Bleecker Burger almost never happened. It was the last entry on our itinerary for the weekend, after the three star and the trendy Thai place and shite patisserie, only making the cut because it was close to our hotel in Victoria and we needed somewhere to go for breakfast. Which, yes, it does qualify as on account of it being some meat in a bun.
And, despite its late inclusion, when we where sat on the train home discussing the three star and the trendy Thai and shite patisserie, we both agreed that the best thing we ate came the black fronted, yellow chaired, spot near Victoria station. Where bits of aged beef mince are compacted and cooked to medium rare, held together by a bun that stays in working order.
We try two burgers. A Blue Burger has the patty in a blue cheese sauce that whacks with umami. Its good, very good even, but it pales in comparison to the Bacon Cheeseburger that allows the quality of the beef to shine with just a little American cheese, a rasher of crisp bacon and white onion. It is stunning. As much as I love Original Patty Man back home, this is as good, if not better. Even with another lunch planned in less than three hours I am sent back inside for another for us to share. Our later lunch is worth jeopardising for this.
The Angry Fries divide us, but this is my turf so let me tell you that the mixture of blue cheese and hot sauces is an inspired one, one cooling the other, full of umami and funk. The other half thinks that they detract from the spud but she watches Keeping Up With The Kardashians, so read into her opinion as you want.
And there you go, maybe the best twenty-six quid I have spent in a while, overshadowing some very serious food had throughout the rest of our weekend. But it’s created a quandary of it’s own – my five or six trips to London a year are to eat new food, not return to the same places, yet it will be impossible to not have a Bleecker whenever we come back. I thank the chef on our way out, telling her that it was probably the best burger I have eaten. She smiles and thanks me in a way that makes me think she has answered to that on many an occasion before. I can believe it. The burgers here are the real deal, as good as any you are ever likely to eat.
9/10
Meat and One Veg 