A Burger in the Countryside [On The Road: Tunbridge Wells]

What could possess anyone to throw a party? I mean,

to have a bunch of strangers treat your house like a hotel room 

Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld episode “The Stranded”) 

I went to Tunbridge Wells for a couple business meetings and stayed at the Hotel du Vin. A lovely grade II listing mansion built in 1762. I quickly remembered the great BdV burger I had in their now closed bistro in London. 

The Bistro

Lunch time

The BdB Burger quite similar to the London one, bacon, Gruyere, sauce as a side, and frittes. 

Burger time

The burger was a bit too high, the tomatoes created a sliding effect and didn't quite help the task to keep it in control. Cooked medium, great flavours but missing a bit the juices. fries were amazing, crispy and soft. 

BdV

Quite nice burger if you’re in Tunbridge Wells.

Bistro du Vin

T: 084 4748 9266

Bistro

Approx Damage: £25pp

Area: Tunbridge Wells

Kent

Twitter: HotelduVinBrand

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Burger Wars Episode LXIV: F for Foxtrot and G for Gordon

“It's cleavage. I couldn't look away. What am I, waiting to win an Oscar here? This is all I have in my life” 

George Costanza (Seinfeld episode “The Shoes” 

My last stop searching for the greatest burger in London took me to Gordon Ramsay’s British Bistro in Chelsea. Foxtrot Oscar offering a classic menu using seasonal produce. Small and cozy place with black and white pictures in a burgundy dim light ambience. 

The place

I couldn’t resist having the bone marrow, superb, a classic well executed. Every ingredient as it should, shallot comfit, a touch of Parmesan, panko crust, with a parsley, caper and lemon salad. Marisol went for the beef carpaccio, potato salad, and lemon vinaigrette. The carpaccio was nice, and the potatoes gave an excellent addition. 

Marrow

Carpaccio

While waiting for my burger we shared a really nice Viña Real Rioja. The Foxtrot cheeseburger, with smoked streaky bacon, mushroom relish, pickled gherkin, and triple cooked chips. 

The Foxtrot Cheeseburger

The verdict, it was unbelievable, great flavour even though it was cooked medium, as they want to make sure the cheese is completely melted. The bacon gives a nice smoky flavour, the brioche bun is wonderful, and the cheese was completely melted in deed 

The damage, 15 quid for the burger and chips 

The conclusion, great burger, nice balance, amazing flavour, I would have prefer it a bit more juicy but it was quite good. The chips were nice but probably the weakest link. I will give it a 9 in my scale. Highly recommended if you’re in Chelsea 

Burger time

Close up

Almost forgot, Marisol got the 35 day dry aged Cote de Boeuf with watercress and béarnaise sauce. I had a couple bites and it was perfectly cooked, great execution, amazing flavour. 

Cote de Boeuf

Great bistro the food and the service were excellent.

Foxtrot Oscar

T: 020 7352 4448

British Bistro

Approx Damage: £60pp

Area: Chelsea

Borough: Kensington & Chelsea

Twitter: foxtrot_oscar

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Pasaz Cafe Bar and Bistro

Centrally located in Hull there is a small cafe named Pasaz. I went with one of my colleagues during one of our last night for diner. The place has a relax atmosphere, clean, giving you a quiet sensation.

The Place

We passed by the place a couple times, and I was curious with some of the dishes of the menu, as you can see a Chef trying to innovate and is not afraid of taking a risk. My starter deep fried brie and stilton with fruit compote, quite good and unique, I liked the push of the Chef playing with the stilton. For main, I went for one of the specials, the ostrich meat. It was well cooked, pink in the inside, but a little bit dry, and the dish didn’t have balance, also the potato bed was completely bland.

Fried Cheese 

Ostrich

A menu all over the place with a chef trying to innovate and offer a different option in Hull. A little bit more focus on the menu might land a good result.

Ostrich reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Frogger”

Elaine: Guess what I ate.

George: An ostrich burger.

Elaine: No. A $29,000 piece of cake. Peterman got it at The Duke Of Windsor auction. It was the most romantic thing I've ever eaten.

Jerry: How'd it taste?

Elaine: A little stale.

Jerry: Yeah.

George: So, uh are you sleeping with Peterman?

Elaine: No. He doesn't know I ate it. In fact, he almost caught me. I have to sneak back in and even it out.

George: You know, they say ostrich has less fat, but you eat more of it.


Cafe Pasaz
T: 014 8258 1321
Cafe & Bistro
Kingston upon Hull

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