What better way to spend an evening on the West End than dinner and a show? A couple of weeks ago we headed to London to do just that. A rare treat for us so we were really excited to combine dinner at one of our favourite Asian restaurants, Ping Pong, followed by a show we had been wanting to see for a while, Kinky Boots.
Modern and contemporary, Ping Pong specialises in Dim Sums that you can enjoy for lunch or dinner in one of its eight restaurants around London. The restaurants in Covent Garden and the Southbank are spacious. Set up over two or three floors, both have a bar area so you can enjoy a sneaky cocktail before dinner.
Dim Sum is the perfect meal for sharing and we often visit Ping Pong on the Southbank with the kids. They love the small bite-sized food and trying out their chopstick skills.
Back to our romantic evening… we headed to Ping Pong Covent Garden for an early pre-theatre meal. The menu is extensive and we were spoilt for choice. First things first, we kicked off the evening with a cocktail while studying the range of dishes available.
Alongside its traditional Dim Sum menu of Dumplings, Baos & Buns, Skewers & Rolls, Ping Pong also offers Rice, Noodles, Salads, Soups as well as a selection of cocktails and Chinese teas. We generally tend to order a selection of steamed, baked and fried dim sums with a few green vegetables on the side.
Ping Pong is a restaurant you can enjoy together with friends and family even if you have different dietary requirements. Alongside meat and fish dishes, there are quite a lot of vegetarian options clearly marked on the main menu. None of them were flagged as vegan, but looking at the ingredients, my guess is that some are actually fully plant-based. If in doubt, the staff is knowledgeable so you can always ask someone.
After some debating we settled for two Veggie Chinese New Year Feast Menus which included for each person:
- edamame with celery sea salt (v) (gf)
- vegetable puff (v)
- 2x mixed vegetable spring rolls (v)
- 2x spinach and mushroom dumplings (v)
- potato and edamame cake (v)
- 2x spicy vegetable dumplings (v) (gf)
- golden dumpling (v)
- 2x buddha’s delight dumpling (v)
- vegetable bun (v)
- vegetable sticky rice (v)
- DESSERT – salted caramel and coconut rice dessert (v)
I guess the word “feast” was a clue . . . but we completely under estimated the amount of food. A plethora of successive dishes was served on our table over 40 mins. The selection was varied and delicious. It took us a while to get through everything and as we were chatting away we completely forgot about the time and had to rush before dessert to The Adelphi Theatre.
Our waiter very kindly offer for us to come back after the show to enjoy our desserts but unfortunately the reality of getting back home on time to relieve the babysitter made it impossible.
Bellies full and contented, we were whisked away via the back door of Ping Pong Covent Garden which conveniently connects to a quaint alley leading up directly to The Adelphi Theatre. Within a minute we were stepping onto the Strand next to the theatre just in time for the show. How handy is that!
Kinky Boots has just celebrated 1,000 performances in the West End. Inspired by true events and based on the hit 2005 British film, it opened in London in 2015. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical it also won the Olivier Award for Best Musical in 2016. Directed by Jerry Mitchell, this is a really uplifting and moving musical featuring a score by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein.
Kinky Boots tells a powerful story of friendship, acceptance and taking chances. Prepare to be transported from the factory floors of a Northampton shoe manufacturer to the catwalks of Milan.
This is a feel-good musical with catchy and lively music. We also loved the bright and sparkling costumes. The cast was fantastic, especially Simon-Anthony Rhoden in the role of Lola.
After a super evening of great food and laughter, we made our way home singing, agreeing that we should do this more often!
Kinky Boots has teamed up with Ping Pong to exclusively offer a ticket to the show alongside a delicious Dim Sum feast, topped off with a FABULOUS Kinky Martini cocktail starting at just £39.50!
This offer is available at Ping Pong, Soho & Covent Garden and runs out on April 27th.
HURRY AND BOOK HERE
FOR A GLITTERING NIGHT OUT!
Disclaimer: Thanks to Ping Pong and The Adelphi Theatre for treating us to this fantastic evening. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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