Advantages: Taste, Texture, Characterful, Healthy
Disadvantages: Price, needed extra seasoning

...Marco Pierre-White, recently seen in ITV's Hell's Kitchen series, is one of England's greatest ever chefs. His restaurants were regarded as the highest-levels of fine-dining anywhere in the world and he famously gave tutelage to any number of successful chefs now plying their trade on TV screens and restaurants around the country. Even Gordon Ramsay, one of his better-known pupils, once burst into tears because of the pressure that Marco put him under. You'd expect a soup bearing his name to be good then? Thankfully, yes it is but at a price. Upon opening the attractively-designed carton, the soup can be seen to have a distinctive, deep red colour with flecks of green basil. It looks almost *too* red but as the soup is supposedly made using vine-ripened tomatoes with a smidge of oven-roasted, I'm willing to give it the benefit... Read review

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Advantages: Good as a base for a home-made chilli-con-carne
Disadvantages: It's chilli-con-carne soup.

...After enjoying the Tomato and Basil soup from Marco Pierre-White's new range of self-branded soups, I was looking forward to this Spicy Cuban Beef Stew with, ahem, great relish. How will one of Britains greatest ever chef's interpret a soup from a cuisine that is far removed from the one he is most famous for? Unfortunately, I have to say, the standards have slipped somewhat and this offering is more than a little lacklustre in the taste department. The packaging follows the same route as other quality soup-makers, utilizing a plastic pot instead of the more traditional tins a la Heinz. The word 'Glorious!' is in big letters on the front - you can't miss it really. To open, click off the small plastic retainer on the rim and push with your thumb from underneath. Be careful and don't press too hard or else the pot will fly up... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful
Disadvantages: Can't think of any

...Yes, another Venice review...Probably my last one though... Okay...Saint Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) was built in 1071, and is in Venice, at St Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco). The square can be hard to find, or very easy, depending on how good you are at navigating the streets (needless to say, we had a bit of a struggle!) Even though the basilica is enormous, I couldn't see it at all until we stumbled straight onto St Mark's Square, where it suddenly leaps out on you, dominating the place. If ever you go to Venice I would strongly recommend a trip to St Marks Square, as this building is probably one of the most amazing you will ever see. The thing that struck me first of all was the sheer colossal size of it. It is toweringly tall, and extemely wide, I have never seen anything like it. I was expecting to see... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: History Beauty and Style
Disadvantages: No Free Seats

...PIAZZA SAN MARCO. is like falling in love with a Beautiful Woman, when with her you can not stay long enough, when away you can not wait to return to her. You may speak to people who have only visited her on a Day trip, they will probably have not been impressed. They will only have seen her in the company of thousands. To see the Piazza at its best and Romantic you must Visit her late at night with your wife, husband, lover or just a friend. The sqaure seems to be your own, so beautifully lit. Which really highlights the shape of the square. When you enter from the Grand Canal DO NOT WALK BETWEEN the two columns, in the past you only passed between when being sent for execution. The Doges Palace is on your right, this is well worth a Tour, get there early to beat the queues. (Day Trippers normally decend on Venice about 09... Read review

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