Ok, ok it's asking for trouble to say it's the best burger in London. Because we all like different things, don't we. We fight with passion and spittle over cheese properties, bun type, the great mayo debate and the presence of the humble gherkin. And that's before we even get started on the outrageous use of cutlery.
So I'll change that to - "it's my favourite burger in London". (Because it's the best.)
So far, my list of besties has been limited to:
1. Bar Boulud
2. Hawksmoor
3. Goodman
4. Byron
Yes, I'm nothing if not original.
But now the title goes to ... [opens envelope] ... the Eastside Inn bar.
Yes, I was heading to legless on their fabulous cocktails when I ate it. Yes, I washed it down with the brilliant sommelier's secret stash of indulgent decanted something or other. And yes, I did see the face of Jesus in the ketchup dribbles on my plate.
But trust me, Bjorn has cracked the jackpot with this baby. Given the man's skills, he probably does not want to be known as the burger king of Farringdon. So it gives me no joy to offer him the crown.
The meat is perfectly charred, juicy and flavourful - there's a secret ingredient in there and I can tell it's going to take quite a few more vodka cocktails to get it out of him. The bun is a grilled brioche [tick].
It's £10 (or £9 without cheese if you are a weirdo). Steep for a burger? Well what price heavenly bliss?
And it's cheaper than Goodman's and Hawksmoor's anyway (but I still love you guys and will be sleeping on your doorstep on a regular basis when you open in Covent Garden).
If you disagree with me about how good it is, I'll shout you a burger at Byron.
(I won't really.)
I would tell you how perfect the chips are with a special salt all of their own but, at this point, you might not believe me and will think I am on a blinkered rant. Trust me. Go there. Sit at the bar. Get yerself a wee cocktail. Tuck in your napkin. See the light.
Aaaaaaaaaaaa.....
Eastside Inn lounge bar, 40 St John Street, London EC1M 4AY (tel: 020 7490 9230)
The Eastside Inn bar opened next to the restaurant on 26 June 2010. I am still working on them for home delivery of the burgers. (Oh, there's other nice stuff on the bar menu too. Or you can see my previous review of the bistro here. The links to my reviews of the other top burger places in London are within the above list in this post).
Postscript 3 September 2010: Sadly, it was announced today that The Eastside Inn has closed. I look forward to hearing about the next act of the talented duo, Bjorn and Justine van der Horst. Let's hope it includes the burger.
