RESTAURANT REVIEW

July 27, 2018 by: Sunny London

Porky’s BBQ West Hampstead London Review

If you are living as an expat, what cuisine do you miss the most from your home? As an American living in London, I have learned that the idea of BBQ is one of the highlights of US cuisine. While growing up in America, I didn’t appreciate it the way I do now. So, when I heard a Porky’s BBQ was opening in West Hampstead, I was quick to check it out.

If you remember, back in the Autumn I reviewed the Porky’s BBQ in Bankside. Mr Sunny and I had a significant meat fest that day. He ordered a meat platter that he struggled to finish because of its massive size, and I had a Porky’s BBQ (pulled pork sandwich). Oh, and let’s not forget that glorious Macaroni and Cheese, which is one of my top 5 favourite dishes from an American menu!

Porky’s BBQ West Hampstead: Food

It was tough not to get the same selection that I had on the Bankside menu. I thought it would be kind of silly to order the exact same things in both locations. So, this time I opted to combine some of the highlights and ordered the ‘MacPorky’. This is pulled pork, mac and cheese and bacon. Could it really get any more sinful, Sunny friends? Take a juicy look at the photo above and don’t spend too long trying to count the calories.

But, perhaps I jumped ahead to fast because of my affinity with the both the burger and classic macaroni and cheese? Let’s go back to the Starters.

First, I enjoyed the Pulled Pork Croquettes, which are breaded pulled pork, potato, and spices that are fried and served with honey mustard bbq sauce. Mr Sunny had the BBQ wings, which are smoky chicken wings tossed in a sticky bbq sauce with green onions, sesame and chilli. For his Main, Mr Sunny couldn’t resist the Rack of Baby Back Ribs.

Porky’s BBQ West Hampstead: Ambiance

Located right on West End Lane, Porky’s is a quick walk from West Hampstead Overground station, as well as underground. We arrived around 5:15pm and could choose nearly any table we wanted. Over the hour we visited, several tables were taken but there still seemed like plenty of room available for those in the mood for American BBQ on a sunny day in July.

Outside featured several tables too.

The location is open and airy, and it is decorated with American nostalgia much like the Bankside restaurant we visited. It officially opened in the end of June/early July 2018 and like any new location, it seems they are still working on some operational aspects. I encourage you to watch their success and take time to read their reviews on TripAdvisor.

I was surprised that you couldn’t smell the flavours of BBQ seeping from the restaurant, as is often a feature of these types of locations. It would be a great marketing tool for them to explore.

Porky’s BBQ West Hampstead: Prices

Prior to beginning our food review that we were invited to do at Porky’s, Mr Sunny and I stopped at a West End Lane pub for one round of drinks. For £15 we had a large red wine and pint of beer. When returning from the bar with our drinks, Mr Sunny joked that he had ‘forgotten about the West Hampstead prices for a round.’

Refreshingly, the prices on the Porky’s BBQ menu seem to be very fair. It’s a quick and easy place to eat for those who want a taste of American BBQ, without going through the trouble of smoking or grilling it themselves.

June 16, 2018 by: Sunny London

P.F. Chang’s Asian Table Review- Covent Garden London

American fans of P.F. Chang’s, you’ll be excited to know that there’s a new hotspot in London just for you, and that is P.F. Chang’s Asian Table. Although I am quite familiar with the Asian restaurant which first opened in Scottsdale, Arizona, I have never been to a location while living in America or visiting.

If you are like Mr. Sunny (my London born husband), you might not know the restaurant chain. It was founded on the concept of making food from scratch every day in every restaurant. P.F. Chang’s is the first multi-unit restaurant concept in the U.S. to honor and celebrate the 2,000-year-old tradition of wok cooking as the center of the guest experience. It’s first location opened in 1993.

P.F. Chang’s Asian Table- Location and Ambience

It’s no secret that Covent Garden is my favourite neighbourhood in London. So, of course, when an American based chain opens in the area, I’m all over it. P.F. Chang’s Asian Table is inches from the Leicester Square Underground Station. This means you are positioned extremely well for London’s Theatre District, if you would like to plan a meal in between your tickets for the two Harry Potter and the Cursed Child shows.

It’s intent is to bring an L.A. loft bar vibe to Covent Garden. Having been to Hollywood many times, I definitely feel P.F. Chang’s Asian Table hits the target here. However, the dark atmosphere is a bit tricky for food bloggers because it presents a real low-light challenge for capturing that perfect image to make your Instafans drool with you.

P.F. Chang’s Asian Table- Food

We started with the Boseong Cooler and Luck + Fortune cocktails. Our server recommended the Handmade Lobster & Shrimp Spring Roll. We also enjoyed the Dragon Roll. Both were great, in fact, the lightly coated tempura in the Dragon Roll made this option extra delicious.

Next, I had the Mongolian Beef and Mr Sunny had Chang’s Chicken, which was again a recommendation from our server. Both were good and very filling.

However, the real highlight hit the table when we had desserts. At first, we did not think ordering two would be smart because our previous food, cocktails and wine surely felt like enough. But, since we were invited to do a food review for the restaurant, we felt we should experience the full range of what is offered in one meal. And let’s face it, dessert menus are tough to turn down!

Sunny friends, the White Chocolate Bomb is a real jaw dropper. It is white chocolate filled with honeycomb, cocoa nibs, popping candy, chocolate soil, hazelnuts and creamy hazelnut ice cream. Your server will pour a bomb melting toffee sauce on top and you will have about 10 seconds to watch it melt in front of you. You lucky friends who catch the sunny rays on my Instastories saw a video of the explosion.

Equally as yummy is the Pina Colada Cheesecake. Although Mr Sunny enjoyed it and recommends it, the clear winner on the pastry menu is the White Chocolate Bomb.

P.F. Chang’s Asian Table- Quality and Final Thoughts

We felt the prices for the restaurant in Central London to be very reasonable, given it is billed to be ‘casual yet elegantly playful.’ Placed just a few streets away from Chinatown means competition from smaller, independently owned Chinese food venues. Therefore, it might be more appealing to Americans already familiar with the hugely popular brand in the United States. Londoners who have already professed loyalty to a hidden, off the beaten path hideaway in Chinatown might not venture across Charing Cross Road when their Asian cravings hit. However, P.F. Chang’s Asian Table in Covent Garden seems to offer the space and social scene (due to its mixologist and his creations) that would be hard to find in a smaller venue in Chinatown.

To see more about special offers, weekend brunch, and more go to the full menu on P.F. Chang’s Asian Table website.

How many Sunny friends have visited P.F. Chang’s in America? What was your experience?

April 22, 2018 by: Sunny London

Brasserie Blanc Chancery Lane Review- London

Spring in London is truly glorious. The temperatures rise. The sun stays out longer. Cherry blossoms bloom. And then there’s my favourite thing to see… Spring menus bursting on to the food scene!

Mr. Sunny and I selected Brasserie Blanc this year for our first official Spring restaurant experience for some very sentimental reasons. The loss of his mum earlier this year slowed down regular publications on Sunny in London. As you can appreciate, life changed for us quite a bit and we needed time to adjust.

But we decided as winter shed its final flakes (we hope), that we would start heating things up again on the blog. The press release for Brasserie Blanc’s new menu in my inbox ignited the relaunch. And this is why…

We love French food. And, my mother in law did too. After reading through the new menu together, our overall impression was strong. Raymond Blanc’s concept of joining a collection of dishes inspired by his travels is enticing, especially when it’s such a popular time of year to energize and begin new adventures. So, the menu also captured our feelings of moving forward with a bit of vibrancy.

However, we both were targeting the same dish to have when we walked in to Brasserie Blanc Chancery Lane location on a very hot evening in mid-April.

Brasserie Blanc Chancery Lane- The Food

That’s the Malabar Fish Curry with Toasted Coconut. And, I won the draw to have it as my Main Course. It is roast hake with aromatic spices and coconut milk, grilled king prawn, shallot crisps and coconut rice. I can attest to the fact that it is divine!

Backing up a bit in my food journey, I started with the Mediterranean Fish Soup. This was an odd selection for me because I never order soup and rarely eat it at home. Further, the near 90° Fahrenheit temperature outside certainly wasn’t beckoning me to the dish. But, again the ingredients sounded so scrumptious.

I loved it. And, adding the final touches of cheese, croutons, etc myself was a little fun too. The soup is rich with balanced flavour and the texture is silky smooth.

Mr. Sunny or his mother would never pass up Escargot on a menu. It’s their favourite. Well, that’s if Buffalo Wings aren’t on the menu, because Mr Sunny is an avid wingman. However, it would be rare to see a restaurant feature both on a menu because they are cuisine worlds away!

He enjoyed them and followed the Starter with his other French fav- Moules Frites!

While he indicated his preference for mussels is slightly different from how the chef served them, he said the dish was thoroughly enjoyable. He felt both his courses would have been real winners with his mum too.

For our final selection, we decided to share one chocolate fondant, one of the evening’s specials, because our first and second courses were so filling. Sharing food (especially dessert) is not something for which I am known. 😉

Initially, I was disappointed at the small size when it hit the table. However, after a delicious few bites, each of us felt that only ordering one was indeed the correct thing to do. They had warned us that it was a chocolate lover’s feast, and they were exactly right!

Brasserie Blanc Chancery Lane- Service

It is rare that service during a blog review goes wrong. So, I try to look for signs that would be consistent regardless of the circumstance so readers trust my recommendations. We had the chance to talk to many staff members while at Brasserie Blanc. Their communication with one another and system for managing each table was solid.

Further, each person offered extensive knowledge at various points. Our server, Christopher, knew the menu well and offered suggestions that worked to exceed our expectations. Also impressive was the Brouilly Domaine des Dames de la Roche that we enjoyed upon the suggestion of the manager. We were initially concerned that since all of our courses featured fish that we would be remiss by not having white wine. It was the perfect red wine pairing for a vibrant spring day.

Brasserie Blanc Chancery Lane- Ambience

Mr. Sunny and I usually schedule our blog review dinners early because we find it easier for photographs and less distracting for other people dining in a restaurant. When we arrived at 6.15pm there weren’t many tables filled, and that was expected at such an early booking. As the evening progressed, Brasserie Blanc had a strong, steady crowd.

It seemed nearly all patrons entering were French. For a culture known for its passion and appreciation for fine food, seeing so many ‘natives’ at tables gave even more credit to my thoughts about our experience. Again, restaurants can put on their best face for a pre-arranged, complimentary blog dinner, but observing this type of clientele to me says there is consistency with Brasserie Blanc Chancery Lane.

Finally, I also appreciated that the tables were fairly spaced apart and we weren’t crammed in to a small space elbowing other guests. However, ladies make sure you don’t have too much champagne or wine before you attempt the tight spiral staircase to the loo!

Brasserie Blanc Chancery Lane- Final Thoughts

An additional point worth noting is that Brasserie Blanc has an extensive gluten free menu. Also, impressive is the new Sunday Lunch Menu.

They have many restaurants in London (Charlotte Street, Hammersmith Riverside, Southbank, Threadneedle Street and Tower of London). You can also find them in Bath, Leeds, Oxford, St Albans, Portsmouth and several other locations in England.

Our evening was a blend of past, present and future as when said a toast to my mother in law, enjoyed a spring revival for the blog and discussed our upcoming trip to Prague.

Brasserie Blanc is at the top of my suggestion list for Londoners and people who visit London that are seeking classic French cuisine with a fun flair and flavour.

May 5, 2017 by: Sunny London

Sushi Shop in London

When Sushi Shop in London sent me an invitation to attend a launch party for their limited edition box, one thing jumped off the screen to me in the email. The event was the same day as my birthday.

Mr. Sunny and I have attended blog events on our anniversary, but in the four years I have been blogging, I haven’t chosen to go to a blog gig on my birthday. I wasn’t going to rule it out immediately, so I spent some time reading the event details and press release. This one looked like a real star, so I sent back a RSVP to attend.

Images of the Sushi Shop caught my attention because they were so stunning. The concept for the event and product also seemed fun and different. That’s tough to accomplish in the competitive London restaurant scene.

Sushi Shop in London: Concept

The event was to promote their collaboration with one of the most talented tattoo artists in the world, Scott Campbell. And yes, he happens to be American like me. 😉 Celebrities wearing his creative work include: Josh Harnett, Orlando Bloom, Helena Christensen, Penelope Cruz and Marc Jacobs. Literally, you would need to wait a year or more if you want to be on that list. Unless, you approach it through Sushi Shop!

When we arrived at the event, we had the opportunity to receive a temporary tattoo created by Scott Campbell.

As a side note, mine lasted several days and really took some work to remove! I will post a video on my Instagram to show you the process.

Scott Campbell collaborated with Sushi Shop to offer sushi items that captured a sensory experience both through taste and visual appeal. The explosive box includes 42 pieces of sushi that really do live up to the full sensory journey concept. I know this because I tried every single one!

Sushi Shop in London: Limited Edition Box

Aside from a temporary tattoo station, Sushi Shop had tables covered with sushi to tease us upon arrival. We had the chance to learn a bit about the process through professional demonstrations. And then they turned us loose on the tables.

Some of the pieces in the box include citrus salmon rolls, spinach and tempura Maki, tuna zuke and tomato, cooked tuna avocado spring rolls, chicken caesar rolls. The last one absolutely stole my heart. Obviously, a chicken caesar roll isn’t something you see every day. I loved it because of the surprise pop of a crouton you experience just after you bite in to it. Yummy!

Feedback from other bloggers was fantastic. Every single one of us filled our plates several times and giggled that we were ‘sorry not sorry’ for the gluttony. The sushi is outstanding. Perhaps the biggest compliment came from a blogger who said she actually had just had a box delivered to her flat a few days prior to the event.

Twice in one week? Now THAT’s good sushi!

Sushi Shop in London: History and Happenings

Founded in 1998, the Sushi Shop brand developed in to a franchise from 2006. The French entrepreneurs who started it now have 88 retail outlets in France and 33 internationally. You can find Sushi Shop also in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands.

London locations include the Marylebone shop that hosted the event and Notting Hill and Old Brompton. Keep your eye open for more very, very soon too! Sushi Shop in London is open 7 days a week from 11.00am to 10.00pm. And, one of the coolest things is that they offer free delivery on orders of £12.90 or more.

Sushi Shop in London: What’s Next?

After the event, Mr. Sunny and I hit a pub for some final birthday celebration drinks. The day was memorable and I am grateful that I had the chance to learn about this exciting sushi venue and their limited edition box. Later that night, I found a card in my event gift bag to allow me to receive a complimentary box of sushi from Sushi Shop in London. It surely was a great gift on my birthday that I can’t wait to use soon!

February 13, 2017 by: Sunny London

The Admiralty Pub Review

When Mr. Sunny and I scheduled The Admiralty Pub review, we had no idea what a treat it would be. We chose it because it is the easiest pub to find in London. It’s billed as ‘London’s Most Central Pub’ and it’s the only pub in Trafalgar Square. This could be a double-edged sword though, because we assumed it would likely be very touristy.

Several months ago we stopped in for drinks and it was super crowded. Now, we know it’s also because the food alone will bring all hands on deck.

Admiralty Pub Review: Food

Planning in advance, we reviewed the menu. The Fuller’s pub specialises in hand-crafted pies made with a fresh, signature shortcrust pastry filled with a range of delicious combinations. They are served up alongside tasty mash and gravy, and of course, they’re best enjoyed with a pint of Fuller’s ale. I loved the anchor embedded on the top of each pie.

I ordered the tasting board, which featured three mini-pies and three matched samples of ale. It came with London Pride, which is the only beer Mr. Sunny’s dad drinks. It’s also the flagship beer of Fuller’s. Also served were ESB and Honeydew.

Mr. Sunny informed me that ‘ESB’ was nicknamed ‘Extra Strong Beer’ by people years ago because when it was made, it had a higher alcohol percentage level than other beers. I don’t drink beer, but our server really wanted me to try the Honeydew. It actually was fairly light and enjoyable. However, Mr. Sunny says he feels maybe it’s a bit ‘girly’ and he’ll stick to a more manly ESB.

The steak pie was our favourite. Separately, Mr. Sunny ordered the chicken and chorizo pie. We felt the pies could use a bit more filling, but that could just be because we really like to eat a lot.

The tasting board also came with ‘pie liquor.’ I’ve heard of it, but never tried the green coloured parsley sauce until then.

While the pies were tasty and definitely cooked to perfection, the sneaky show stealer was the sticky toffee pudding. The portion is much bigger than what you normally receive other places. The flavours sail together at The Admiralty perfectly.

The Admiralty Pub Review: Service

This one is tough for us to judge what your experience could be, because we were able to dine in the special Admiral’s Cabin on the top deck’ of the pub. I shrieked with enthusiasm when we walked in to the private area because of the exclusive private dining opportunity and what it would allow me to do in terms of filming a YouTube video.

Everyone we met was keen to make sure nothing was adrift during our experience. The service made us feel like VIP’s. If you’re looking to host an after work drink, Christmas party, or other small special occasion, I would highly recommend this space. It even has its own loo!

The Admiralty Pub Review: Value

We feel the value for the money is great. Considering the location is in one of the most popular places in the world, the prices are more than fair for the food and atmosphere you receive. There’s also a lower deck you can visit too.

The Admiralty Pub’s exact address is 66 Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS. We look forward to going back and trying their breakfast some day too.

We featured in on the Sunny News on YouTube channel in our ‘Best Hidden London Pubs video‘ It shows of the delicious food and atmosphere of The Admiralty Pub, and then ventures off to secret pubs of London.

February 5, 2017 by: Sunny London

Chinese New Year Menu at Bo Drake London

I have been terrified about writing my review of the Chinese New Year Menu at Bo Drake in Soho. You’ll never guess why either.

It’s not because the experience wasn’t fantastic. In fact, I look forward to taking Mr. Sunny soon because he would really love the chicken wings and quite a few other things on the menu. My friend and I had a lovely experience, but the photos may show otherwise. And it may or may not be my fault. I’ll leave that for you to decide at the end of the review.

I’ve been sticking to a formula for restaurant reviews over the past few months. My mother suggested to me that people really just want to know if the food is good, is the place nice and what’s the value for money. Yep. Can’t argue with mom.

Chinese New Year Menu at Bo Drake: Ambiance

When my friend and I arrived on a Monday night, we were excited that the restaurant was spacious and not super crowded. Our service for the evening was swift and friendly. As the evening progressed, other customers started to file in.

Chinese New Year Menu at Bo Drake: Food Quality

The modern Asian restaurant is celebrating Chinese New Year for a month with a special menu. Inspired by the Year of the Rooster, it’s featuring chicken as a central role, alongside a diverse range of Japanese sake.

The Korean Fried Chicken, a lightly fried Korean classic served with grapes and rosemary was divine. I didn’t quite understand the grapes in the combination, but they can easily be avoided. I usually don’t eat wings because they are messy. I made an exception and ran to the bathroom to wash my hands immediately after!

Next, I tried the Sweet Potato Noodles with Seasonal Vegetables and Fried Hens Egg. Holy smokes- this one rocks!

Their Chinese New Year Menu also includes Pan-fried Chicken Terrine, Grilled Artichoke and Gochujang Demi-glaze. Another winner.

Most intriguing was the Sake Tiramisu. As an Italian American, I was skeptical about how this would go. The portion size was great and I enjoyed every bite. It was flavourful and light.

Chinese New Year Menu at Bo Drake: Prices

What I left out above is that the menu is served alongside a diverse range of Japanese sake. This is a bit scary for me. If you’ve read all my other restaurant reviews, you’ll see I stick to fruity cocktails, champagne, prosecco and red wine. Sake is serious to me, so I stay away from it.

I told the server this at the start of our dinner, and agreed to have only the final sake that was to be served. I can’t really offer a good opinion of it, having no knowledge base to compare it too. I think the Chinese New Year menu at Bo Drake is a phenomenal deal at £38 per person, if you enjoy sake.

The special set menu will be available at lunch and dinner daily, including the sake pairings.

Since my husband loves all things meat, I plan to return to Bo Drake to try more of their combinations of East Asia and slow-cooking BBQ methods from America and Europe.

Chinese New Year Menu at Bo Drake: Final Thoughts

I actually thought of calling this review ‘Cock-a-doodle-doof’! Aside from the street shot of Chinatown that I took on another occasion, all photos above (as the text overlay I included states) are courtesy of Bo Drake. I have always refused stock shots from venues because that doesn’t seem fair to readers.

However, I have also always struggled with low light and recently bought this selfie ring light that proved really amazing in previous restaurants that were very dark. It just stopped working only after a few uses and really was disappointing. In the spirit of honesty though, I do want to share the pictures I took at Bo Drake’s. Go ahead and laugh. It’s embarrassing that after three years of blogging I am in this situation, but it’s the reality.

If you have any suggestions for a selfie light that works well or what you’ve done to overcome low light photography issues, please leave them in the comments below. And please, please don’t judge what your experience could be like at Bo Drake’s based on my poor images. The food was great and service and ambiance won’t disappoint either.

The Chinese New Year Menu experience at Bo Drake was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This doesn’t change my opinion of the dinner. However, my poor photos will likely mean that I am never invited for another experience with the PR company that represents them. In any case, I will return to the restaurant soon to eat their delicious food again.

December 6, 2016 by: Sunny London

The Mango Tree Christmas Menu

The Mango Tree Christmas Menu for 2016 totally rocks! Mr. Sunny and I recently reviewed the Belgravia location and the restaurant’s location inside Harrods Food Hall and enjoyed both. However, their newly launched Christmas menu is one not to miss. Not only is the food delicious, but also the price is great.

We arrived a little ahead of our 6pm table booking because we know the cocktails at The Mango Tree are exquisite. They’re both tasty and beautifully presented like the one you see above. That is the drink I ordered, the Funky Coco. It’s rich with Malibu rum, natural fresh Thai coconut water, lychee liqueur and lychee juice and served in a fresh Thai coconut. Ohhhhh yum!

Mr. Sunny gulped down the Mango Colada. Again, a cool cocktail that looks great too!

Mango Tree Christmas Menu 2016: The Food

Since we aren’t vegetarians, we ate from the ‘Meat’ Christmas menu. The Starters feature:

Por Pia Gua Nguang, which is smoked turkey breast wrapped with mixed vegetables in spring roll sheet
See Krong Gae Yang Nam Peung, a slow-cooked lamb marinated in Thai spicy honey sauce
Goong Tod Samunprai, deep-fried sweet prawn tossed with garlic, chilli and spring onions

Each one is decadent in taste, and the overall presentation is fun. As we sipped on our wine, we started to get a little nervous about the Mains arriving, as the Starters were quite filling. However, we knew we would make a hearty attempt to eat everything, as usual. The Mains on The Mango Tree Christmas Menu are:

Panang nuer, slowly cooked beef brisket topped with rich panang curry sauce, pea aubergine and sweet basil
Gai nguang pad nor-mai farang, turkey breast stir-fried with asparagus, sprouts and parsnip and garlic sauce
Pla Salmon hor bai tong, baked salmon steak marinated with fresh kachai, garlic, coriander, and Thai herbs wrapped in banana leaf
Pad Thai jay, Thai rice noodles stir-fried, with chinese chives, crushed peanuts, bean curd, and beansprouts in a homemade sauce

My favourite was definitely the last one, the pad Thai. It was rich with rolling flavour. However, the dessert blew me away. I would never have thought to combine mango with chocolate. The Mango Tree Christmas Menu has its most unique offering in the Mango Mousse.

While it doesn’t look too exotic, the total combination of mango mousse with chocolate crumble dusted with green tea macha powder is refreshing and super tasty. I would have to say it’s possibly one of the best desserts I have had in England on a Christmas menu at a restaurant.

The Mango Tree: Ambiance

This Belgravia hot spot has a swanky atmosphere and attracts a big crowd. Shortly after we arrived for dinner, the restaurant’s tables were nearly all full. You certainly want to book ahead if you’re heading there to sample the Christmas menu or for any other occasion, just to be safe. I loved the Christmas decorations and feel The Mango Tree gets a ton of cool stars for atmosphere.

The Mango Tree Christmas Menu: Price

On our first visit to the Belgravia location we felt it was a bit pricey for dinner. That sentiment is certainly not the same for the 2016 Christmas menu. At £38 per person, it’s really reasonable. I brought a bit of the pad Thai home because I just couldn’t part with it and knew I would crave it the next day. We really struggled to finish alll the food, so the portion sizes are rather big and more than enough for two large appetites.

The Mango Tree Christmas Menu: Final Thoughts

Don’t be discouraged by all the meat items above if you’re vegetarian, because The Mango Tree Christmas Menu has a lengthy list of vegetarian items too. Whether for a romantic date night or festive night with friends, this new menu packs a great punch for the 2016 season.

Our meal was complimentary for the purpose of a review, but this doesn’t affect our opinion. It was our best experience at The Mango Tree, which is also located in Doha and Bangkok. Let me know what you think if you’re able to make it to experience this holiday meal. Again, great food and good deal!

November 29, 2016 by: Sunny London

Namaaste Kitchen Review- Camden Town

Being invited to the Namaaste Kitchen in Camden, the ‘Best Indian Restaurant of 2014’, is quite an honour, especially when it’s to be one of the first people to eat from their Christmas menu.

Actually, I am still learning about Indian food, as I had never eaten it until several months after I moved to London. The first time I tried it was on a walking food tour of the East End when we visited Brick Lane. Londoners know that this is quite a popular place to eat Indian food. Mr. Sunny loves the cuisine. Some of his favourite dishes include Madras, Vindaloo and Lamb Pasanda. He thought he knew a lot about Indian food, until we checked out the menu at Namaaste Kitchen. Right away, he realised it is very contemporary, and this was new adventure for him.

On a Saturday night, we arrived a half hour before our table booking, eager to learn more about Namaaste Kitchen and their excellent reputation in a very trendy part of London.

The staff quickly gave us a table and didn’t seem bothered that we had arrived so early. We ordered our standard beer and red wine and perused the menu while munching on poppadoms. I adored the mango sauce featured on the far left in the picture above.

Mr. Sunny wanted to try food from the a la carte menu. Since I have had the festive spirit since mid-October, I was all over the Christmas menu. Namaaste Kitchen has quite an extensive holiday offering. I chose menu ‘C’, as there are three set menus from which to choose.

Namaaste Kitchen Review: The Food

Above is the first bit to arrive at our table. We weren’t quite sure what it was. However, it was pretty good. Next, Mr. Sunny had his Starter, Tandoori Aastish-e-Jingha. This is jumbo prawns marinated in English mustard. I had Dal Chini Salmon, which is salmon fillet infused in Dhungar with Cinnamon exotic spices. This is traditional quick smoke procedure used to flavour a dish.

Mr. Sunny thoroughly enjoyed his prawns, and my salmon was a homerun. I rarely order salmon on a menu, unless I feel pressure to be really healthy. The salmon on the Namaaste Kitchen Christmas menu is different. I would really get excited about having it again because the incorporation of cinnamon with a beautifully cooked piece of seafood is extraordinary. Well done to the Chef!

For our Main courses, Mr. Sunny ordered lobster and I ate the Lamb Xacuti. My dish is tender boneless lamb cooked in a paste of fresh ground coconut, cumin and coriander. This dish packed some serious flavour. I’m a real lightweight when it comes to spice. Further, cumin and coriander have never been high on my list. I tried to eat as much as possible, balanced with gulps of water and a splash of wine.

For me, it was a little too hot. Again, I’m new to Indian food, and Mr. Sunny didn’t think it was too spicy at all. His lobster was gone before I knew it.

Finally, we shared a Christmas pudding because we knew we were too full to manage a dessert each. While we both loved the Christmas pudding with Saffron Vanilla Custard, Mr. Sunny was especially happy. He said it wasn’t traditional English Christmas pudding and that’s why it was so good. 😉

Hmmmm. Yet, he’s the one who said Christmas pudding should be in the ‘What Do British People Eat for Christmas’ video…

Namaaste Kitchen Review: Food Quality

We both felt that the value for the money is well worth it for both the 2016 Christmas Menu and a la carte menu at Namaaste Kitchen. I’m guessing the Indian and Pakistani restuarant is very consistent with their food and service because there wasn’t a table available when we left. Our experience was fantastic, and I would look forward to trying other items on their menu. Well, as long as they are super mild. I’m still working my way through understanding Indian cuisine and what resonates with me.

Namaaste Kitchen Review: Location

The restaurant is inches from Camden Town underground station on Parkway, which is Camden High Street. It’s a buzzing area at all times of the day, especially at night. The ambiance and decor of Namaaste Kitchen match the contemporary theme. Our first visit was complimentary for the purpose of a review. However, we are eager to return again on our own, as we are sure the experience would be just as lovely.

What Christmas menus in London have you had the chance to try this year? Are there annual Christmas things to do and events in which you look forward in London every year?

October 26, 2016 by: Sunny London

Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa Review- A Heavenly Experience

When I tried thinking of catchy titles for this Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa review, it felt really cliché to call the food ‘heavenly’ because it’s such an overused metaphor. But how could I not?

Warning: this review is going to be loaded with religious puns. If that’s not something you appreciate, add it to my list of sins this week. Oh, and if you’re a vegetarian, the grass isn’t going to be greener at the end of this food review for you either.

After a fun night at the Jamie Oliver Cookery School, Mr Sunny and I were invited to be guests of Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa St Paul’s location. Would you turn down a steak dinner? 😉

In my last restaurant review I indicated future writing would focus on three areas: ambiance, quality of food and service. One of the many unique selling points of this steakhouse is location, which adds to its ambiance. We’ll start there.

Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa- Ambiance

When you google this restaurant you will repeatedly see ‘St Paul’s.’ It’s highly likely your table at the steakhouse will have the cathedral as its backdrop as well. We arrived at about 6pm on a beautiful Autumn October night in London. I probably spent the first ten minutes at the table taking pictures for Instagram stories, Snapchat, and this blog review.

Mr Sunny was a bit put off by my lack of consideration for the menu. However, I gave him free reign that night to choose everything. I mean, what smart girl gets in between a man and a steak?

On that note- ladies, listen up. One of the best tips I ever learned about meeting men was in Patti Stanger’s book Become Your Own Matchmaker. She outlines a strategy to meet men who likely do very well in life is to have a glass of wine (by yourself) at a steakhouse after work. It might be blasphemy to stray from the food review topic for a sec but seriously- Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa is a complete meat fest of men in nice suits for you single ladies. *Cue Beyoncé song now*

I’ll even take it a step further and say, have steak at the bar. It turns most men on to know a chick digs beef. Ok, it might not be as sexy as Jen Aniston’s stripper scene in We’re the Millers or Cameron Diaz’s car washing performance in Bad Teacher. But- it is a turn on for most blokes. Anyhow, back to the re-view.

While Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa has the low light atmosphere which is classic for a steakhouse, it foils the illumination of the cathedral perfectly.

While the sun set during our dinner, the sky filled with orange and purple fire, forming a glorious halo around St Paul’s. Scenery hand-crafted by gods, no doubt. I confess- my biggest sin that evening was not being prepared ahead of time for low-lighting photography.

Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa- Food

We started with cocktails from the happy hour menu. Both were fresh and elegant. A great way to anoint the night.

My Tuna Ceviche starter had a range of citrus and seafood flavours. The crunchy texture of vegetables against the tuna was delightful.
Yep. I’m sure you already guessed that Mr Sunny had the Chicken Wings. He manages to slide this in to as many food reviews as possible. He really should write a guest blog feature on the best wings in London. Considering I trained him well at the home of the original wing, Anchor Bar, when I lived in Buffalo, he’s very qualified.

Then, as the sun was tucked away behind St Paul’s Cathedral, our tray of steak arrived. I kid you not. This Rib-Eye for Two is of biblical pro-portions. As my dad would say, ‘Dear God in Heaven!’ This steak will bring any carnivore to his/her knees. Cooked exactly to our specification, juicy and rich with flavor, this steak scored high on our satisfaction chart.

However, most surprising are the sides. I snuck in the Truffle Mac and Cheese. It didn’t disappoint. But the real hit of the evening was the spinach. Trying to decide which bite to choose as my last (steak or spinach) was tough! The nutmeg accent is strong but this cooked spinach side dish is a must not miss at Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa. There is something to be said for a spinach that stands that well against a tender cut of beef!

Finally, we filled ourselves just a bit more with the Snickerverse dessert!

Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa- Service

Every encounter we had at the restaurant was excellent. While you would expect bang on service at these prices, we know it isn’t a guarantee. The service was just enough at all the right times. Attentive but not intrusive. This allowed us to fully enjoy the food and atmosphere.

Jamie Oliver’s Barbacoa- Final Thoughts

If your budget is such that you can afford a restaurant like this regularly, then I’d suggest Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa as often as you crave steak. If you save experiences like this for special occasions, I would suggest an anniversary, wedding proposal or new job celebration night. We arrived early evening and the restaurant filled steadily during the course of our meal.

The crowd on a Tuesday night seemed filled with work colleagues and perhaps those in London on business. However, Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa was a really romantic date night for us. In fact, we paired it with a trip to Sky Garden first.

We were guests of Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa. I will not be in confession for anything dishonest in my blog review. However, our trip to the restaurant did involve a substantial amount of gluttony. For this Father, we have truly sinned. 😉

October 16, 2016 by: Sunny London

Pan Chai Review- Luxury Pan Asian Food

Food at Harrods is always divine. Pan Chai is no exception. As part of our Pan-Asian run recently, Mr. Sunny and I had the chance to sit down and thoroughly enjoy a decadent dinner in one of London’s finest luxury department stores.

Located in the Harrods Food Halls, the restaurant serves a range of fresh, Pan-Asian dishes. For this food review, we felt we would identify the three categories that mean the most to us when we choose a place to eat. Here we go…

Pan Chai Review: Food Quality

The best service and ambiance in the world won’t make up for bad food. There are no worries with that happening at Pan Chai. Above you can see what our first bites involved, and that is the Snow Crab Salad. It was like a ‘you had me at hello’ experience for us. Not only did the presentation WOW us, but the flavours and texture worked beautifully together too.

Second to sweep in to our palette is the Mixed Tempura, which is composed of shrimp, crab and lobster.

Yes, it’s unhealthy. Yes, it rocks!

At this point in the meal, I was filling up and probably could have stopped. Mr. Sunny smiled and said, ‘Sweetheart, I don’t think we’ve even really started.’

*Gulp*

He was right. This Omekase Platter hit the spot in front of us, and we both launched in to the dish.

When it comes to sashimi and sushi there is no room for error in terms of freshness. A somewhat ‘aged’ piece ruins a food experience. The seafood on the platter at Pan Chai could have been swimming ten minutes before for all I could guess. 😉

The Jumbo Tiger Prawn made us dizzy with delight. I would highly recommend it.

Finally, we had the Alaskan King Crab Leg. This one was a bit surprising, as the crab meat was very dry. I would be a bit hesitant if crab was served too wet. But, it just didn’t match our preferences enough to order it again.

Pan Chai Review: Service

Service is stellar at this Harrods restaurant. It is absolutely on par with what you would expect at one of the most luxurious places to shop in the world. We were seated quickly, our food was ready fast, and they were keen to prepare items that showcased the chef’s strengths as well as matched our interests.

Pan Chai Review: Ambiance

This is a tricky one. Situated in the Food Halls of Harrods means that you aren’t going to eat in a secluded, sexy environment that screams date night. It’s tough for me sometimes not to feel like I’m in a swanky airport bar when I eat here. Sitting at a counter on an unmovable leather and marble stool close to other people drives me a bit crazy. However, that’s no surprise when you are planning to eat at Pan Chai. It’s plainly visible what the ambiance situation is as you view the ‘exterior’.

It has a sleek and modern design. Also, the open-plan kitchen allows guests to witness the chefs Pan-Asian work, as they prepare the sushi and sashimi.

Pan Chai Review: Final Thoughts

Overall, Mr. Sunny and I would be ecstatic to return to Pan Chai restaurant. As our meal was complimentary for the purpose of a review, we probably wouldn’t eat as much. Although we ate all of our food, it was too much for two people in one sitting. The restaurant really wanted to give us a nice selection of their Pan-Asian dishes, and they sure accomplished this goal.

If you enjoy and can afford luxury food experiences in London, this is a great place to go either while taking a break from shopping or if you’re in the Knightsbridge area. The Pan-Asian flavours flow through every dish and the vibrant presentation of Southeast Asian cuisine is showcased in the signature dishes.