Tag Archives: burger

Burgers at Automat, Green Park

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A few people have recommended Automat to me, but it was only when I heard about the burger that I felt any urgency about going.

Seeing the perfect opportunity while working in Green Park, I popped to Automat on my lunch-break to see if their burger was anything to rave about. Hoping to offer something new to Mayfair’s elite dining choices, Automat aims to fuse London’s pleasure-seeking social appetite with New York’s inimitable style presenting a brand new venue for relaxed, fashionable dining.

Classic diner red cushioned seats are available round tables in the first part of the restaurant but keep walking through and you discover a more relaxed bistro. We sat in the back perched on high stools and sipped lemonade while waiting for the food to arrive.

AUTOMAT USDA PRIME BURGER (10oz) with fries £14 add bacon, cheese £1
CHICKEN BURGER with fries £14 add cheese £1
AUTOMAT VEGGIE BURGER with tomato chutney & fries £12 add cheese £1

I tried the classic burger while my friend opted for the more adventurous festive burger of the day which came with melting brie and cranberry sauce. The burgers are a generous size, evenly stacked up and easy to eat with your hands. The meat was nothing special, cooked for too long and lacking flavour perhaps due to the meat being too finely ground. The burger bun was slightly on the stale side and the lettuce and tomato looked limp. Fries were suitably thin and crispy but served lukewarm which soon turned to cold, all in all a bit disappointing.

The Automat burger has little substance and zero passion. I guess the Mayfair should stick to fine dining, and leave the burgers to Soho.

www.automat-london.com

Maze Grill, Mayfair

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Maze Grill is known for its superb steaks, but I was keen to visit for its recommended burger. Located in the same building as Gordon Ramsay’s more prestigious Maze (serving award-winning French and Asian influenced food), Maze Grill has a relaxed atmosphere and a menu of British best.

We began with a simple cocktail, sweet but tasty fruit flavoured martinis… my lychee variant was particularly good. Sitting down in the plush corner sofa seats we could voyeuristically observe the restaurant’s running. Busy and bustling, the place was full from early evening and everyone seemed to be having a great time… I was optimistic about the meal ahead.

A cheeky chappy came over with ‘the board’, loaded with glistening hunks of meat. Each had its own story, assets and limitations, I listened intently… after all one of these would soon be on my plate. We rapidly chose our first course, crispy calamari and, staying true to my burger promise I ordered the sliders, with a Maze burger for main. It was a feast of meat, cheese and carbs… a diet dream! The calamari was tasted fresh and Mediterranean strewn with spring onions and a wedge of lime.

Though I was disappointed with the burger, my friend’s steak was definitely in my top three I have ever tried, and I envied his every bite. The burger was neatly presented and served with a couple of onion rings. Despite requesting the meat medium, the patty was very dense and a bit dry, although the flavour was still good. The butter lettuce, tomato and Monterey Jack cheese were all good but the bread was too thick and filling, and I couldn’t finish it all.

Steak is really what Maze Grill is all about and I’m pleased to say that they excel in this area. We experienced the most tender and wonderful 8oz Wagyu “9th grade” sirloin steak. It was so good I could imagine requesting it as my last meal on earth. Along with half a roasted garlic, and a very thick and creamy bearnaise sauce, I really couldn’t fault it. For those who don’t know… Wagyu is the designer steak of ultimate indulgence. The cow is massaged (and some are even fed beer) to create an evenly marbled, melt in the mouth meat.

Chips were delicious too, hand cut and parmesan & truffle french fries are on offer. We tried both, naturally. I was particularly enamoured of the fries subtly seasoned with truffle oil and a modest sprinkling of parmesan.

Wine was chosen according to our food choices – the sommelier picked appropriately and thoughtfully offering us different reds to suit the burger and steak, and a crisp, drinkable white to start.

I must admit I found the service a little suffocating. Seven staff members attended to us constantly throughout the night: concierge, hostess, waiter, sommelier, waitress, meat expert. It was very flattering but also quite distracting; when your mouthfuls are so regularly interrupted indigestion is inevitable. Aside from that the food was commendable… and with steaks this good I’m sure Maze Grill will always be busy.

More information here.

http://www.gordonramsay.com/mazegrill/

Lucky Chip’s Slider Bar at The Player, Soho

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Initially The Player seems like an unlikely venue for Lucky Chip burgers, the residency has certainly brought a new clientele to the bar. Then there is the issue of yet another burger joint in Soho; in its original venue, east London’s Sebright Arms, there is little competition nearby. I would know because after an exhausting trek to Dalston and the sad realisation that burgers weren’t served on Sunday evenings, my friend and I had to find an alternative to satisfy our meat craving. There was none.

The concept at this Soho slider bar is simple: two sliders, french fries and a homemade sauce for £10. The tricky bit is choosing from the appetising menu of mini burger varieties. Starving hungry and wanting meat, I was salivating just looking at the menu… beef, pork, fish and veggie burgers are all available, and there are no limitations, you can choose any two for a tenner.

The Player is a hidden underground haunt famous for reinventing forgotten cocktail culture. On entering this atmospheric lounge, I was instantly reminded of a jazz bar from a bygone era or a vintage prohibition club. We snuck to a small corner table, at 6.30pm the place was already crowded.

Drinks are available on both the Lucky Chip and Player menus, and we opted for the latter, inspired by the tropical sounding recipes. Priced between £8 and £10, I was impressed with the fruity concoctions, each arriving with pretty flourishes decorating the glasses. The rum-based Mexican Breakfast and Hurricane were definite favourites amongst our group.

The cute little burgers were delish though a tad salty. Sloppy but almost bite-size, they are much more manageable than a normal sized burger. I was pleased with my choices: ‘double cheeseburger’ and ‘Royale wit cheese’, similar classic combinations with aged beef patty, applewood smoked bacon, tomato, onion, mustard & pickles. They are well constructed and easy to gobble up quickly. The meat is juicy and tender in the middle with gooey cheese and crunchy fresh salad accompaniments. A modest portion of chips arrived with a pot of amazing garlic aioli.

I was terribly disappointed to discover the ‘build your own’ sundae was temporarily off the menu due to a broken freezer. Instead we shared the warm brownie, which was surprisingly good. If you are hungry I would advise ordering a starter… American style appetisers are available: Mac-N-Cheese, Chicken Bucket and Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich. Two little sliders are unlikely to fill you up.

The Player is popular thanks to the arrival of Lucky Chip and I can see why, this burger bar offers something different to the neighbouring burger joints. Fingers crossed these exquisite burgers will be a permanent fixture so we can all enjoy them for years to come.

More information on the Slider Bar here.