Blue Junction - 15.10.2014

EATERY: Blue Junction, 1 Crown Lane, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DA
FOOD ORDERED: Spicy Lamb Seehk Burger with Fries

  


"Naan more black"

The Blue Junction is an Curry restaurant themed Wine Bar, or maybe it's the other way around. I'd visited the BJ once before, a few years back, and was not massively impressed. But a work lunch takes me back there on this occasion.

The restaurant itself was minimalist, but modern, and clean too. Much like Morden, the lunch menu doesn't offer anything overly exciting. Having been a bit curried out recently, I decided to go for the east meets west "fusion" lunch option of a spciy lamb kebab burger with chips. The burger patty itself was moist and flavourful - real quality munch, though the bun it was served in was cheap and a bit disappointing. The fries were decent and the coke was cold. No complaints there. I would have liked some more exicting indian style dips with my food, like some raita or mango chutney, but all they were able to offer ketchup and mayo. Nightmare.

All in all, nothing mind-blowing here, but still a good showing from The Blue Junction.

QUALITY: 7/10
PORTION SIZE: 6.5/10
PRICE: 6/10
SERVICE: 6.5/10
ATMOSPHERE: 7/10

OVERALL: 6.6/10

Happy Day - 09.10.2014

EATERY: Happy Day, 22 Crown Lane, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5BL
FOOD ORDERED: Set breakfast to go - filter coffee with 2 pastries

 

"Potsie!"

Happy Day had only been open for two days when i paid them a visit. It is a Korean owned internet cafe. You know, like the nineties. It seemed promising at first, the glass window in their counter was stocked with a variety of treats, including french bread pizza and sausage sushi. The interior was quirky; seemingly "Hello Kitty" themed with a smattering of pink and bright pastel colours. Gaudy yes, but a nice alternative to the greasy spoons of Morden.

I was drawn in by the cheap breakfast deal - £1.95 for a coffee and 2 pastries. Brilliant value I thought, but reader, imagine my SHOCK on discovering that the pastries were miniatures, and the coffee came out of a vending machine. The coffee was passable, but the food was dry and stale. Quite an achievement given they'd only opened the day before.

I really wanted to like this place, they seemed friendly and were trying to offer Morden something a bit different, which I would always encourage. Unfortunately, I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth (cheap coffee). The lawsuit they may face from Paramount Entertainment should be the least of their worries. An internet cafe serving super-small portions of below average food ain't gunna stand the test of time in this town.

QUALITY: 3.5/10
PORTION SIZE: 4/10
PRICE: 7/10
SERVICE: 6.5/10
ATMOSPHERE: 7/10

OVERALL: 5.6/10

Manakamana - 01.10.2014

EATERY: Manakamana, London Road, Morden, Surrey
FOOD ORDERED: Set menu lunch - 10 (maybe more) "Momo" dumplings + dip and canned drink

 

 

"Manakamana, it's the mother-f**king D O double G"

Manakamana is a Nepalese take-away/restaurant, which is relatively new to the area. It's most notable features are its hand-made paper signage, and mismatched garden furniture (indoors). I think it used to be a chinese take-away, but they have squeezed a few tables in to the pick-up area to 'convert' it into a small cafe. Well village mate. But it's modesty is a nice contrast to Morden's more well turned out establishments where a proprietor might for example, stand outside giving you a hard time for not visiting them often enough (more on that soon).

I opted for option 2 on the lunch deal menu - 10 momo (dumplings) with coconut curry peanut dip and a COLD canned drink. I cannot stress how important it is that a canned beverage be properly chilled. Good start. I am pretty new to Nepalese cuisine, but I was impressed with the meal too. It was delicious and generously sized. I'm pretty sure it was all home-made too. If you've never had Momo before; they are steamed dumplings in an oriental style, but with curried/spiced meat on the inside.

I worry that Manakamana may not stand the test of time in Morden. In hip inner East-London areas their shabby chic may go down ok, but in gritty South London I doubt it'll play as well. Still, I wish them all the best, we need more places like this. Visit it while you can!

QUALITY: 8/10
PORTION SIZE: 8/10
PRICE: 9/10
SERVICE: 7/10
ATMOSPHERE: 5/10

OVERALL: 7.4/10

The Toko Diner - 26.09.2014

EATERY: Toko Diner, 21 Abbotsbury Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5LJ
FOOD ORDERED: Set menu lunch - Chilli Chicken Ramen

"I don't think we're in Kansas anymore"

Toko is a Japanese Diner, run by Chinese peeps. Classic. I have whiled away many a lunch hour at this eatery so thought it'd be a good place to start my food adventure.

I went for the lunch set menu deal, which in my opinion constitutes great value at either £4.95 for starter and main, or just under £6 for a larger, fancy main. I went for the latter option. It was decent, and that's about it. TD in my mind, has always been consistent, and never spectacular. So much like the area in which it is situated; Toko is reassuringly average. I have a feeling this won't be the last time I make this comparison on MAF.

Worth noting, is the loyalty card scheme, where your 6th meal will be free (lunch deals only). Always a winner to reward loyalty - a definite plus in my book.

QUALITY: 7/10
PORTION SIZE: 7/10
PRICE: 8/10
SERVICE: 7/10
ATMOSPHERE: 6/10

OVERALL: 7/10