Ben’s Canteen, Battersea

21-08-2017 Local Black BookBattersea, Ben's Canteen, Burger, café, Clapton, London, recommendation, Restaurant, review1 Comment

There’s more to Clapton Junction station than a gigantic transport hub.

Exibit A: Local-favourite joint Ben’s Canteen.

Obviously, it got me at striped awning.

Ben's Canteen, Battersea • London Restaurant Review • Cake + Whisky

But neon lovers should feel right at home too…

Ben's Canteen, Battersea • London Restaurant Review • Cake + Whisky

There’s also a gorgeous bar, serving up faaaaaantastic frosé cocktails.

And if you’re still looking for a sign to justify commandeering a table…

… well, here it is!

Better go hungry though, because the menu is full of amazing options.

There’s finger-licking good pulled pork & guac’ nachos.

Smash-your-own guac.

Because there’s no such thing as too much guac’… and a bit of aworkout can’t hurt before moving on to the main event!

Though to be fair, the special BrewDog burger (two beef patties, double smoked cheese, streaky bacon, BrewDog’s flagship Punk IPA barbecue sauce, stacked with crack fries to give it that extra crunch) will give your jaw plenty of exercise!

If you’re after something a bit more novel, try Ben’s Canteen’s National Burger Day special: the Juicy Lucy Goat Burger – just think goat’s cheese IN a goat burger!

I’m still the worse French person on Earth and don’t like goat’s cheese, but even I had to admit that was a winning combination!

So yeah, burger goats achieved!

Now, let me tell you one thing about Ben’s Canteen: the burgers are good but the fries are NEXT LEVEL.

Buffalo-fried chicken chips with homemade sauce, house ranch and blue cheese, nachos-style, Chip Shop-style or (my personal favourite) Korean-style, complete with deep-fried pork belly, kimchi, crispy seaweed and Korean hot sauce… Picking just one is basically impossible!

So better get a bunch of people together and head to Ben’s Canteen… Not having to choose will be the #1 reward for strong, burger strengthened friend-chips!

Ben’s Canteen, 140 St John’s Hill, Battersea, London SW11 1SL

Dip & Flip

12-06-2017 Local Black BookBurger, London, recommendation, Restaurant, review, South London, Tooting4 Comments

As a shameless central London resident, there’s only one way to get me south of the river.

And the promise of delicious, decadent, food-porn-worthy burgers is that way.

Luckily for me, my (fellow burger lover) friends are all too aware of that fact.

And that’s how I found myself on an over-packed Northern line (aka. hell on earth) last Friday on my way to Dip & Flip.

The retro-Americana decor teases and hints at what’s to come.

The Dip & Flip burger.

A cheeseburger topped with sliced roast beef and slaw, swimming in cheese and gravy.

With more gravy on the side because life simply tastes better dipped in gravy.

Clean and lean, it definitely is not.

But messy, dirty in the best possible way and very, very good? Check, check aaaaand check.

Finish things off with a couple of pickleback shots – they’re kind of a big dill!

Or a *whispers* secret menu coffee shake.

Strong, rich & sweet, it’s the diner equivalent to the very best affogato and absolutely brew-tiful!

Dip & Flip • London Restaurant Review • Cake + Whisky

With bun-tastic food and friendly, buzzing service, a visit to Dip & Flip in itself justifies a trip to the ‘Deep South’.

Yes, even if that means waiting for 6 Tubes before you can actually get into one. That’s how flippin‘ good it was.

We visited their Tooting restaurant, but there are a few dotted around South London.

So find your nearest location, (schedule an extra session at the gym) & make the trip down South… I promise it’ll be gravy!

Shake Shack

22-05-2017 Local Black BookBurger, Covent Garden, London, Restaurant, review, Shake Shack, vegetarian2 Comments

When it comes to London’s best burgers, the queues usually know where it’s at. Which can be both practical and absolutely infuriating.

Unfortunately, Shake Shack is no different in that regard.

But then again, they do cheese fries…

With actual cheese sauce [insert raising hands emoji]

Absolutely irresistible!

On the menu, there’s a really quite nice cheeseburger, but also a mean chicken burger (the Chick n’ Shack).

But the best thing you can order (and that’s really quite out of caracter coming from me) is the Shroom vegetarian burger!

A crumbed & deep-fried mushroom ‘patty’, with cheese oozing from its centre and all the trimings. Absolute Shroom perfection!

Oh, and also, REALLY GOOD shakes…

Plus it’s one of the best options (aka. delicious while not requiring you to sell any body part to be able to afford the bill) right on Covent Garden Plaza.

(this place is good too btw, and there’s a Pizza Pilgrims nearby if you fancy a pizza that!)

And if that’s not worth queuing spore, I really don’t know what is!

Shake Shack, 24, Market Building, Piazza, London WC2E 8R

Also on my ‘London best burgers’ list

Bleecker St. Burger

Lucky Chip

Patty & Bun

Garlic Butter Mushroom Buns

30-03-2017 Local Black BookBurger, garlic, mushroom, recipe, sandwich, vegetarian1 Comment

I’ve had a bottle of Sriracha in my food cupboard for a long, long time. And up until a few weeks ago, I didn’t use a drop of it.

I simply couldn’t see why people around the world were obsessed with Sriracha.

And then one day, we run out of Tabasco, and I was too lazy to peel and grate garlic to make aioli, so I just mixed Sriracha with some mayo to dip some crudités in and all of a sudden, I got it.

Sriracha mayo is simply the bomb.

Since then, I’ve been my basic obsessed self. And I used Srirach on any- and everything I could get away with.

Chips, of course, but also all sort of raw veggies. Plus steamed cauliflower, grilled broccoli, burgers, and, most recently, these garlic butter mushroom buns.

An excellent alternative to meat burgers, vegetarian mushroom buns are simplicity at its very best.

They’re great for every meal, be it breakfast (it’s divine with a poached egg added in), a quick lunch or dinner, so make sure you make ‘shroom for them on your table!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:7]

Looking for more vegetarian meal inspo?

Spring Potato Salad

Vegan Tomato-Coconut Pasta

Hearty pistou soup

The Founder burger at BRGR.CO

15-02-2017 Local Black BookBRGR.CO, Burger, burgers, Chelsea, London, recommendation, Restaurant, review, Soho4 Comments

London LOVES its burgers.

Not that we’d globe up any old Mickey D’s classics, though.

The delightful mix of juicy patties, weirdly addictive plastic cheese and magic ‘secret’ sauce might taste like our childhood, but us Londoners now love our buns to be a touch more elaborate, with provenance’d and pedigree’d ingredients.

The Founder BRGR by BRGR.CO - London's best burger?

And then some day (this week) the best thing happened.

And by the best thing, I mean one of London’s best burger spots, BRGR.CO launched their own take on McD’s Big one.

Named ‘The Founder’ as an hommage to the soon-to-be-released movie, it comprises of two of BRGR’s signature Blade steak patties with melted cheese, shredded iceburg lettuce, pickled gherkins, and of course, the secret recipe BRGR.CO sauce, all inside a triple layer sesame bun.

With carefully sourced ingredients, it’s the best of both burger worlds and a thing of true meaty beauty, and very, very close to the original.

Except better, because the meat is cooked properly (and incredibly marbled). Nothing dry or chewy about it; it’s pure juiciness in a (soft) bun. And because the fries are approximatively 100 billion times better.

Unfortunately, it’s a limited edition sort of burger, which will only be on sales 13th-26th February from both BRGR.CO locations.

BRGR.CO Soho: 187 Wardour Street, London W1 8ZB

BRGR.CO Chelsea: 127 King’s Road, London SW3 4PW

I have just one piece of advice: get your hands on The Founder BRGR soon.

Even better yet, pair it up with a trip to the cinema.

Burger (movie) + Burger (& fries) = the perfect combo!

London Best Burgers

24-08-2016 Local Black BookBig Fernand, Bleecker Street Burger, Burger, burgers, GBK, Honest Burger, London, London best burgers, Lucky Chip, Mac & Wild, Meat Liquor, Patty & Bun, recommendation, Restaurant, review, Shake Shack, street food, Tommi's Burger Joint5 Comments

Tomorrow’s #NationalBurgerDay.

You know me, I’m not one to not take advantage of that sort of opportunity (making plans as we speak).

But in case you need a little push (with loads of drool-worthy, cheese-heavy pics!), below are 10 of London best burgers!

1. Bleecker Street Burger‘s Bleecker Black

This is a divisive one. Haters gonna hate, but in my opinion, the Bleecker Black is THE BOMB!

Two just seared signature beef patties, with umami black pudding, melted cheese and a sweet onion garnish to balance it all off.

Very, very naughty but so, so good! ➡ Read my Bleecker St. Burger review

2. . Lucky Chip‘s John Candy

If you had told me a few years ago that some day in the near future, I would be eating a burger that tasted of beef with a hint of vanilla Coke, I would have laughed in your face.

And I would have been wrong. Because this is the wonkiest, most brilliant burger sauce I’ve ever tried.

That said, if the John Candy’s not available (it’s a special, but it comes back on the menu quite often), the Kevin Bacon isn’t half bad either… oh, and make yourself a favour and get a side of those amazing spicy mayo & cheese fries, okay? ➡ Read my Lucky Chip review

3. Meat Liquor‘s Dead Hippie

If you’re after London’s best cheeseburger, stop looking. This is it.

A bit of a shame that the fries aren’t quite as good though (which explains why I haven’t written a full review of Meat Liquor yet #friesbeforeguys #andburgersactually!!)…

4. Patty & Bun‘s Ari Gold

The Ari Gold is Patty & Bun’s take on the classic cheeseburger, and one of the very best at that!

It comes all wrapped up in greaseproof paper, and opening it is almost as good as present unwrapping on Christmas morning, but with more meat (and cheese!)

Definitely my kind of Christmas in ~~July~~ August! ➡ Read my Patty & Bun review

5. Mac and Wild‘s Veni-Moo

I think that picture, paired with the fact that the Veni-Moo has been awarded best burger in London in both 2015 and 2016, tells you everything you need to know.

Oh, and when you’re at it, you might want to try mixing whisky and Irn Bru… #justsaying ➡ Read my Mac and Wild review

6. Honest Burger‘s Tribute

With American mustard, smokey bacon & all the usual suspects, it’s the most American of them all (if American burgers relied on stunning ingredients and came with a side of rosemary fries, that is…)!

7. Big Fernand‘s Le Big Fernand

A very Frenchie burger indeed, focusing on stellar ingredients (dry-aged beef, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley & cocktail sauce) and perfectly cooked patties.

So French, so good! ➡ Read my Big Fernand review

8. Shake Shack‘s ‘Shroom Burger

Cheese-stuffed mushroom… Need I say more? Definitely the most EPIC vegetarian burger around… Cheese fries absolutely compulsory! ➡ See what else is good at Shake Shack

9. Tommi’s cheeseburger

The most basic of them all, but coming with a serious array of sauces of all sorts to choose from, Tommi’s burgers are perfect for picky eaters & condiment nerds alike.

10. GBK‘s Avocado + Bacon burger

Now, I know that’s a pretty basic one (#basicblogger much?) but avocado in burgers is ACE and if you haven’t tried it yet, you should definitely get your butt to GBK fissa & give it a go.

So creamy, so healthy…

Now the only question is, which one will you go for? And which one should I try next?

PIN FOR LATER:

KERB Camden Highlights

13-08-2016 Local Black BookBurger, Camden, Camden Market, ice cream, KERB, London, recommendation, Restaurant, review, street foodLeave a comment

About a month and a half ago, the company I work for moved its offices to Camden for the Summer, and it didn’t take me long to start grumbling about the limited amount of choice available when it comes to non-deep-fried lunch options around.

But the London food gods must have heard my prayers, and they brought KERB to Camden.

The latest venture by London street food collective KERB, KERB Camden is their biggest baby yet.

And what a beautiful baby it is: located at the heart of Camden Market, with 35+ vendors trading 364 days a year, food from all around the world and the cutest pastel tables, KERB Camden is everybody’s lunch dream came true!

There are loads of delicious options to choose from, from fried chicken…

To some of the best mac’n’cheese this side of the Atlantic, and pretty much everything in between…

From the usual suspects, including some beautiful Mexican street food and drool-inducing grilled cheese sandwiches…

Some beautiful, juicy hotdogs courtesy of Oh My Dog…

To some lesser known options, such as this beautifully moist shredded beef and plantain Venezuelan arepa, there truly is something for everybody!

One thing everyone should get for sure is a portion of Oli Baba’s irresistible halloumi fries.

Golden fried halloumi sticks, drizzled with garlic yoghurt and pomegranate molasse, topped with fresh mint, pomegranate seeds and chilli flakes…

It really doesn’t get any batter than that!

Except of course for Blu Top legen-dairy ice cream sandwiches!

With flavours such as carrot cake or raspberry shortbread, delicious salted caramel sauce and some seriously good cookies, it’s the best way to turn any trip to Camden into an ice day!

KERB Camden, West Yard, Camden Market, Camden, NW1

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Scottish brunch at Mac and Wild

14-07-2016 Local Black Bookbrunch, Burger, Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London, Mac & Wild, Mac and Wild, recommendation, Restaurant, review, Scottish, Tottenham Court RoadLeave a comment

On one of my -very productive- days scrolling the internet, I came across the word ‘fernweh’.

Fernweh is a consuming longing to be somewhere you’ve never been. I wasn’t sure I really understood it at the time, but it all made sense as soon as I stepped into Mac and Wild in Fitzrovia.

The brick walls, the raw wooden tables, the casual-meets-refined atmosphere…

It all collided and made me want to turn right back and head on to the Highlands.

But with over 50 different labels of whisky, home-bottled cocktails and a whole shelf full of pickles, Mac and Wild has strong arguments to help you postpone the fernweh urge…

… and settle for Scottish brunch instead!

Starting with a classic: Scottish breakfast.

Loads of brown food, and pretty much every single kind of meat patty you can possibly think of.

It might be a cardiologist’s worst nightmare (even though Mac & Wild’s version is surprising un-greasy!), but things don’t get much better than that…

… unless of course you go for the Veni-Moo.

Voted UK & London’s best burger for two years running, Mac and Wild signature dish is an absolute beauty!

…especially if you decide to add candy bacon to the juicy beef-venison-caramelised onion-bearnaise masterpiece.

Quite simply burger-perfection.

All washed down with cocktails & a few drops of scotch…

… plus some Irn-Bru (it would have been wrong not to!)

Its bubblegum taste was the perfect introduction to our beast of a dessert.

Scottish brunch at Mac & Wild | Cake + Whisky

‘I shouldn’t but I will‘: Dark chocolate Nemesis, salted caramel sauce, orange, almonds, vanilla ice cream & taffy crumble.

Scottish brunch at Mac & Wild | Cake + Whisky

The ultimate indulgence and one of the many, many reasons to get to Mac & Wild very soon!

Bangin’ cocktails, eye-rolling-ly good food, all served by dynamic and passionate staff…

… Oh, and have I mentioned that they take bookings too?

Brunch winner right there!

Mac & Wild, 65 Great Titchfield St, London W1W 7PS

PIN FOR LATER:

French burgers at Big Fernand

15-04-2016 Local Black BookBig Fernand, Burger, burgers, Fitzrovia, French, London, London best burgers, recommendation, Restaurant, review2 Comments

Big Fernand is ZE name for burgers in Paris.

I lived in Paris and I love burgers.

And yet I never went. #WHAAAAT

Luckily, Big Fernand followed me to London and opened a restaurant in the heart of Fitzrovia.

It was only a matter of time until Michelle, Binny & I found our way there…

Big Fernand, London | Cake + Whisky

With loads of honey-coloured wood panelling and industrial-ish furniture, you can tell Big Fernand is not your usual burger joint.

And they take their burgers very, VERY seriously!!

Big Fernand, London | Cake + Whisky

Their chairs, a little bit less ?

The menu’s short and sweet.

6 burgers, all made with fantastic meat and the best French raw cheese, cuddling up in an excellent sesame bun.

Big Fernand, London | Cake + Whisky

Le Bartholomé (dry-aged beef, Raclette cheese, smoked streaky bacon, caramelised onions and homemade sauces)

Look at that cheese! Just the way to my heart!

Big Fernand, London | Cake + Whisky

A very Frenchie burger indeed, focusing on stellar ingredients and perfectly cooked burgers (believe me or not, that’s actually quite rare for me!).

I can’t quite put my finger on why it is, but those burgers felt much healthier than any other I’ve ever tried (lookign at you Almost Famous and other Lucky Chips!)

Ze verdict? Zere definitely iz a reason why ze French LOVE Big Fernand’s hamburgé. And the reason is that the burgers are truly excellent, cooked to perfection and very, very cheesy! So French, so good!

Big Fernand, 19 Percy Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1DY

Almost Famous, Manchester

12-04-2016 Local Black BookAlmost Famous, best burgers, Burger, burgers, Manchester, Northern Quarter, recommendation, Restaurant, review, travel, UK2 Comments

The best nights out start with brilliant cocktails and finish with even better burgers.

And there’s only ONE place to go for the most EPIC burgers in Manchester: Almost Famous.

Almost Famous, Manchester | Cake + Whisky

Up a spooky staircase, along a graffiti covered coridor and across a bar area that could have been designed by Willy Wonka himself, you’ll find the ultimate grown-up playground.

Almost Famous, Manchester | Cake + Whisky

Complete with loads of colourful, witty artwork…

Almost Famous, Manchester | Cake + Whisky

A table full of candy (#homegoals right there!!)…

And many a roll of kitchen towel!!

The menu is any child’s dream come true (and any calorie-counter’s worst nightmare).

Now, I’m a bit of a burger connoisseur (a.k.a. I eat burgers far too often for my own good) and I happen to live just across the street from one of London’s best burgers, so I had my doubts…

…but they quickly fadded away!

Johnny Mac.

Double beef patty, Applewood & cheddar cheese, streaky bacon, trailer trash onions, Cool Doritos, Million Island sauce & Winning ketchup.

A true beast with a lil’ mac & cheese ball on top! (def. get your greedy hands on some more of those if you can!!)

Down & Out (in Beverly Hills)

American & cheddar cheese, Wonderdust hotdog melt, trailer trash onions, French’s mustard, Winning ketchup Million Island sauce.

Hot dog melt! It’s a thing, people!! (and a delicious, delicious one at that!!)

Phoenix fries. A.k.a. fries on steroids (and with more cheese on top).

So bad but soooooooo gooooood!

And a tiny lil’ bit of coleslaw for the vitamin intake (LOL!)

And with the whole thing just coming up to £25, going back to reality was quite harsh if perfectly signaled!

My only regret? That I didn’t get to try more things.

Don’t do the same mistake. Grab all your favourite people (or at least the ones that’ll let you try their food!), go early and order it all!

And make sure you tag me (@sndguerin) in all your drool-worthy pics! Or if you’re looking for an extra person and you don’t mind me gobble-ing down all the mac & cheese balls, I’ll be more than happy to help out!

Almost Famous, 100-102 High St, Manchester M4 1HP

Cake and Whisky

Life in London and other almost-grown-up tales

Menu

Burger

Ben’s Canteen, Battersea

Ben’s Canteen, 140 St John’s Hill, Battersea, London SW11 1SL

Dip & Flip

Shake Shack

Also on my ‘London best burgers’ list

Garlic Butter Mushroom Buns

Looking for more vegetarian meal inspo?

The Founder burger at BRGR.CO

BRGR.CO Soho: 187 Wardour Street, London W1 8ZB

BRGR.CO Chelsea: 127 King’s Road, London SW3 4PW

London Best Burgers

KERB Camden Highlights

Scottish brunch at Mac and Wild

French burgers at Big Fernand

Almost Famous, Manchester