StyleNest like to think of themselves as burger connoisseurs and after travelling the depths and breadths of London, we have found the only burger in London worth sinking your teeth into.
Tucked away in the opulent Mandarin Oriental Hotel in the heart of London’s Knightsbridge, Bar Boulud offers a dining experience like no other. Three Michelin starred chef Daniel Boulud offers a bistro style menu infused with an American and French influence. With a selection of homemade terrines, shellfish platters and charcuterie to share as well as divine sausages, the menu is effortlessly appetising.
After Bar Boulud’s New York success, the world-renowned chef opened another in London, May 2012. With its own Knightsbridge entrance and another via the hotel, Bar Boulud is accessible but is still a hidden gem. The inviting red leather banquette seating offers a comfortable dining experience and is beautifully accompanied by vaulted ceilings and warm wood tones. A zinc topped bar facing the open kitchen allows you to see all the action behind the scenes. After being led to our plush seats and handed our menus, StyleNest immediately spotted the famous Bar Boulud burgers. With four to choose from, the Yankee (£11.75) with iceberg lettuce, tomato pickle, sweet onion and cheddar cheese supplement all housed in a sesame bun, the Frenchie (£12.75) with confit pork belly, rocket Dijon, tomato compote, morbier cheese tucked away in a smooth peppered bin. The Piggie (£12.75) with BBQ pulled pork, green chilli mayonnaise, bibb lettuce, red cabbage slaw in a cheddar bun and the ultimate BB (£19.50) beef patty, foie gras, red wine braised short ribs, truffle, frisée, horseradish mayonnaise, confit tomato in a black onion seed bun.
StyleNest opted for the classic Yankee burger with cheese (of course) and a side of pommes frites with the Crevettes Grilles to start. We were given an apéritif of crisp cold champagne with warm bread batons and the sommelier suggested an accompanying wine to suit each course.
The entreés arrived and the succulent grilled tiger prawns melted in our mouth like butter. They were a great, light starter option for the burger, which followed. The burger genuinely looked too beautiful too eat, but that didn’t stop us. Mouth-watering and tender, the burger simply melted away in our mouth and the butter soft bun was the perfect proportion to house the patty.
Not overbearingly filling and yet unbelievably satisfying, the Yankee was undeniably the best burger in town. For desert, StyleNest sampled the Croustillant Trois Chocolats which comprised of molten hazelnut-cocoa nib tuille and layers of white, milk and dark chocolate crémeux with tonka bean ice cream. Ideal for a romantic night out for two or for a family lunch with the kids, Bar Boulud is a classic contemporary venue with flawless service and delectable food.
Bar Boulud is located at Mandarin Oriential Hotel London 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA. For more information or to book online visit mandarinoriental.com.
Click here for more restaurant reviews around London and the UK.