I’ve been trying to get into Burger & Lobster for ages but I can never seem to get in. I’m always met with a queue and a waiting list. Last week however, I was off work so I took the chance to get there early and secure a table. I was meeting my friend Carmen who was coming from work. I got there, asked if they had a table for 2 and was met with “Yes, but only if the other member of your party is here.” Aaargh, I HATE when restaurants do this. It drives me mad. Seriously, this puts me off going to restaurants. What difference does it make if my friend arrives 5 or 10 minutes after me? We’re still going to eat there! I do feel like a lot of restaurants are taking the piss at the moment, as if they’re soooo important they can treat us all like monkeys and we’ll just take it. Well without customers, none of you would have a business, so think about that the next time you want to invent some other ‘rule’ to make it more inconvenient for your customers to dine with you.
Ok, rant over. Apologies, but this no booking/no table until you’re all here malarkey is really bugging me at the moment. Carmen turned up and there was still a table free (a table I could have been sitting at with a glass of wine instead of standing freezing at the door in heels), so we ordered a bottle of wine and our very lovely waiter explained that there is no menu – there are three options…lobster, burger or lobster roll…all served with fries. Each option is £20. The lobster can come steamed or chargrilled. If you want an extra-large lobster, it is £10 extra.
We both ordered standard-sized chargrilled lobsters. A few minutes later (literally about 4 minutes), our lobsters turned up. It’s quicker than McDonalds! And wow, what a sight…
Before us was a huge lobster, a portion of fries, a side salad and some lemon garlic butter sauce. The lobster was excellent…no complaints at all, except that it was too big for me to finish. I could have shared one to be honest. The meat was soft, sweet, juicy and smokey and was accompanied brilliantly by the sauce that came on the side. I think Carmen could have married that pot of sauce…
It’s way more fun if you use your fingers and just get stuck in. There is the option to wear bibs but virtually no-one (including us) in the restaurant took that option.
Its fantastic value for a whole lobster with just the right amount of chips and very tasty salad on the side. I think if I’d ordered the burger or the lobster roll I’d feel like I was paying too much. I saw a couple of burgers go past and they looked ok but they were packed with a lot of salad. £20 is a lot of money to pay for a burger. If you want a good burger, go to Lucky Chip or Slider Bar where you’ll get a cracking burger for a lot less.
I couldn’t finish my lobster and Carmen nearly killed herself trying to finish hers. As she sunk lower and lower into her seat, our waiter asked if we would like dessert. She nearly keeled over at the thought of eating more food but I suddenly thought that a little bit of something sweet might be nice. He mentioned there was a chocolate mousse dessert that was very popular. Yup, sold again.
Within two minutes, my dessert (plus 2 spoons) was in front of me in a disposable container. I lifted the lid to find a chocolate mousse with some chocolate cornflakes on top. Dipping the spoon into the mousse, it hit a layer of salted caramel and peanuts at the bottom…amazing. Yes, basically, its a Snickers bar in a pot, but I do like a Snickers. One thing though…it didn’t need the chocolate cornflakes on top. It is perfect without them.
Our dinner was finished very quickly but I guess they’re in the business of turning tables as quickly as possible. It was a great meal with great wine, the atmosphere was buzzing, even on a Tuesday night, and our waiter couldn’t have been lovelier. If they could just allow you to sit at your table while you wait for your friend, it would have been perfect.
Burger & Lobster
36 Dean street, Soho London W1D 4PS
Monday to Sunday, from 12 to 10.30pm (last orders)
Reservations for tables of 6 or more.
Tel: 020 7432 4800
soho@burgerandlobster.com
Twitter: @Londonlobster
4 Comments
My friend is the manager at Burger & Lobster so we’re going next weekend but without any of the stress of trying to get a table (sorry, not to rub it in!)… Sounds like the food is good so very excited!
Haha, you’ll have a very good time then! 😉 The food is fab and the staff are lovely. Oh and if you’re not starving when you get there, share a lobster! You can get the slightly bigger one for an extra £10 then share it with a friend. Saying that, I could have shared the standard £20 one.
You actually make it appear really easy along with your presentation however I to find this topic to be really something that I feel I’d never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward to your next publish, I’ll attempt to get the grasp of it!
Which topic is it you have difficulty with?