Scottish Haggis, Neeps and Tatties for Burn's night at Wetherspoons

[Scottish Haggis, Neeps and Tatties for Burn's night at Wetherspoons]

It's Burns week so I resorted to having my Scottish haggis, neeps and tatties fix at Wetherspoons because M&S isn't doing that delicious neeps and tatties centre piece this year which I am glad I tried last year.

Interestingly the essential gravy/whisky sauce isn't included with the neeps and tatties so you have to end up ordering it because you just need some gravy with it.

Wetherspoons in general disappoints but the reason I went was for the Burn's night menu.

Judging by the simplicity of three items like mashed potatoes, mashed swede and haggis which is obviously supplied, it would be hard to go wrong.

I suspect, they were all in a big dish under a heat lamp served when ordered because the mashed potato was a bit hard and chewy like the top surface of a shepherds pie when it has been in an oven / heat lamp for too long.

Overall, it was more than satisfactory with bottomless tea.

The prices for this meal differs from location because of costs but I don't get the odd pricing with the pennies.

@wetherspoonsofficial

Mini curries at Zabardast

Finally tried zabardast which has been around for ages serving wraps.
I prefer curries which is why I didn't try until recently when they started offering mini curries.
I was captivated by the omelette which looked soft and fluffy so had that with rice and chicken tikka masala.
The spices here are light so you won't get agitated for the rest of the day.
Although it wasn't very filling it was delicious and a nice option for lunch.

Chicken livers at The Truro, South Croydon

The Truro opened a few months ago but back then they were in teething stages so only opened in the evenings.

They now open during the day which is expected otherwise it would be an opportunity loss.

Finally tried it because I had run out of options that day as I was late so I had the chicken livers with some rice.

The chicken livers actually come with a roll but I felt like having some rice with it which I am so glad I ordered because it was fluffy basmati rice.

The livers were delicious and fiery in a hot peri sauce.

You can really taste that charred aroma on the livers.

I liked the way the grill was clean so you don't taste any second hand charred tastes from other meats.

This is the reason I'm picky with fry ups and grills.

Also tried the grilled chicken and prawns with rice which was really tasty but the bowl for the prawn shell didn't come until a while later.

On a side note, the service on a weekday was so different to the weekend.

The staff on the weekend were really warm and friendly.

A family that just got seated was given some kind of drink which I could not see so it shows how different it is from a weekday.

Taro Swiss Roll with drinks at YUMTEA, Canary Wharf

Stopped by for a cake and drinks as we were in the area so we had a Taro Roll, Houjicha and Iced Yuzu Americano.

The coffee was just weird because the pairing was odd even though I expected that with a layer of yuzu paste at the bottom.

The Houjicha was how it should be.

I felt the cakes/rolls were Japanese inspired Chinese quality.

As usual the sponge is so different from English sponge with a heavy eggy taste and the texture was really moist.

Tapas at The Real Greek

I have always wanted to try The Real Greek ever since I saw their tapas promoted for veganuary.

Finally dined there one day as the restaurant I was going to go didn't have this new dish.

The Real Greek is a chain so I didn't really have any expectations but I guess you just have to choose carefully.

There is a FILOXENIA DINNER MENU where you can choose from the fixed menu but some of the nice options were off the list like the prawns, octopus etc.

The GIGANDES WITH SPINACH (Hearty giant beans and spinach, cooked in a tomato and garlic sauce.) was quite nice as it was similar to baked beans with spinach while not so sweet.

The CHICKEN MONASTIRAKI (Chicken thigh, marinated with Greek herbs, served with tzatziki, onion and tomatoes.) was also tasty but the chicken was a little dry.

Overall, not bad if you choose items to your liking.

The Agean slaw was not pleasant as I found it too sugary while the fried calamari was a bit lame because you can get coated calamaris anywhere like pubs etc.

Pizza at Franca Manco, Bermondsey

This is my second at Franca Manco which I try and avoid because they are everywhere so I only dine here when I run out of options.

To be honest, their pizzas are not bad.

I had the Traditional halloumi D.O.P. cheese, organic tomato, roasted potatoes with onions, mozzarella, marinated baby plum tomatoes with mint & seasonal pesto (light tomato base) pizza.

The pesto is actually quite nice but overall a bit plain so adding the optional lamb sausages may have made it tastier.

Finished with the chocolate with blood orange ice cream which was not bad but the chocolate flavour wasn't too smooth and it was powdery while the orange was not refreshing.

Dinner at Banana Tree

Dined at Banana tree randomly which is a pan Asian chain in soho.

It was really hard choosing something to eat as I didn't find the choices appealing.

Ramen would have been my choice but they strangely serve it with rice noodles.
The beef rendang had a strong lemongrass taste and it was very spicy while the soya noodles were very salty.
Also had the plain laksa soup as a side which was watery and bland but the aubergines in it were the only thing nice even though it wasn't authentic.