Pastry Place Restaurant Reviews: March 2013

When you walk by Carnaby Burger Co., which is just behind Carnaby Street in London, you'll probably walk right by it. It's not small, but if you don't see the name you might not realize it's a burger restaurant--it looks more like a cafe. Trust me, it's a burger joint. And it's the best burger joint I've been to on this side of the Atlantic.

"What makes it so great?" you ask. Well I'll tell you:

The Service: We met the owner outside the restaurant as we were about to walk right by it. We read the menu briefly but barely noticed the burgers and decided that a burger joint that served that much non-burger food couldn't be that great. Marcello, a very nice Italian man and the owner, asked us why we were leaving. We told him it was just very hard to tell it was a burger place. He told us that they'd relocated to that location only a few days prior and they were working out kinks (like a new outdoor menu--the old one had been larger and the burgers were more prominent). He convinced us to try it out. That's what I like to see in an owner: hands-on-ness. The staff was friendly, helpful, and attentive. I thought it may have been because the owner was there, but I went back at a time when it happened that the owner wasn't there and the service was just as good.
The Ambiance: The decor is fun and one wall is papered with wallpaper that looks like book covers--how could you not like that?! The seating in the back is light and bright with a conservatory like roof that, I'm sure, will be lovely in the summer. Even the ladies room is well finished. The music is a good volume (not intrusive but not so quiet that you have to strain to hear it) and is primarily classic rock (for example Meatloaf was playing last time I was there--I think it's fitting for a burger place, don't you?)
The Sides: You really can't eat a burger without fries or onion rings. Theirs do not disappoint. The first time I went, my mom and I split posh fries, which are thick cut fries topped with a sweet chilli sauce and guacamole. Delicious! The second time we went, we split onion rings. They were the best onion rings I've had outside of a NYC diner.
The Other Food: I'm not sure this counts as I personally have no ordered non-burger food, but I saw a plate of pasta go by the table and it looked good. If it helps, I promise I'll go back with my pops (who doesn't really like red meat) soon and taste whatever he orders. Aren't I a generous and self-sacrificing person?
The Burgers: Obviously this is the most important part--if the burgers at a burger joint aren't good then it really doesn't matter if everything else is. Happily the burgers are superb! The first time we went my mom and I were boring and both ordered the same thing: a BBQ burger. This is a perfectly cooked (read: not shoe leather like everywhere else in the UK) beef patty topped with cheese, bacon, and BBQ sauce on a hearty (but not overwhelming) bun. The patties are not only perfectly cooked, they are hearty enough to stand up to the delicious and strongly flavorful toppings. The burger is served with a couple of those delicious onion rings I mentioned. The second time we went, we decided to split our favorite BBQ burger and try something new. We opted for the Tex Mex burger--a burger topped with bacon, guacamole, and jalapeños. I admit it was a little too hot for me, so I picked off some of the jalapeño slices, but it was perfect for my mom who has a higher tolerance for spicy food than I do. Honestly, they are the best burgers I've had in the UK and probably the best non-traditional burger I've had anywhere.

You don't have to take my word for it. If you're in London, go there now! If you're not take a gander at these photos. I took them on my iPhone, so they really don't do the food justice, but I still think they get the deliciousness across well!