I’ve always overlooked Savannah Jerk in Soho thinking it was a fast food type of venue (apparently it used to be Mr Jerk) but I was pleasantly surprised to find it was actually alright and definitely a step up from the McDonalds and even Nando Chickens of the world (although admittedly prices are on average £5 higher than Nando’s). And it is extremely popular! Admittedly it can cater for about 25 people at most and we were lucky that when we came in a couple were just finishing up so we slipped right in, otherwise we might have been in for a longer wait.

Thank goodness the venue doesn’t go over the top with its decoration (thereby entering the cheesy and tacky land) and though the walls are brightly coloured it kind of suited the atmosphere. Staff at Savannah Jerk are incredibly relaxed and friendly (and dare I say very Caribbean) – so relaxed that they’re happy for you to duck next door to grab fried dumplings and bring it back (because they only do boiled dumplings.)

They don’t let you stumble onto average dishes on the menu either – when I was contemplating the Pineapple Jerk Chicken my waitress was quick to recommend that I don’t get that dish as she knew I’d be disappointed! The menu has a range of chicken, meat and seafood dishes and a good range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktail-y beverages. To be honest everything I saw on the tables around me looked delicious but I decided on the braised oxtail in the end (Rehana took my first option of the brown stewed chicken) with a side of fried dumpling from next door 😉

Portions at Savannah Jerk are giant and extremely filling. Food is delicious. Both Rehana and I gave our respective dishes the tick of approval. The oxtail was tender and juicy and just the right level of seasoning. Special mention on the lovely plantain. Mmmm. The wait-staff absolutely loved Rehana and kept us talking at the bar way after we’d finished paying for our meals. I suspect they felt they’d met a kindred spirit.