48 Chalk Farm Road,
Camden,
London,
NW1 8AJ
(020) 7267 6613
The ViewLondon Review
This colourful Brazilian restaurant is bursting out of its Camden home with richly flavoured South American food and cocktails.
The Venue
Located between Chalk Farm and Camden Town tube stations, Coco Bamboo sits across the tall walls hiding Proud Camden, and next to the ever-popular Bar Fly. Greeting you as you walk in is a fully stocked bar stretching almost up to the roof terrace (the prime spot on summer days), a DJ working the decks and low-level, colourful lighting that speaks of a vibrant place well suited to a tipple or two. The main restaurant area doesn't hold as much charm though, with a slightly confused mixture of Mediterranean terracotta walls with large mirrors and paintings of beach scenes hanging from it. The tables are evenly spaced and a music is a mixture of laid back reggae.
The Atmosphere
The restaurant reflects the best of the multiculturalism that Camden has to offer. Different accents and languages float around the room as couples and larger groups of friends dine on the food. It's refreshing to find waitresses who not only know the menu inside out but can explain in detail all the ingredients and how they complement each other in dishes.
The Food
The rich menu is a mixture of meat and seafood with relatively normal prices for a London restaurant. Sides of fruity salsas, mango chutneys and orange slices balance the spiciness of many of the dishes. The crab cakes (£5.90) are very smooth inside, bordering on becoming a croquette covered in a crispy skin. Sweet chili sauce makes for a perfect complement, adding colour to the crab. Salt cod fritters (£5.70) are closer to a fish cake, and can be thankful to the companionship of mango chutney that provides flavour to what's actually a pretty mild taste. Both of these come with a side of mixed leaf salad served with a fruity salsa mixed in.
The mains don't disappoint, with dishes made by chefs who know how to cook meat. The mixed barbecue (£14.90) is a smorgasbord of different cuts and meats. The spiciness of the ribs, sausages and chicken is balanced out with the perfectly cooked picanha (sirloin steak), salad and thick chips. The feijoada, a rustic and hearty black-bean stew with soft pork and spices comes with a plate of rice, sautéed greens and orange slices. However the most interesting item in this dish is the farofa, which is made from manioc flour with onions and garlic. It's not meant to provide flavour, rather it adds texture to the earthy stew.
To cool down the aromas and the spices of the mains, desserts provide the required fresh finish to the evening. The passion fruit cheesecake is pretty standard and balances the taste of cheese and sweet comfortably. The show stopper however is the decadent chocolate and Brazil nut terrine topped with chilly ice cream - it'll keep tingling your taste buds long after you've finished devouring it.
The Drink
With a fully stocked bar, it's no wonder that the cocktail menu at Coco Bamboo is rich with impressive choices. They originally separate the cocktails under headers such as 'Sip It' or 'Used to It' making it easier for the diner to choose whether they want something strong or quaffable. The prices are reasonable (£6.50-£8) and non-alcoholic cocktails are available too. The wine menu leans towards wines which have fruity and tropical tones including an award winning chardonnay from Argentina (£25).
The Last Word
A very friendly and enthusiastic restaurant with food that's engulfed by flavours that cleverly dance between sweet and spicy. Celebrate this in a multicultural environment while sipping your drinks later on in the bar below.
Coco Bamboo has been reviewed by 3 users