RESTAURANT REVIEW

June 16, 2014 by: Sunny London

Cocochan and the Flippin’ Fabulous Fish

Cocochan has been making me crazy for months. Not kidding.

I first discovered this Pan Asian Restaurant on Twitter in December. I really don’t remember who followed whom first. Since then, I’ve watched the restaurant’s Twitter account ignite. Its social media reach is exploding. The pictures posted of the food are insane.

So, what’s the story behind this place?

Cocochan is located right near Selfridges in St. Christopher’s Square.
It’s always packed.

Every time I walked by, I was intrigued. Mr. Sunny and I stopped by once to introduce ourselves to the magician behind the social media accounts. We also checked out the menu. It was excellent bait for us. We’re sushi lovers.

For Mr. Sunny’s birthday on Friday June 13th, I decided to treat him to an ‘All You Can Eat Birthday Meal’ at Cocochan. Yeah, I know it was his birthday, so he should’ve had the choice. However, since I was paying, I got the final say. And, I had to make sure it was Blogalicious.

We arrived and were escorted to a special reserved table. Next, we were given complimentary champagne and our water glasses featured two origami butterflies…
The butterflies said “Happy Birthday, Mr. Sunny!’ Clever, indeed.

The menu was overwhelming. We didn’t know how to decide. As we waded through it, we munched on some gorgeous green peppers.
I finally decided on a Maki Sushi selection. This is the Salmon and Avocado Hoso Maki.
And, yeah, you’re going to see that ‘Happy Birthday, Mr. Sunny’ butterfly in just about every picture. It was such a nice gesture, I want to feature it as much as possible.

Mr. Sunny had Crab, Enoki and Saffron Dumplings from the Starter section of the Specials menu.
Mr. Sunny says, ‘They were bloody lovely!’

In fact, there were a few more in the serving. We were so excited about the wonderful flavours of both Starters that we forgot to photograph his when it first arrived. Oops.

For our third Starter, we shared the Mixed Selection of Sashimi which had tuna, salmon and seabass.
Mr. Sunny calls this dish “Flippin’ Fabulous!’ Why? Because he said the fish was so fresh he swears it was still flipping in his mouth.

You feel me, Sunny friends?

We were totally tormented over what to do next. Order Main courses or continue layering on more Starters? Any guesses?

We piled up our plates. Here’s my Smoked Salmon and Prawn Tempura Roll.
Do you think I stopped there? No chance.

And, here’s my ‘Dragon’ Eel and Avocado Ura Maki.
I can’t even find words to tell you how exquisitely the flavours rolled around my mouth. Beautiful. Just beautiful.

Mr. Sunny had the Tiger Prawn Tempura, Spicy Mayo.
AND, the Chilli Squid Shichimi Salt, Sweet Chilli…
AND… the Crispy Aromatic Duck Rolls…

Mr. Sunny calls this experience a ‘multiple orgasm of flavor.’

He said it. Not me. 😉 I’m trying to keep this whole blog thing Rated G.

Mr. Sunny’s Final Thoughts on Cocochan:

– ‘This is a shame. I’m full and I haven’t even touched the surface of the menu.’
– ‘Stand by for Volume 2: I’ll be BACK!’
– ‘Boys, nearly every table was full of girls!’

Ummmm, I think there will be private conversation in the Sunny household about that last thought.

Anyhow. I don’t have many shots of the inside of Cocochan to share, except this.

The food was just too damn distracting.

But, Mr. Sunny’s ‘All you can eat Birthday Dinner’ was a huge success. Here’s my victory drink from the end of the night…Let me know how long you’re able to resist actually eating there. My money says it isn’t long.

What other restaurants can you recommend in St. Christopher’s Place? Marylebone? Where do you celebrate special occasions in London?

March 26, 2015 by: Sunny London

Vapiano- Pizza, Pasta and a Party

If you like music and women, do you know where to go in London for both? It’s Vapiano! And let me tell you why…

Just when I thought I had eaten everything on Wardour Street, I discovered Vapiano. It’s a contemporary Italian restaurant built on the concept of self-service with face-to-face interactions with chefs. Vapiano has three locations in London, and two of them feature live music nights (free of charge) once a month.

Mr. Sunny and I showed up very curious and hungry the night we visited. When we arrived, we each received a smart card. With this payment system guests ‘tap’ for each item they order using their card. When you leave, you pay at this same desk. This would have been perfect for me back in my college days when I was studying at Florida State University’s study abroad centre just a few streets away. When dining in groups, especially as a university student, paying the bill without separate checks can be tricky.

Mr. Sunny and I were a bit overwhelmed at first as to what we needed to do. We learned that guests order pasta, pizzas, antipasti and salads directly from the chefs at individual stations within the restaurant.

There were so many, many options that sounded delicious!

All of the food is prepared fresh each day and dishes are prepared in front of you when you order. Here’s a sneaky look at the pasta machine in the back that works all the carb-a-licious magic…

Our big eyes and empty stomachs made decisions that proved to be challenging. Here’s what we picked to start…

Vapiano Menu: Antipasti and Insalate

– Carpaccio (finely sliced beef fillet, cipriani sauce, Grana Padano D.O.P., mushrooms, rocket)
– Piatto Antipasti (prosciutto tipo Parma, salami, pepperoni, roasted vegetables, pesto, Grana Padano D.O.P. buffalo mozzarella, bruschetta)
– Insalata Caprese (cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, basil, rocket)

We actually had to make several trips with our trays to carry everything to our table. When we finally sat down, I stared at the food and said to Mr. Sunny, “This much food is crazy!’

Mr. Sunny quickly corrected me with his usual wit and said, ‘No, sweet heart. It’s… caprese!’

We tackled all the food and still managed to order a second course. With all the interesting options on the menu we chose:

Vapiano Menu: Pasta and Pizza

– Rucola Raviola (ravioli with rocket, ricotts cheese filling, butter and pine nuts)
– Capricciosa (ham, mushrooms, artichokes, olives, tomato sauce, mozzarella)

Here’s a few shots of the ravioli I enjoyed.

As I started to eat my main course, Mr. Sunny waited for his pizza pager to buzz. He felt the beer selection (both Italian and German) was good. I have to admit, the White Tea Elderflower Mint I sipped was a sneaky show stealer.

I highly recommend the tea. It was a really refreshing surprise and was so smooth and lovely. When Mr. Sunny’s pager went off, he travelled upstairs and returned with this ginormous platter pictured below.

We battled through all the beautiful, beautiful flour-filled food. (As a side note, I don’t think this is the place for my gluten-free Sunny friends.)

Even though we really had no busines pushing ourselves further, I couldn’t get the dolci (dessert) selections off my mind. Since Mr. Sunny and I both go goo-goo for tiramisu, we just had to find room for the little treat.

The atmosphere when we visited Valpiano was calm and everyone was very eager to help us enjoy the experience. Many thanks to the Manager, Fran, who was visible and informative throughout the time we ate our food and enjoyed the experience. He and the rest of the staff moved swiftly through the restaurant all evening, making sure everyone was happy.

We went to Valpiano on a Monday around 5pm in an effort to avoid the crowds. The restaurant spans two floors, and we had plenty of options for seating on both floors.

However, don’t be decieved. This place gets packed! We left around 6:45pm and the queues were getting long at the various food stations. It’s a popular place to be in Soho. If you’re really looking for fun, you need to go to one of the live music nights at either their Soho or Bankside restaurants to celebrate #PastaWithSoul.

For one night only, Vapiano Soho and Vapiano Bankside will host a young, unsigned act looking for an audience to test brand new exclusive material.

On April 7th in Soho and the 8th in Bankside singer/songwriter, Stephanie McCourt will perform.

Vapiano Fast Facts:

– Top-selling pizza = Calzone and Pesto con Spinaci
– Top-selling pasta = Carbonara, Scampi e Spinaci and Salsiccia con Fichi
– Pizzas take 8 minutes to make.
– Simple pasta dishes take 3 minutes to make.
– Social media indicates that 64% of Vapiano’s guests are women between ages 18-34.
– A large portion of guests work in the music industry.
– The London locations serve an average of 27,000 customers a week.
– Great Portland Street guests consume the leaves off of 300 basil pots a week.

Based on the above facts, you could be cheeky and conclude: If you’re a guy who likes to consume ‘pot’ leaves and is looking for a girl who loves to eat carbs, listen to music and update her status with foodie pictures on social media- check out Valpiano. 😉

Oh my!

Seriously, Sunny friends, I think Valpiano is the perfect place to party with a group of fun friends seeking freshly made food, a contemporary atmosphere and an easy way to pay the bill. For the West End, this restaurant offers very reasonably priced food and service that satisfies beyond expectations.

Vapiano is open: Monday-Thursday 11am-11pm; Friday and Saturday 11am-midnight, Sunday 12pm-11pm.

Our experience at Vapiano was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This did not influence my opinion of the experience. However, could I really disagree with 27,000 customers a week? 😉

April 9, 2015 by: Sunny London

Let it Rocco!- A Made in Chelsea Restaurant

What truly makes a fantastic food experience for you? I’m guessing it’s a great atmosphere, spot on service, and of course- flavours that make your knees melt. Rocco Restaurant in Chelsea does all this and more. It’s actually the ‘more’ that made this restaurant a recent mi amore for the Sunny in London blog.

When I walked through the entrance, I was quickly greeted by a smiling face at Rocco restaurant. Next, as if I was a greatly anticipated celebrity, the owner Sergio introduced himself and poured me a beautiful glass of bubbly.

Sergio, senor, you had me at ‘Prosecco’! 😉

I sipped my drink and let my eyes wander around this fun, welcoming Italian restaurant as I waited for my Italian-American friend, Jess from Love and London and The Abroad Guide.

As promised in the invitation I received, the interior and atmosphere of Rocco restaurant create a colourful and comfortable ambience. There’s a casual bar and even a food boutique that offers a selection of hard-to-find Italian specialities like extra virgin olive oil, salumi, farmstead cheeses, honey, Parma ham and wine. Plus there are some absolutely spectacular homemade desserts.

Before a few minutes passed, mia amica arrived. An instant later, these landed on our little table by the window…

Oh Mamma!

Sergio and our Server proudly explained all the glorious details of the two plates of food. With two thick Italian accents, they communicated the regions of Italian from where they originate, the ingredients and the preparation details. To be honest, I didn’t really catch it all.

I tried to listen, but let’s face it, putting a plate of bread and fine Italian meats in front of a hungry Italian girl isn’t the best way to guarantee attenzione to anything but eating. Mangia! Mangia!

First, the Focaccia di Recco (Foccacia with Stracchino cheese) melted like butter on my tongue. For some, it may be a bit on the ‘doughy’ side, but this bambina was in heaven. In fact, I could eat a plate of it for lunch with red wine on any given Sunday.

The Salumi Misti con Giardiniera Dello Chef is just sumptuous. The meat was delicate, fresh and delicious.

Next, our server asked if I was ready to switch to ‘real wine.’ I think I laughed so hard that Prosecco bubbles shot straight up my nose. You don’t always find an honest, funny waiter. Our server just added even more charm (and wit) to the Rocco Restaurant experience.

As he tried to convince me to leave the ‘fake wine’ behind, I stuck with the Prosecco. Since it was one of the first truly warm, gorgeous Spring days, it seemed a lighter drink was in order. However, Jess did sip on a white wine which went with her upcoming pasta. Doesn’t she look happy?

Jess and I really struggled with what to choose on the menu. So many, many options looked tempting. My biggest decision was between the veal I ordered and the Ossobuco alla Milanese. The ossobuco is served with saffron risotto.

Sunny friends, you know I am always go-go for risotto. However, when I learned the other veal is cooked slowly for four hours to make the dish utterly perfect, I couldn’t resist it.

If you saw my Instagram of this dish, the caption ‘Can you VEAL me?!” that I included really says it all. The beef just fell apart with little work from me. It isn’t a jump-in-the-mouth-veal, it is a ‘jump off your fork it’s so tender veal’. 😉

Jess chose the Strozzapreti con Salsiccia e Finocchietto. It’s served with Italian sausage, onion and fennel seed.

She shared a little taste with me. We both feel the fennel is light and not overpowering. The pasta is molto bene!

Just when we thought we couldn’t fit another morsel on our plates, our ~~entertainer~~ Server dropped another bread bomb on our table. Check out these beauties…

Apparently, Jess and I did have a small amount of room left because we had no problem with the two prawns that polished off our meal.

Those little crustaceans were just too cute to pass.

Rocco restaurant prides itself on authentic Italian food that, with the exception of a few noodles, is all homemade daily. So, if you’re looking for real food Made in Chelsea, put Rocco restaurant on your list now!

Reasons Why I Loved Rocco Restaurant:

– Throughout the evening, I noticed many people who appeared to be ‘regulars.’ Most of them were speaking Italian to others at the bar and at tables.
– The ‘you will never guess who is a guest and who is the owner as family values have transferred from Italy creating a homely ambiance’ concept proved to accurately represent my experience.
– Sergio is truly knowledgable about regional Italian food and has tremendous pride in the dishes he serves at his restaurant. He is a real star.
– Head Chef Marco’s menu is impressive and the prices are very reasonable, especially for the Chelsea area of London.
– Our Server’s stories of getting up at 4am to go to the fish market near Canary Wharf and other fun adventures made our evening even more fun.

Other specialty dishes you may wish to try include: Swordfish Carpaccio served with Rocket Salad, Lemon and Olive Oil, and Homemade Tagliolini Pasta with Raw Tuna and Sorrento Lemon Flavour.

Finally, Jess and I made a final effort to pick ourselves up and head straight in to a food coma with the Rocco restaurant Tiramisu.

Our meal was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This did not influence my opinion of the food or experience. Sergio and his staff will definitely see me again. I mean, after all, I owe it to them to go back and have some ‘real wine.’ And, Mr. Sunny says after seeing all these ictures, he knows he would ‘veally enjoy Rocco restaurant’ too.

Molto grazie, Senor Sergio. We had a really lovely evening at your restaurant because of your huge smile, quality of food, great service, and fun atmosphere.

April 24, 2015 by: Sunny London

The Woodstock Pub- Meetup in Mayfair?

With our love of Japanese food and Mr. Sunny’s love of pubs, we both jumped at the chance to check out one of London’s latest food and drink venues- The Woodstock Pub.

The concept is intriguing. The idea is an ‘extensive Japanese led drinks menu’ in which the venue acts as a ‘pit stop for a pint and skewer’ before heading home after work.

After having an exceptionally delicious and fun experience there, I can absolutely say that what they market on their website is exactly what you get.

We arrived promptly at 5:00pm, when our table was booked. It was fairly quiet inside, as most people probably had not left work yet. After being greeted quickly, Mr. Sunny and I began to review the menu and received complimentary green tea cocktails.

They were smooth and refreshing. The Woodstock Pub offers an extensive drink menu, especially in the area of sake. That would probably be what a person would anticipate when entering a Japanese pub.

Since I have never been a huge fan of sake, I ordered a prosecco. Also, since we were off to a launch party in the Carnaby Street area, I was keen to keep it light on the drinks.

Mr. Sunny, however, knew exactly what he wanted and fully embraced the occasion with his Kirin Ichiban beer.

We spent a little more time checking the food menu to decide our next step. Of course, what immediately caught our attention (as regular Sunny in London readers would expect) is the calamari.

It ROCKED!

Also, we got a portion of the soft crab shell. Aside from being extremely photogenic, it has amazing flavour. So I guess we can say it definitely tastes as good as it looks!

Our final round of food involved the skewers. As this is what hits next on the realm of why one would visit The Woodstock Pub, we ordered quite a bit. Our selections included: King Prawn with Lime and Chilli, Chicken, Pork, Beef and Salmon.

Mr. Sunny and I shared each skewer, because we both were excited about the different options. Our final thoughts about them… MORE, PLEASE!

This is why I say that the Japanese pub is accurately marketed. Our blogger appetites are definitely bigger than average size. We could have most likely finished a second round of them all. So, this is why I am eager to recommend The Woodstock Pub as a spectacular place to pop in after work to enjoy a drink and snack at the end of the day, either to take the pain out of a peak time journey on the Underground or to enjoy social time with colleagues.

Although, while we were there, we noticed a table in the ground floor that was occupied by a bigger party of what appeared to be Japanese patrons. They seemed to have been there a while and appeared to be staying for much longer by the time we had left.

A bit of a sneaky secret for you though- the big show stealer for us is this little bottle on our table…

Mr. Sunny was very tempted to toss this is his pocket before we left. It’s a little treat which contains soy sauce. We were each able to spray our desired amounts on our rice and other food, rather than dip it in the standard bowls. It was not only fun to use but also more efficient for the pub.

Aside from the drinks and food, The Woodstock Pub also impressed us with service. Having just opened about a month ago, everything seems smooth with regard to the customer experience. The interior and bathrooms are exceptionally clean, and serving staff is knowledgable and eager to do well. We spent considerable time talking with the manager because she is absolutely lovely. The positive attitude conveyed at The Woodstock Pub sells the Japanese venue even more.

With new social media accounts, they are also eager to engage with people in that format as well.

More importantly, if you are near the Mayfair area, just south of Oxford Street, and enjoy Japanese food and drink, then plan a stop at The Woodstock Pub to see for yourself. Let me know how your experience is too.

The Woodstock Pub is located on 11 Woodstock Street.

What other fun after work restaurants and pubs have your attention in London, Sunny friends? Since I have never been to Japan, can those of you that have share any thoughts on what pubs are like there?

June 17, 2014 by: Sunny London

Blogger Blast at Bumpkin Notting Hill

When I was invited to be one of the first guests in London to try the Summer Menu at Bumpkin Notting Hill, I was ecstatic! Wouldn’t you be?

With 4 locations in London, it’s tough not to know about these restaurants focused on seasonal, authentic British food. Well, if you haven’t heard of them, it’s a good thing we bumped in to each other! I can fill you in on their hot summer selections!

I arrived with 5 other fabulous London bloggers. Selena the Places, Kings Road Rocks, Love and London, Adventures of a London Kiwi and Urban Pixxels. Through the past few months I’ve developed personal friendships with them, so I knew the night would be a blast!

We started with a tour of the restaurant. I had no idea they had so many different rooms upstairs from the main dining area!
Doesn’t this look like a super fun place to relax and enjoy British cuisine and great company?

We actually didn’t even get to see all the rooms because they were already in use for private parties. This one was my favourite…
And, yes, it seats a party of twelve.

Can you say, ‘Time for dinner!’ or ‘Hey, does anyone know what time we’re eating?’ or ‘Should we pass food clockwise?’ hee hee. I’ll stop with the silliness now. 😉

A place card greeted each of us at our seat. Check it out…
I think the Manager had a sneaky read of my post 5 Strategies for How to Host a Bloggers’ Event. Needless to say, it was exactly what us bloggers needed to share the social media love with our followers that night.

Then the drinks started flowing.
And flowing…
What can I say, I’m a sucker for name tags. And shameless promotion. Here’s my Twitter handle in case you missed it in all those pics… @sunny_in_london

Now back to the drinks. We had fresh mixed berry lemonade. The second was a cocktail that blended Blackberry Lynchburg lemonade, muddled blackberries, Jack Daniels, lemon crushed ice and soda. With my Starter and Dinner, I had a glass of Gnarly Head Vintage 2011Old Vine Zin and an Australian Circa Shiraz Viognier. They beautifully complimented the food.

For my Starter, I selected the Pan Seared Scottish King Scallops, Chilled Pea Soup and Crispy Bacon.

The scallops were definitely fit for royalty! They were cooked perfectly and flavoured beautifully.

Next, I chose the Roast Southdowns Lamb Rump, Baked Heritage Carrots and Spinach.
If you’re thinking ‘That’s the juiciest looking lamb I’ve ever seen.’ Well, it certainly tasted like it!

I followed these two courses with a dessert.
It was a Bitter Chocolate Tart, Honeycomb and Salted Caramel Mousse. The separate flavours and textures came together for a stunning swirl of sugar heaven. Cosmic I tell ya.

Other Summery desserts on their new menu are: Strawberries and Cream, Madeleine’s and a Pot of Chocolate or Baked Vanilla Custard, Poached Rhubarb and Hazelnut Crumble.

For our three and a half hour food affair there was tons of other food floating around the table. Here’s a peak at what some of the other bloggers consumed:

I truly fell in love with the Bumpkin Notting Hill experience. Well done, Executive Chef Raymond Fulton-Corrie!

They also have Bumpkin Healthy Options included, as well as guilt free dishes, vegan and gluten-free, and hydraulic cold-pressed juices.

Finally, Bumpkin has a World Cup Menu at Notting Hill, Chelsea, and South Kensington. It includes Sticky BBQ Ribs, Classic Fish and Chips or an Angus Beef Burger and Triple Cooked chips, washed down with 2 Pints of house lager for only £20. It’s available from 11am – 8pm weekdays, 12th June- 13th July in both the restaurant and private dining rooms.

Bumpkin Notting Hill is located at 209 Westbourne Park Road, W11 1EA.

And just in case you missed it…A special thanks to Selena the Places, Kelly-Sue Budde and Bumpkin for having me as a guest at this fantastic dinner.

April 27, 2015 by: Sunny London

Parts and Labour- It’s Where to Eat in London

How do you decide where to eat in London?

There are so many options that it’s truly overwhelming. The East End is particularly flooded with multi-cultural cuisines, which makes it even tougher to make decisions if you’re in that area.

This is why I am super excited to share with you a new discovery on London’s restaurant scene that will blow your mind. I. Am. Not. Kidding.

When I received the invitation to enjoy a complimentary meal with Mr. Sunny at the newly opened Parts and Labour restaurant located in the ground floor of the Qbic London City Hotel, I was curious. The website is still building, so the mystery about the menu was big. It was suggested that we try their coffee, but since we knew we were travelling a long distance from North London, we wanted to go big with food. And we did.

To be honest, if you didn’t know about this new restaurant that features Modern British cooking, you could likely walk right by it. And what a shame that would be.

As Mr. Sunny and I entered the hotel, we still weren’t really sure what to make of the opportunity. The Scandinavian influenced design of the restaurant leaves some room for imagination.

The decor includes bold primary colours with white retro tiles and brightly coloured and exposed furniture. It almost seems like an upscale university dining hall or lounge in a business centre.

At a quick glance, you could pass judgment on the restaurant and miss undeniably exceptional food. Honestly.

We looked over the menu, which features a mix of small and large plates, and dessert of course. Still undecided on how our food labour of love would unfold in these parts, we asked for recommendations of popular items and ordered them.

I did mention during our order that I was choosing the Roast Aubergine, Mixed Grains, Parsley, Lemon, Pomegranate, and Mint Yoghurt because it sounded fantastic and photogenic.

When it arrived, I was pleased with both expectations. However, the Chef sent over a sneaky plate of Ham and Cheddar Croquettes, Herb Mayonnaise tasters for us too.

Yep. Not as camera friendly as the other dish, but sweet heavenly ham my Sunny friends! These two treats are worth serious labour at the gym to enjoy them. They include bechamel as a bit of a secret ingredient, and their explosive taste had Mr. Sunny and I fighting over them.

They also said the salmon would be something to talk about too. And like the croquettes, it is indeed extraordinary.

I wish you could see in real life how brightly coloured the fish displayed on the plate. It’s Hansen and Lydersen Smoked Salmon, Lemon with Buttered Brown Bread. It’s smoked in Islington, and the taste registers high above what I’ve had other places.

With these big successes down our stomachs, we hoped the Main courses would dazzle too. I picked the Gnocchi, Wild Mushrooms and Garlic, Lemon, and Parmesan because I don’t think I’ve ever ordered gnocchi to eat in London.

Let me just say to all my Italian friends, this is gnot your mother’s gnocchi! Usually, both homemade and restaurant gnocchi can have a very doughy consistency, which makes it very filling, very fast. This is not the case at Parts and Labour.

They are cooked perfectly. In fact, I gave them a fast shoutout on the Sunny in London Instagram account with this caption: ‘I’ve hit heaven! These gnocchi are like potato pillows covered in sheets of Parmesan and a layer of lemon flavour.’

I stand by this declaration whole-heartedly.

Mr. Sunny chose Lemon and Thyme Spatchcock Chicken and wasn’t disappointed either. He did say it was more of a poussin.

As sides with that he selected mashed potatoes and broccoli. But seriously, who needs to see pictures of those? 😉

I passed on sampling the vegetables and am grateful Mr. Sunny knows me well enough just to scoop off a spoonful of mash for me without even asking. I have no reservations about fessing up to my carb obsession. I sure am glad I tried them. Again, Parts and Labour didn’t serve an average potato!

At this point we were definitely giving the restaurant two thumbs up, so dessert was just going to be icing on the cake.

Meet my chocolate, salted caramel tart…

‘Captivating’ summarises the consistency of this dessert. Yes, the flavours all balance beautifully together, but the texture of this treat took me to a new level of a foodie high. It was so creamy and chocolately that I will dream about it for months.

Mr. Sunny had the Lemon Parfait. You probably wouldn’t even believe me at this point if I said it rocked. But. It. Did.

That picture doesn’t do it justice.

We think Parts and Labour is a great place to eat in London not only because our meal registered off the superior scale, but also because the service is personable. Our experience lasted nearly three hours because we had so many conversations with staff members who were eager to say hello and make a great impression.

They all did.

Final Thoughts about Why Parts and Labour is a Great Place to Eat in London:

– The restaurant is a two minute walk from the Aldgate East Underground Station.
– The current Chef previously worked at Fortnum and Mason.
– Service at the restaurant is personable, polite and customer focussed.
– Their breakfast menu is a huge hit. In fact, if you’re popping in while staying at the hotel or before heading to work, it could be quite busy so allow yourself some extra time.
– Their key focus is actually coffee.
– Their Sunday Roasts are highly regarded too.
– They have a DJ some evenings and get fairly busy.
– The quirky decor of the hotel also adds an extra flavour of character for a place to stay and eat in London.

Parts and Labour is located in the Qbic London City Hotel at 42 Adler Street London, E1 1EE.

May 4, 2015 by: Sunny London

Tommi’s Burger Joint- The Burger of the Month

What could be better on a Friday in London than popping in a burger joint to throw back thickly stacked juicy meat between two soft buns? If you ask Mr. Sunny and I, the answer is having the opportunity to test out the Burger of the Month on the day it launches!

On May Day, Mr. Sunny and I made our way to Marylebone to Tommi’s Burger Joint for some sloppy burger fun on a Friday afternoon.

I knew when I entered the restaurant that I would eat ‘The Englishman’, but I wasn’t sure exactly what else to expect from one of London’s most popular burger joints.

As you can see, it’s not fancy. But, with a name like ‘burger joint’ you probably already guessed there wasn’t going to be a harpist, flutes of champagne and fresh flowers in the entrance, right?

Nope. In fact, don’t even count on sipping your booze from an actual glass. It’s like flying coach in an airplane, sweetheart. You get a bottle and plastic cup all to yourself.

That’s the red wine I ordered.

And for the first time in Sunny in London blog history, my husband (the self professed ‘professional beer drinker’) didn’t order a beer.

Instead, he decided to make me completely and utterly sick with jealousy when he ordered this simple drink…

A chocolate milkshake.

When his drink hit the table, I certainly gave him my best full flutter of eye lashes as I wined over my liquid, aged grapes. Luckily it worked, and he let me have a nice, long sip of his shake.

After about ten minutes of torture, which involved watching Mr. Sunny thoroughly enjoy his chocolate beverage, our burgers and fries arrived.

Like kids on Christmas morning, we unwrapped our beautiful beef beauties. The anticipation of what was hidden inside the paper had us both very excited.

The May Burger of the Month at Tommi’s Burger Joint is The Englishman, and it’s pretty damn good.

It features English mustard, smoked cheddar, gherkins, parsnip mayo and roasted topside beef. They serve it medium, unless you request differently. I can tell you it truly is cooked medium, so if you’re not completely cool with seeing a bit of red in your burger, you might want to designate a different preference in your order.

Mr. Sunny embraced the ‘go big or go home’ philosophy with his food…

That’s the Tommi’s Burger Joint Epic Double Steak Burger with Cheese. While I did enjoy the Burger of the Month, I really drooled over Mr. Sunny’s choice.

This burger is a real star. Move over, Royale with Cheese!

I swear if there’s ever a sequel to Pulp Fiction, a solid five minutes of the film should be devoted to this beef you see above. It is truly that epic.

Mr. Sunny struggled to keep his burger together, as juice soaked through the buns and ran down his arms. He sure wasn’t complaining about the mess. In fact, he loved it.

If you’re in the Marylebone area and need a good burger fix, Tommi’s Burger Joint is worth a trip. There’s just a few tables, and you order your food at the counter. It’s all about the burger. As it should be at a burger joint 😉

Tommi’s Burger Joint is at 30 Thayer Street, London 020 7224 3828. You can also find the restaurant at 342 King’s Road in Chelsea. Our meal was complimentary for the purpose of a review.

Where’s your favourite burger joint in London?

May 21, 2014 by: Sunny London

Apres London- 3 Reasons You Need to Go!

Curious where the super hip people spend their time in London? If so, Après London is certainly a hot spot you need to put on your list. And I have three reasons why, Sunny friends!

Reason #1- Go to Apres London for the Cool Crowd!

Yeah. A Lamborghini doesn’t lie.

Mr. Sunny and I were invited to experience Après London and went Friday night. We arrived at 5:30pm and immediately noticed the ultra cool vibe. Because it’s steps from Selfridges, it attracts their after work crowd. They pour in quick and look damn fashionable.
Aside from regular tables that can be reserved, Après London has an outdoor VIP area for those gorgeous sunny days. And, there’s a private room on the first floor.

Downstairs features more of a club atmosphere with amazing music.

I didn’t snap a picture for you because it was packed with people. Yep, downstairs is where the early party starts on a Friday for Londoners living the glam life.

Reason #2- Go to Apres London for the Food

The menu is simple. The food is fabulous.

Mr. Sunny was thrilled with the Vietnamese style hot wings with nuoc cham dipping sauce.

I loved the juicy and flavourful Mini Grilled Lamb Kebabs with Tzatziki and Warm Pita Bread.
We shared the Beer Battered Pickled Onion Rings. Mr. Sunny, the ever-faithful beer bandit, loved these! We’d both order them again. 😉
Next, we each had sliders. Mr. Sunny munched on the Cheeseburger Sliders (3 steak burger patties on brioche buns, smoke apple wood cheddar and caramelized onions and grilled tomato).
My Halloumi Sliders (Grilled halloumi on brioche buns with roasted red peppers and harrisa relish) were really, really lovely.

Reason #3- Go to Apres London for the FUN Cocktails

Aside from great bar food, Après London has a fun, edgy cocktail menu. We tried the:

– Pushkin (named after a rabbit not the 19th century poet). Pear vodka, apple liqueur, apple, pineapple and lemon juices, pear puree and spiced caramel syrup.
– Pink Panther. Vodka, Mozart white chocolate liquor and watermelon.
– Kool Aid. Beefeater Gin, Tovaritch Vodka, lemon juice, sugar and topped with soda.
– Long Blonde and Good-looking. Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka with apple juice, passion fruit apple, lemon and peach.
– Space Jam. Beefeater Gin, Apollo 11 Pink Grapefruit Liqueur, grapefruit preserve and lemon and egg white.
– Ultimate F***ing Bloody Mary. Chase Smoked Belvedere Vodka, tomato juice, lemon, Lee and Perrins, chili flakes, Tabasco and mushroom pickling brine.

They are featured in order here (clockwise) …
And here’s a drink close-up shot of the Space Jam, Pushkin and the Long, Blonde and Good-looking.

Apres London, Final Thoughts:

If you’re looking for trendy crowds and a great party scene, Après London is your place. I absolutely would recommend it for birthday drinks, or just a place to let loose after a tough work day.
There wasn’t an attendant in the loo during the time I was there. It’s my only suggestion for Après London. The ladies’ room needed to be a bit more tidy and restocked with supplies. Other than that, Après London is a place Londoners and visitors who appreciate a club vibe and good food should go.

With a giant wall mural of Frank Sinatra, how could they go wrong?

Apres London is at 31 Duke Street, Marylebone, W1U 1LG.

Our experience at Apres London was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This did not influence our opinions.

March 14, 2014 by: Sunny London

Bill’s Restaurant Covent Garden – Afternoon Tea with a Colour Explosion

I’m so excited to tell you about my experience with Bill’s Restaurant Covent Garden Afternoon Tea, Sunny friends! Bill’s is not only in a fabulous location but it also has a fun atmosphere with great food. Take a look inside…

I’ve certainly enjoyed great teas this year (The Royal Horseguards Hotel and last week’s Science Tea at the Ampersand Hotel), but as someone who can never pile enough cream on her scones, I’m always up for a new location.

Do you remember my recent post on St Martin’s Courtyard in Covent Garden? It’s one of my hottest new discoveries for inner sunshine in London. Recently, I had the opportunity to enjoy tea at Bill’s, while I met with Rebecca from Sister PR to learn more about this great area.

And here’s the first reason I love Bill’s Afternoon Tea… I was able to order their Hedgerow Fizz (a Prosecco and elderflower cocktail) in place of a pot of tea.

You know I love my bubbly, Sunny friends!

While I sipped on the juice in my flute and waited for sandwiches and sweets, I understood why there was a raspberry floating in my fizz. Bill’s simply does not hold back on colourful images anywhere!

It’s just loaded with sunshine and warmth!

After a very short wait, our three tiered feast arrived, and it was absolutely scrumptious.

The sandwiches are: cucumber and cream cheese, salmon and cream cheese, egg and cress and ham, tomato and mustard. The pastries are fruit flapjack, lemon meringue tart, chocolate fudge cake and strawberry cream tart.

And the final tier features fruit scones with cream and jam.

Rebecca and I were careful to split each selection so we both could share and enjoy the wonderful flavors. And, we finished every bite! I definitely felt many rays of sun during this afternoon tea!

Cheers to Rebecca and Sister PR for the complimentary tea.

If you’re looking for a casual, non-fussy tea that won’t destroy your budget, Bill’s Restaurant Covent Garden is a beautiful spot to enjoy. The Afternoon Tea is £9.95 per person and Sparkling Afternoon Tea is £12.95. It’s available from 2:30-5:30 every afternoon, for a minimum of two people.

I’d also suggest visiting their website to check out their fabulous breakfast, lunch and dinner menu as well. They have 16 locations in London and numerous others throughout England, including St Albans.

Have you been to Bill’s yet? What other suggestions do you have for a casual afternoon tea in London?

May 12, 2014 by: Sunny London

21 Covent Garden and Captain Jack Sparrow

I was on a fast mission to get to 21 Covent Garden when Ashleigh raved about it during our afternoon tea.

Sunny friends, you know that Covent Garden owns my heart. However, did you know that I have Italian blood running through my veins? When I learned 21 Covent Garden features ‘three floors of modern Italian drinking and dining in the heart of Covent Garden’, I had to go.

Mr. Sunny and I arrived an hour before our reservation. Yep. Reading the menu online the previous night made us super excited!

It’s located right in the Piazza. Surprisingly, for such a touristy location, 21 Covent Garden offers a very intimate experience.

As soon as we were seated, I commandeered our drink order. My Florida girl background and fetish with bubbly took over. I immediately chose a Mango Bellini.

Mr. Sunny wanted a Peroni. But when I saw the ‘Jack Sparrow’ on the drink menu, I told him he had no choice. Pirates of the Caribbean is my favourite movie. The drink is based on the classic New Orleans Sazerac. It has Martell VS, Sailor Jerry rum, Kamm & Son ginseng bitters & Pernod Absinthe.

We loved our cocktails! Mr. Sunny agreed with the menu description, ‘…a perfect after-dinner tipple. Definitely not for the faint of heart!’ Well, neither is Captain Jack Sparrow.

We really didn’t care that our drinks didn’t match our Starters, Risotto and Calamari.

Wild Mushroom and Truffle Risotto with marscapone and parsley £8.95

Black Pepper Calamari with saffron aioli £7.25

We both agreed the calamari is on our ‘best ever’ list. My risotto was silky smooth and beautifully flavoured. A jewel of a dish.

To accompany our main course, I had a glass of the Vina Marro Rioja. Mr. Sunny had an Italian beer, Moretti. We ate linguine and eggplant.

Cornish Crab Linguine with garlic, lime, chilli, and coriander £14.25

Aubergine Parmesan Shutter features baked eggplant, tomato, sweet basil and mozzarella £10.50

Mr. Sunny loved his entrée. I was a bit nervous when I saw how thickly cut the eggplant pieces were. However, I’ve never had eggplant cooked so perfectly. Blimey it was good!

Because everything was so fantastic, we couldn’t sail by dessert…

That’s the Affogato. We giggled a bit when it landed on the table because weren’t sure what to do with the separate glasses. Our server said to pour the espresso and Frangelico over the vanilla ice cream. BOOM!

Delicious!

Just when we thought our evening was over, Paul, the General Manager, encouraged us to check out the Print Room upstairs for post-dinner drinks.

Since he (and all of the staff) had been so exquisite throughout the evening, we couldn’t turn down the opportunity.

The views in this Covent Garden crow’s nest are spectacular. I’d encourage anyone to reserve it for a private party or Christmas ‘Do’.

There’s also a balcony area you can reserve for an even smaller party.

Photo courtesy of 21 Covent Garden

Mr. Sunny, my loyal drink matey, gave the San Sebastian a shot.

Flavour of Havana 3y rum, Carton banana liqueur, passion fruit and cinnamon syrup

Again, another hit.

Just as we were leaving, I stopped for a photo of the bar. Our drink server indicated it would be best as an action shot and started making us two drinks to close our evening.

The way this swashbuckler moved with stealth and passion behind the bar held me prisoner. Had I just met a real life Captain Jack Sparrow?

For a motherload of a fun cocktail list that will give you sea legs on dry land, head up to the Print Room, schooner rather than later!

Ashleigh said she’d been to 21 Covent Garden three times since writing her review. I know that this lass will be too. It’s an absolute treasure of Covent Garden. Arrrrrr!

Our experience at 21 Covent Garden was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This did not influence our opinion of the food, drinks or service.