The ViewLondon Review
If you’re a fan of satay sauce, Awana is probably the crushed-peanut paradise you’ve been waiting for.The VenueIf you love house-made spicy satay sauce so much you don’t mind skipping the service part, pull up a stall at their centrepiece satay bar. Here, skewers of typical Malaysian street food, from corn-fed chicken to salt-water tiger prawns, are singed in an open kitchen right in front of you, before being passed straight to your plate.
The AtmosphereHowever, if the lure of the satay isn’t quite so strong for you, you shouldn’t miss the relaxed atmosphere of the remainder of the restaurant. Both the cushion-scattered entrance bar and the wooden-panel-happy main restaurant are simple, non-pretentious and very authentically Malaysian.
The FoodThere’s plenty more on offer at Awana than speciality satay. The indecisive or extremely hungry can opt for the tasting menu, a multi-course feast serving up small portions of every aspect of their menu, from salads to spicy curries and back again. Be warned though, when Awana says curry, they mean it – perhaps explaining the huge, bubble-shaped water glasses decorating each table.
Last course choices range from slight variations on the traditional chocolate, cheesecake or fruit sorbets, to a more interesting sticky rice and cream dish, as well as a variety of herbal tea in huge pots and more naughty dessert coffees.
The Last WordEven if the food wasn’t plentiful and pleasantly different, you’ll want to head to Awana purely for some of the most gracious and polite service in London.