Week Thirty Seven
Summary of Meat and Shake
Well hello there again friends and I apologise once more for the backlog. I will be catching up on the entries as my debut blogging year comes to a close. This week saw quite a few new places, with a trip to the Meat and Shake on Tooting High Street and a big night out on Saturday to celebrate Brynne's birthday. Lot of variety this week, in both the type of places visited and the standard.
Special guests include: Maisie Hancock, Emma Roach, Katrina Lennon, Tom Hupfield, Jamie Collins, Tom Grimes, Josh Beebee, Basti Beebee, Rob Beebee, Sarah Beebee, Imogen Beebee, Frank McCord, Janet McCord and Brynne McCord
Summary of Meat and Shake
Name: Honest Burger
Type: Burger Restaurant
Location: 47 Upper Tooting Road, Tooting Bec, London, SW17 7TR
Website: http://meatandshake.com
Date Visited: 16/09/14
Price: Waste of money
Rating: 1.2/5
Review
I had been wanting to visit this place for bloody ages, as it has been open for almost two years now and was given very favourable reviews on a lot of websites. In fact, some would go as far as to say that this was the beginning of many new trendy places and restaurants opening in Tooting, to signal that the area was changing and was beginning to earn the tag of 'up and coming'.
Those reviews are wrong and as a resident of the Tooting area, I am keen to state to you all that if you come to Meat and Shake, please do not judge it as a representation of Tooting. The place is a horror show and is incredibly overrated. The reason for the visit was to catch up with Maisie who I had not seen since Week 3 (http://newplaceeveryweek.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/week-three-lounge-and-kaff-bar-new.html) and as she is an avid reader of the blog, she was desperate to visit a new place to feature once again.
The Meat and Shake seemed like the wise decision as I hadn't been able to get in a few weeks before with Chloe. The first surprising thing about this place is that they don't serve alcohol. Now I shouldn't mark a place down on that fact, as I am able to go for a meal without a drink but I was desperate for a beer (you ruddy lad!). What's annoying about this, is that it isn't really made clear at all and that when I asked for a beer the waitress looked at me as if I was absolutely nuts. They did offer me alcohol free beer but whats the bloody point? (again you ruddy lad!)
Maisie and I at the only booze free restaurant I've come across in London
Well after the drinks fiasco it was onto the burgers and I went for the Von Longhorn burger which had Aioli, tomato, monterey cheese, sautéed onions, turkey bacon, matchstick fries, onion ring and stanton sauce. So many toppings, it must be good? Incorrect, the burger was very plain and utterly tasteless. For a burger with so much crammed in you would expect quite an epic burger. Not the case as I couldn't taste any of the supposed fillings.
It is relatively cheap in its defence but I would still rather pay an extra couple of quid for something that is decent. Bitterly disappointing place and can't think of anywhere else in London that doesn't serve alcohol.
Summary of Cattle Grid
Name: Cattle Grid
Type: Burger Restaurant
Location: 1 Balham Station Road, Balham, London, SW12 9SG
Date Visited: 20/09/14
Price: Good value
Rating: 3.7/5
Review
Saturday night had arrived and it was time to celebrate Brynne Mccord's birthday. Before we joined up with her and Josh's family at The Box in Soho, it was time for the rest of us to have some food in Balham. Cattle Grid was the destination booked by Katrina Lennon and it didn't get off to a great start. Despite Katrina booking on the phone, it hadn't been transferred onto their computer booking system so when we arrived, the place was full. This meant that we had to initially leave much to our disgust.
Word must have slowly filtered back to them that The Blogger had been in the group that they had turned away, as we received a call from them sincerely apologising and offering us free sides to make up for the serious error with a table waiting for us. All feelings of disharmony disappeared and the Catttle Grid had just shown some outstanding bouncebackability.
The gang at Cattle Grid
We sat at our table and ordered a round of drinks (here we go!). I ordered a Becks of course but what I didn't expect was to get a very public dressing down from Tom Hupfield. Much to my dismay, he went onto slate my go to beverage as an average beer (What!) and that I should be drinking Brooklyn Lager like a real man. After attempting to hide my tears at the public attack on my beloved Becks, I reluctantly decided to order the recommended Brooklyn. Well I'll give it to you Tom, it really is a truly stupendous lager and if I'm having a beer with dinner again, this will be my new choice. Fair play.
It was time to order mains and I initially had my eyes on one of the steaks or burgers (felt like mixing it up) until Tom again advised me that the ribs were absolutely fantastic the last time he had come here. On the back of his advice on the lager, I decided to go with him and ordered the half rack of baby back ribs along with a lot of sides which included the Mac & Cheese, green beans, wilted spinach, chips and onion strings. I do love a side.
Mr Hupfield for the second time was spot on and the ribs were absolutely fantastic and extremely tasty. With regards to the sides, they were also brilliant too (Always does taste better when its free) apart from the onion strings which I thought were distinctly average and actually just really annoying to eat. It should be onion rings not strings. Didn't work for me.
Our waiter had good chat and his service was relatively decent, so all in all I thoroughly enjoyed my visit here. It recovered well from the original cock-up and I could have no complaints. Due to the free sides it was well priced too. The bill was paid and it was off to celebrate Brynne's birthday.
Summary of The Box
Name: The Box Soho
Type: Theatre of varieties
Location: 11-12 Walker's Court, Soho, London, W1F 0ED
Date Visited: 20/09/14
Price: Ask Frank
Rating: 4.4/5
Review
Remember to do the three most important things:
After a quick Gin and Tonic in Dorchester Hotel (£20 a pop that cost!) we set off to The Box, as Josh had booked a table there which had kindly been paid for by Brynne's dad, Frank.
The place is pretty exclusive and hush hush, with the website revealing very little about what happens there. Guestlist and tables are hard to come by and strictly no photography is allowed during the performances. This was all the information we were told before going and I have to say it got everyone very excited and on arrival our group was buzzing with anticipation.
We were escorted to our table which was situated in the VIP area and perfectly located in relation to both stages, to ensure we had a good view of all the acts. Cue the arrival of bottles of spirits, numerous mixers and the crowd favourite magnum of Champagne with a sparkler lit at the end, which just makes sure that everyone else in the place knows you're having a ruddy good time. Just the way I like it and the sparkler show always adds to the excitement within the group and ensures everyone really is ready to partay and that we were (oh you bloody legends!)
The place describes it's shows as the 'theatre of the varieties,' which is although true but also almightily playing down the performances too. The way I would describe them, would be a 'phenomenally athletic burlesque with shocking and unexpected twists.' To give you a little insight into this, we first had one woman and a man spinning at about a thousand miles an hour, while suspended in the air doing numerous gymnastic moves showing off their flexibility.
This was followed by a rather raunchy scene which involved a man spraying diet coke over two women, who's tops had been misplaced, before he then lubricated a traffic cone and then.....I can't write anymore, it's a family blog. All I can say is that the older generation in our group, and myself in all honesty, were relatively shocked. Brynne's Mum in particular had a look of true shock and devastation at the sight or lack of the traffic cone.
It was a superb evening and it was thoroughly enjoyable as everyone was on good form, the shows were both impressive to horrifying and all drinks were paid for by Frank McCord. Good lad and thanks for a great evening Frank and readers if you haven't been here before, then it is certainly worth a visit.
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The main man Frank the Tank
The place is pretty exclusive and hush hush, with the website revealing very little about what happens there. Guestlist and tables are hard to come by and strictly no photography is allowed during the performances. This was all the information we were told before going and I have to say it got everyone very excited and on arrival our group was buzzing with anticipation.
Collo and Grubby 'looking player'
We were escorted to our table which was situated in the VIP area and perfectly located in relation to both stages, to ensure we had a good view of all the acts. Cue the arrival of bottles of spirits, numerous mixers and the crowd favourite magnum of Champagne with a sparkler lit at the end, which just makes sure that everyone else in the place knows you're having a ruddy good time. Just the way I like it and the sparkler show always adds to the excitement within the group and ensures everyone really is ready to partay and that we were (oh you bloody legends!)
Sparkler time
The place describes it's shows as the 'theatre of the varieties,' which is although true but also almightily playing down the performances too. The way I would describe them, would be a 'phenomenally athletic burlesque with shocking and unexpected twists.' To give you a little insight into this, we first had one woman and a man spinning at about a thousand miles an hour, while suspended in the air doing numerous gymnastic moves showing off their flexibility.
This was followed by a rather raunchy scene which involved a man spraying diet coke over two women, who's tops had been misplaced, before he then lubricated a traffic cone and then.....I can't write anymore, it's a family blog. All I can say is that the older generation in our group, and myself in all honesty, were relatively shocked. Brynne's Mum in particular had a look of true shock and devastation at the sight or lack of the traffic cone.
Could get prosecuted for this... action shot the show. Photography courtesy of Katrina Lennon
It was a superb evening and it was thoroughly enjoyable as everyone was on good form, the shows were both impressive to horrifying and all drinks were paid for by Frank McCord. Good lad and thanks for a great evening Frank and readers if you haven't been here before, then it is certainly worth a visit.
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Brynne the birthday girl
Special Shoutout
Winner: Brynne McCord
Winner: Brynne McCord
This week's special shoutout goes to Brynne McCord as she celebrated her 21st birthday and was kind enough to invite me to the small guest list to attend the evening. It was a fantastic evening and thoroughly enjoyable with a further thanks to both Frank and Josh. Frank, who kindly paid for the evening and Josh for organising. Top work all round.
Poem Advice
The best burger in Tooting
rumoured to be Meat and Shake
Absolute balderdash
All online reviews are wrong and fake.
Wanting a Steak and meat restaurant
in Balham with a couple of beers
Cattle Grids the place to go to
It did help with free sides, so cheers
Theatre of the varieties
At The Box in Soho
But for people easily offended
I'm afraid the place is a no go.
The best burger in Tooting
rumoured to be Meat and Shake
Absolute balderdash
All online reviews are wrong and fake.
Wanting a Steak and meat restaurant
in Balham with a couple of beers
Cattle Grids the place to go to
It did help with free sides, so cheers
Theatre of the varieties
At The Box in Soho
But for people easily offended
I'm afraid the place is a no go.
Cheers folks for reading and next week I will be running another competition to determine another free meal. Peace out my friends.
Remember to do the three most important things:
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