Flavours & Fun?...

CoCo Bamboo
48 Chalk Farm Road
Camden Town
London, NW1 8AJ
0207 267 6613

CocoBamboo a rural family restaurant on a exotic island between South America and the Caribbean, yet right in the centre of Camden.

After being stared at for a very awkward 30 seconds by the bar tender, we informed him that we were here to eat. ‘Coco Bamboo - Bar and Restaurant right?’

Pina Colada

Like Simply Fish, this restaurant had a roof top seating area, great for summer evenings but at 8.30pm in April, we obviously opted to sit inside, on the first floor. 

After our intentions were made clear, our eyes immediately headed for the dessert section, yep - our sweet tooth cravings are getting stronger by the week! We deliberated on the drinks menu and eventually Jamelia ordered a Piña Colada whilst Candace went for the CocoBaboo Smooth Operator smoothie. Our drinks arrived within exactly 5 minutes. Presented as you would expect in a cocktail glass with a sweet slice of pineapple.

The lighting in the restaurant was low and the decor reasonably simple. The pine wood tables and green and yellow statement walls lent itself to a beach style bar. The exotic feel however was contrasted by the loud diners at the table behind us. Coco Bamboo is probably the smallest venue we’ve dined at, with only 6 tables on the first floor, and you know how noise travels in small spaces.. moving on..

Starters

Salt Cod Fritters

Jerk Chicken Wings

15 minutes later,our starters arrived. Jamelia had the Salt Cod Fritters and Candace the Jerk Chicken wings. For Jamelia, the starter was not what she expected. A passionate seafood lover, Jamelia expected a traditional Caribbean fritter, crisp on the outside filled with well seasoned saltfish, onions and all that other good stuff. Instead, she received a dish reminiscent of fried dumplings. The consistency of the fritters turned dumplings was slightly strange, tasting literally like a fried dumpling with fish. It was filling however some more fish wouldn’t have gone a miss. Served with a cold mango chutney, the contrast in temperature may or may not have been intentional; whatever the case it was a yummy combination.

Looks were deceiving for Candace’s chicken wings. Sparingly seasoned, the jerk flavours were a little absent. This aside, the light almost guacamole dressing on top gave an interesting dimension. All things considered, we can’t complain as both plates ended up clean.

Mains

For mains Candace opted for Curry Goat and Rice and Peas and Jamelia, Brazilian Fish Moqueca.

Curry Goat with
Rice and Peas

Jamelia’s dish was what it said on the packet. Having not experienced Brazilian food before, we expected it to be very similar to caribbean cuisine in the richness of flavours however, the curry could have done with an extra kick. Again, white rice was standard but now let us explain the plantain.

Peel plantain, cut plantain, fry plantain - normal procedure right?

Fish Moqueca

Not here! 

The skin was left on! As crazy as this might sound, this concept tasted so damn sweet! Leaving the skin on, made the dish look more savory but added another layer of sweetness; please try this at home! We ended up asking for take away boxes for the remainder of our meals, already anticipating that sweet feeling of having your own food for lunch the next day! 

Dessert

Chocolate cake with vanilla and coconut ice cream please. Thanks. 

Chocolate fudge cake
with coconut ice cream

On looks, we couldn’t wait to dig in but the taste didn’t quite match up. The cake was extremely dry, the sauce was perhaps too rich but we cannot fault the coconut and vanilla ice cream. Had the the cake been a tad warmer, and fresh as opposed to tasting like it had been left uncovered for a day or two, it would have changed the game.

Pushed for time (as always) we asked for the bill and headed home. 

Coco Bamboo hosts a intimate dining experience in the midst of one of London's culturally diverse areas. Ideal for a quiet dinner or before a night out in Camden, when you aren't counting your pennies and aren't expecting to be blown away by exotic flavours.

In conclusion CocoBamboo is not somewhere we look forward to returning to.

Price: £52 (with our taste card)

Tastecard: Approved.

WOM Spits and Chews

Spits:

• Consistency of salt fish fritters
• Lack of 'kick' in fish curry
• Texture of chocolate cake

Chews:

• The plantain!
• Portion size (we had enough to take home)

Overall WOM Rating : 2 kisses out of 5

Verdict? SPIT :(