In a world where Scandinavian translations and ear-tingling buzz words are the norm for luxe-dining concepts, it’s refreshing for a restaurant’s name to do what it says on the tin.
The concept is obvious from the moment you cross the threshold; if you like neither burgers nor lobsters, then this is not the place for you.
Starting in London, this spot in The Lanes near The Breakfast Club and Giggling Squid is the business’ first in the UK outside the capital – and the first to serve brunch.
It is also stunning, I thought, as we made our way through the restaurant to our table in a backroom, all big windows and leafy plants like an exotic greenhouse full of delicious promise.
In fact, it had somewhat of a White Lotus vibe to it – the glamour at least, not the deaths.
Although there was still time. Could I be about to choke on a lobster claw, dying doing what I loved?
I can confirm this article was not ghost-written and I did in fact survive my dining experience.
Well, more than that.
I absolutely thrived, down in equal measure to the delicious food and the fabulous hospitality.
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Visiting with friends, I started off with a cocktail, the Blossom Breeze: Ukiyo rice vodka mixed with yuzu, hibiscus, peach, lychee, pineapple, lime and some muddled clementines.
Once again the name summed it up perfectly, as it was delicate, sweet without being sickly and totally moreish.
Our host Amelie remarked it was her favourite on the menu when she came to take our order.
Feeling like our taste buds were in alignment, I was more than happy to follow her lead when it came to suggestions for starters.
On her recommendation we opted for two types of croquettes – Wagyu beef and lobster – grilled prawns in a Brighton Hot Sauce butter and baked oysters from the shellfish bar.
It was an embarrassment of riches: the croquettes unctuous and cheesy, the grilled prawns fat and juicy and the baked oysters swimming in garlic butter with a crispy crumb for a textural contrast.
Top marks for all.
For the main course, you can either state your allegiance to team lobster or team burger – or if you’re indecisive and gluttonous like me, you can have both.
The menu offers a number of combo meals for £29, such as the B&L combo (half a 1.25lb lobster and a burger, smashed or intact, with fries or salad and a sauce), the roll combo (the same, except a lobster roll instead of half a lobster) or the lobster combo (which, you guessed it, is the same except the two lobster options).
Other options include lobster linguine, moules mariniere, or chicken, plant or beef burgers.
Having sampled a variety of main courses, my favourite burger was the Jersey beef.
Blushing in the middle and served with bone marrow confit onions and a horseradish mayo, I can’t believe this is not already ‘a thing’ given the classic flavour combination.
The lobster roll comes served two ways: either dressed in a lemon mayo and served cold – the house style – or a more traditional US version, warmed through with butter and old bay seasoning.
I opted for the former, given my love of a meal deal prawn sandwich – and when I say it was the natural evolution of this, I mean it as a compliment.
Similarly, the lobster comes served two ways, either with a char from the grill or succulently moist from a steaming.
Having tried both ways – and both dipped in their classic lemon and garlic butter – I can’t say either was preferable. Both had their charm.
This restaurant is an influencer’s dream – take the powder pink napkins embroidered with ‘an elegant mess’ for example – and the sides seemed unintentionally catered for this crowd too.
The cheese pull from the truffle mac and cheese and creamed spinach was impressively long, to the extent that I left cobweb-like trails of cheese across the table when I reached across for a spoonful.
With the lobster, the mac and cheese really came into its own. It’s a classic combination for a reason.
So far, so impressed. And so stuffed.
So when Amelie returned with an unexpected course, we were all surprised.
Thankfully, it wasn’t edible: some table theatrics ensued and she poured hot water over some pill-sized hand towels which expanded in front of our eyes. A lovely touch.
We ordered another bottle of delicious Chardonnay on Amelie’s recommendation and allowed our stomachs a few moments respite before the final course.
The old adage you can always save room for dessert was put into practice here: an affogato and a sticky toffee pudding for my friends and a creme brulee for me.
Not to be smug, but I definitely won the best dessert award – perfectly creamy and smooth, it was that rare combination of rich and light that allows you can polish off the lot without feeling nauseous.
Actually, come to think of it, I am feeling a bit smug; that kind of smugness when you’ve found a new good spot to eat.
It turns out Burger & Lobster does a lot more than what it says on the tin.
Also, as an appendix – a big shout out to Amelie for helping to make our visit such a pleasure.
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