All posts filed under: Bars

Big Fernand Finally Crosses the Channel

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Where Big Fernand, London What Big Fernand has ventured to London to set up their burger workshop, focusing on French flavours and Parisian finesse. There are no hamburgers here, it is hamburgés that Big Fernand deals in. It marries the comforting American classic with French gastronomy to deliver the crème de la crème. Experience In 2013 I went to Paris with Food for Think’s very own Sarah Kemp. During our three day trip, our feasting would have given Marie Antoinette a run for her money; but one restaurant in particular remained prominent in our minds. Just before catching our Eurostar home, we embarked on an adventure to Big Fernand, a French-inspired (obviously) hamburgé bar with a queue of hungry Parisians spilling out of the door. We agreed we had possibly just eaten the best burger of our lives and calculated schemes to bring this unique idea across the Channel. Luckily we didn’t have to as the team at Big Fernand were already planning their next venture. I could not be more excited to try a …

The Meat Co. Steakhouse

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Where The Meat Co Steakhouse What South African influenced restaurant, The Meat Co, launched in London in 2008. It caters for meat lovers who yearn for a steak house with style. Experience It was a Thursday night and the weekend was fast approaching. I needed to go shopping all week and, as usual, the London hustle got the better of me. The Meat Co is situated ideally on the approach to Westfield Shopping Centre in Sheppard’s Bush. What better place to meet my friend for a steak dinner with an hour to spare to run my errands? I met my friend Kim, bags in hand, at the downstairs bar. The deluxe decor of rich patterned furniture and tribal hangings immediately took me away to somewhere exotic. The restaurant is situated upstairs via a grand staircase, but there is always the option of ordering snacks at the bar if you are just after a post-shopping bite. Our waiter for the evening, Professor, quickly recommended The Jungle Bear cocktail. It did just fine for a sweet toothed …

London Grind, London Bridge

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Where London Grind, London Bridge What London Grind is the latest venue from the team behind the successful Shoreditch, Soho and Holborn Grind. It sits proudly riverside at 2 London Bridge on the doorstep of Borough Market. Inside, the bare bricks provide an understated decor which is effortlessly chic. Experience London Grind of course offers its name sake high-quality coffee but focus turns to their signature cocktail list and locally-sourced dishes to feed hungry brunch seekers and dinner diners alike. I knew my luck was in when my friend and I were seated at a table with a river view. We were instantly recommended the gin cocktail Clover Club and didn’t need our arms twisting. It was sweet and fresh and packed a raspberry punch. For those with a more savoury pallet try a Negroni or locally brewed beer from Fourpure brewery. Laid out on view were a selection of focaccia, cheese and meat sourced from Borough Market every morning. My friend and I opted to share plates and both loved the devine Mushroom and …

Bourbon Masterclass with Buffalo Trace, TwoRuba

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Where TwoRuba Bar & Lounge, Hilton London Tower Bridge What Tworuba is a plush bar and restaurant located on the ground floor of the Hilton Tower Bridge Hotel, serving a range of cocktails and creative small plates. From March, the bar will be hosting monthly whiskey tasting master classes in partnership with Kentucky distillery, Buffalo Trace. We were invited to a preview evening in lieu of the launch. Experience I headed straight from work to Tooley street and found my friend Dan, not waiting outside the Hilton Hotel as arranged, but downing an ale in the old man boozer over the road. We trotted over to The Hilton and were greeted at reception by a nice lady who showed us through to TwoRuba. The masterclasses are held in a private room just off the main bar that is decadent, cosy and more importantly, had glasses of bourbon everywhere! Dan looked confused and disappointed – he clearly thought that I was taking him biscuit tasting – but he soon cheered up when we were handed a …