Candytown

Literally across the road from Tin Tin is Candytown, a Cantonese family restaurant. Inside is a scarlet welcome, colourful and friendly. The staff enthusiastically hustled us to a table, the service throughout was efficient and courteous. Choosing the Al a Carte menu option the starter arrived swiftly and was devoured with equal speed, the spring rolls were stood out as excellent. Next arrived the crispy duck pancakes, which were expertly served with chopsticks and were my favourite course of the meal. Next arrived two tea warmers and four separate dishes and a bowl of rice. The Sizzling Beef with Special Sauce arrived at the table bubbling away noisily with a flourish of steam though I preferred the flavour of others in front of me: Chicken & King Prawns in "Phoenix's Nest", Sweet and Sour King Prawns (I’ve already exposed myself as a sweet and sour enthusiast) and Chicken with Peaches and Cashew Nuts. The most outstanding thing about this meal was the massive quantities of food presented and the feelings of gluttony and subsequent fullness. Again the leftovers were boxed up and now lie in the fridge awaiting consumption. Agreeable service and surroundings alongside fine food made this clock enjoyable.

Tin Tin

Next stop – China! In stark contrast to Baan Thai, Tin Tin has more of a canteen feel, not excessively welcoming and somewhat uninspiring. Generally I am unconvinced by Chinese food as it is my least favourite fare, in all probability due to my previously timorous meal choice. Despite the huge variety of dishes I tended to repeatedly elect to consume the same meal; sweet and sour chicken. Shaking off this tiresome attribute I ventured into new and flavoursome terrain. The satay beef was discreetly nutty and thinly flavoured, the meat was succulent but tough, Kung Do Pork was more enjoyable, the pork wasn’t too fatty and the flavours were richer and more distinct. Alongside a portion of rice there was plenty to eat at a very reasonable price and the excess was boxed up and eaten the next day for lunch. I doubt I would revisit to Tin Tin despite my new found daring I remain under whelmed by this restaurant and it’s food.