BY KELLY BESWICK
An upmarket diner with fine views of St Paul’s cathedral and a menu that appeals to city slickers, tourists and those just in need of sustenance, but of a lip-smacking, finger-licking good kind…
Like Marcel Proust’s Madeleine moment, the taste of lobster takes me back to being a child on holiday in Woodbridge, Suffolk. As a special treat, I was allowed to try this king of the crustaceans for the very first time and it’s sweet, silky and slightly salty taste blew my young mind. However, after the bitter disappointment of ordering one too many over-cooked, dry and bland-tasting lobster dishes over the years, my adult self generally steered well clear. But how can you visit an eatery called Burger & Lobster without trying one of its key components. Well, I am happy to report that the lobster served here whisked me back to being a somewhat gluttonous seven-year-old, and suffice to say I couldn’t get enough.
But before I get ahead of myself, let’s begin with the starters, which my dining companions and I devoured in indecent haste. We ordered the B&L Croquettes, both the Wagyu beef and lobster versions, and both were crispy fried balls of deliciousness with wonderfully gooey cheese oozing out when bitten into. A melt-in-the-mouth calamari that was accompanied by a lemon aioli also proved a big hit at our table, while the wine we’d chosen – a crisp Gavi di Gavi – proved the perfect foil to the rich food.
Our friendly waitress steered us towards the limited edition B&L Bucket for our mains, which consists of two whole lobsters and whole prawns, served with unlimited fries and butter sauce. There’s the option to grill, steam of fry the shellfish element. I’d recommend grilling as it really brought out the unique flavour of the lobster, and the prawns weren’t too shabby either! In the interests of a balanced review, one of our party opted for the Jersey Beef Burger, and she was very glad she did, with the patty bursting with flavour while the truffle confit onions, smoked burger sauce and mature cheddar cheese further upped the ante.
We decided to end our lunch on a slightly lighter note with Affogatos, suitably made with East London’s Hackney Gelato vanilla ice cream and served with a jug of espresso, with the caffeine element thankfully preventing us from slumping into a post-feast sleep on the bus ride home.
The B&L Bucket will be available until 12th August. Don’t miss out!
You’ll find Burger & Lobster at three locations going east:
1 Bread Street, London EC4M 9BE
52 Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AY
18 Hertsmere Road, London E14 4AY
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