"this is somewhere I've wanted to try for a long time, but as my husband doesn't eat seafood, for a long time there wasn't a lot on the menu that appealed. More recently, there has been more chicken, beef, veggie and vegan options, all of which he enjoys, so we decided this time we were giving it a go. it opens at 12, and we arrived more or less on the dot there. the decor is quirky and cosy, and very comfortable. loved the skull mirrorball in the bar alcove. we were easily able to get a table, but for the time of day on an off peak weekday, it soon got busier. it seems very popular. we were able to order quickly. and didn't have to wait too long for our food. I had the Gumbo, which is a favourite of mine, but not available as widely as you'd hope in many UK eateries. (I do make a very good one myself, but can't resist it) the portion was generous, with a good sized side of delicious rice and beans, which had a lovely spiciness to it, and a lovely, light almost brioche like cornbread, delicious for dipping in the rich, flavourful sauce. the gumbo comes with plenty of tender chicken, spiced sausage and king prawns. the flavours were lovely. not overly hot (not that I mind a hot gumbo) but had a lovely rich depth to the sauce, with all the different flavours mingling beautifully. fortunately, as I don't have the biggest appetite, they were happy to provide me with a container to take my leftovers home in, as it would be a tragedy to let it go to waste. I only have a smaller appetite, despite how much I LOVE food, so this way I get two fantastic meals out of it instead of just one. staff were very accommodating, the house lager was decent, and my husbands burger looked really nice too. on future visits I'd love to try out some of the cocktails, but it was a little early in the day for that sort of thing for me. great atmosphere. fun decor. delicious food. quick and accommodating service. can't fault it. the prices tend to be a little higher than we would normally pay on a meal out, but you definitely get your moneys worth, so it's perfect as a bit of a special treat. the only downside I can see is that it is up a stone staircase, so will not be accessible to everyone. but for those that can visit, it's definitely worth it. part of me wants to work my way through the entire seafood menu, and part of me wants to just keep going back for that delicious gumbo."
Shrimp Tempura
