This fabulous pop-up brings new entertainment and style to the already pretty classy area of Broadgate. With a skating rink, fully loaded bar and delicious food, it’s a winter hide-out worth finding. Check out The Tasting Room before it disappears at the end of February.
Rating
In a word
Winter comfort (ok that was two)
Cusine
BBQ smokehouse
Appeals to
This place literally has appeal to almost anyone … for the meeting your buddies for a few after-work bevvies in a bar that isn’t a) a chain, b) an old man pub or c) a load of wank. It’s also great for impressing your out of town buddies or as part of a winter activity trip around the City. If you work in the area then keep in mind that they are open for breakfast too!
Venue & atmosphere
Although this is a pop-up, it doesn’t feel temporary at all. It has a cosy ski lodge feel which fits right in with the ice-skating on offer outside in the rink. There are different styles of seating, bar stools, high tables, low tables and a big balcony that overlooks the rink. Note: if you sit near the kitchen end then expect to leave smelling of bonfire (it’s the meat smokers).
The Food
Provided by the awesome Smokestak – you will not be disappointed!
This is a great menu – enough to cater for a number of different tastes but not too many choices that you get lost in the menu. You’ll find a selection of buns and boxes that are great for lunchtime fixes and sharing plates that make group dining that little bit better, because sharing plates always do!
Buns and boxes
Pulled pork – the pulled pork is cooked in their smoker all night long and has that unmistakable melting texture that only comes from cooking it in the proper style. The meat is classically served in a lightly toasted brioche-style bun that isn’t as sickly sweet as many of the others out there but you can also get it as a box option and dodge the bread. It’s then topped of with some of their homemade sweet vinegar slaw, which cuts through the rich BBQ sauce and adds great texture to the bun. The ones featured in our picture are the slider size, which come on the sampler plates.
Smoked Chicken – unfortunately we didn’t get to try the smoked chicken as the guys had totally and completely sold out of this goody for the day when we visited. We have it on good authority that it tastes just as great as all of their other carnivorous offerings though and is particularly good as the box option.
Beef brisket – I would usually pick pulled pork out of these meats given the option, but I have to say that on this occasion I think the beef actually may have won! With an intense, smokey crust and succulent juicy meat. this brisket is absolutely phenomenal. It comes with a red chilli sauce, which packs a punch but certainly won’t leave you upset if you aren’t a big chilli lover. Again, our pics are slider-size if you think they are looking on the small size.
Garlic Portabello – ok so you may think that visiting a very meat-themed food outlet could be hell for a veggie, but these guys have something a little magical for you (providing you are a fan of garlic). The garlic portabellos are quite simply that, a large portabello mushroom absolutely bathed in Smokestak’s luscious garlic butter and grilled to perfection. They are also served in a bun or box.
Prices:
Buns – pork £7.50 / chicken £7.00 / brisket £8.50 / portabello £6.00
Boxes – one meat/mush and one side £9.00 / one meat/mush and two sides £12.00 / two meats.mush and two sides £15.00
Sides
If you order a bun you might want to add these on if you have a big appetite, or if you are going for a box then chose one or two of these to go with your meat option(s).
Grilled potato [£3.50] – a healthier alternative for chips, these are simply potato slices seasoned and grilled.
Barbecue beans [£3.50] – These are extremely tasty but very rich, don’t order if you aren’t a big fan of barbecue sauce. The beans are stewed with onions and classic BBQ spices to create an intense flavour.
Mixed greens [£3.00] – you really need an explanation?
Sweet vinegar slaw [£3.00] – I wasn’t the biggest fan of this slaw in general, the vinegar gives it a very pickled taste which brought back memories of bad, cheap supermarket coleslaw {sorry guys} … but with the pork it does really work. I wouldn’t order it as a side, but I know plenty of people that would, very much a personal choice on this one.
Sharing plates
St Louis Pork Ribs [£8.00] – If you are a rib fan then you HAVE to order these. Wow! The meat is amazing, but there is no point in asking the chef for his source – he won’t tell (I tried real hard). There is a huge hunk of meat on top of the bone, that has the melty softness of pork belly meat. The BBQ sauce is slavered all over the ribs and forms a sticky, light crunch at the edges. You get around 3-5 ribs in a portion – which may sound a little on the tight side, but when you see the size of them, you’ll understand and when you taste them, you will feel joy!
USDA Prime Beef Rib [£12.00] – We didn’t sample these either, but if their porky cousins are anything to go by then we’d be very happy to chow down on them.
Chipotle wings [£6.00] – if you are a fan of traditional buffalo-style wings then these will serve you well. They’re sticky, spicy and have a fair amount of meat on them. You currently get around 6-8 wings (it’s done on weight) but the chef is looking to change them up to bigger sized wings, so quantity, but not portion may change.
The Flinstone [£24.00] – Fan of sharing a big slab of meat between friends? Then go for the cowboy. Saddle up partner, you’re in for a ride!
Platters
You can also get platters with a mix of the meaty delights to sample. These are £12 or £24 per person with a minimum of two people ordering.
What else is on offer?
It’s not just Smokestak that has taken up residency in the Tasting Room, there’s also offerings from Sourced Market and Crosstown Doughnuts, meaning there is something on offer no matter the time of day.
Breakfast – how about a sausage or bacon bap, bagels, muesli or a fruit pot? Open from 7:30am to fulfill your early morning needs.
Sweet treats – brownies and doughnuts from Crosstown available all day, everyday
Hot drinks – all great coffees, teas and hot chocs on offer
Check the site for prices.
The bar
Hosted by Peppermint Bars, the bar is well-stocked with traditional offerings, winter-options and the London essential – craft beers.
If you are visiting on a particularly cold day or if you are going along for the skating too, we’d recommend the winter warmer drinks. Got a sweet tooth – then go for the mulled cider, a sweet, warm hug in a mug. Or if you’re more traditional then there’s mulled wine too. If you want to go really different then try a spiced buttered rum, a custardy flavour drink that reminds me of the Butter Beer served up in Harry Potter.
You can also get a selection of bar snacks, but hey, you have some amazing BBQ food just across the other side of the room, so we won’t share details of that.
More info
Opening Times: Monday to Friday = 07:30 – 23:00. Saturday = 10:00 – 23:00. Sunday = 10:00 – 22:00. Until 26 Feb 2015.
Location: Broadgate Ice Rink, Exchange Square, London, EC2A 2BR
From Liverpool Street Station, exit onto Bishopsgate, turning left out of the station, walk for a minute or two and you’ll see a shopping centre on the same side. Head in and down the walkway between the shops, across the road and out into the open space. Head up the stairs on your right and it’s right there on your left.
Contact number: 0207 256 5629
For more images check out Tasting Britain’s album on Flickr.
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