The Barrio is in East London

I've been trying to leave this group for 10 years. Vaya con dios 

Elaine Benes (Seinfeld episode “The Puerto Rican Day”) 

Two weeks ago I was invited to try the brunch of Barrio East. The Barrio family has already 3 places in London, one in Islington (Barrio North), one in Soho (Barrio Central), and the third one in Shoreditch (Barrio East). All of them are characterised by serving Latin American inspired drinks. 

Barrio Brunch

The newest of the three is Barrio East. They opened back in November and started the brunch a few months back. It’s the only one with a full menu, as Barrio Central only do some tapas. The chef in charge is Beatriz Maldonado, Colombian born, took her time traveling around Latin American, learning and improving recipes. Now as a head chef of Barrio East she is giving us traditional cuisine in a balanced menu that is a culinary journey through the region. 

Our table

Colourful Timber yard

We got there and ordered a sin free smoothie (Strawberry Mango Bango) and a bespoke bloody mary. The Verdita Bloody Maria with Mezcal, strong with a good combination of flavours, perfect for a Sunday hangover, Ave Maria Purisima! 

Mezcal Time

But let’s talk about food. Marisol got the Mexi-Can, smashed avocado serve on a wholemeal toast, topped with poached eggs and jalapeño peppers. Quite nice, good flavours, nothing goes wrong with avocado, a good spicy touch by the jalapeños, nice fried tortilla strips on top. Also as a side she added an Argentinean chorizo, full of flavour, just perfect combination. I went for an Uruguayan sandwich, the Chivito Sandwich. Thinly sliced rump, bacon, melted cheese, roasted peppers, grilled onions, and a fried egg. I have to say this is one of the best sandwiches in London. The well-seasoned rump, nice touch of bacon, amazing melted cheese, the punch of mustard, and the puffy and soft olive bun gives this sandwich the perfect balance and combination. 

Uruguayan delight

The Mexi-Can

Brunch is Saturday and Sunday in the Timber Yard from 11am to 3pm.

The Caravan

You won’t get more traditional than this in London. So if you fancy truly Latin American flavours go to Barrio East. I should come back to try some arepas, get another Chivito sandwich and drink some cocktails during Happy Hour! Vayan con dios!

Chivito, Chivito, Chivito mio!

Barrio East

T: 020 7749 3940

Latin American Cuisine

Approx Damage: £15pp

Area: Shoreditch

Borough: Hackney

Twitter: _BarrioEast

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The Greenwy Cheesesteak Sandwich

I went the other day to Greenwich, the typical sightseeing was in order, you know the Royal Observatory, picture at the prime meridian, Queen’s House, Maritime Museum, etc. After a nice day with a couple friends we decided to have a bite. The problem I’m not familiar with the area and rarely you heard a recommendation from the outer London boroughs. 

Tulip Stairs' Queen's House

So the easiest way was to look into Greenwich Market. The place is a covered market trading food, antiques, crafts, and some designer vendors. Opened Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5:30pm. We wandered around a bit, bought a London print for the flat, a leather back, and finally spotted a vendor offering Beef Sandwiches with hot melted Cheddar cheese, basically what my dear American friends would call a cheesesteak. 

The Market

The trader Red Cow Carvery, slow fast food concept, two options the beef sandwich or a traditional roast. Prime British rump seasoned with fresh thyme, parsley, and sea salt. Then sealed at high heat, cut into pieces and cooked with onions, herbs, and soy sauce. The cheese is Cheddar melted on a raclette grill. 

Red Cow

The Menu

I got the sandwich, good portion, nice soft white baguette, full of beef and on top the amazing melted cheddar. Generous portion, and good flavours. The beef was nicely cooked, the seasoning was ok but needed a wow factor, and Marisol complained that the beef had a bit too much fat. On the cheese side, the melted cheddar was perfect and gave a nice touch.

Yorkshire puddings and in the back the Raclette Cheese Melter

The Greenwy Cheesesteak

The Greenwy Cheesesteak Sandwich a great option if you are in the vicinity, messy, juicy, and probably not good if you're on a diet. 

Steak reminds me the Seinfeld episode ”The Bizarro Jerry” 

Kramer: Well, you know what they say, you don't sell the steak, you sell the sizzle

Red Cow Carvery

T: 077 7599 7435

Street Food

Approx Damage: £6pp

Area: Greenwich

Borough: Greenwich

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O’Shea’s of Knightsbridge finest meats

I’ve been trying to go to O’Shea's to have their pork belly sandwich for a while. But is not easy, as they decide every morning what they will prepare for lunch that day, and my office is not even close to Knightsbridge. The place is an institution 8 generations of butchers and supply of the most finest meat cuts in every fancy steakhouse in London, and don’t forget their special patty for the best burgers in town.

O'Shea's

Inside

The other day I was in Central London office and decided to have a field trip for lunch. So basically I did a leap of faith and took the tube to Knightsbridge. They usually have cold and hot sandwiches during work days, and also pasties. Lunch deal is just 5 quids for a sandwich a drink and a bag of crisps.

Hot 

Cold

Got to the place and no pork belly, but a steak in red wine that looked really tasty, so as I was already there I give it a go, I also add a sausage roll as they looked amazing.

Goody Bag

I don’t know how the pork belly sandwich tastes, I suppose wonderful but the steak sandwich I got was superb. Amazing flavour, the baguette was perfect, crunchy outside, soft inside, the juices from the red wine sauce were well seasoned, in perfect balance, and it was dripping flavour all over. The sausage roll one of the bests I have had so far, again the pastry was crunchy and perfectly cook, and the sausage was a excellent with a unique flavour, seriously this is light years or hyperspace ahead of any fast lunch I've had.

 Sausage Roll

Steak Sandwich

I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but I can assure you I will come back for more, just for now I only can dream how good the pork belly one is, however, don’t worry if is not pork belly day as the second option pretty sure will be unbelievable.

Family Butchers great lunch

This butcher experience reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Stock Pick”

Elaine: Superman can go back in time?

Jerry: We went over that.

George: Wilkinson's got a bite on a new one. Petramco Corp, out of, hu, Springfield, I think. They're about to introduce some sort of robot butcher.

Jerry: A robot butcher?

George: Shhhhh! If you want to get in, there's very little time.