Tony C.
Yelp
Alrighty. Where to begin?
The style. It's bizarre. It's "eccentric". It's Tiki! Easter Island style statues adorn almost every corner (and fishtank) in here, and it just works. It does. I defy you not to smile.
The bar downstairs in the basement area is small, but stylish and warm, welcoming and just very homely. I wasn't aware of the upstairs part until a similarly bemused looking Nicola C sussed it out. We headed upstairs to a large-ish restaurant area decked out in a similar style, with a smaller bar area nestled in the back.
Drinks were duly ordered from the bamboozlingly big menu card. A Coconut Grenade arrived in my hand, after watching the barman combine bottles, ice, leaves, fruits, sprays and straws into a wonderful half coconut glass. It was a work of art. I felt guilty drinking it.
But it was booze, so I did.
Should also note, if you're not drinking, all cocktails are available in "mocktail" form - alcohol free and served the same way, a cracking idea!
We were seated quickly, a nice window table in the corner, and after perusing the menu (and several photos being taken) more drinks were offered, and food orders taken.
I opted for the Spring Rolls with a sweet chilli dipping sauce. I've eaten spring rolls from my local takeaways before, never contemplated having a dip with them. Consider my tiny mind BLOWN! The spring rolls were crunchy, well filled and extremely tasty. They even stopped me talking for a few minutes; fellow Yelpers will appreciate that.
Also, like to point out at this point a bottle of water and glasses with ice and slice were deposited on the table without prompting, a nice touch I don't see very often these days. Much appreciated!
With the starters done, time for the main. I took the pork fillet, sliced and served with a garlic and pepper sauce and jasmine rice, with some mixed veggies and whatnot.
It was so nice, I even ate broccoli for the second week running. INTENTIONALLY.
The pork was delicious, cooked just right and melted in the mouth, combined with the bite of the sauce and the beautifully cooked rice (be surprised how often that gets overlooked) it was a delight. A delight, I say!
Service was superb, even allowing for the rowdy table full of folk that arrived after us.
It's not somewhere I would have thought of heading for some food, given how bizarrely picky I am, but I really, REALLY enjoyed the food and atmosphere here and would definitely head back again. Colour me *very* impressed indeed.
I would also work my way through the cocktail list, if I was in an adventurous mood. I probably will at some point. You have been warned, Tiki-Bar-People.