Tag Archives: burger

Shrimpy’s, King’s Cross

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Soon we are to say so long to Shrimpy’s, the pop-up diner in King’s Cross which has occupied the filling station for the last 18 months. When the site is redeveloped later this year, the dinky diner will shut up shop which is a shame considering the delectable design and cheerful food.

For the first 6 months of its existence, Londoners went crazy for crab burgers at Shrimpy’s and the queues were unbearable and reservations impossible. A year on and the place is far from full, a much quieter and calmer venue for weekend brunch. The food, some say, is not as good, but I enjoyed my meal here, a stylish mix of Californian and Mexican dishes.

The soft shell crab burger was famous instantly, it even had its own twitter following, but with rumours that it had dropped in quality I decided to sample some of the other dishes available. From the brunch menu, I can recommend the Chilaquiles with chorizo. Although this was presented messily, a pile on a plate, it really was tasty, a spicier and more sophisticated version of nachos. The cheeseburger in a bonnet was good too, quite petite in size but perfectly cooked with a very soft sweet freshly baked brioche bun and a layering of delicious components on the flavoursome beef patty. We couldn’t resist something sweet to share, Ricotta hot cakes with pecan crunch butter seemed like the obvious choice. Perhaps the star of the meal, the pancakes were thick and airy dusted in icing powder with a dollop of caramelised nutty butter melting temptingly on top.

It was the design and décor of Shrimpy’s that I fell in love with. The exterior has a modern silver sharpness, but with a retro charm that is irresistible to passers-by. It is a mysterious and magical old garage that seems deserted from the street, but explore a little and you find a little entrance. Inside the walls have whimsical coloured illustrations by Donald Urquhart and Jonathan Trayte.

More information here: shrimpys.co.uk

Simple, Manchester

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Brunch is the ideal meal for students who aren’t out of bed bright and early – in Manchester the Northern Quarter is full of perfect places to enjoy a mid-morning meal. Simple is one of the most popular restaurants, located on the historic Tib Street in the heart of the bohemian borough of Manchester. Affordable and relaxed, Simple offers delicious food throughout the day and has a great evening vibe with freshly mixed cocktails.

We sauntered in for brunch on Sunday and found the place almost empty at noon but by 1pm every table was occupied. The menu is full of comforting classics, from Nachos to meat skewers, halloumi and meatballs. I adored the nachos which arrived piled high with a generous portion of melted cheese, jalapenos and chilli, with sour cream, guacamole and salsa on the side. The toasted artesian bread with roasted vegetables and halloumi was good too, though needed a little extra seasoning.

We were feeling full but a second course was on its way, a big burger for me, and a steak for my friend. Huge, huge plates arrived, the challenge seemed unsurmountable. The sirloin steak was cooked as specified, a lean thick slab of meat accompanied with a deliciously creamy peppercorn sauce. The burger was not special, a little overcooked with unsatisfying toppings. Chunky courgette fries were a healthy alternative to chips; corn on the cob and homemade coleslaw is also available.

Next door the same company own FYG Deli and Wine Bar, a super cute hang-out for delectable snacks and a glass of vino.

We left Simple more than satisfied with stomachs bulging, ready for a nap on the train home to London.

More information here: www.simplebar.co.uk

Many thanks to Manchester Tourist Board for their help with this trip, more information here.

Thoroughly Modern Milly travelled with Virgin Trains.

Typical journey time between London and Manchester is just 2h 7m on one of the state-of-the-art tilting trains, six days a week. Engineering works slow things down a little on Sunday mornings, but by lunchtime they’re operating services – at 2h15m – just a shade slower than Monday to Saturday. Trains every 20 minutes, six and a half days a week.

Booking in advance and travelling off-peak is the best way to get great deals – including some fantastic First Class bargains. Single fares start at: Advance Standard £12.50  and Advance First £38.00, book here.

Ralph’s, Paris

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I have eaten a lot of burgers, in cities all over the world, but in my opinion Paris serves the best. The meat is juicier, the toppings are tastier and the frites are, of course, the finest.  This chic city continues to offer irresistible patties in every area, and the trend shows no sign of slowing. On my last trip I experienced the ultimate American in Paris moment dining at the exclusive Ralph Lauren restaurant, predictably named Ralph’s. Every aspect of this eatery echoes the style and sophistication of this world famous brand. After wandering round Rodin’s masterpieces at the nearby museum dedicated to the sculptor, we satiated our hunger with a sumptuous meal at Ralph’s.

Situated on the prestigious Boulevard Saint-Germain, in the 6th arrondissement, Ralph’s is in the middle of the renowned literary Latin Quarter. This is the designer’s second restaurant after his initial eatery in Chicago, RL Restaurant. From the exterior no-one would suspect a restaurant is inside, the store window was still and poised. We came upon a charming courtyard, filled with plants and tables and chairs with trendy tartan cushions, but still no one was to be seen or heard. We continued to a door on the left and here we were welcomed in by a well-dressed (delightful pink RL shirt), well-mannered and well-spoken member of staff.

A refined and relaxed dining room was filled with animated guests, it all felt very international. Aged brown leather booths, wood panelling and antique paintings give the feel of a country manor house… it is easy to forget you are in a city restaurant. Warm breadcrumbed olives and sparkling Bellinis arrived promptly, the best way to start any Sunday meal. On the menu there are five burger options (three beef, one tuna, one vegetarian), obviously I only had eyes for the meat and ordered the classic Ralph’s Burger. This consisted of a masterfully crafted patty of thick ground meat, soft sesame bun, onions, pickles, heirloom tomatoes, lettuce, dripping cheddar cheese and crispy bacon. All that and a side of American farmstead garden slaw and ranch style fries. The burger was aesthetically very pleasing, and thoughtfully constructed on the plate, a rainbow of ingredients. It was absolutely delicious. Often I find the tastiest burgers are also the sloppiest but this posh patty delivered without the mess!

Double RL Filet Mignon steak was served with sautéed spinach, homestyle mashed potatoes; an aromatic grilled garlic also decorated the plate. We were greedy and requested two sauces, crushed black pepper sauce and red wine sauce, it difficult to pick a favourite, needless to say we polished off both. The steak was cooked to perfection with an intense crispy edge and a tender melt-in-the-mouth fleshy centre. The accompanying mash was creamy and divine. The side of sautéed buttery green beans with specks of red chilli didn’t look very exciting but surprisingly were one of my favourite aspects of the meal, soft and irresistible – I will never look at this vegetable in the same way again!

Dessert could not live up to the glory of our main courses. Ralph’s Brownies with vanilla ice-cream and warm chocolate sauce satisfied a sweet craving but didn’t thrill. Petits Fours are far too Parisian for this American venue so instead a bowl of salted caramel popcorn arrived with tea and coffee. Ralph Lauren is known for beautiful clothes, but now every time I walk past one of the luxurious stores I will remember my perfect burger at Ralph’s in Paris.

More information and book a table here: ralphlaurenstgermain.com/en/#/lerestaurant

Thanks to the Paris Tourist Board, more information here.

parisinfo.com