Review: Sugar Dumplin', Camberley, Surrey

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we all know that Caribbean food is my favourite. My ultimate favourite. So I didn't need to be asked twice when Sugar Dumplin got in touch to see if I wanted to sample their menu at their new restaurant in Camberley, Surrey.

After collecting the party bus from London Bridge station and a very strong rum cocktail in both hands, we were soon on our way to Surrey. Trust me when I say it's well worth the journey out of London. As soon as you walk in the restaurant its like you've been transported thousands of miles away. The sounds of a steel drum tinkers in the background, pumping reggae music blasts as you scoff your food and the whole place feels like you've stumbled into a shack on a tiny Caribbean island. It feels a million miles away from just plain old Surrey - I absolutely loved the vibe. To me, the atmosphere is just as important as the food served up.

Boy did we eat a feast that night! Fiery jerk prawns with an added kick of ginger, sticky and extremely addictive BBQ ribs, perfectly cooked Bajan sword fish and salt cod fish cakes, chunky fried plantain chips and the signature sugar dumplins with incredibly moreish sauces. That was just to start!

More food still came out! When the goat curry arrived I was excited yet skeptical. This is my favourite dish and I'm always worried it's never executed good enough. But I needn't have worried! This was delicious. With mixed peppers and soft potatoes, the goat was incredibly tender with just the right amount of spicy chilli. I tried not to be too greedy with this dish! The rice and peas were the perfect partner to soak up the delicious sauce.

Thanks so much for such a delicious meal Sugar Dumplin - I wish I could eat it all over again!

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5 cities I want to visit in Germany

After spending four days in Cologne last week, my need to explore more of Germany has intensified. I find it so hard to believe that it has been a unified country for just 27 years - mind-blowing. Paired with beautiful architecture, my favourite time period of history and yummy, stodgy food, Germany has captured my heart. After reading my guidebook cover to cover, I now have a whole bundle of places I'm dying to visit. Here are my top five.

Image by Pascal Poggi via Pinterest

1. Dresden
This city on the edge of the River Elbe never really appealed to me - until I saw some pictures. Then it shot straight to the top of my list. Just look at that skyline above. Give me mesmerising historic building over sterile skyscrapers any day. The riverside beer gardens, incredible Baroque architecture, historic old town and interesting museums all help to make this East German city well worth visiting. The Allies unleashed a staggering 3900 tonnes of explosives on the city over two days in February 1945 meaning so much of the city had to be rebuilt following the destruction. Which only makes Dresden even more remarkable.

Image from Incredible Pictures via Pinterest

2. Nuremberg
Nazi Germany was always my favourite period during my history lessons at school, a period of history that fascinates me still. I think the fact World War II is so recent, so close to home and quite frankly mind blowing that one man nearly realised his atrocious dream. It's something that could quite easily happen again, especially in this current climate. Nuremberg was such an important city for the Nazis. It was here that the first Jewish businesses were boycotted, fanatical party rallies were held and the site for the Nuremberg Trials. But morbid reasons aside, Bavaria's second-largest city is also said to boast one of the best Christmas markets in Germany so I would love to catch that.

Image by Danny Groner for Photocritic via Pinterest

3. Munich
Surprisingly I do not want to visit during Oktoberfest - in fact I can't think of anything worse than facing those crowds. But I do want to soak up the Bavarian heritage, trawl around the famous beer halls, wander around the many museums and visit the Olympic stadium. I've heard such great things about Munich and am dying to experience it for myself.

Image from Flickr via Pinterest

4. Hamburg
Germany's second-largest city boasts that it is 'the gateway to the world'. Is this true? I'd certainly like to find out! The port city has numerous neighbourhoods each offering something different. From the Altstradt in the centre offering cultural museums to the gentrified St Georg as the hub of the city's gay scene. It sounds like a great place to spend 3/4 days just soaking up the German atmosphere.

Image from Stuck in Customs via Pinterest

5. Leipzig
I fell head over heels for Berlin four years ago and I've heard on the grapevine that Leipzig is a cheaper, fun version of that city. Cool, hip and alternative with a nightlife to die for. I'd love to find out more about the city that has been cited with a leading role in the 'peaceful revolution' that helped to draw a close to the Cold War. The east German city has so many museums and exhibitions devoted to the GDR. A period of history I'm eager to look into a bit more.

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Exploring the UK: Maltby Street Market, Bermondsey, South London

There's nothing I love more than strolling around a food market, sampling all the delicious treats on offer and trying new dishes. After trying Borough, Greenwich and Brockley, it was time to tick another one off my list. This time it was Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey, South London. Not too far from the famous Borough Market.

Ropewalk is a lively street food market located on Maltby Street in Bermondsey, South London. It has food stalls, wine bars in the arches and pop-up restaurants, perfect for foodies to get their fix. It's open from 9am - 4pm on a Saturday, making it the perfect place to whittle away a lazy day. It does get very busy so if crowds aren't your thing then make sure you get there early. The early bird catches the worm after all.

With many well-known street food traders such as Waffle On, The Cheese Truck and Finest Fayre all on offer, there's something to suit even the fussiest of eaters. With gin connoisseurs Little Bird Gin and wine bar St John, it'll be rude not to stop for a while for a little drink. If the hoards of tourists at Borough Market are a bit too much, then Maltby Street will be just the ticket.

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