfriend is coming up to visit the folks for the first time, and see Leicester for the first time, so I am appealing to the FT collective mind to recommend some places to go.

What would recommend around the City Centre for:

Eating:

A decent not too expensive lunch time bite: Cafè Rouge, Zizzi's, Barceloneta

A decent evening meal:

Expensive restaurant, really splashing out and making a fuss of someone: The Case, Casa Romana, Mem Saab (Indian)

A relaxed late bar to have a few drinks: Terrace, Möbius, looking glass (both down braunstone gate)

A nice Coffee shop sort of place: Don't know.

Interesting unusual pubs/bars with a bit of character: Taps, Rutland & Darby

Any decent independent little shops that you don't really see anywhere else: Allandale Road

Any interesting sights or places to visit: Bradgate Park in winter is lovely, could also stop of for a drink at the pub round there.

Anything, other than football, that would make a trip to Leicester more interesting/exciting/enjoyable:

Cheers

[Captain...]

Do you like theatre?

Where the Curve is, the cultural quarter, you have two theatres, a cinema, a fe bars including a hotel and a nice indian restaurant.

Where the highcross cinema is you have a fair few places to eat too.

We're probably going to the phoenix to watch life of pi, been to chutney ivy, which I assume is the nice Indian, what good bars are there round there.

The restaurants I've seen round highcross mainly seem to be chain type places, and living in London there is almost certainly one that she has already been to.

[ithuriel]

We're probably going to the phoenix to watch life of pi, been to chutney ivy, which I assume is the nice Indian, what good bars are there round there.

The restaurants I've seen round highcross mainly seem to be chain type places, and living in London there is almost certainly one that she has already been to.

Two either side of Chutney, can't remember the names of them, both on corners and the hotel has a ground floor bar though i've never been in there.

The Phoenix now has a proper car park right next to it and is a nice little cinema.

The places that are on the outside of the highcross, around the cinema are very popular, not talking about the ones inside.

The Roman ruins next to the holiday inn and the castle gardens are not very far away from the highcross either as is the church and the little museum next to it, do not know when or if that museum is open these days.

[FoxesAreBlue]

Two either side of Chutney, can't remember the names of them, both on corners and the hotel has a ground floor bar though i've never been in there.

The Phoenix now has a proper car park right next to it and is a nice little cinema.

The places that are on the outside of the highcross, around the cinema are very popular, not talking about the ones inside.

The Roman ruins next to the holiday inn and the castle gardens are not very far away from the highcross either as is the church and the little museum next to it, do not know when or if that museum is open these days.

Ah yeah, if museums are you're bag the the big one on New Walk used to be free, think it still is and is only a 5 min walk down to Revolution for a few afternoon drinks.

[Voll Blau]

For a decent bar for a quiet drink try Cafe Bruxelles on High Street or The Landsdowne on London Road.

Not sure why people are touting Terrace for that one? Their door policy/DJs/rammed rooms have hardly ever relaxed me!

[Rincewind]

Went in the Brusselles the other week after the Mayor interview. Nice place but dear drinks. and beer selection limited to lagers. Deccor good though.

[Trav Le Bleu]

For a drink with that certain "Leicester ambienece" try The Rocket on Stephenson's Drive. From there you can walk down to Fosse Road North (maybe through the recce) and the many interesting sites and shops, until you reach Woodgate, leading you onto the curiously titled Frog Island, where you can then walk alongside the picturesque canal, pointing out the different shopping trolleys, before emerging at Abbey Meadows where you can watch a game or two! Top it all off with a brief walk up the road to B&Q.

[Zingari]

For a drink with that certain "Leicester ambienece" try The Rocket on Stephenson's Drive. From there you can walk down to Fosse Road North (maybe through the recce) and the many interesting sites and shops, until you reach Woodgate, leading you onto the curiously titled Frog Island, where you can then walk alongside the picturesque canal, pointing out the different shopping trolleys, before emerging at Abbey Meadows where you can watch a game or two! Top it all off with a brief walk up the road to B&Q.

it's been pulled down :xmasbiggrin:

edit ;

i stood and watched it go up and i stood and watched it come down

[Trav Le Bleu]

Like all the best parts of Leicester.