Restaurant Bucket List: South East England Edition

I have a very bad habit of going back to the same restaurants that I enjoy. I think all of us do, however I think I have a very bad case of this. For two years, I entered the doors of Zizzis probably every week. Sure I enjoyed the food, loved the location, what is worse is I ordered the same dishes every time. So in my aim to change this, I have made a bucket list of restaurants I would like to visit. Purely based on restaurants located in South East England, otherwise the list would be endless!

1. Thackeray's

Photo courtesy of Thackerays-restaurant.com

So I have always wanted to visit a Michelin style restaurant. This seems to be the easiest accesible  michelin star restaurant from where I live. Only located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, it is an easy drive. Owned by Richard Phillips, it specialises in Gournmet French Dining, and with french dining being way out of my comfort zone; this seems like it would definitely be a fine restaurant to introduce me to  the cuisine. 

2. Honest Burgers

Photo courtesy of London.everypeoples.com

As a beef lover, I am definitely all for a burger joint. Honest burger has been one of those places raved about on blogs, instagram, twitter and I really want to try this place out. However, due to my infrequent trips to London and always wishing for the easiest option if we're hungry, sometimes we forget about a place like this. 

3. Burger and Lobster

Photo courtesy of London-eater.com

Literally every Tom, Dick and Harry has been here.. but ME. Okay, that was a little bit of a drama queen statement but it does seem like it is only me. One day soon, soon I promise myself. 

4. Princi

Photo Courtesy of London-unattached.com

This is a restaurant I stumbled across after a dinner stroll, whilst walking to the dessert cafe next door. The atmosphere here looks immense, I love a busy atmosphere where people are sat close and chatting away. Definitely worthy of a place on my bucket list.

5. Jamie's Italian

Photo courtesy of Jamie's kitchen website

Though I know these restaurants opened up by big chefs from television may be over hyped, I still do want to try it. There is one located very conveniently in Brighton, and plenty more dotted around London. So there is definitely no excuse for me not to try it.

I can't wait to review and taste the food at these restaurants in the coming months!

Shake Shack London

Lets first appreciate that we actually have a shake shack in England, even if it is out of reach for most people. Unbeknownst to me this shake shack has been open for almost a year. Shake shack is a well-loved and hugely popular burger bar in America. If you are silly like me and love hot dogs, then you will have ordered the wrong thing too. How silly I was to order a hot dog at a burger bar… very stupid it would seem. As my siblings sat there enjoying there burgers, stacked with an array of toppings, bacon, cheese, the full works for my brother. I was sat there smelling a very plastic looking hot dog, which I gave up eating once I’d reach the mid point. The hot dog costing me a total of £5, for what we essentially a nice fried frankfurter, this was a food mistake I didn’t expect to make. I couldn’t carry on and I would definitely not recommend the hot dog. I shall never make this mistake again, however I will be back to try their burgers, and their chips. They were fried to a perfect texture. At £2.75 for a regular portion of chips, it isn’t the cheapest option, however if something is good the price tag won’t mean a thing to you foodies!

As the name would suggest they also sell milkshakes. I can’t say that they were great but they were good enough, I would even go as far as saying that I prefer KFC Krushems, but they are wonderfully delicious.

So if you would like to visit this place, I would suggest giving it a go but avoid the hot dog at all costs and DO NOT forget to order yourself a portion of chips.