MEATmarket, Burgers in London

On our last night in London we wanted to find a great, local burger place. Staying in Covent Garden within a few blocks of both a Shake Shack and a Five Guys kept nagging at my senses. We needed burgers!

Using Google to see what Londeners were calling their best burgers and narrowing it down to those within walking distance of our hotel, we settled on a dive of a place, MEATmarket.

A simple enough menu of burgers and dogs in a small place on the Mezzanine level above the Jubilee Market in Covent Garden. It's only got half a dozen tall bar tables with stools - enough to sit four at a table and graffiti all over the walls. Ordering was efficient and the wait fairly short. This place gets crowded! Lots of young couples seemingly on first dates (odd).

We ordered two Black Palace burgers served each with two beef patties, cheese, grilled onions, pickles, mustard and ketchup (and a tomato).

These were two of the messiest burgers we've ever had. I took off my light jacket & rolled up my sleeves before even attempting the first bite. I mean - look at that crazy, dripping, cheesy patty!!

The burger was fantastic! Really, really great - on par with Shake Shack and Five Guys to be sure. Excellent flavor in every bite. The bun couldn't stand up to the sloppiness of the ingredients mixing together - in the end you were just holding onto something that used to resemble a burger. And perhaps if we went again I'd ditch the pickles - but damn, that's a great burger. Fries were also excellent - crispy and hot.

If you are in the area, highly recommend popping in...but leave your expectations about ambiance at the door (literally) and prepare to get dirty!

http://www.themeatmarket.co.uk/

Dining London Style: Jamie's in Covent Garden

For Labor Day Alan and I went to London...him for business and me to tag along and check it out. Since he did have work obligations, I had a few meals on my own including Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant in Covent Garden...two blocks from our hotel at Seven Dials.

This was my first experience with a Jamie Oliver restaurant. I didn't know much about him other than his appearances on Food Network. I didn't even realize he was British until I saw the restaurant and connected the dots. I guess I never actually listened to any of his appearances on Food Network! That all being said - it's a huge place with two floors of dining (below ground & main floor) plus two outdoor patios - one in the interior courtyard and one on Upper Martin's Lane. It had been a gorgeous day but without a reservation, my only option was a tiny table for two in the wine cellar room. Lots of wood and a bit dark, the feeling very much was like being in a wine cellar but warmer.

The menu is made up of typical Italian fare - antipastos, pastas, risottos, main dishes and so on. Not wanting to go over board and not feeling adventurous, I ordered the Humble Green Salad and the Tagliatelle Bolognese that was a Ragu of British beef & pork with herbs, Chianti, Parmesan and crunchy herbed breadcrumbs.

The salad was simple & lackluster; the dressing was void of any noticeable flavor. But the pasta was super fresh with loads of meat and a hearty but not overly sweet red sauce. It was a good size portion that left me full but not uncomfortable (I have the capacity to throw down some serious pasta if given the option).

I paired all this with a glass of the house Rose, A Mano Rosata that was summery and light but forgetful.

All in all, I'd definitely recommend going for a casual, inexpensive meal (14 pounds all in). Order the pasta and try and sit outside if the weather was conducive. It's a popular, hopping place so get reservations!

Jenn: 77

Zagat: 20-19-19

Michelin: no stars