New Shops / Restaurants - what's the feedback??

A while ago I saw some positive feedback on this site for the new Sushi Nara restaurant. I think we've had some great new additions to Staines over the past months - I'm not sure of the quality and experience, but people are trying new ventures which merits our support.

How are people finding some of the other new businesses?

1) Dr Spa Fish in Elmsleigh - fish pedicure foot treatment - great idea but will it work in Staines?
2) The Spa/Beauty Treatment centre on Clarence St - name escapes me but you can't miss its pink and black facade near the wedding dress shop
3) The new restaurant/bar just before you get to the Slug and Lettuce from the street
4) Frankie and Bennys and Urban Zing - are these just for the shoppers?
5) H&M and Topshop have come to Staines!

And if anyone can explain Ocean and Forest (is it a Japanese Restaurant, Bar, Karaoke club) to me, I'd appreciate it - do people go there during the week?

Looks like we're losing JJB Sports - does anyone know of shops whom are interested in that site, or other new shops and restaurants we may be seeing soon?

By S_KStaines at 13:45 on 15/08/11

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Yes, it's been exciting to see some of the new shops and restaurants opening up in town. I'm desperate to try Urban Zing, and I really want to try Sushi Nara too, but when I went to go in there I had my daughter with me and she was moaning about something and I was struggling with the menu a bit so I gave up. Will be easier to try when I'm on my own and have some time.
I know someone who tried the new one next to Slug & Lettuce and enjoyed that.
I'm not sure about Dr Spa Fish. I wanted to go and watch someone having their feet nibbled but they're kept hidden from view.
My daughter went to Frankie & Benny's with a friend and enjoyed it.
Ocean and Forest have changed a few times I think since they first came. My understanding is that one side is the restaurant and the other is the bar / karaoke, but we had some reports from the Council and police a little while ago that undercover investigations of the bar had revealed some issues with a lack of control over young patrons drinking too much, and they had been told to put in place some new procedures for dealing with that after a number of drunk and disorderly incidents earlier in the year.
And yay for H&M! Also, The Harvester is another new arrival.
I've not heard anything about a replacement for JJB, but I have asked to get press releases from Two Rivers so if I hear anything from them I'll let you know.

By StaineSiobhan at 19:07 on 15/08/11
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Sushi Nara is great! I am from Durban in South Africa, where we are spoilt with Sushi choices as are on the East Coast and Sushi Nara is a place my Husband and I visit quite often! Not only is it very well priced, but is always fresh and has a good variety of fish and a varied menu. The staff are very friendly and will happily explain the fish types and menu items to you. Try the Aloe Vera juice or fresh leaf green tea ... Wonderful!
The new 'pink & black salon' is the Studio Spa. I went in there yesterday for the first time and found the staff very friendly, well informed on their products / treatments and attentive to keeping the shop clean & hygienic. I had acrylic nails done and am VERY happy with them, as well as a cut & blowdry with their resident hair dresser (who took pride in her work and consulted me on my opinion / likes / dislikes all the way through the appointment). I was very impressed! They have a page on facebook with offers each week and they currently have cut & blowdry board outside the shop offering to clients at 19.99, which is a great price!

Also keen to Try Urban Zing, so please leave feedback if you end up going?

Sad to hear Waitrose leaving, but excited about hobbycraft and an ASDA is good too for pricing and range options vs Teso Home and Sainsburys.

Would be great to see something done with all the boarded up area as you head out of town to the colnbrook/A308/ M25 roundabouts though, as their is a nice cafe along there, aswell as CAFFE GONDOLA, which we also recently tried (which was Immense!!) ... put it this way , zizzi/prezzo/pizza express/Ask - NO CONTEST! ... but I think people don't tend to go past the traffic lights at the railbridge, as the area doesn't look very appealing (due to the torn down & boarded up areas)

Would be lovely to see that side of the high street come to life :)

By ABricknell at 18:39 on 10/09/11
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Thanks so much for all your thoughts and recommendations. I have been meaning to try Caffe Gondola in forever because they do a great breakfast deal. I will make a point of going in there soon.
Thank you!

By StaineSiobhan at 19:51 on 10/09/11
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Urban Zing is closed until further notice because of some ventilation issues within the building. Really sad as have been a few times now and its fantastic! Have to recommend Momo's cafe. Really good Oriental food. Have heard Sushi-Nara are very good too. Am in the process of writing to Wagamamas as would love to see one of their restaurants opening here. Any thoughts on other food places people would like to see in Staines?

By stainesbloke at 18:54 on 05/10/11
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I honestly can't rate Sushi Nara enough - it's fantastic! The food is fresh and so tasty, the best sushi I have had in England without a doubt. The staff are so lovely too. Defo pay them a visit if you haven't already.

I see that a hobby craft is opening up which I think is a nice addition to the town. But as I was walking round to Argos today I noticed that the fish pedicure place had shut down! Really wanted to give that a go! It didn't last long.

Where is cafe gondola? Have no idea where that is so I'm intrigued... Is it where Francescos used to be?? There's another nice cafe up that way to which is called Cafe Ricco, they do a lovely breakfast.

By MelBattams at 20:10 on 07/10/11
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Stainesbloke - would be great to see a wagamamas in Staines! I also think a Jamie's Italian would be good or a Carluccios.

By MelBattams at 20:13 on 07/10/11
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I'm a bit 'meh' about Carluccios. They are nice, but we have enough Italian restaurants. A Wagamamas would be fantastic! Not sure they would come as both Carluccios and Wagamamas are in Windsor. Would be nice tho, and great as part of the upgrading and marketing of Staines.
Cafe Ricco is the one I meant about the breakfast. So yes I think Gondola is the one near the Christian book shop where Franciscos used to be.
Can't believe Dr Spa Fish has gone already! That wasn't a great location tho to be honest. That place is great for the pop up Christmas shop, but otherwise it's too tucked away. Especially for a beauty type salon.

By StaineSiobhan at 11:57 on 09/10/11
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And I meant to say as well that's sad about Urban Zing but could to hear good reports of it. Hope they get their ventilation issue sorted soon and can open quickly.

By StaineSiobhan at 12:03 on 09/10/11
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Yes hope Urban Zing opens soon too. Its better than Roshni's and half the price :) If you want a particular store or restaurant chain to open in Staines, lets post some more ideas here. Then maybe we could send emails to them showing interest in them opening in Staines :)

By stainesbloke at 10:49 on 10/10/11
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Yes, that's a really good idea. I will start a new discussion thread. Personally, I would like to see some more interesting boutique type shops opening. Somewhere you can get slightly unusual clothes or art or gifts? I was upset when that gift shop next to Baker's Oven closed. In Windsor they have Oliver Bonas and all those stalls inside the Windsor Royal Shopping Centre. They have nice hand made jewellery and wooden gifts and things for kids and handbags and stuff. I'd love to see something like that.

By StaineSiobhan at 11:23 on 10/10/11
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Apologies for multiple posts there. PC problems! I'm getting them deleted, hopefully.

By StaineSiobhan at 21:04 on 10/10/11
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Is UrbanZing still closed?
Did I hear someone say Waitrose is going ?
A few of us went to Cafe Gondola recently...and rated it very good food, with great service.

By raypetrie at 04:55 on 23/10/11
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Yes Urban Zing is still closed. There have been rumours about Waitrose going but when the company has been communicated to about this they have not confirmed it. So the rumours are just that for now at least. Cafe Gondola is really good!

By stainesbloke at 17:13 on 24/10/11
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A new 20,000 sq ft Waitrose has had permission granted to be built in Egham! So the rumours of our Waitrose closing could be true. Was anyone out and about in Staines this weekend? It was so busy. Maybe people starting their Christmas shopping? The lights have gone up, looking forward to them coming on. The weather has been pretty warm tho, wonder if that means a really cold spell later....if the squirrels frantically burying nuts are anything to go by, then get the thermals ready lol.

By stainesbloke at 23:56 on 06/11/11
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Oh! it the rumours of Wetroses are true then i am going to be very sad.. always love the quality of the food i get from there.... we talked a lot about Urban Zing but has anyone tried the Jimmy Spice? I have been there couple of times and just loves the place.... i am definitely sure that they have move variates and choice in buffet then Urban Zing.. anyone else shares this view?

By manyaonIsland at 11:10 on 08/11/11
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Oh! it the rumours of Wetroses are true then i am going to be very sad.. always love the quality of the food i get from there.... we talked a lot about Urban Zing but has anyone tried the Jimmy Spice? I have been there couple of times and just loves the place.... i am definitely sure that they have move variates and choice in buffet then Urban Zing.. anyone else shares this view?

By manyaonIsland at 11:12 on 08/11/11
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