Super Suda Thai

We're both massive fans of Thai cuisine, so forgive us for a moment if we venture out of South West London and review something a little further afield. My only excuse is that I often walk through St Martin's Courtyard on my lunch break (lots of SW6wers work near Covent Garden/Leicester Square, right?) and had long wanted to check out Suda Thai.

It's a large venue, with a bright, airy, contemporary and fun interior and a very extensive menu, so I had my fingers crossed for something out of the ordinary Thai fare. Starting with the crab and chicken 'firecrackers', I certainly got my wish. This twist on the humble crispy wonton had lots of interesting flavours and was served in an appealing set of preserve jars on a metal rack - I'm a sucker for good presentation. Sarah's starter was an interesting sea bass dish, served on a bed of crispy salad, with clean and fresh flavours.

Washed down with a crisp bottle of Fault Line Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, so far so good with the starters. The next course, however, was slightly a tale of two main courses. I had the Choo Chee Pla (sea bass in a red curry sauce, for those of us who don't speak Thai!), which I really enjoyed. The flavours were at once rich, intense, yet light and fresh - just as great Thai should be. However, the Krapao Gai (chicken with thai basil and spicy chili) was unfortunately a little plain. It is a classic Thai dish and it definitely wasn't bad, but the flavours were much more flat than they are when this dish is served at its best.

Nonetheless, there were plenty of smiles all round when it came to dessert. Both Sarah and I opted for the banana fritters (sometimes an oldie is a goodie) and these were exemplary. A large portion with a crispy batter and just the right amount of honey, and a refreshing dollop of vanilla ice cream, was just the thing to finish off the meal.

Suda Thai is definitely a good option whether you're in that part of town for an evening or theatre, or simply fancy a flavourful lunch out with colleagues. The menu is extensive and I'd definitely recommend opting for one of the more adventurous dishes. The service was really friendly, although quite casual (several different people waited our table throughout the evening), but I thought that lent to the informal and buzzy atmosphere.

SUDA Thai Cafe Restaurant
St Martin's Courtyard
off St Martin's Courtyard
Covent Garden
London WC2E 9AB

SW6 Fright Night

The evening's are getting darker, the temperatures have plummeted, and although summer never really arrived, winter is most definitely here. But, instead of getting depressed and hibernating, the run up to Christmas gives us lots of opportunities to party. First up: SW6 gets all spooky for all hallows eve. Here's a run down on some of your options for the freakiest day (make that week) of the year.

The folks over at Bikeminded RKBC are putting on another one of their much acclaimed cycle tours on Wednesday the 31st itself. This time they've teamed up again with Exquisite Folly theatre and invited us to solve a creepy mystery in their wartime whodunnit, whilst cycling around Notting Hill by moonlight. If the last cycle theatre tour I went on is anything to go by, this should be an entertaining and original way to spend Halloween itself - the acting is always surprising and engaging, and it's a fantastic way to explore the borough, whether you're an expert on your wheels or a teensy bit wobbly. Just don't forget your costume! Tickets available here. The early bird price is just £5, going up to £7 is a few days time.

The Brompton Bar & Grill have teamed up with Bloodshot Vodka to offer a suitably gory "Bloodshot Brompton Brunch" on Saturday the 27th October, from 12-5pm. With a personal 'bloodbath' on each table (it's a DIY Bloody Mary Bar, so much less hideous than it sounds!!), live music, top DJs and all sorts of delicious and devilish snacks available, the £10 ticket is worth every penny - plus there's plenty of time to continue the party afterwards! Bloodshot eyeball eggs, anyone?

The Brompton Bar & Grill
243 Brompton Road
London SW3 2EP
www.bromptonbarandgrill.com

Once you're suitably warmed up, there are plenty of options to give yourself an authentic fright night. Notting Hill's supperclub, for example, can always be relied upon for a decadent party. On the 26th and  27th, guests are invited to visit their Disco Slaughterclub, where the whole venue will be turned into a haunted house, full of spooky surprises and gory scenes. Explore if you dare, or simply lie back on your bed and let the disco maids and butlers serve you the "bloody corpse" menu whilst you dance to the beats of DJ Sancho Panza (Friday) and Femi Fem (Saturday). Tickets are available here

Supperclub
Halloween: 26th-27th October
12 Acklam Road,
W10 5QZ
http://www.supperclub.com/

If the journey to Notting Hill makes you quake in your boots, Maggie's Monster Mansion is a ghoulishly great options (sorry!) closer to home. Staying true to their 80s theme, Maggie's is promising a 'hair raising halloween fancy dress party with a retro twist'. Hosted by Beetlejuice, there will be ghostly girl dancers, deadly decor, toxic cocktails and a "Dead and Buried" dress code to match (No prizes to guess which recently deceased celebrity will feature most heavily!).  Entry is £20, and the night goes on until 3:30am.

MAGGIE’S
Saturday 27th October 2012
10:30pm – 3:30am
Entry £20
Maggie’s, 329 Fulham Road, London, Greater London, SW10 9QL
www.maggies-club.com

If you're still not inspired, the Barts Gruesome Twosome might get your beetlejuices flowing. Champagne will be the poison of choice at the Bart's Yelloween Party, on Saturday the 27th October. In association with Veuve Cliquot, this promises to be a decadent evening of dramatic décor  creepy costumes and fantastic fizzy deals.

On the night itself, head back to SW3 for an evening of twisted tales and spooky secrets. The Barts Book Club have hooked up with Roger Clarke, the author of 'A Natural History of Ghosts' for a reading, shocking tales of history's most gruesome hauntings and some bedtime stories certain to give you the shivers. With a Waterstone's voucher for the guest with the spookiest story to tell, you could give yourself nightmares all the way through November. 

BARTS GRUESOME TWOSOME

Barts
YELLOWEEN
Saturday 27th October 2012
FREE
6pm-1:30pm

TWISTED TALES AT BARTS
Wednesday 31st October
FREE
6pm - 1:30am

www.barts-london.com



If good old fancy dress and some devilish deals on Halloween grog is more your idea of a night well spent, the celebrations at Elk Bar could be just the ticket. Kicking off the festivities early, you can get the Green Candy Floss mojitos in for just £2.95 this Thursday, whilst the best fancy dress costume wins a bottle of champagne - guaranteeing that frightful feeling will last well into Friday morning! If you can handle it, head back on Saturday 27th for the big event. This time, your costume skillz could win your a £50 tab, and with a whole host of cocktail and shooter specials, free entry, and DJs from 8pm, the night will not only be great fun, but wickedly good value.

Elk Bar 
587 Fulham Road
London SW6 5UA

If the only thing giving you nightmares is your love life, Halloween at the Bluebird can help you find romance amongst the cob webs with their Halloween themed Speed Dating night. With plenty of punch and other spooky treats, even if you meet more Frankeinstein's than Prince Charming's you're guaranteed a great night. Tickets are £25 each, and include a complimentary glass of bubbles. Grab your entry now by emailing emilyb@danddlondon.com before they sell out!

The Bluebird
http://www.bluebird-restaurant.co.uk/
350 King's Road
Chelsea SW3 5UU

Lastly, but definitely not least -you can always rely on The Jam Tree for a good party. Their Halloween bash is taking place on Friday 26th October, when DJ Greggy G will be on the decks for an evening of house music, frightening fancy dress and ghoulishly good drinks. Entry is free all night and the beats go on until late... Definitely a brilliant start to a big weekend

The Jam Tree
541 Kings Road
London SW6 2EB

Whatever you get up to, we hope you have a great night! Let us know how you get on....