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.