RESTAURANT REVIEW

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!

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.

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!

July 24, 2018 by: Sunny London

Smiths of Smithfield Farringdon Review

Where should you be able to count on getting a great steak in London? Mr Sunny and I confidently threw our dice on Smiths of Smithfield in Farringdon. Can you guess why?

Those familiar with Farringdon probably know that the newly refurbished Young’s pub is directly across from ‘Smithfield Market’, which is formally named the London Central Market. It’s the largest wholesale meat market in the UK and one of the largest of its kind in Europe. I could write a whole blog post on it alone, and likely will in the near future.

However, you might not know how much Smiths of Smithfield offers inside. Besides delicious steak, of course!

Smiths of Smithfield: Food

Foremost, everything we had is of excellent quality. For Starters, we had the Devon crab and Markham Farm asparagus salad, citrus dressing and the Seared Cornish scallops, smashed new season peas, smoked bacon loin crumb and lobster sauce.

These were on The Grill menu, even though we were seated in the Cafe and Bar, which is the ground floor.

For our Mains, I devoured the ‘SMITHS’ Burger, cheese, ale onions, shredded lettuce, ketchup, mayo, pickles and fries. Mr Sunny had the 16oz 28 day aged Scotch bone in ribeye. He graciously let me try a piece.

I write graciously because after I tasted it, I have to admit I wouldn’t blame him for wanting every last bite to himself. The flavour was incredible and it was cooked to perfection. You would like to assume that would be the case when you order a steak across the street from London’s most popular meat market.

We are happy to report that both meat selections were excellent. The real shocker came at the end…

That’s the Sticky Toffee Pudding. It’s something I order when I really want to splurge. This one is no joke. In fact, it was the highlight of my evening. When we commented about how we were really caught off guard by a dessert being so melt in your mouth amazing ‘at a steak joint’, the manager indicated that’s a common reaction from those that order it.

Mr Sunny had the Snickers cheesecake. And while there wasn’t anything wrong with it, the dish can’t compare to what was on my plate!

Smiths of Smithfield: Ambience

The ground floor offers an all-day dining room and bar. They serve breakfast and apparently the brunches are a smashing success. The manager, Jonathan, indicated it is best to book in advance if you are planning brunch at Smiths of Smithfield on a weekend. He indicated the place is packed with both locals and tourists.

Another surprising selling point to this Young’s pub is the change in ambience from level to level. We had a quick tour at the end of our meal and loved what each floor offers.

The Grill reflects the butchery heritage of its Smithfield location. I took a picture of a refrigerator filled with meat ready to be prepared for customers, but I didn’t think blog readers would salivate like we did over raw meat hanging. It is just an in person kind of pleasure trigger, I think.

No 3’s terrace is a half bar, half dining location. When I saw it, I was really jealous of the people enjoying their food and drinks there. The view, especially during the golden hour of the evening, is stunning and not the ‘typical London skyline’ shot you anticipate when a person says a place has a great view.

Smiths of Smithfield: Service

As I have often written, when you are receiving a complimentary meal and the staff knows in advance that you are there for the purpose of a review, speculation on how true the experience is can be called in to question.

This actually was the first time that blogging about a location may have actually caused problems with my service. Don’t panic- nothing ‘bad happened.’ But, there was some confusion with my arrival that made our evening different.

My schedule allowed me to arrive an hour prior to the booked table. Rather than stop somewhere else for a drink and wait for Mr Sunny to finish work like I usually do, I decided to hit Smiths of Smithfield early and be a paying patron at their venue.

I indicated to the greeter at the door that I was early for a review and hoped to enjoy a glass of wine on my own, prior to starting the review. However, rather than unload all my camera gear at a table and then relocate when Mr Sunny arrived, I chose to sit at our actual table.

The server assigned to that area seemed a bit perplexed as to what was happening, because each time he asked if he could get me any food, I indicated I was there for a food review that started later and the wine was a separate bill. He also indicated a bit later that he was new to the venue. Other than this small comedy of errors in which the staff could not separate my casual drink from the start of the formal review, the evening went without a hitch.

Timing for all courses was excellent, and everyone was informative and friendly. The true test of the success of this Young’s venue was during our tour of the other levels.

They were packed!

Smiths of Smithfield: Final Thoughts

I am intrigued by the brunch offer at Smiths. Mr Sunny is salivating on the chance to eat at No. 3 Restaurant and Terrace because he mistakenly read its menu and had already decided his course for it before our food review!

You really want to keep an eye on the events coming up at Smiths of Smithfield, especially in the Autumn. That would be my suggestion for you too, if you don’t want to miss their exciting news!

Now, I’m curious how many of you have ventured to the London Central Market in the very early hours of the day? Mr Sunny has gone many times but it is something I have not done yet. What suggestions do you have for me or what questions can he try to answer for you about the location?

June 8, 2019 by: Sunny London

Carluccio’s Covent Garden, London Review

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

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

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

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

Carluccio’s Covent Garden London Review- The Food

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Free Pocket Guide to London Restaurants

Subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

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

Carluccio’s Covent Garden- Masterclass

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

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

Carluccio’s – Hampers

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

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

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

May 29, 2017 by: Sunny London

Cha Chaan Teng Review- A Golden Secret in Holborn!

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

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

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

Cha Chaan Teng Review- Ambiance

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

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

‘Where was the secret terrace?’

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

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

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

Cha Chaan Teng Review- Cocktails and Food

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cha Chaan Teng Review: Prices

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

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

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

Cha Chaan Teng Review: There is more!

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

November 30, 2015 by: Sunny London

Kua Aina Burgers, Beer and Breakfast?

Would you be excited about celebrating your wedding anniversary with burgers? If you have ever been to Kua Aina on Goodge Street, you absolutely would think this is a fabulous idea.

Their party for their first birthday at this location was on a night I couldn’t attend. However, because Mr. Sunny and I had been struggling with what to do on our two-year anniversary (which was two days after their party), I asked Kua Aina if we could visit then to check out their new menu and Christmas specials.

This plan proved perfect!

As soon as we entered Kua ‘Aina a staff member greeted us with a huge smile, living up to their traditional Hawaiian hospitality theme. This is consistent with the Carnaby Street location, as I have eaten there too.

We chose a great table in the back of the restaurant and were eager to get started.

Our server Sarah wasted no time in bringing us two cool cocktails. Mr. Sunny had Draught Longboard Lager (beer, of course), and I sipped on a Mango Daiquiri.

Hallelujah for liquid sunshine!

We definitely went over board on the Starters, but you know how much we love Squid! With it we included orders of Coconut King Prawns with Sweet Chilli Sauce and Chilli Cheese Fries.

It was a huge mistake for us to order so many fried dishes because when my Avocado and Bacon Burger with Halloumi Cheese arrived, I was so full that I could only manage about five big bites of the delicious burger. It was devastating.

The good news is I did have enough sense to only order 1/3 pound of meat and didn’t get the bigger burger option.

Mr. Sunny, however, took on 1/2 pound of meat in his Bacon Cheeseburger with Portobello Mushroom with Swiss cheese.

He not only finished his burger at Kua ‘Aina, but he helped nearly wipe out the remaining chilli cheese fries as I sat in food coma wishing I hadn’t been so greedy with Starters.

Oh, and did I mention that he also got his mouth around all of these Longboard Beer Battered Onion Rings too?

Yep. He really did throw down for our two-year wedding anniversary celebration at Kua ‘Aina on Goodge Street!

If you aren’t familiar with this Hawaiian restaurant chain, it’s celebrating its 40th anniversary on Hawaii’s North Shore this year. The Kua ‘Aina on Goodge Street has served up over 11,500 Avocado burgers to London. They’ve also chilled, pulled and poured over 9,200 craft beers from Hawaii’s Kona Brewing Company.

No, they weren’t all to Mr. Sunny 😉

Their new menu has Mahi Mahi Finger and Fries, and focuses on breakfast, starters, dessert and drinks.

To be honest, I’m actually really excited about returning to try their Aloha Vegetarian Breakfast and the Kua ‘Aina Fluffy American Pancakes. It would be nice to have a traditional sweet American breakfast in London some time!

They also make an Eton Mess with a Hawaiian twist. Hmmmm.

Their ‘Mele Kalikimaka’ menu (AKA Merry Christmas) is available for groups of 10 or more. As a Christmas special, they’ll have Mince Pie Milkshakes and Egg Nog Cocktails. I’ll pass on both of those, but you can let me know how it goes when you get there. Instead, I’d prefer an Avocado Cocktail or Lychee Cocktail.

We had our meal complimentary for a review, but that doesn’t change my warm thoughts about Kua ‘Aina on Goodge Street or Carnaby. The moment you walk in you feel the sunny vibe of Hawaii through the decor, food and service. I’d really like to give a shout out to our server Sarah who absolutely dazzled us with a sunny smile and energy. Maholo!

October 20, 2014 by: Sunny London

Our Deck Down Under, a secret Daytona Beach hot spot

Did you know that Daytona Beach has some secret locations that only locals know? They’re not as invisible as London’s ‘Platform 9 3/4’ but restaurants like Our Deck Down Under register high on the locals only list.

I’ve always found Daytona Beach similar to Honolulu with regard to the attitude locals show each other. By this I mean, when you grow up in a highly transient, tourist area, you tend to favor those who are around all year and have a sort of ‘Omerta’ with them.

As I mentioned in what it’s like to grow up in Daytona Beach, things got pretty crazy in the town during the Spring Break days when MTV visited us. With so many places being utterly packed with tourists, we really treasured our own areas.

Londoners, you do the same when you skip venues and pubs near Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus at certain times.

So, during my recent trip to Daytona Beach, I made a mad dash to a local restaurant, Our Deck Down Under.

The mere location of this casual seafood restaurant always makes me giggle. It’s practically under a bridge. Talk about sneaky! So, maybe you could say I just had to get my Daytona ‘troll on… 😉

Sometimes I think Daytona Beach residents make the special trip under the bridge just so they can park their cars in the shade while they eat. Have you ever opened a car door in 95º Florida temperatures plus humidity? Hot damn! Notice how nearly all the spots under the bridge below are taken first…

They’re not the closest to the restaurant. Our Deck Down Under is actually behind where I stood to take this picture. Those cars for sure belong to some smart locals.

And, now I want you to follow me on a little virtual tour of this extremely popular Daytona Beach food and drink destination! Here’s a few shots of the outside…

No, it doesn’t have views of the Atlantic Ocean or beach like I showed you in my blog post on Racing’s North Turn. It does have docks for boats and a full bar inside.

Our Deck Down Under is located on the Intercoastal. If you’re a local, you probably call it the ‘Halifax River’, knowing full damn well it isn’t a river.

Nonetheless, on a sunny day, the water views are still soothing. And, seeing a few dolphins or porpoises is very likely and fun. I saw a few during my visit, but I couldn’t photograph them fast enough for you.

The inside of Our Deck Down Under certainly reflects the very casual atmosphere of Daytona Beach. In fact, the menu is on the wall, and there’s a roll of paper towels most tables. Check it out…

Yeah, I’ve made ‘that’s how we roll’ jokes before regarding the race car and Harley Davidson culture of the town, but there’s also another way we roll. Affordable and not pretentious. No Michelin stars for us. And it works just fine!

I went with my mother, godfather and another close family friend. We were there at 3:30pm on a Friday in October, so don’t be deceived by the empty tables. You wouldn’t be able to get a table or parking spot anywhere near the place a few hours later. Trust me.

The food at Our Deck Down Under is good and ridiculously affordable. They had a Fried Fish Dinner, Grilled Fish and Crab Legs.

Oh yeahhhhhh! You know those are some seriously huge crab legs! They were $13.99. That’s about £8.70 to my British mates.

Now, for me, I pulled a sneaky local trick. I ordered a seafood wrap. It’s not on the menu. It’s neither healthy nor photogenic. But it’s heavenly! It’s stuffed with shrimp and parmesan cheese.

However, what I’d like you to notice the most is those two things in the back. Those are hush puppies and are incredibly popular for Southern folk in America. My godfather ordered an additional batch for me to eat and to show you Londoners.

They’re deep fried savory treats. They’re made from cornmeal batter and are popular at seafood restaurants. I’m sure Paula Deen has a recipe or two, or three, for them somewhere. Rumor has it Jamie Oliver might too. 😉

If you haven’t had one and aren’t heading to Florida any time soon, here’s an insider’s view…

I can’t put in to words for you how scrumptious they are! Mr. Sunny found the pictures very curious and is eager to try them when he visits Florida with me for the first time.

So, there you have it, Sunny friends. Our Deck Down Under is local treasure in the Daytona Beach area. You’ll have to Google it for the exact location. I have to stay a bit loyal to my peeps. In all seriousness, you’ll definitely find tourists and non-Daytona Beach residents there. We’re not that guarded. However, here’s a tiny secret…

They’ll all be the ones waiting in line. Daytona Beach residents know exactly how to walk in to Our Deck Down Under and avoid the queue. But, I just can’t give that little tip on how we do it away to you. Well, not today… I’m just not that kind of troll. 😉

Are there any local places that are coveted in your neck of the woods? What secrets do your town’s people have?

August 3, 2016 by: Sunny London

Harrods Restaurants- Mango Tree Review

What people might not know about the most famous place to shop in London is that Harrods restaurants are fantastic too. While I haven’t been to all of them, the ones I have been to have always been exquisite. So, when I was invited to enjoy food at Mango Tree in Harrods, of course Mr. Sunny and I said yes.

Keep in mind, if you are going to eat at one of Harrods restaurants, you should not expect cheap food. Everything about the famous British department store reflects luxury. Dinner at Mango Tree is no different. While Mr. Sunny and I experienced ‘sticker shock’ when we first sat down to review the menu, we did appreciate the location and took it into consideration.

You may remember that we recently had dinner at Mango Tree in Belgravia. The food was great, but what stood out to me the most from that experience was one of the cocktails. The Mango Tree which is a part of the Harrods restaurants selection doesn’t have such an array of cocktails. This certainly didn’t affect us, as we ordered our standard red wine and beer to pair with our food.

We ordered prawn crackers, and then each of us selected a Starter. I chose the Prawn with White Truffle Oil, and Mr. Sunny picked the Shanghai Pork Siu Long Bao. Both of us sampled a bit of each and felt they were lovely.

Next, we took some time to enjoy the sights of shoppers surrounding us and observed the crowd of people at Mango Tree restaurant. This Thai food location certainly has fast service because we saw several seats filled and re-filled during our time there. This makes perfect sense. If you’re busy shopping or being a tourist in London, you probably want to eat and go quickly.

For my Main course, I had the BBQ Roast Pork and Mr. Sunny ordered the Crispy Spring Chicken.

His dish arrived covered in prawn crackers. Both were delicious. We really enjoyed our food at this 24-seater Harrods restaurant in the Food Hall. Mango Tree was awarded Best Performing restaurant Concession in 2012 at Harrods. It has a commitment to offering guests an exceptional dining experience with a taste of warm Thai hospitality. We feel it certainly delivered that during our experience.

August 11, 2016 by: Sunny London

Big Easy Covent Garden Weekend Boozy Brunch

If you’re looking for true Southern hospitality in London, then Big Easy Covent Garden is for you. Mr. Sunny and I hit their Unlimited Boozy Brunch over the weekend and give this London location a huge ‘Yeeeeeehawwwww!’

Ok, all jokes aside, as an American expat living in London I’m always curious about what restaurants offer on their American themed menus. While it wasn’t perfect, Big Easy Covent Garden scores big with me for several reasons. The restaurant gives oversized portions typical of the U.S. The decor is truly reflective of country rustic. Food was flavorful.

What more could a Florida raised girl want on a lazy, sunny afternoon in London?

I’ve walked by the restaurant many times during my regular strolls through Covent Garden. The fun, colourful exterior is very alluring. When the invitation to try their weekend unlimited boozy brunch showed up in my inbox, my heart skipped a few beats. After reading the menu with Mr. Sunny, we thought it was a little too good to be true.

Our personal tastes in food pair well with this menu. We ordered quickly once at our table, and began sipping our booze.

Beer and Prosecco. I won’t give you long to guess whose was whose. 😉

Big Easy Covent Garden- The Food

Our food arrived not long after we ordered. Don’t tell Mr. Sunny, but I think he had the meat sweats before the beef and poultry hit the table. But, it was more like beads of excitement forming on his upper lip. I was a little more hesitant because I never order food that I need to manage once it is in front of me. No sir-eee.

Above, you can see his North Carolina Chopped Pork, Pit-Smoked Bar B.Q Chicken, St Louis Pork Ribs, Slaw, Pit-Smoked Beans, Fries and Fresh Baked Cornbread. I tried a little of each as a Southern Belle sampling the cuisine for accuracy. Everything but the cornbread could’ve easily been on a plate in America. In a Southern state, the cornbread probably would’ve had a honkin’ heap more sugar in the recipe. I don’t blame the restaurant for holding back. Londoners probably wouldn’t like the intense sweetness of what is served in the U.S.

My lobster gets two claws up. Mr. Sunny took it all out of the shell for me. No matter how much I love it and how many times I’ve ordered it, I’ve never man-handled the crustacean myself. The garlic butter that accompanied it was superb. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention they asked if I wanted it with butter or hollandaise sauce. That made me chuckle pretty hard. Mr. Sunny explained that British people would’ve picked the later. I can’t fathom any true Southern Americans doing it, but readers, correct me if I’m wrong.

We munched and slurped for nearly two hours. I was actually a bit embarrassed how long we were there. But we were having a boozy blast. I even managed a piece of red velvet cake!

Big Easy Covent Garden- Southern Style

Like I wrote earlier, the atmosphere of the restaurant certainly has Southern flair. Even though the name seems to be all Louisiana, Big Easy Covent Garden shows a little bit of the Southern big guns throughout the location. Perhaps the biggest is the Lone Star state, Texas.

I couldn’t quite figure out why all the California plates were included below, but this wall art sure did lasso up my attention.

For those of you who have spent time in a good ‘ol Southern state, wouldn’t you agree that if you just looked at the pictures below you ‘wood’ not guess the restaurant was in London?

We really enjoyed the Big Easy Covent Garden weekend brunch and look forward to returning to try the other delicious looking items they have. Once we finished, I had a secret look at their largest live lobster minutes before he took the plunge on to someone’s plate.

I recommend you view the menu the of Big Easy Covent Garden location, as well as King’s Road and Canary Wharf to see all the juicy options for their Southern BBQ and more. Their weekend unlimited boozy brunch sure offers a whole lot of Southern comfort to even the heartiest eaters.

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