Ruby Jean’s at The Royal George review – pubco Americana for drunks
American / ★☆☆☆☆ / Burgers / Gastropub

Ruby Jean’s at The Royal George review – pubco Americana for drunks

Food fit only for pissheads I usually see a slight dip in the number of visitors to my website over the weekend largely due, I suspect, to most of you getting hammered to blot out the horrors of the preceding five days. Those memories of the working week aren’t going to obliterate themselves, after all. … Continue reading

Hotbox review – the City barbecue miles better than Bodean’s
American / ★★★★★ / Barbecue/BBQ

Hotbox review – the City barbecue miles better than Bodean’s

Market stall BBQ settles down on Commercial Street Market stalls and street food tend to be underestimated and under-appreciated by many visitors to London. That’s their loss as street food vendors can often be far better than more established restaurants, as my group test of American-style barbecue eateries demonstrates. An increasing number of street food vendors are settling down in … Continue reading

The best and worst lobster rolls in London review – Smack Lobster, Fraq’s Lobster Shack vs the rest
American / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆ / ★★★☆☆ / ★★☆☆☆ / ★☆☆☆☆ / Best and Worst group tests / Seafood

The best and worst lobster rolls in London review – Smack Lobster, Fraq’s Lobster Shack vs the rest

Cut-price crustacean cuisine clash A lot of people get upset at the idea that London merely follows the example of New York when it comes to the latest food trends and fads. Proper burgers and ramen, for example, made the headlines first in the Big Apple before becoming popular over here. This seems overblown to me. As long as … Continue reading

The Joint review – barbecue comes to Marylebone
American / ★★★☆☆ / Barbecue/BBQ

The Joint review – barbecue comes to Marylebone

Eat with your hands, poshos The number of American-style barbecue restaurants is growing, but not necessarily for the better. Mediocre restaurants such as Porky’s and Red Dog Saloon are opening up new branches left, right and centre while far better vendors such as Pitt Cue and Miss P’s Barbecue are still stuck at one site or … Continue reading

Q Grill review – bandwagon barbecue bumbles into Camden
American / ★★☆☆☆ / Barbecue/BBQ / Eclectic

Q Grill review – bandwagon barbecue bumbles into Camden

Porky’s larger, better looking but shallower neighbour You wait months for a new American-style barbecue restaurant in London and two arrive at the same time. Q Grill in Camden arrives hot on the heels of One Sixty in West Hampstead, but while One Sixty has a fairly short, focussed menu, the menu at Q Grill … Continue reading

Jackson + Rye review – Soho late night diner and American breakfasts
American / ★★★☆☆ / Breakfast

Jackson + Rye review – Soho late night diner and American breakfasts

Late to bed and early to rise makes one fat and tired Update 10/04/2019 – this restaurant is now closed Given the number of early risers and night owls in London, there are surprisingly few breakfast spots worth seeking out and even fewer late night diners. A restaurant that combines both is rarer still. Jackson + … Continue reading

American / ★★★★☆ / ★★★☆☆ / Hot dogs

Bubbledogs vs Dach and Sons review – hot dog showdown

Why Bubbledogs is the most overhyped and overrated London restaurant of the year Update April 2013 – Dach and Sons has now closed There are a huge number of burger restaurants in London, but there are relatively few hot dog eateries. That’s all set to change though, if the pundits are to be believed, with … Continue reading

American / ★★★☆☆ / Barbecue/BBQ / Burgers

Duke’s Brew and Que review – the best ribs in London? Not really.

American BBQ comes to Hackney Update August 2013 – newer, more up-to-date review published Barbecue restaurants are like buses – you wait ages for one to arrive and then two come along at once. Pitt Cue in Soho may be (deservedly) getting all the attention, but a lesser known BBQ joint called Duke’s has also … Continue reading