RESTAURANT REVIEW

December 16, 2014 by: Sunny London

Places to Eat in London- All You Can Eat on One Street!

‘Where are the best places to eat in London?’ is a question I get all the time as a blogger and American expat living in London. In truth, since there are so many restaurants in mayfair as well as all the other areas of London, you could argue that it is impossible to have a definitive answer. However, I not only have my answer, but I had a Brit verify it for me!

When I was at the World Travel Market conference in November, I went to the Visit Florida stand to network with my home state peeps. One of the conference presenters I met was on her first trip to London. We talked about her experience. Then, she asked, ‘So where are the best places to eat in London? What pubs do you recommend?’

Since I’m asked these questions often and eat at some of London’s top restaurants regularly, I said, ‘You can honestly find everything you need on one street.’

A lifelong Londoner was also part of this conversation. I indicated that I was willing to give the street name, only if he he would candidly agree or disagree when he heard my answer.

‘Charlotte Street’, I said.

And he, without hesitation, agreed.

There’s nothing like getting a British stamp of approval when you’re an expat attempting to offer advice about a place you haven’t lived your whole life.

You know the game, ‘If you were stranded on an island and could only bring…’? Well, here’s a twist. If I were limited to eating at restaurants on one street for the rest of my life, I’d pick Charlotte Street. And I’d like it.

Actually, I’d love it.

I love Charlotte Street because of its variety and West End location just inches from Goodge Street Underground Station.

While everyone will have an opinion about what constitutes ‘best’ when it comes to food, I am going to make my definition for this blog post clear. I pick Charlotte Street for the ‘best places to eat in London’ winner because it features something for everyone.

When you’re traveling with a group of people, family or just need a central location to make sure you can get delicious food, Charlotte Street is where to go.

The street is literally lined with restaurants. They are from nearly every cuisine in every price range. Here’s a break down of the major food venues by categories:

Places to Eat in London: Charlotte Street- Snacks

EAT– features a daily changing menu which includes coffee, soups, salads, sandwiches.
Reynolds– ‘Great coffee, fresh food, nice people.’ Let’s face it, we all like nice people 😉
Yog– offers fat free, probiotic, natural frozen yogurt.

Places to Eat in London: Charlotte Street- American and British

Bubbledogs– serves Champagne with gourmet hotdogs. For more details, check out my Bubbledogs review.

Charlotte Street Hotel– part of the exquisite Firmdale Hotels. This location has the afternoon tea in London which I feel offers the best quality of food for the price. You can learn more about it in my review. It also has a gorgeous bar which is popular for happy hour and late evening cocktails.

Places to Eat in London: Charlotte Street- European

Andreas Restaurant– a Greek restaurant with a modern setting. They have highly nutritious dishes on a vast Greek and Mediterranean menu. Mr. Sunny and I ate here during my pre-blogging days so I don’t have a formal review or pictures. However, I can say it was an excellent meal, and I would love to return. I highly recommend it!

Cote Brasserie– a modern interpretation of the many famous bistros of Paris. It’s open early every day for breakfast, through to lunch and dinner.
Elena’s L’Etoile– ‘a legend among French bistro restaurants.’ Taste Card also offers a 50% off discount as well.
Obika Mozzarella Bar– has locations in Italy, United Kingdon, USA, Japan and Dubai.

Pescatori– also located in Mayfair. It’s an Italian Seafood restaurant.
Pizza Express– located throughout London. It accepts the Taste Card without advance table bookings. Be sure to read my review of their pizza, which can be ordered gluten free.
Zizzi Ristorante– ‘local, affordable Italian food’

Places to Eat in London: Charlotte Street- Pan-Asian & Indian

Dim T– with other locations in Hampstead, Highgate, London Bridge, Victoria and Winchester, Dim T offers a variety of the most popular Oriental dishes and a wide range of Chinese teas.
Palms of Goa– the first Goa restaurant in the West End. It features a South Indian cuisine. Palms of Goa has excellent reviews from London’s Daily Mirror, Evening Standard and Time Out.

Roka– award winning restaurant serving contemporary Japanese food. Also located in Canary Wharf, Mayfair and Aldwych.
Siam Central- a Thai restaurant with outstanding reviews from London’s foodie community.

Places to Eat in London: Charlotte Street- Mexican

Wahaca– it’s a well known fact that London’s Mexican cuisine isn’t top on the ‘must have’ list. However, in my Wahaca review, I outline why Wahaca offers the best selection of Mexican market eating that I can find in London.

Places to Eat in London: Charlotte Street- Pubs & Wine

Fitzroy Tavern- a public house currently owned by Samuel Smith Brewery.
The Draft House– also has locations in Seething, Tower Bridge, Westbridge, Northcote, Bump Caves and Birdcage. It’s a small group of Public Houses ‘which aim to do for beer what our culture has done for food and wine over the past twenty years.’
Vagabond– a wine bar which ‘prepares shockingly good charcuterie and cheese platters, as well as other tasty and artisanal nibbles.’

Places to Eat in London: Honourable Mention

Kua’Aina– located on Goodge Street, this Hawaiian burger restaurant is one of my favourites in London. I reviewed the Carnaby Street location and loved the legendary burger and Sandwich Grill, which is also one of President Obama’s favourites too. I know it’s not technically a Charlotte Street restaurant, but it’s on the corner and simply too good to leave out!

I hope you have the chance to enjoy many of the restaurants and food venues on Charlotte Street so you can see why I vote it #1 for the best places to eat in London. If not, well, I guess I’ll just have to eat my words. 😉

Places to Eat in London: Final Thoughts

For specific restaurants, be sure to see my restaurant review category of the blog. There’s also a listing of Pub Crawls. These are designed by my husband, a lifelong Londoner and ‘professional beer drinker.’ He and his father purchase the Good Pub Guide each year and can 100% vouch for its quality. And of course, if you plan on drinking beer here, you can’t miss these tips from Mr. Sunny and me…

If you’re visiting London for the the first time you’ll want to pin this: ‘Guide to London for Americans Visiting the First Time!’ and subscribe to regular emails with London news. I’ve also recently created a YouTube video and blog post with maps of 5 Foodie Streets in London.

October 18, 2018 by: Sunny London

Dirty Bones Restaurant in Soho- Instagram Kit

Have you seen the Instagram for Dirty Bones restaurant? If one of their shots of the Mac Daddy burger doesn’t make you drool, there is something seriously wrong with you. And now that I have finally eaten one, I can tell you it IS as good as it looks, Sunny friends. A picture of this bad boy was definitely Instagrammable.

Recently I was invited to write a story on secret things to do in Soho. This opportunity was exciting because Covent Garden (an adjacent neighbourhood for my non-London readers who don’t know the city that well) was the first place I ever lived in London. Walking through Soho every day gave me great knowledge of its many small streets. It also has a highly condensed population of restaurants that I have enjoyed through the years too.

Something that had been on my radar for new things to try in Soho was the alleged ‘Instagram Kit’ that Dirty Burger restaurant advertised as making available to customers.

Oddly enough, when I arrived at the restaurant a little before my table for two bookings a few weeks ago, the employee at the door had not heard of it either. He quickly sat me at my table and then disappeared for a few minutes. I assume he was searching for the Instagram Kit that I had told him I sure excited. In fact, when I had called to book my table, I made sure to ask if they still had it and if I had the right Dirty Bones restaurant.

My friend who always enjoys a dinner experience through the eyes of a blogger wasn’t set to arrive for another 15 minutes. As I sipped on my wine, I wondered if it would really be as fun of a dinner as I had indicated to her when extending the invite. If they couldn’t find the Instagram Kit, the burgers alone might not live up to the picturesque legend shown on Instagram.

Suddenly, the employee appeared with the ray of light. Take a look.

Ok, I get it. It’s really just a battery pack and small light stand. But, anyone who has ever had Instagram envy over someone else’s pictures (that is all of us isn’t it???) would understand why this kit is really taking foodporn to the next level.

Once setting up the Instagram Kit on my table, I was now really eager for my friend to arrive for our long over due catch up dinner with a flashy new toy.

We ordered Starters and chatted during the time it took them to arrive. I was a bit cheeky (or some would say very American) and ordered Mac Balls AND the Mac Daddy burger. It was one of those ‘when in Rome’ moments I guess because I felt if I was in a burger joint I should just go all out American and absorb as much home cooking as possible! The Mac Balls did not disappoint.

She stayed green and picked the Padron Peppers. I didn’t try any and took her word for it that they are delicious. Not long after, our burgers arrived.

She kept it simple and went with The Classic. And, when you’re ready, prepare to gain a few pounds just looking at my Mac Daddy burger.

Both shots, as well as the Starters, were actually taken with my old iPhone 6. Even though I had my new Canon camera, it just seemed easier to use a phone since the Instagram Kit worked so well in the low lighting of the restaurant.

Dirty Bones Restaurant Soho Instagram Kit: Final Thoughts

After using the kit and knowing how much Instagram matters to bloggers and pretty much everyone, I can’t understand why more restaurants don’t provide kits for customers. Ok, maybe if I was eating food at a Michelin starred restaurant I would be put off by a light sitting on someone’s table next to me. However, think about the fantastic presentation the chefs do for these meals. Isn’t it an injustice not to show off their work to all your followers?

Let me know what you think of the idea of an Instagram kit being provided by restaurants in the comments below, Sunny friends. It certainly made a difference for my experience as a food blogger!

August 28, 2021 by: Sunny London

La Lluna Spanish Tapas Whetsone Review London

Why is this the trickiest restaurant review I have ever written for you? It’s not because Mr Sunny and I had a bad evening at La Lluna Spanish Tapas restaurant in Whetstone, London. Because that’s hardly the case.

In fact- it’s quite the opposite. The evening was really very exciting. And our food was fantastic.

I’m a little nervous about writing a review for the Whetstone restaurant because we literally were the first official customers to walk through the door! We’ve never had that opportunity in our seven years of blogging (yes, Sunny in London turns seven years old in the autumn!)

The blog has given us opportunities to eat at food trucks to restaurants with Michelin stars- but never was the honour more impressive than being the FIRST paying diners to hit the seats of a new venue. So, I guess the best question is- can you really judge a restaurant on its opening night?

I will humbly try and look forward to your feedback.

La Lluna Spanish Tapas Whetstone Review- The Location

Pre-Covid it looked like Pizza Express was closing its doors in Whetstone. And all through lockdown we were curious what would next occupy the space. Mr Sunny was ecstatic the day he discovered that a Spanish Tapas restaurant was hitting our high street. One of our favourite trips was our Fly Drive to Spain with British Airways. Our stay at the Sercotel Villa De LaGuardia Spa and Hotel was flawless and our time in the world’s food capital San Sebastián was equally as fantastic.

With the addition of several food venues on the Whetstone high street since the start of 2021, there is certainly competition for customers’ attention, especially for those with an international palette. At the time of this post, there are plenty of coffee shops to choose from and several Italian and Indian restaurants. The French Market was perhaps one of our favourite new foodie shops introduced this year. We are literally there at least once a week for wine, cheese and croissants.

However, of all the new places, I am most intrigued by the amount of space available within La Lluna and what the owner has done with it. It’s especially impressive in times of socially distanced dining.

Since I indicated I was a food blogger fairly early upon our arrival, I was treated to a special, exclusive tour of La Lluna.

La-Lluna-Spanish-Tapas-Whetstone-London-Review

This is the view from our table, which was located next to the ground floor window. Although we were given the opportunity to choose wherever we wanted to sit, it made sense that they encourage us to be by the window so it would look like La Lluna was already buzzing as soon as its doors opened on Day 1.

There are so many rooms throughout the restaurant. I think it’s quickly going to be a popular place for birthdays, anniversaries and other special celebrations. Al Fresco and Cocorico- be advised!

And the outdoor area is really stunning. I published a quick video on my Instagram reels to show off many of the different places to eat within La Lluna. The outside tables looked particularly fun and already had the space heaters ready to go for those who aren’t counting on flamenco dancing to keep them warm in the winter.

La Lluna Spanish Tapas Whetstone Review- The Food

This is probably the part you’ve been waiting to read about in the restaurant review- so let’s show you some of what we enjoyed.

Swiftly after sitting in my chair when my restaurant tour was complete, I had a glass of the Altún Crianza 2017, Tempranillo swirling in my hand. We ordered the bottle and it had the oak, elegant and leathery long finish as promised on the menu. Again, the initial taste and pour are on my Reels.

Above, you can see the Young Manchego, which was my pick from the Charcuteria menu. It was nice, but in comparison to what I have had in Rioja, the quince jelly was substantial. There was also a generous splash of oil that might be too such for some people. However, my Italian blood bonded well with this part of the dish.

Mr Sunny chose the Gambas Al Ajillo and Chipirones on the Tapas De Pascado menu and liked them both.

My delight was the Arroz Negro. Now, if you are neither familiar with nor a fan of squid ink, you might not think the picture below is appetising. But, by the end of our meal, this black ink risotto with squid, parmesan and ali oli was my top choice. However, I have been eating food flavoured and coloured with squid ink since I was in my teens. It’s not a staple of Florida cuisine, it just happens to be a dish that has landed on many menus I’ve encountered.

Here it goes…

What do you think?

I had several short videos of it ready to put on my social media accounts, but I just didn’t want to take the chance of putting anyone off. The squid ink undeniably gives it a greater visual appeal than just bland beige rice shaped pasta. But… I’ve traditionally had it with linguine. There is something about the rice shape that I’m not sure works with the black colour.

Regardless, if you get past colour and texture- you could love eating the Arroz Negro as much as I do. My thoughts are there is smoked mozzarella incorporated in it too. That’s not one of my preferred flavours, but it really works with this dish.

Mr Sunny’s favourite was the Croquetas De Jamón Serrano. They were lovely and crispy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. If you’re desperate to see a photo, let me know. But, since they aren’t the most photogenic of foods, I’m leaving them out. Instead, I will share a shot of the Bombas below.

These deep-fried potato balls filled with beef mince, onion, garlic chilli and fresh herbs served with ali oli and brava sauce are home runs. If you aren’t familiar with baseball, I will translate the analogy quickly to- a huge score.

I picked the metaphoric language intentionally because we felt they were the size of baseballs. Aside from being quite good, they really exceeded our expectations due to their obvious gigantic size. Again, I can only reflect on my Italian heritage and compare them to the size of meatballs. So, this is why the big disco ball looking ‘bombs’ are so striking to me.

If you are more familiar with regional Spanish cuisine or have made these yourself, maybe you can help me understand if La Lluna is just really kind with their serving size or if these are the traditional ball dimensions?

Also as part of my Spanish Tapas experience, I had the Tortilla De Jamón Serrano. I fell in love with this when in Bilbao, and this one did not disappoint.

Finally, we had Montaditos con Salchichon Ibérico mixed in with all of these. It was nice but I don’t think it stood a big chance of being a star against all the other food we ordered. There’s really only so much you can do with salami and bread in terms of presentation and taste.

La Lluna Spanish Tapas Whetstone Review- The Service

This is the category that drove me to write a restaurant review for La Lluna the most. Mr Sunny and I mostly popped in because we were curious and hopeful. However, we felt we should be cautious with judgement due to it being the grand opening.

It didn’t take long for us to shake these inhibitions. There was an abundance of staff eager to help, do a great job and provide memorable service. Everyone we encountered knew the menu well and our food arrived very quickly.

Stereotypically, one would expect a restaurant’s opening night to be a bit chaotic. Had there not been the obvious fiesta energy due to the high of opening the doors, you would not have known that it was the first official night of business. Everything operated smoothly.

Mr Sunny had researched the restaurant prior to us going and informed me that the Muswell Hill location does quite well. They’ve obviously incorporated their system and staff in to the new location so the second restaurant maintains La Lluna’s stellar reputation in Whetstone.

La Lluna Spanish Tapas Whetstone Review- Final Thoughts

We’ll definitely be excited to return to La Lluna Spanish Tapas in Whetstone. The menu has many items that we want to explore. In fact, we were a bit too ambitious on our first visit and really struggled to finish everything. In hindsight, we probably could’ve been just as satisfied ordering 2 tapas each and will remember that in the future.

In terms of pricing, La Lluna is very reasonable, especially given how hard it has been for restaurants to source ingredients and even stay open recently.

I hope it does well, since it offers lovely variety to the Whetstone high street’s culinary options.

So, is it fair to judge a restaurant on opening weekend? Let me know your experience and what you think in the comments below.

September 28, 2016 by: Sunny London

Chi Kitchen London Review

When I spotted the champagne bar at Chi Kitchen London on the ground floor of Debenham’s, I knew the night would be great. On a very sunny Friday evening in London, Mr. Sunny and I were thrilled to try this contemporary pan-Asian restaurant. We regularly watch Master Chef together when our schedule has us both home on the same evening. This means we couldn’t wait to dive in to the menu created by the show’s 2014 winner, Ping Coombes. She’s the group consultant chef for Chi Kitchen.

First, let’s start with the concept. Aside from the champagne bar, I sensed a truly welcoming spirit in the restaurant. I learned later the interior design probably had a hand in that. It’s inspired by the five elements: fire, water, wood, earth and metal. ‘Chi’ means energy in Chinese. The brand focuses on not only providing excellent food but also good energy.

This started with the Restaurant Supervisor, Angela, and stretched to every person and dish we encountered in our two hours at Chi Kitchen London. We immediately established a great dining relationship with her, as she greeted us quickly after we were seated. Because of this comfortable vibe, we let Angela decide what to bring us for our food during each phase of the meal.

Aside from prosecco, the first thing to hit our table is the Mixed Seafood Dumpling shown above. Winner for both of us. Mr. Sunny and I gobbled up the tasty treat and were eager to see what else would arrive.

Next, we each had our own sushi selection. Since Mr Sunny doesn’t eat red peppers, I had the Chi Kitchen Roll. He enjoyed the California Crab Roll. We split the Tuna and Salmon Sashimi as equally as we could.

At this point I could sense a food coma coming and said to Mr Sunny that I was finished. ‘Sweetheart, I think we’ve only had the Starters,’ he replied.

‘Whaaaaaaaat?!’

He was right. Falling on to our table next was the Nasi Lemak, Sea Bass with Chilli and Lime, and Sambal Prawns.

I have to admit, I didn’t quite understand my main course, the Nasi Lemak. I was told it was to be mixed all together and eaten, but that didn’t work for me. My habits are such that I eat one food at a time on my plate. Further, I save my favourite food for last. The British eating manners in which they mash everything on a fork upside down and then taste them all together has never been something I’ve adopted as an American living in London. It’s safe to say I didn’t give this dish a proper chance. I’ll own that.

It’s also safe to say that Mr. Sunny wasn’t too keen to share his food. He can own that later when his jeans don’t fit properly. 😉

True to our over abundant approach with food consumption, both of us made room for dessert. We had the Mango Creme Brulee and Chocolate Fondant with Salted Caramel Ice Cream. The chocolate dessert really makes a better movie than picture. It exploded when they poured on the secret ingredient and melted in to a delicious puddle which is hot and creamy. Had I known this was going to be such a spectacular visual, I would’ve been ready to catch it on video for you. I did, however, get quite a few clips of the dry ice smoking on our various other dishes. You’ll have to watch for them on the Sunny News YouTube channel.

Chi Kitchen London and the Birmingham location have the Chinese symbol for fire representing the brand. The link between ‘Chi’ and fire plays on the way fire can be converted into energy. It is safe to say that this restaurant has certainly lit a fire for both of us. While we were on the train home, Mr. Sunny was already talking about going back for breakfast. Yes, they also have breakfast 😉

The open plan of the restaurant allows guests to watch chefs at work, preparing fresh sushi, sashimi and charcoal dishes from a robata grill.

We were guests of Chi Kitchen London, but this didn’t affect our impression of the food or service. It was clear to us why the pan-Asian location won the OpenTable 2016 Diners’ Choice Award. Everyone we met was extremely friendly and appeared to be that way with all guests in the restaurant. I don’t think people would normally order as much food as we had, and I wouldn’t suggest doing so either because it was a lot. But, all of it was great!

Mr. Sunny and I generally avoid Oxford Street as much as possible due to its high concentration of tourists who never appear to know where they’re going. However, after this experience I will certainly try to think of reasons to be around the area when I’m hungry! In fact, if we don’t make it there in the next month, I can certainly see us planning a stop in Chi Kitchen London the night we take in the Oxford Street Christmas lights.

Well done, Ping Coombes!

November 25, 2016 by: Sunny London

Chi Kitchen Christmas Menu

Guess who’s back? Yep. Mr. Sunny and I hit Oxford Street and Regent Street to see the 2016 Christmas lights and made sure to visit Chi Kitchen again to absorb the new Christmas menu.

We reviewed the restaurant recently, and if you have been watching my tweets, you know I suggest that it is the place to visit during Christmas if you need a food and shopping stop combined in to one, as it is inside Debenham’s department store. Our experience was great. For general ambiance information, you can read about in my previous review. To summarise, it’s easy to find, and of course, in a spectacular location for Christmas shoppers.

When it comes to the food, we feel it is great for the value. The Pan-Asian twist on Christmas caught our attention. First to hit our table is the Chilli Prawns, Sweet Potato and Turkey Sliders.

I quickly munched down all the sweet potato fries and gave Mr. Sunny the spicy opportunity to devour the chilli prawns. We both were a bit puzzled about the turkey sliders because they seem a bit unnatural for a pan-Asian menu. While they are good, the real show stealer is the blueberry mayo you see in the center. Wow- I never would’ve thought of combining these ingredients.

For the Main course, we enjoyed the Grilled Turkey with a Kalamsansi Sauce, Choo Cher Prawns, and Yuzu Salmon.

It is accompanied by a lovely side of Egg friend rice with snow peas.

For dessert, the Chi Kitchen Christmas Menu includes a Walnut Chocolate Brownie with Clotted Cream and Custard. We enjoyed this but felt a bigger dollop of clotted cream would work well.

If you’ve watched my Afternoon Tea Etiquette Guide for London, you know why.

Chi Kitchen Christmas Menu- Final Thoughts

The ambiance, food quality and price definitely work. This menu will be offered from 21st November through December and is £28 per person.

Chi Kitchen opens for breakfast and serves delicious pan-Asian food throughout the day. The Group Consultant Chef is Ping Coombes, who is the 2014 Master Chef winner.

We had the opportunity to see Angela, the Restaurant Supervisor on both visits and commend her for guaranteeing excellent service too.

December 12, 2016 by: Sunny London

Ping Coombes Breakfast Club at Chi Kitchen

Where’s the coolest culinary club in London? The Ping Coombes Breakfast Club at Chi Kitchen!

If you’ve been reading the blog the past few months, you know Mr. Sunny and I really fancy Chi Kitchen. We reviewed their full menu as well as their Christmas menu as soon as it launched. It’s safe to say we’re slightly stalking Ping Coombes.

Ok, ok, we’re not quite that bad. However, Mr. Sunny’s favourite television show is Master Chef, so he really does want to meet her, as Ping Coombes is the 2014 winner. He was totally gutted to learn about my invitation to have brunch with the super star chef because the event was happening on a day he had another commitment. But, as luck would have it, Ping Coombes wasn’t able to attend either due to becoming ill the day of the brunch.

The event was a private brunch for press to try the third occurrence of her Breakfast Club. In summary, twice a month on a Sunday she creates a special menu just for that day. The January dates haven’t been released yet, but it you visit the Chi Kitchen website or follow the restaurant on Twitter, you’ll be able to learn more.

Take a look at what she showcased at our brunch.

Ping Coombes Breakfast Club Menu:

We started on December 11th with a super delicious Banana Condensed Milk Shake and Malaysian Tea. I’m not a big fan of sweet drinks but these two tasty treats were just the right size to enjoy their sugary ingredients.

Next, we were treated to the Malaysian Karipap, Mint and Cucumber Raita, which is fragrant potato curry encased in pastry- a popular snack in Malaysia. This was delicious, and the truth is I could have eaten two.

Following this delight was Soup Kambing, a delicious and heart-warming lamb soup, flavoured with spices. You can see from the picture that I became so enthralled with the food that I forgot to take a picture until half way through devouring it!

Finally, the last course of the Ping Coombes Breakfast Club brunch featured Chicken Char Siu Wonton Noodles. This is homemade chicken char siu, wonton noodles and homemade wontons served with pickled green chillies. Yum and Yum.

Ping Coombes Breakfast Club: Final Thoughts

There you have it! The brunch is offered at £20 per person with unlimited Malaysian tea or coffee. For £25 you can add a glass of prosecco. You can read my full review of the Chi Kitchen’s menu to see all the other pan-Asian food they serve. And, if you’re out Christmas shopping on Oxford Street during the December 2016 holiday season, you want to pop in for their Christmas menu too.

My brunch at the Ping Coombs Breakfast Club was complimentary. This sure doesn’t affect my opinion of the restaurant, as it was the third time I visited. It was great to see Angela again, who is the restaurant supervisor. Her smile and energy truly represent the service and experience I have had for each meal.

In fact, I am so in favour of this pan-Asian location that I bought my mother-in-law the Ping Coombes cookbook, Malaysia: Recipes from a Family Kitchen. While she tries to replicate some of the wonderful food we’ve had at Chi Kitchen, I’m going to continue trying to convince Mr. Sunny to enter Master Chef. What do you think, Sunny friends?

November 15, 2017 by: Sunny London

Porky’s BBQ Review- Bankside London

What do you think of when someone says American food? Cheeseburgers? Barbecue? Large portion sizes? If those are images you have and they sound appetising to you, then a visit to Porky’s BBQ in London is something you might want on your list of places to eat.

Ironically, Mr. Sunny and I kicked off our Christmas celebrations with a trip to their Bankside location this year. We hit the restaurant at 1pm the day after the Southbank Wintertime Festival started. On the days leading up to our visit, we really were salivating on my iPad as we struggled with decisions about what to have while we reviewed the menu online.

I felt like I needed to order the ‘Big Ben Burger’ because Americans always flock to the clock and would probably want to read about the experience of ‘eating’ such an iconic item. And, in all honesty, I actually wanted to try the Quinoa and Feta Salad too. However, since I was invited to write a review, I thought it would be a bit cheeky to order a salad at a BBQ joint. Mr. Sunny loves ribs, burgers, wings, and all meaty types of things. So, he was torn between many different menu items. Ultimately, this is what we decided…

Porky’s BBQ Bankside- Food

For Starters, I couldn’t resist the Chilli ‘n’ Mac ‘n Cheese. Yep, I know I shouldn’t have gluten but since this is one of my all time favorite American dishes, I had to try it at Porky’s BBQ.

Hot damn it was good! If you caught my Instatories that day, you got to see my fork pulling out the first bite of the cheesy chilli dish.

Since I didn’t really feel like taking one for the tourist team, I chose the Porky Burger to have next. It is ginormous in terms of portion size. Each bite is a challenge because the burger is so big. I loved the flavors of all the ingredients but after several bites I realised that since my Starter was so heavy there was no chance of me finishing their signature burger. And, this is also one of the few times I could find no room for dessert.

Mr. Sunny had the Popcorn Chicken as a Starter and then attempted the BBQ Feast. We suspected it would be too much food for him and appreciate that our server brought us an empty platter for us to see prior to him committing to ordering it. But, perhaps this Half Rack Baby Back Ribs, 1/4 Chicken, Pulled Pork, Burnt Ends, Fries, House Slaw and Beans is best shared between two meat lovers, unless someone is training for Man vs Food 😉

Porky’s BBQ Bankside- Atmosphere

Despite the fact that the Southbank Wintertime Festival had started and it was also Remembrance Day, we found the restaurant to be spacious and quiet. My guess is that later in the evening it might not be as roomy. I can see the Beer Pong Tables attracted quite a big crowd at night.

Porky’s BBQ seems like a great location to meet a large party of colleagues, friends or even family. In fact, it seemed there was a 25th birthday celebration happening next to us with about 10 people at combined tables. Also, a very big party was just finished when we arrived.

Porky’s BBQ Bankside- Service

When we arrived, they weren’t really clear about our table being reserved and why. But they immediately put us at a great table when I indicated natural lighting would be ideal for photos in a review.

Our server seemed to know general information about the menu but not intricate details. However, as I mentioned above, it was smart for her to show us the actual plate that the BBQ Feast was served in when we asked if it might be way too much for one person to eat with a starter.

Our food was served fast and at a great temperature for grilled meat. Our server seemed really busy after our meal, so we made sure to stop by the kitchen door to thank the staff and say goodbye. Once out in the street we heard our server call to us to return to the restaurant. Apparently, they thought we left without paying a bill. The confusion swiftly cleared when I showed them the messages coordinating a restaurant review. I include this information not to point out any errors from them but really to highlight that our experience took place with truly honest intentions from the staff. We really feel we were not treated ‘special’ or better than other customers because of a complimentary review because they actually didn’t seem to know we were doing one.

Porky’s BBQ- Final Thoughts

When trying to have an authentic American BBQ experience in London as an American expat like me, a tourist who doesn’t want to try British cuisine, or as a Londoner like my husband who genuinely loves a good grilled food, Porky’s BBQ is a strong option. They have four locations in London: Camden, Bankside, Shoreditch and Crouch End.

In fact, I loved seeing their Thanksgiving Menu, which includes pumpkin pie this year! I will certainly suggest Porky’s BBQ to my American expat friends in London who are seeking a casual Thanksgiving meal.

As for the rest of our day, we will need to revisit Southbank Wintertime Festival because we didn’t try any of the food there nor eat dinner later that evening. Porky’s BBQ sure was a filling and enjoyable experience that extended well after our last bite!

May 29, 2017 by: Sunny London

Cha Chaan Teng Review- A Golden Secret in Holborn!

If you walk by Cha Chaan Teng in Holborn without stopping, you might have no idea you missed a golden opportunity. In fact, if I had not been looking for the address on 38 Kingsway, London WC2B 6EY, I would not have these two juicy secrets for you.

Mr. Sunny and I were invited to try the new summer menu at the Hong Kong fusion restaurant and were very excited. You know we love just about anything in or around Covent Garden. Eager to indulge, we did a little research to explore what Cha Chaan Teng had to offer.

That picture shares two insider tips about Cha Chaan Teng that anyone who likes sunshine and a good deal will appreciate. If that’s you- keep reading!

Cha Chaan Teng Review- Ambiance

See, if you walk down Kingsway like I did, you could miss this restaurant because its best features aren’t really visible from this angle.

The exterior is very unassuming. In fact, when we got inside we started thinking maybe our pre-game investigation wasn’t accurate. We went down a few stairs to a lower level and took a look around to see the 1950’s Pan Am decadence and modern Asian street art inside the restaurant but were curious about one thing…

‘Where was the secret terrace?’

Before taking our booked table, we asked if they have any additional seating besides the small tables outside on Kingsway and what we could see in front of us.

‘Certainly!’ said our server, who guided us another direction up some stairs to a tranquil area that seemed to good to be true in Central London.

Of course it helped that it was a beautiful sunny evening, but seriously, this spot is perfect for a quiet dinner outside in London. Yes- I said quiet. You wouldn’t think that a restaurant not too far from the Holborn underground station would have such a great ambiance in the open air. But, during the two hours we were there we felt secluded from the after work hustle so popular in Holborn.

Cha Chaan Teng Review- Cocktails and Food

Wow! As we took our seats and relaxed knowing that we were in a for a real treat, we were informed that it literally was our ‘Lucky Hour’ because their drink specials were from 5-8pm every day. During that time cocktails are just £5 and lager £3. And… on Sunday you can find those prices ALL DAY!

We knew our meal was going to be complimentary for the purpose of a review so this detail didn’t apply to use directly that night. But, it’s always exciting to learn that you can recommend a money-saving opportunity for people who like fun drinks!

Above shows the Cha Chaan Teng Gin Sour and Lychee Cobbler. Both are winners!

At Cha Chaan Teng we enjoyed the Crispy Duck Bao Bun, Lightly Glazed Crispy Soft Shell Crab and Lobster Prawn Toast. Feast your eyes on the food in the image featured below…

Next, Mr. Sunny and I enjoyed the Sha Cha Fried Fish Tossed in Sesame Seed and Crispy Cantonese Chicken.

If you are ready to splurge and aren’t counting calories, these options would be for you. I am not sure if it just took us a bit of time to dive in because we were soaking up the sunshine outside and I was taking time photographing the dishes, but we might have wanted our food to be a little warmer.

However, we sure made a huge effort to eat as much as possible and thought there would be no way to add anything extra. Our server, who was super friendly and knowledgable, did suggest the Pandan Raspberry Ripple Arctic Roll. On such a glorious, sunny day in London, we couldn’t resist.

Cha Chaan Teng Review: Prices

We found the prices to be comparable to what you would expect in Central London at a location that offers an excellent atmosphere outside and an array of signature dishes. But, really, those cocktail prices during Lucky Hour! Amazing!

Other hot items on the new summer menu you could try are:

Dried Chilli and Cumin Beef Hor Fun
Braised Bean Curd and Shitake Fritter
Steamed Whole Sea Bass
Tiger Prawn Singapore Fried Noodles

Cha Chaan Teng Review: There is more!

Since I mentioned that it’s a great spot for an office lunch, you might want to keep this restaurant in mind for bigger work do things. Cha Chaan Teng in Holborn also has conference and event space for groups of 40-250 people. They offer boardrooms and suites equipped with screens, projectors and a PA system for all manner of events, talks or meetings too.

June 8, 2019 by: Sunny London

Carluccio’s Covent Garden, London Review

If you’re out and about exploring London in the Spring sunshine, it’s tough to miss Carluccio’s Covent Garden location on Garrick Street. If the weather is nice, you will find every outside table is full with people enjoying colourful cocktails.

But did you know the food inside is just as vibrant? The Summer Menu brings the seasonal flavours of the Mediterranean to the menu.

Recently, we enjoyed an opportunity to experience the new menu. If you are living in London or visiting London and want to learn more about our restaurant recommendations you can download our Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide for free below.

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carluccios-covent-garden-restaurant-review-summer-menu

Carluccio’s Covent Garden London Review- The Food

Mr. Sunny chose the Grandioso Sharing Board above, which he enjoyed. I had a few slices of Mortedella and it brought back lovely memories of our trip to Bologna in February. For my Starter, I chose the Burrata e Frittedda and loved it! As our server explained when I asked his opinion, Burrata just has a natural edge against a traditional Caprese salad. Face it- the Caprese Salad is everywhere. Burrata is bellisima! And this dish which features whole creamy burrata cheese from Puglia with marinated artichoke, soya beans, peas, spring onion and mint, finished with lemon dressing has a gorgeous combination of flavour and texture.

However, to be really honest, our favourite food of the evening is Carluccio’s balsamic vinegar. When we were in Bologna, we went to Eataly and spent time choosing several Modena balsamic vinegars as souvenirs from our trip. After all, we are foodie travellers!

During our dinner at Carluccio’s, we actually felt that in comparison, our winner in taste when it comes to balsamic vinegar is what this restaurant chain sells.

The new menu’s stand-out dishes include their new Langoustine Fettucce pasta with mussels and cherry tomatoes in a white wine, tomato and chilli sauce topped with pistachios and the Swordfish Muddica steak in herb and parmesan breadcrumbs with courgette, rocket and Parmigiano Reggiano. Mr Sunny had the Swordfish and enjoyed it.

I ordered the Lamb Gremolata. To be fair, this one was a disappointment. When they brought it to me, we felt it was very overcooked. Our server promptly recognised this and in not long at all returned with another Lamb Gremolata.

Finally, our desserts from the menu really lived up to the refreshing flavours we anticipated. Mr Sunny feasted on the Strawberry Cheesecake Coppa, which is vanilla and strawberry ice cream, fresh strawberries, strawberry coulis, meringue, ricotta-yoghurt and flaked almonds. I loved the Torta di Cioccolata. The flourless cake ended far too soon for me. I will likely dream about it for many summer nights.

Another refreshing ice cream on the menu is the Limoncello Coppa, with vanilla ice cream, candied lemon peel topped with limoncello syrup and amaretti biscuits.

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As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

Carluccio’s Covent Garden- Masterclass

On 17th and 18th June, Campari’s brand ambassador, Paolo Tonellotto, will be sharing his tips on how to make the perfect Negroni at the Carluccio’s Covent Garden location on Garrick Street. Each 90-minute session costs £20 and includes two Negroni and antipasti and takes place at 18.30 and 20.30 on each evening. To book, you can visit www.carluccios.com.

In addition, visit any Carluccio’s across the country where three limited edition summer Negroni await – Negroni al Limone, a concoction of Campari, Cinzano 1757 Red Vermouth, and Malfy Gin (£8.50); Strawberry Negroni with Campari, Cinzano 1757 Red Vermouth, strawberry infused Pampero White Rum and strawberry purée (£8.75); or the Negroni Sbagliato with Campari, Cinzano 1757 Red Vermouth, and Prosecco (£8.75).

Carluccio’s – Hampers

Did you know Carluccio’s offers hand-picked hampers, filled with artisan Italian products from the deli?

Options include a small hamper (£23.95 and available to pick up from your local Carluccio’s deli) with fresh Pappardelle Pasta, meaty venison Ragu di Cervo and wild boar Ragu di Cinghiale sauces, and a bottle of Umani Ronchi Babylon Rosso red wine to finish. Also included is a Carluccio’s meat, poultry and game book packed full of Antonio Carluccio’s recipes that harness Italy’s variety of cuts and specialties.

Our experience was complimentary but this does not influence our ability to provide an honest review. Mr Sunny has purchased the balsamic vinegar many times from Carluccio’s in the past and stands by his opinion!

December 2, 2018 by: Sunny London

Hind’s Head Bray Review- Visiting England’s Food Capital

Can you believe I said no to trying the Christmas menu at Hind’s Head Bray when I first received the invitation to review it?

Who in her right mind calls herself a ‘foodie traveller’ and declines a complimentary experience at one of Heston Blumenthal’s Michelin starred restaurants?

Apparently… me!

Hind’s Head Bray Review- The Invitation

When reviewing the itinerary I received for a press trip to Windsor, I saw our lunch was at the pub Hind’s Head Bray. All pub related videos and stories do well on the Sunny News YouTube channel and website, so it was cool until I used Google Maps to see how far the Hind’s Head Bray was from our hotel.

5 miles!

Not a big deal if you have a car, but for our weekend in Windsor, Mr Sunny and I were taking the train from London because it’s easy. I emailed the tourism board and suggested perhaps an afternoon tea at the hotel was smarter because Americans visiting Windsor likely wouldn’t have cars available to them either to make a trip to Bray for a pub meal. So the story would not be meaningful to this large portion of my audience.

When Mr Sunny found out what I had done, he responded, ‘Big mistake. Huge.’

‘If Americans knew about Bray and what it offers for a culinary experience, they damn sure would figure out a car or Uber!’ he exclaimed.

What was unknown to me is this small village holds more Michelin stars in one condensed area than any in the world. Ok- that might be a little exaggeration, but that was Mr Sunny and his father’s response to me.

I felt like a total idiot. I made it my mission to educate Americans interested in food travel about the village of Bray.

Luckily, I was working with an A* PR professional who was gracious and forgiving with my grovelling email requesting to gain back the invitation.

Talk about having your tail between your hind! 😉

Hind’s Head Bray Review- Research

Once I discovered we still could have the opportunity, I started proper research beyond an address. In the video below, you can learn about all the awards and recognition the Hind’s Head Bray has received. I also list some royals who have visited and other interesting stories about the pub that has been around since the 15th century.

Hind’s Head Bray Review- Our Experience

From the moment we entered, we felt the gravity of how serious the Hind’s Head Bray treats the food experience.

While in the winter this pub has a cosy atmosphere and offers traditional English pub food with Heston Blumenthal’s creative, popular twist, it is NOT relaxed about its focus on an exquisite food experience.

First, we were taken to the upstairs area for cocktails and quavers.

They were beetroot and chicken flavoured. As you can see, the presentation was no after thought. The quavers not only made a striking impression when we saw them but also had strong flavour.

Several people introduced themselves, including the manager, who is a brilliant, friendly individual. Then, we were taken to our table on the ground floor to begin the food adventure designed by Heston Blumenthal.

Our starters from the A la Carte Christmas Menu were the Venison Carpaccio and the Chestnut Veloute.

Mind blowing! The portion sizes were small but packed with rich punch. Although, we both could have eaten more of them, we were careful not to become too full and potentially ruin the ability to enjoy upcoming courses.

For main courses we chose the Roast Turkey and Hereford Prime Grilled Ribeye.

Our Australian server warned us that it was the best steak she had ever eaten. If you know anything Australians, they take steak seriously!

Everything was cooked to perfection. I have never had turkey that was so juicy. In fact, Americans tend to overcook it regularly, even though you would think since it’s the main dish at Thanksgiving we would have had enough practice getting the damn bird right!

Finally, the dessert arrived.

The millionaire shortbread (called the ‘Chocolate Wine’ on the menu was indeed fit for a millionaire’s taste. Mr Sunny also spoke highly of the Cherry Bakewell Tart.

Hind’s Head Bray Review- Final Thoughts

The numerous recognitions the pub has received are fully warranted. If you are a foodie traveller and spending time in Windsor, it would be a huge mistake not to make time for exploring the culinary opportunities in Bray.

Also in my research I learned about Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck, which is just across from the Hind’s Head Bray. It holds three Michelin stars and as you can imagine also has an impeccable reputation for food.

I am grateful that my English husband and father in law were able to help me avoid making a huge mistake out of ignorance. Hopefully, I can do the same right now for you.

To see a current list of what you can enjoy at The Hind’s Head Bray, be sure to visit their website. Or follow them on Instagram to be teased every day with delicious dishes!

Do you have any embarrassing foodie stories like this one to share? Leave your ideas in the comments below.