We love to eat out. We love to drink in a nice bar. We prefer to meet people over a nice meal somewhere more poetic than our own living room. Nothing can beat the thrill of newly found place or comfort any place you are returning gives you. London is extremely tempting in that way. You get to see new places spring up everywhere all the time. Hardly all of them are worthy one's efforts, but there is still plenty in the list to eat one's way through.
Two more on our list have been ticked off: Honest Burgers and Casse Croute. There are no grounds for comparing these two places whatsoever. It's just that we went to both of them last week.
Clearly the town is still under the spell of burgers and there is nothing wrong with it. However, how many more burger places can there still be? It seems we have it all until a new joint opens - not that Honest Burgers is new.
We roamed around Soho branch for quiet some time. It looks cosy from outside and feels almost like an old classroom inside: desk like tables, splintered chairs and stools, black boards on the walls and receipts in biscuit tins. The burger was good, possibly even the best so far. It was spot on for us for that evening: the juicy meat, soft bun, the right amount of greens and pickles, hand cut chips on the side... It lacked noting, but nothing fancy about it either - it was just a burger. Pork cheek scratchings with hot sauce that we've ordered beforehand, came out more interesting due to it's unexpected texture and that home made dip. Overall, it was an ordinary weekday meal in a good way and we will go there again.
Casse Croute - tiny place that to us appeared to be doing comfort food (as long as you can read French on the board). Nothing too sophisticated, all known ingredients and a dish for everyone: fish, poultry or red meet. The vine list by the glass is French-restaurant long and a place right at the bar came as handy as ever. The barman was happy to wine match all our dishes and their champagne flutes were uber-retro-sexy. It really is a bonus since not only what, but how&where matters too. We left with a full stomach, slightly tipsy and happy. Bermondsey Street is increasingly becoming very crowded with good places to eat or just hang out. There was a time (not long ago) when one would get a headache from just one mention of a night out in Bermondsey and now you pretty much get your head spinning with the names and places you must visit there. Viva souffle fromage! (for those that do not appreciated warm cheese, at least it looks good)