Leon’s Barbie-themed menu reviewed | Ilford Recorder

You don’t need us to tell you that Barbie the Movie is on general release from today (July 21) after weeks of heavy promotion by creators Mattel.

What may be surprising is that Leon – a chain many associate with all things green and sustainable – is offering a pink menu for customers who’d like to “dine like you’re in the Dreamhouse” with the world’s favourite plastic woman.

I went down with my companion to the Carnaby Street outlet – the chain’s first, opening in 2004 – on Thursday evening (July 20) to check it out.

There was actually very little to choose from to dine Barbie and Ken style – three items, so it is just a nod to the movie.

Leon’s chicken-bacon burger with summer slaw (Image: Leon)

The chicken & bacon BBQ Big Smoke, costing £8.49, was a burger made up with a chargrilled chicken thigh topped with Leon’s BBQ sauce, aioli pink slaw, bacon, gherkins and pink kraut.

This had a satisfying heat that balanced the sweet BBQ sauce and a good crunch.

The Dragon Fruit smoothie, which looks a deep pink, was refreshing, with a good dose of mango and lime to give it a nice tang.

Other ‘Barbie’ drinks include the Rasberry Shot and Razza Raspberry Lemonade.

My companion went for a meal deal (£10.48), which is more cost effective than buying individual items, but smoothies aren’t included as a drink.

The ice-pink latte tastes of vanilla milk and goes down very quickly (Image: Leon)

He went for the Barbiesque caffeine-free pink iced latte, a blend of beetroot powder and vanilla that tastes like vanilla milk, very inoffensive to even the most sensitive of palates. 

He wanted the halloumi wrap but “regrettably” thought he’d try something different and chose the Jerk n’ Jam chicken wrap, which didn’t go down too well. 

The “jerk-inspired” chicken, with its sweet apricot jam, pickled peppers, garlic aioli and lettuce, wrapped in a khobez flatbread was “too sweet”.

“I think others would enjoy it more than I did,” he said.

He didn’t touch the cross-cut lightly seasoned waffle fries (£2.85) as he was “quite full” but they are quite moreish, especially when accompanied by ketchup.

Leon has a vast menu of Mediterranean and world-inspired dishes, and is a good choice for health-conscious people who want to dine and dash. If you like what they do you may like the new dishes, regardless of the Barbie and Ken fanfare.