RESTAURANT REVIEW

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 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?

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?

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.

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.

October 3, 2016 by: Sunny London

The Holly Bush Pub Hampstead Review

Who in Hampstead isn’t familiar with The Holly Bush Pub? Everyone in this North London area knows this traditional 18th century wood panelled pub, yet it’s hidden down a small street which is at the top of a steep hill. It’s certainly no place in the path of a tourist.

I first visited The Holly Bush pub in 2013 when Mr. Sunny and I attended a leaving drink for one of his colleagues. I felt like I was in a pirate pub. This is neither from Mr. Sunny’s work mates nor the other clientele. It’s because the decor is dark, rooms are small and candles seem to provide most of the light. In my early stages of living as an American expat in London, I felt like I had transcended back centuries and was a part of a secret meeting place for beer lovers.

Since then the pub has been refurbished. Yet, it still holds on to its flavour. And, boy does it have flavour!

I featured the Holly Bush pub in my Hampstead Pub Crawl in 2014. However, in all of this time, I never thought to eat there. While the history is rich and local sentiment is strong, I always thought of it as a great place for North Londoners to drink. When Mr Sunny and I received an invitation to review a Fuller’s Kitchen and we realised The Holly Bush was an option, it was just a matter of picking a date we were both off before we booked our table.

I knew photography would be a challenge because low light is really tricky. How the meal would be remained a mystery.

Mr. Sunny spent no time sampling the beer, as you can see by his half empty glass above. He says, ‘Half full or half empty, as long as there’s beer in the glass, who cares?’

Me, when I have to take a picture for a review!

He was mildly scolded for jumping to the Fuller’s beer too fast. But, I can’t say I blame him.

The first items to arrive (aside from my wine) were these starters. Below you can see his Devonshire crab mayonnaise, quails egg, and toasted sour dough. I enjoyed the Artichoke and Ricotta Ravioli with lemon and poppy-seed sauce.

As a girl who grew up in Florida, I don’t get too excited when I see seafood on a menu in London. I was caught off guard by how amazing Mr. Sunny’s crab dish tasted. Fresh and gorgeous. Even more striking was my ravioli. I’m Italian, so it was pretty risky to order ravioli in an English pub and assume it woud be good. The combination of lemon, poppy seeds and ricotta was certainly a new one for me. This dish rocked!

We both agreed that we could have eaten the Starters as bigger Main Dishes. The food was that delicious. Perhaps this built too high of hopes for our next course.

Mr Sunny took one for the blog team and ordered the Canoed Sea Bream because we were told the presentation would be the best of all the dishes for pictures. This meant the beef on the menu was all mine! I had been silently strategizing about how I could be the one who got to have the Hampshire Ribeye Steak as a non-sharing plate. 😉

We agreed the presentation was certainly interesting. Unfortunately, this fish dish wasn’t a winner because Mr Sunny found quite a few bones in his bites. My steak was cooked exactly how I ordered it, and that was the problem.

When I was asked how I wanted it cooked, Mr. Sunny jumped in with, ‘Blue!’ I added to that, ‘I am ok if meat is still moving, so let’s go with rare.’ Props to the chef for the precision and accuracy. This steak was certainly prepared to that preference. In hindsight, I should have said, ‘medium rare.’ Now I know that my response should not be so dramatic in the future.

Saving room for dessert, we looked forward to the final course. I’m a sucker for Sticky Toffee Pudding, so I didn’t even see anything else on the menu. And this pudding with stick with me for a long, long time.

While I’ve taken better pictures at other restaurants of sticky toffee pudding, none (and I mean none!) can beat the taste of this one! Holy heaven! Texture, temperature and taste were double A star! Here is Mr. Sunny’s Chocolate Fondant Tart with rosewater marshmallow and vanilla ice cream.

I think he said it was really good. However, I was so induced by the entrancing sticky toffee pudding that I don’t recall much after my first bite.

After posting some images on my Instagram, I learned that The Holly Bush pub in Hampstead also has a rock star Sunday roast. We’d love to go back for this. I’m guessing the other Fuller’s Kitchens probably offer the same caliber of food because the brand has Head Chef, Pascal Persigout’s signature on every menu.

We’d be eager to visit the Holly Bush pub again for a dinner, or any other Fuller’s Kitchen for that matter. If you are one of the few people who doesn’t know hasn’t heard of this popular pub, you can find it on 22 Holly Mount London NW3 6SG. You’ll be glad you hiked up the hill once you have that sticky toffee pudding at the end of your meal!