#FtLionAwards 2018 – Best Burger of the Year?
After the #FtLionAwards 2018 Best Steak of the Year (sponsored by Chai Naasto and the newly opened Patri), we continue with the Best Burger of the Year category.
After much debate and dialogue, we’ve shortlisted the following six nominees.
And while you marvel over them, remember that not only can you also vote for your favourite on our Instagram and Facebook pages, but in doing so you’ll automatically be entered in our prize draw with the chance of winning a fantastic Celebration Set Menu for 2 at Chai Naasto’s west London branch in Hammersmith.
SHORTLIST – Best Burger of the Year
We want you to either: 1) vote for the following nominees, or 2) let us know both your favourite burger and the place you had it, all on our Facebook and/or Instagram pages.
BILLY AND THE CHICKS
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The Big Poppa by Billy and the Chicks in Soho London was as unique a veggie burger as we’ve ever had the pleasure of devouring. Nestled between two beautifully toasted brioche buns was a large, doughnut-shaped patty, with an ultra-crispy breaded encasing, which, when bitten into, released a copious amount of melted ticklemore cheese that was rich and creamy, with a floral-cum-herby taste. Couple that with the zesty lime and chive sauce topping, and this really sang the high notes.
CHICKEN SHOP
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Chicken Shop in Ealing, London, really impressed us with their signature burger. Despite its seeming simplicity, not only was the crispy batter of this Fried Chicken perfectly seasoned, but the thigh itself, attractively nestled in-betwen a lightly toasted and beautifully golden soft bun, unbelievably moist and juicy. Couple that with the gentle heat from the generous dollop of chipotle mayo, the sweet-tanginess of the tomato, and the crunch of the fresh gem lettuce leaf, and what you get, in terms of sheer simplicity alone, is one of the best chicken burgers we’ve had in a while.
A cracking little burger and one of the highlights of this review!
THE GRILL STEAKHOUSE
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The Grill Steakhouse in Aylesbury already has a steak up for consideration as well as a starter. This time, when the beef patty in this Beef Burger is this flavourous, let it sing from the highest peaks, we say!
A big, thick and beautifully textured 7oz patty, that was soft and chewy in equal measure, juicy and succulent, and cooked medium well. Nestled simply in between a crispy toasted brioche bun, complete with those now familiar griddle marks, some salad, and a layer of quality cheese, it was all about the deep, meaty taste of the beefy blend of sirloin, rib eye and fillet that had us enthralled. Superb burger, with some crispy onion rings as a bonus, and one of the better ones we’ve had this year.
MAISON BAB
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Newcomer Maison Bab in Covent Garden put up this Vada Pav, with all its booming flavours and delicate textures! What we had here was a sandwich filled with a cornocopia of Indian spices and ingredients, all coming together in unison. The star of the show was, undoubtedly, the potato cake, whose soft texture was the perfect foil against the crispy buns, and whose gentle masala flavour married well against the intensity of the mango chutni (this was an outstandingly good one too). Add to that the unmistakable strength of the heat courtesy of the vibrantly orange chilli sauce, offset by the gentle sweetness of the coconut yoghurt, and the familiar freshness of the coriander, and this came together into arguably one of the best sandwiches we’ve had this year!
MR WHITE'S ENGLISH CHOPHOUSE
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Mr White’s English Chophouse in Whitechapel, East London, put forth a burger they’ve named the Alex James (a member of the 90s rock band Blur, but who’s now a farmer that produces the cheese used exclusively in this burger named after the man himself), which really impressed.
With their beef burgers finished in a barbeque glaze, and served in a nice crispy brioche bun alongside pommes frites, this burger, though simple in makeup, looked like an appetising one. And it proved to be even better, particularly with the 8oz patty turning out so juicy and meaty. The glaze was expertly judged, and beautifully covered in all that Alex’s Blue Monday Cheese. And it didn’t matter if there was minimal sauce here, because not only was its succulency undeniable, but the incredibly fragrant cheese piquancy just right in complimenting the natural flavour of the beef.
RAKE'S CAFE BAR
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With a beverage also nominated this year, Rake’s Cafe Bar in London’s Liverpool Street also presented this gourmet buttermilk chicken burger which, despite its rustic appearance, was layered. The thick pieces of ever so succulent poultry was encased in a deliciously crispy herb batter. This rested atop an authentic, homemade slaw, interspersed with tiny dollops of ketchup, that did its part in complimenting the subtle sweetness of the buttermilk. The fluffy bun, sprinkled with flour, was soft and wonderfully grilled, and large enough to hold its precious cargo in place.
