RESTAURANT REVIEW

September 19, 2016 by: Sunny London

Breakfast at Cafe Rouge Southgate

Not living in Central London means Mr Sunny and I spend a lot of time during the week travelling. On weekends it’s nice to stay home and not deal with long rides. We love our north London neighbourhood. When the weather is great, we enjoy spending time around the area.

When Cafe Rouge contacted us to try their summer breakfast menu, we were really excited because there is one located relatively close to us. On a beautiful, sunny day we walked to our local Cafe Rouge for a Sunday breakfast in Southgate.

We’ve been to Cafe Rouge in Highgate, the City of London, and Canary Wharf and really love their lunch and dinner menus. Mr. Sunny loves escargot and mussels. Me- not so much. Their Nicoise salad is my standard selection.

We found the Cafe Rouge in Southgate quite charming and the people we met are really lovely too. Apparently, they’ve had some patrons who have visited on a weekly basis for the seventeen years they have been open. That’s loyal!

Mr Sunny ordered the Rouge Breakfast and I opted for Buttermilk Pancakes with bacon, banana and maple syrup.

I was surprised to see a French restaurant serve pancakes they were so similar to American pancakes. I had expected something like a crepe.

We also had Rouge Mimosas and enjoyed the wine cocktail. This is probably an odd choice to pair with breakfast, but we really wanted to try it.

The highlight of our meal actually was the croissants we had at the end. I had the pain au chocolat croissant. I liked that it wasn’t super flaky. Rather, it had a wonderful soft texture that didn’t feel like shards of crumb shrapnel disintegrating in my mouth. The taste of the bread and pops of chocolate were perfect together.

Mr Sunny and I agree that this restaurant is best for lunch and dinner and look forward to going to the Cafe Rouge Southgate with his parents some time in the near future. It’s great to know they have so many regular customers. It’s easy to see why they’re already letting everyone know what’s available for the holidays.

Our breakfast was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This does not affect the opinion of my experience.

August 28, 2015 by: Sunny London

How to Save Money on Dinner at the Savoy in London

Are you interested in eating at posh places in London for a discounted price?

Mr. Sunny and I had dinner at the Savoy in London for our first date night after I returned from my one month Florida holiday. Specifically, we went to Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill.

We picked this location because when you’re fresh off a plane from Florida, you are still in seafood and sun mode, so it made sense to book a table here.

In fact, it was literally the website Bookatable.co.uk that we used to choose our evening plans. We chose one of the Star Deals and to enjoy a swanky dinner at the Savoy in London.

Located right on the Strand, the back of the Savoy in London faces the River Thames. When you walk through the beautiful entrance of the Savoy in London, you travel all the way to the back to find Kaspar’s Seafood Grill and Bar.

We were excited not only about the menu but also the chance to see London’s landmarks as we ate our dinner. Unfortunately, our table wasn’t located near a window, so in the future we will know to request this.

Mr. Sunny and I had reviewed the menu on Bookatable in advance of making the reservation online several weeks prior. We knew there was a chance the menu could be different the night we went, and it was.

The Bookatable Star Deal for Kaspar’s Seafood Grill and Bar at the Savoy in London features a three-course set menu with a glass of champagne for £39. As Mr. Sunny said during our dinner, ‘We booked the venue, not the menu.’

I had my heart set on eating dinner at the Savoy in London, so the fact that the menu was different than what was online didn’t matter that much to me. And, obviously restaurants will most likely change their menu often to reflect seasonal or daily specials, especially if their focus is seafood.

For Starters as we toasted our champagne glasses and ate the Mushroom Tartlet and Potted Mackerel.

I’ve only recently acquired the taste for mushrooms, so ordering this for my Starter was a bit out of the ordinary for me. It was fantastic. The mushrooms truly were cooked to perfection.

Mr. Sunny was very surprised at the serving size of his Mackerel. He not only thought it tasted excellent, but also felt the portion is very generous.

For our Main courses, we picked Herb Gnocchi and Pan Roasted Stone Bass.

The gnocchi were truly memorable. The texture was so delicate and light. In fact, I could have easily eaten double the size. However, I tend to have a bigger appetite than most people.

I didn’t try Mr. Sunny’s bass because it had anise, and even though I’m Italian, I avoid that flavour at every opportunity. He really was gutted I wouldn’t give his dish a go, as he said it was remarkable and didn’t have a strong anise flavour.

For our final course, we each ordered a dessert.

Let’s just say there sure wasn’t any complaining when that gorgeous Dark Chocolate Mousse with soft nougat and peanut butter ice cream slid in front of me. I absolutely go crazy over peanut butter ice cream.

One of the food items that’s tricky to get in London is peanut butter. Americans really target this as something they miss living as expats here. So, having the chance to eat peanut butter ice cream is beyond a rarity. I was in peanut heaven!

Oh yeah, and Mr. Sunny liked his Vanilla Millefeuille very, very much.

We really enjoyed our Bookatable experience at the Savoy in London because it gave us a chance to eat somewhere special and save money.

The bill total was £102.94, which included a 12.5% gratuity charge. The other additional fees were Mr. Sunny’s Peroni and the sneaky side of mushrooms he ordered to compliment our dinners. We were also charged £2 for mineral water, which was a little bit of a surprise.

I would suggest the Bookatable Star Deals to anyone living in or visiting London who wants to experience dining at some of the UK’s most iconic restaurants for a lot less. Again, you may wish to call a venue the day of your booking to verify the menu if that is something very important to you.

We absolutely loved our night at the Savoy in London for less and would love to know if you’ve tried any of the Bookatable Star Deals also. Please write your experiences in the comments below.

March 19, 2014 by: Sunny London

Using a Tastecard at Pizza Express- Save Money and Eat Gluten Free

While it’s fun to enjoy Michelin starred restaurants, sometimes you just want to chow down on pizza and save money. That’s why I was ecstatic when I received an email stating there was a major change in using a Tastecard at Pizza Express.

It’s amazing how many great London restaurants offer super deals for Tastecard holders. Mr. Sunny and I frequently plan our Sunny in London adventures around them. However, they nearly all require advance booking. UNTIL NOW!

I was notified via email that using a Tastecard at Pizza Express no longer means calling ahead to reserve a time. This is huge, Sunny friends. LAST MINUTE. PIZZA. ANYTIME.

So, Mr. Sunny and I immediately walked to our local Pizza Express to put the deal to use.

Mr. Sunny ordered his Starter for £4.95

Bruschetta Originale “Pizza Express” features tomatoes, red onions, garlic, fresh basil and pesto

I told the waiter I just wanted an entrée, and he promptly reminded me that the Tastecard gave us 2 for 1. So, I quickly ordered one of my favourites for £5.20.

Mozzarella & Tomato Salad is served with fresh basil pesto and extra virgin olive oil

They were delicious!

We both ordered from the Classic Pizza Menu for our Mains.

Mr. Sunny dined on the La Reine for £11.40

La Reine includes prosciutto cotto ham, olives and mushrooms

He was a bit sneaky and ordered extra pepperoni AND extra red onions when I wasn’t listening, but more about that later.

I ordered a gluten-free Fiorentina for £9.50.

Fiorentina features spinach, free-range egg, mozzarella, tomato, garlic oil, black olives and Gran Moravia cheese

Pizza Express features their Romana and Classic pizzas as gluten free options in an 11” base, with the exceptions of Sloppy Giuseppe, Diavolo, Polpette Bolognese and our Calzone and Leggera range.

This pizza was GLORIOUS!

When we received the bill, we were very happy, well…. Almost.

As you can see, we did save £14.20 through the promotion. However, Mr. Sunny got a big ear beating about his extras and TWO beers.

I’m not sure how I feel about the Children’s Food Trust Donation. Although it was clearly written in the menu under my pizza,

“A discretionary 25p will be donated on your behalf to the ‘Children’s Food Trust’, the UK charity that has been getting children cooking since 2005”

I am still torn on my feelings about having this automatically added on the bill.

As you can see, using a Tastecard at Pizza Express is quite easy. If you don’t get carried away with additions and booze, it can be quite a deal. For Sunny friends who don’t have a Tastecard, you can receive it for a free 30 day trial if you request it on their website. I applied a few weeks ago and was thrilled at how quickly it arrived.

Can any of you recommend other great restaurant deals in London? More importantly, did I rain on Mr. Sunny’s parade by yapping about his extra pepperoni and Peronis? Should I have kept my mouth shut?

October 10, 2014 by: Sunny London

Racing’s North Turn- Guess Who’s Back!

When I saw the Facebook update for Racing’s North Turn on a Sunday evening in July, my heart stopped. It indicated a huge fire had erupted overnight in the restaurant’s kitchen. They were grateful no one was hurt but shattered that the famous beach bar in Ponce Inlet, Florida had experienced substantial damage and would be closed.

The loss of this establishment wouldn’t be a little drag. The end of Racing’s North Turn would be historically and culturally devastating to Daytona.

Why?

Let me tell you…
Back in 1936 car racing had its humble beginnings on the flat, compact sands of Daytona’s beach. Participants started at 4511 South Atlantic Avenue and raced two miles south. Then they returned to the North Turn. Here, race fans and competitors were fed at the Sandpiper restaurant.

In 1959 Bill France created the race track, which is several miles inland. This moved the races away from the sand to a defined, physical structure. It also officially launched NASCAR and stock car racing in America.

Even though the actual races moved, the beach venue kept its tradition of a race themed location. It has had different names and owners. But, for the past sixteen years it’s been ‘Racing’s North Turn’, and the proud owners are Walt and Rhonda Glasnak. During this time, it has been a well oiled engine and attracted a loyal local crowd, as well as people from all over the world. However, the iconic venue came to a screeching halt on the morning of July 13.

Despite fire departments from Ponce Inlet, Daytona Beach Shores, Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach arriving to assist in the crisis, the physical damage was extensive.

Walt and Rhonda pressed forward to make a speedy recovery and were thankful for the local businesses who helped by hiring some of the beach bar’s 70 employees for interim work.

On September 15th, Racing’s North Turn officially restarted their cooking engines.So, when I made a trip back to my hometown Daytona the first week of October, a visit to my favourite beach bar was the front runner on my list of things to do.

On your mark… get set…. GO!

I wasn’t surprised to see a trio of Harley’s shining in front of Racing’s North Turn.

‘Hallelujah!’ I thought, as I stepped closer to worship these wheels.

You see, one thing is damn certain for Daytona natives- we’re a full throttle breed of people. Don’t be fooled by our flip flops, the lazy ocean breeze and our Southern twang. We like our wheels to move fast and with furious thunder. An engine’s roar, whether from two wheels or four, makes us come alive. In Daytona, life is about how hard and loud you roll.

Near Racing’s North Turn’s entrance is a replica of a car that was raced on the beach.
The reconstruction temporarily has patrons entering through the gift shop.
And, thankfully, both the inside bar and outside bar are open. 😉So, don’t you worry all you die hard Bloody Mary fans! You can still grab one of their signature drinks and sip it there between A1A and the Atlantic ocean.
My mother, godfather and three close family friends joined me on this cloudless, sunny Florida afternoon. All but one of us is originally from Pittsburgh, so our 12:45pm arrival was strategic. You see, at 1:00pm the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars football game was starting.

Racing’s North Turn is a popular place to watch NFL games, and it has a live band every night after 6:00pm.We were promptly greeted by our server, Chris. He explained that they’re operating from a satellite kitchen. Therefore the menu is a bit limited. For right now, they’re doing their best to make the most popular items for people. My mother and I ordered the Fish Reuben, which is their #1 most requested meal.

Whoa! What a catch!
I think I inhaled mine. You be the judge…
When I asked Chris what else was in the food race, he said the burger was rounding the corner for a possible tie.
Yummy. Yummy. I see why.

Aside from my godfather’s order of clam chowder, our table pretty much stuck to the Fish Reuben and burgers. At one point, we added another fish sandwich. Chris informed us the ‘pop up kitchen’ had just waved a caution flag on production time because the crowds were building at the restaurant. We appreciated the update and were happy to wait patiently for food while enjoying the game. I mean really, would you complain about watching football with this backdrop?
After I finished my food, I had the chance to talk exclusively with the owner, Rhonda. She gave me a tour of the area that previously was the kitchen.

Rhonda made numerous mentions of the community’s outreach during the restaurant’s recent time of need. She and Walt have tremendous gratitude for everyone who has helped. Again, I wasn’t surprised with Daytona’s supportive reactions, but it sure was great to hear.

During our conversation, Rhonda emphasised how either fire or water damage destroyed nearly all of the memorabilia and everything in the gift shop. International Speedway Corporation made a substantial effort to help them get back on track by donating many racing items.She said they were keen to rebuild and opened quickly with what they felt people cherish the most.

Just like all the previous times, I had a wonderful afternoon at this iconic beach bar in the Ponce Inlet are of Daytona. I didn’t really care that I wasn’t eating on real plates. And I don’t think anyone else minded either…We were also very relieved to see that our ‘Big Big’ (#7 Ben Roethlisberger, the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers pictured below) triumphed over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
But more importantly to us was seeing that our server Chris and the rest of the pit crew at Racing’s North Turn have risen from the ashes and are still in the driving seat of Daytona’s lead venue on the beach.Like a strong phoenix, the restaurant will continue to thrive, thanks to the fabulous owners, staff, community and loyal patrons.

I can’t wait to bring Mr Sunny here when he visits Daytona with me some day. Until then, he’ll enjoy the shirt I bought him from the gift shop. I wish I could bring him a delicious fish sandwich, but I’m guessing it might not make the long trip across the pond to London.If you’re local, please spread the word that Racing’s North Turn is refueled and on the move. And if you know of any racing memorabilia that needs a good home, I can definitely suggest one to you 😉

Be sure to visit Racing’s North Turn website to learn about all their exciting annual events.

Special thanks to Mike, AKA ‘Captain America’, who is also a Pittsburgh native. I appreciate you letting me have your back for the picture above. Cheers! 😉

March 22, 2016 by: Sunny London

Le Pain Quotidien Covent Garden

Le Pain Quotidien in Covent Garden really shocked me recently. This popular chain in London has a name that means ‘the daily bread’ in French. As someone who is gluten sensitive, I try as much as possible to avoid baked goods during my daily routine. Since I’m in my favourite neighborhood Covent Garden often, I pass this restaurant frequently. I never stopped to read the menu because I anticipated it would be full of gluten temptations.

When Mr. Sunny and I were invited to explore their menu, I did exactly that. Never did I expect that there would be so many healthy options. And bubbles too…

We met at a pub around the corner and each had a sip of our favourite adult beverages. Then we walked over to Le Pain Quotidien on a simply beautiful sunny afternoon. It’s located right near the London Transport Museum. I’ve reviewed it on the blog and definitely recommend the attraction for a fun, informative few hours.

You can sit outside Le Pain Quotidien in the unbrella covered tables above on the left. What many people don’t know is the restaurant has an upper level too which is filled with tons of tables and a nice view.

Our table was reserved by the window and our server, Kamila, was eager to help us with everything. She truly made our evening wonderful. Mr. Sunny was happy to see the menu included beer. He tried several and still will be a Stella Artois fan for life. I do give him credit though for giving organic and gluten free beers a go.

I had a glass of Prosecco to toast my starter, which was Smoked Atlantic Salmon toast.

Mr. Sunny picked Moroccan Spice Meatballs after greatly debating between that dish and the Crevettes.

For our Main courses, we were both torn among many options too. If I wasn’t trying to be a little healthy, I would’ve had the Smoked Chicken Caesar Brioche Bun. However, the Quinoa Cake won because it sounded unique and nutritious. I would most definitely order it again. The textures and flavours combined beautifully together, and it wasn’t uncomfortably filling.

Mr. Sunny hotly debated between the Chicken and Leek Pie and the British Steak and West Country Ale Stew. I’m sure you aren’t surprised that the menu item which contained beer won that contest. Yes, he opted for the stew.

The vegetables weren’t exactly ones he enjoys, so his thoughts were a bit mixed on this meat dish.

We split a Tiramisu at the end of the night. It seemed to have a bit of a ginger taste, which is something I haven’t experienced before. But, it was pleasant.

As for Mr. Sunny, let’s just say you can lead a horse to water… I don’t think he’ll ever get excited about organic, healthy food. On the other hand, I am eager to go back to Le Pain Quotidien Covent Garden or other locations. The menu has so many gluten free items that I want to try. For example, they have Organic Coconut Granola, Granola Parfait, and several organic egg options. The tartines (especially with avocado) look delicious too.

Because of this experience, I will certainly think of Le Pain Quotidien for more than just cream tea, bread and pastries. This isn’t because my experience was complimentary for the purpose of a review. I will be very happy to return on days when I am out blogging and want an easy, healthy meal to keep me going.

Where do you recommend for healthy food in London? Have you tried Le Pain Quotidien Covent Garden or other locations?

April 6, 2016 by: Sunny London

Prezzo London Review- It’s Gluten Free Too!

What’s the latest from Prezzo London? If you haven’t had a chance to keep up with everything happening on London’s restaurant scene, you might not know that Prezzo London has launched an impressive Spring/Summer menu. However, it wasn’t just this menu that really caught my attention when I visited one of their locations recently. It was something else that really hit me where it counts.

Oh Sunny friends, I know what you’re thinking. It actually wasn’t all the bubbles that were served with lunch that had me so enthralled. Although, let’s be honest. Who complains when they keep getting topped up on Prosecco? ‘Not me’, says the Florida girl living in London. 😉 However, their new cocktail menu does feature an espresso martini, Amaretto sour, and Porn Star Martini!

What was so intriguing about my visit to Prezzo London was their extensive gluten free menu. I really had no idea they offered so much.

As a chain that’s pretty widespread in London, I’ve passed many Prezzo locations in my travels around town. Although I always wanted to stop and eat, I refrained because Italian restaurants serve too many gluten temptations. As a girl who has Italian roots, I fight the carb battle on a daily basis. Staring at a menu full of powdery delights just isn’t smart. So, I’ve always steered clear of places that focus on flour. I wish I had known how large the gluten free menu is at Prezzo London.

Ok, so if you’ve ever met a gluten free menu that was super photogenic too, Call Me. Maybe. You’ve got to admit that this list from an Italian restaurant is beyond expectations. Really.

That being said, in the spirit of honesty, I didn’t exactly order everything gluten free. Because there are some things that I just can’t resist. For example, I had to have these Baked Mushrooms.

They are stuffed with bella lodi cheese, mozzarella, garlic, onion and breadcrumbs and served with garlic mayonnaise. They slid down real easy, and yes, a bit greasy. However, I had no problem finishing every.single.one.

My friend who joined me for lunch selected the King Prawns featured in a pomodoro sauce with garlic, red chilli and spinach and served with toasted sourdough.

I don’t think that dish will dawn any food magazine covers in the near future, but my friend said it was tasty.

From there we moved on to our Main courses. Here you won’t be surprised, if you read Sunny in London often. I’m a huge fan of risotto, so the deep magnetic attraction I have with this slow cooked rice is undefeateable, every time it is offered.

That is the King Prawns Risotto I selected from the gluten free menu. I agree that it doesn’t scream #foodporn by any stretch of the imagination. However, for the price it’s offered in the location where I enjoyed it, I think it’s fair. Let’s think about it- there is never going to be a time when a picture of risotto breaks the internet. Knowing this, I decided to marginally shake things up a bit and see what happened when I gave the food a good whipping for a better picture…

With a few more pops of colour to see, you can now enjoy the final result of my food feast before I forked it. That’s amore! This brought out the visuals for the oak-roasted salmon and leeks in a creamy saffron sauce with bella lodi cheese. It was smooth, sexy and rich with flavour.

My friend, on the other hand, played it genuinely colour safe and healthy with her Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Salad.

She won the antioxidant contest of the day against me. But, in the end we were dessert divas together because we both gave in to the almighty cheesecake chariot with these two champions…

Your eyes just settled on the White Peach and Amaretti Cheesecake and Honeycomb Smash Cheesecake. We both left plates that were so clean they probably didn’t need to be washed 😉 The first one is a new dessert on their Spring/Summer menu,

My friend and I really enjoyed our Prezzo London lunch. I’d recommend this location for any hungry tourist who wants to eat Italian and skip the gluten free weight. The St. Martin’s Lane location is right around the corner from the National Portrait Gallery and Trafalgar Square in Covent Garden.

You can view the options closer on their website, as well as see their lactose free and vegan menu.

This experience was complimentary via Prezzo but in no way affected my opinion above. I feel they offer an extensive gluten free menu for people. What I do regret is that I was distracted by the food and bubbles and forgot to take a picture of my friend and I enjoying our lunch catch up. She just had an amazing blowout at a salon and was ready for her blog debut. 😉 Next time, my friend!

May 23, 2016 by: Sunny London

Mango Tree Review- Belgravia, London

Who would’ve guessed that Mango Tree serves the swankiest cocktail in London?

At least that’s the story I am telling after my recent experience there. Sunny friends, I am not kidding. The ‘Bangkok Fizz’ is going to be my hot new drunk of choice. That’s of course after a cold glass of champagne.

This sexy mixture of Malibu, fresh lime juice, cranberry juice, lemonade with crushed ice and fresh mint really took me by surprise. But more on that later.

In the heart of Belgravia, literally on Buckingham Palace’s back door, is the ultra stylish Thai restaurant Mango Tree. With its original branch in Bangkok, this super spacious and feng-shui designed venue offers more than just a fun dining experience. It was featured on BBC1’s Masterchef and even has a mention in renowned Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling’s novel The Silkworm.

So, given all the hype, Mr. Sunny and I were excited when we received the invitation to take on this Thai food experience for a night.

We arrived just shortly after they opened, were whisked to the bar area and had colourful drinks in our hands within what felt like seconds.

And there she is, Miss Bangkok Fizz, front and centre. After the first sip, I fell in love. The smooth, silky feel of this drink hit me unexpectedly. Of course, the Malibu wasn’t too overpowering. I’ve always felt like it was like drinking suntan oil, light, luscious and tropical. It was the sheer lovely sensation of the drink and shock that it didn’t contain vanilla that resonated with me. For some reason it just seemed like it would have that ingredient hidden somewhere.

With nearly finished drinks, we headed to our table which was in a spacious area near a window. After ordering our food, a simple apple salad on a spoon arrived for each of us.

We both liked this little treat, as it had the right balance of a sweet and sour taste. Next, a seafood platter landed in the centre of the table and each bite was filled with excellent flavour. I may have taken more than my portion of the peanut sauce, but Mr. Sunny knows that’s one of my real weaknesses when it comes to food favourites.

For our Mains, I chose the Royal Pad Thai. Mr. Sunny picked the Pad Ka Pow. Now, I can guess that you’ve probably never seen a Pad Thai presented quite like this one below.

It is stir fried with lobster, Alaskan King Crab and the usual suspects for the Thai dish. For £32.50 I would’ve expected more lobster and crab, but the dish was tasty as served.

Mr. Sunny was a little surprised by the amount of chilli peppers in his minced meat dish and was happy it came with rice to ease the kick.

The Mango Tree restaurant in Belgravia, London serves genuine Thai dishes from each of the four main culinary regions: rich and mild dishes from the north, spicy food from the east, mild dishes influenced by the chinese cooking style from the central region, and hot and spicy food from the south.

We had excellent service and appreciate the complimentary experience. Naturally, I would be thrilled to return for the Bangkok Fizz and can only imagine how amazing the other drinks are until then. All the food I had was beautiful on a plate and rich with flavour. For an upscale evening of Thai food and swanky, spacious ambiance, Mango Tree in Belgravia is certainly an option.

June 13, 2016 by: Sunny London

Tart Attack! Bel and the Dragon Windsor Review

When Mr. Sunny and I found out we had a table booked at Bel and the Dragon Windsor, we had no idea what a treat it would be. As part of our weekend in Windsor, we had many activities planned for us and some time to choose our own adventures. I don’t know if we would’ve found Bel and the Dragon on our own, because it isn’t right on the high street in Windsor. However, like many things to do in the regal area, it’s within view of the castle.

We’re incredibly happy to say that everything we ate in this historic restaurant steeped in old English heritage was five-star, for sure! While we were in Windsor to ingest the tiara-driven royal life, it was actually a tart that captured our attention!

We probably didn’t make a great initial impression at the restaurant. We were scheduled to enjoy afternoon tea. However, given that I had just had two royal afternoon teas in honour of her Majesty’s 90th birthday in less than ten days, I needed variety.

We not only asked to have something different but also changed the time of our table. None of this was a problem for Bel and the Dragon Windsor, and we really appreciated that.

Mr. Sunny and I chose not to have an outside table, because if you can believe it- it was just too hot and sunny that day! Instead, we sat next to the window and quickly ordered a beer and wine. ‘Taking one for the blog team’, Mr. Sunny missed his standard Stella and selected the beer brewed in Windsor and Eton. He’s such a Prince Charming 😉 The Kohinoor was brewed specifically for the Queen’s Jubilee.

During our Sunday lunch experience, he tried both the Kohinoor and the Republika which are featured above, and he gives them two thumbs up. For our starters we picked the Pink Peppercorn Squid, Sweet Chilli Jam and the Seared Scottish Scallops and Crispy Pancetta.

When the food hit the table, we were stunned. The scallops had such artistic character, we didn’t want to disrupt the show.

Awww, dahhhling. Who am I kidding? … We dug right in! In fact, I was disappointed I had picked the squid because Mr. Sunny’s starter looked so delicious. Since he shared a few bites with me, I was able to enjoy the rolling textures of apple slices, pea puree, fluffly scallops and crunchy bacon. The contrasting flavours moved beautifully together.

We had been to a really fantastic and over-boozey wedding in Windsor the night before, so a heavy meal around 2pm was just what we needed. Feeling a bit rough, Mr. Sunny thought the Sunday Roasted Rib-Eye of Beef, Yorkshire Pudding and Fresh Horseradish Thyme and Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes, Lots of Green Vegetables and Braising Jus would be an excellent hangover cure. He added some side dishes for good measure.

He wouldn’t stop talking about how perfect the beef was cooked. Again, he gives his food five-stars.

The chef’s exquisite ability to present a dish that’s both visually magnificent plus has sensational taste surfaced in my fish too. Since we had crossed the River Thames a few times during our weekend in Windsor, I wanted my food to be nautical and selected seafood. Thank cod I did!

Doesn’t that main course look delightful? I have to admit, I was a bit nervous while waiting for it. I ordered the Roasted Atlantic Cod, Miso and Lime with Shaved Radishes, Avocado and Samphire. I don’t like miso, can’t stand radishes, and have never heard of samphire. Yet, this food combined through the chef’s masterful recipe completely rocked me! What a catch!

Throughout our meal, we had excellent service and couldn’t have asked for more. In fact, we were going to skip dessert because we didn’t think we had any room left. It’s amazing what a hot tart can do to destroy the most proper intentions!

Our server asked if we minded he picked a pudding for us. Based on everything we had experienced, we let him take over the final phase. Mr. Sunny and I dub this dish the ‘Tart Attack!’

When they first brought us plates with what I think were swirls of caramel sauce, I thought the server was playing a joke on us. And then, the baked tart hit the table.

Hot DAMN!

I don’t eat baked fruit, but for one of the few times in my life, I made an exception. It would be sinful if I repeated all the words Mr. Sunny and I shared over this dessert. Sweet hallelujah it was divine! I really don’t think this level of food porn should be allowed on a Sunday…

Bel and the Dragon Windsor Review: Final Thoughts

Bel and the Dragon Windsor historic restaurant and tea room has been serving food and drink since the 11th Century. And, based on our exceptional encounter, it’s clear to see it’s going to remain for centuries. Chef Ronnie Kimbugwe presents a series of menus full of twists on an array of classic British dishes, with a focus on local, sustainable and, above all, quality ingredients.

The restaurant with its open kitchen allows diners to watch the chefs at work, adding a touch of culinary theatre to the dining experience. The website states ‘Just a stone’s throw from the shops, theatres and the gates of Windsor Castle and a short hop across the footbridge from Eton College, Bel and the Dragon Windsor is the perfect place to take time out to relax and enjoy the superb food & drink on offer.’ Mr. Sunny and I will attest to that being true, on any day of the week.

Our experience at Bel and the Dragon Windsor was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This in no way affects our opinion of the food and service. In fact, I was super excited when I discovered that they have locations in Churt, Cookham, Godalming, Kingsclere, Odiham and Reading. Road trip, anyone?

July 20, 2016 by: Sunny London

Cabana- The Best Boozy Brunch in London

Hearing a lot about people enjoying a boozy brunch in London but not sure where to go? Cabana in Islington not only offers the best deal on booze but also has really fun food and a great atmosphere.

Mr. Sunny and I had the chance to settle in for the two-hour affair on Saturday. We sampled almost everything on their Bottomless Brasilian Brunch menu, including the luscious drinks! This is how it went…

We arrived to Cabana Brasilian Barbecue around 11:30am, clearly ahead of the brunch crowd. The staff was immediately inviting and we loved the colourful decor. Mr. Sunny specifically thought the seat covers of our table were interesting, and I loved the Christ the Redeemer statue which is in the restaurant’s entrance.

Once we were seated, the manager Pete came to introduce himself and was very enthusiastic about explaining the brunch and bottomless drinks. It almost sounded too good to be true. Their current promotion is that you can enjoy the bottomless, very boozy brunch for £14.95.

This means that you can order any of the three Belleni and/or Bloody Maria for the two hours that you have a table. While we were there, we had the pineapple, the mango and the Passion Fruit Bellini. We also had the Bloody Marias too. So, five drinks for each of us- certainly a boozy brunch in London.

During the time there, the food flow was pretty solid too. Pete suggested we try everything, so we did. First, we had the Acai Smoothie Bowl. It was healthy, rich and delicious. On its own this could be a great choice for someone who doesn’t want to be bottom-heavy from the experience. 😉

Next, I loved the Rabanadas, or ‘Brasilian French Toast.’ It’s sourdough bread dipped in condensed milk, pan fried with cinnamon vanilla sugar and chocolate. On top is Greek yogurt and berries. I could have stopped there because both items were very filling. (And, yes, I did eat every bite!)

Also on the Cabana Bottomless Boozy Brunch in London is the Avocado on Sourdough Toast. It’s served with fresh chilli, lime and a poached egg. This is one I will start craving again by the end of the week. I love the spin on the avocado toast trend that Cabana presents.

I hit the food wall on this next menu item, the Sweet Potato Hash with poached egg. It’s served with crumbled feta and chopped parsley. At this point, I was beyond forcing myself, and I couldn’t cross the finish line. This dish plus the Avocado Toast tie for my favourites.

Mr. Sunny, on the other hand, was holding back for more meat. As quite a few skewers stacked with beef passed our table, Mr. Sunny was a bit distracted. As I struggled to finish the Sweet Potato Hash, he ‘took one for the team’ and ordered the Picanha Burger and the Spicy Malagueta Chicken Wings.

By the time he finished these final two additions to our overly boozy brunch in London, he was on the verge of food coma too. We gave it our best to test the bottomless brunch and nearly made it through everything. Because the drink offer is so fab at this Brasilian barbecue, we both give it two thumbs up. If this had been an Olympic eating contest, we would’ve certainly earned gold medals for effort.

Our experience at Cabana was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This doesn’t affect the opinion I’ve expressed here. How can you not claim that a bottomless choice of Bellini and/or Bloody Marias isn’t the best brunch in London deal?

Pete and the staff made our first experience at Cabana really enjoyable. I imagine the location of this restaurant and lively decor make it one of Islington’s evening hotspots too. Mr. Sunny will definitely be interested in returning with me to eat their barbecue, which is their speciality. For those who want a casual atmosphere to get their morning drunk on, we feel Cabana has the best boozy brunch in London.

The Bottomless Brunch is offered at this location Saturday and Sunday from 11am-4pm. You can read the complete Cabana menu and see their numerous other locations around London too. What do you think you would order from all the food I mentioned above?

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?