Eating Out

[NEWM]

Though I know they definitely exist somewhere, I don't know where they are in Sunderland or Newcastle anymore because I'm out so much less from when I was a bit younger, and we'd go out to eat and drink loads more. I miss not having that mental rolodex to flick through because good places either stop being good or scare people off because they're slightly different to the norm. The latter especially in Sunderland.

 

Do you know the Borneo Bistro in Sunderland? I've only tried it myself recently but it seems to have done a pretty decent trade based on word of mouth for a good few years. It's in a shit area and looks like a greasy spoon cafe from the outside, but the food is tremendous.

 

I have frequented it actually as I used to live in Millfield. Fantastic hangover place of a Saturday/Sunday lunchtime too. That and Juniper's Pantry by the Barnes are current little Sunderland gems. Have recently moved to Seaham and am really impressed with the restaurants on the front there actually, Ashok (I think it's called) is a brilliant Indian if you like that sort of thing and fancy a change from the Sheilds ones.

[Carbomb]

Seems that, in addition to specialised, small menu places, there's a bit of a trend in quality US diner-style food right now. Spuntino's in Rupert St, Mr. Buckley's in Hackney and Joe Allen's in Covent Garden are all very popular. Pricey, though.

 

That sounds good, I'd love to try one of those kick-ass burgers you often see on Man v Food.

 

A few years ago, I'd have recommended Ed's Diner, but their burgers have gone down in quality and their prices have gone from annoyingly high to "fuck off, I'm not paying that for a burger". They get the 50s ambience right with the furnishings and the table jukeboxes, but other than that, the only thing they do well is their malts, which are, to be fair, great.

 

EDIT: A couple of other ones. If you're looking for good quality fried chicken, Wishbone in Brixton Market is excellent. Lots of different styles, really beautifully cooked and pretty good value for money. They've also got a bar in there, as well. Also on the menu is "Deep Fried Mac N' Cheese" (which should go down well with visiting Scots), and "Hot Mess", which sounds disgusting, but is actually a delicious combo of American-style fries smothered in cheese and jalapenos.

 

Second one is Patty & Bun Joe Burger in Soho. Tends to get mixed reviews when it comes to prices, but I don't know anyone who didn't say the burgers were delicious. Burger names include "Lamb-shank Redemption", "Hot Chic", the "Smokey Robinson" and the "Ari Gold".

[Up Chuck]

I was pretty underwhelmed with the Ed's Diner in Leicester. You can get a similar (but not identical and far less sanitised) thing with better food for better value and with better atmosphere at somewhere like the excellent Spanky Van Dykes in Nottingham.

[Nick Soapdish]

Seems that, in addition to specialised, small menu places, there's a bit of a trend in quality US diner-style food right now. Spuntino's in Rupert St, Mr. Buckley's in Hackney and Joe Allen's in Covent Garden are all very popular. Pricey, though.

 

That sounds good, I'd love to try one of those kick-ass burgers you often see on Man v Food.

 

A few years ago, I'd have recommended Ed's Diner, but their burgers have gone down in quality and their prices have gone from annoyingly high to "fuck off, I'm not paying that for a burger". They get the 50s ambience right with the furnishings and the table jukeboxes, but other than that, the only thing they do well is their malts, which are, to be fair, great.

 

EDIT: A couple of other ones. If you're looking for good quality fried chicken, Wishbone in Brixton Market is excellent. Lots of different styles, really beautifully cooked and pretty good value for money. They've also got a bar in there, as well. Also on the menu is "Deep Fried Mac N' Cheese" (which should go down well with visiting Scots), and "Hot Mess", which sounds disgusting, but is actually a delicious combo of American-style fries smothered in cheese and jalapenos.

 

Second one is Patty & Bun Joe Burger in Soho. Tends to get mixed reviews when it comes to prices, but I don't know anyone who didn't say the burgers were delicious. Burger names include "Lamb-shank Redemption", "Hot Chic", the "Smokey Robinson" and the "Ari Gold".

 

I have to disagree with Patty and Bun. Was very disappointed. Very cramped, full of "look how cool we are dressed as hoxton sheep" staff, quite slow service and the burgers. I had a smokey Robinson. When you pay

[Carbomb]

I have to disagree with Patty and Bun. Was very disappointed. Very cramped, full of "look how cool we are dressed as hoxton sheep" staff, quite slow service and the burgers. I had a smokey Robinson. When you pay

[Nick Soapdish]

I have to disagree with Patty and Bun. Was very disappointed. Very cramped, full of "look how cool we are dressed as hoxton sheep" staff, quite slow service and the burgers. I had a smokey Robinson. When you pay

[Chest Rockwell]

Meatl Liquor is an opinion divider.. I know people who have enjoyed it and some who didn't like it at all, both of whom have generally had good taste.

 

I just don't like queuing so I haven't bothered with it.

 

 

Genuinely shocked that anyone who isn't a tourist goes to Ed's Diner.

[Carbomb]

Genuinely shocked that anyone who isn't a tourist goes to Ed's Diner.

 

Used to go with mates when I was a teenager, for a pre-cinema meal. This was before I knew anything much about what London has to offer. Haven't eaten there in years.

 

The malts are still good, though - I don't know anywhere else that does them; at least, not well.

[Professor Paul's Bin]

I actually went to Ed's Dinner yesterday at London Euston for the first time with the girlfriend. The waiter was pretty annoying with all his suggestive selling when I was ordering "why don't you share onion rings, sir?" me: "I don't like onion rings, sorry" him "Go on you and your girlfriend can share one of each, fries and onion rings" me "I don't want onion rings". There with other occasions aswell. Anyway got the bacon cheese burger with the classic fries, my girlfriend has the same with the banana/peanut butter milkshake. Really nice milkshake actually. Pretty nice place and for somewhere positioned outside Euston it wasn't bad value for money

[Guy Bifkin]

Not had a chance to give thanks for the suggestions. Went to Buenos Aires off Cannon Street in the end and very nice it was too

[Loki]

What was Sung Li doing whilst you were out then? Guess she got the night off from cooking.

[mikey]

Not Hoxton but went to Posh Banger Bros right on Borough Market. To describe this place as a dive would be an insult to dives. No extractor fan, God awful interior, tiny menu and little space inside to eat even if you do want to come out smelling like a deep fat fryer. Too expensive to exist as a takeaway normal but given it's in pretentious foodie heaven, they get away with

[Chest Rockwell]

Byron burgers are alright but it's really wanky. Loads of nice eating pubs have good burgers, and a decent selection of toppings, too... none of the burger chains are really that great.

[mikey]

My wife made me the best burger I'd had in ages at home actually from fresh mince. When we went to Chile, I got way into their love for avocado, tomatoes and mayonnaise on everything. I could muller a completo right now.

 

EDIT: On the "pubs do the greatest food" thread, I was in Godmanchester last year when my dad was in Papworth Hospital and had an obscenely large burger at a gastropub in the centre of town called the White Hart. Just to prove that there's awesome food even in small towns in Cambridgeshire.

[Chest Rockwell]

I do love a good homemade burger.. I like to mix bits of cheese actually into the burger, instead of having it as a topping.