My first concern when casting a critical eye upon this establishment is that the proprietors to whom I entrust my digestion appear to think the word “burger” is a verb.
Have you ever had a conversation thus:
“What shall we do for food tonight Nigel?” Your friend asks you innocently. “I’ve got an idea Seb,” you reply. “Let’s BURGER!”
“Burger off”, “Jitterburger”, “Ingrid Burgerman” - I can think of a dozen better names without a shred of industry experience.
Dining within.
A nervous member of staff asked me how many people I was, lead me to what was the only available seat in the house anyway and then informed me it was counter service only.
Admittedly, there are few things in life that give me greater pleasure than whipping a displeasing Chinese server into line with a few sharp words so I thank the management for this opportunity.
I opted for the sampler of three mini-burgers. The presentation was pleasing enough.
The foie gras burger was rather disappointing when one considers an innocent duck was force-fed grain until its distended liver became painfully engorged with hepatic steatosis for my dining pleasure. I’d like to become engorged with a delicious taste, thank you, not a bland alternative to beef.
The mini seafood burger with caviar was acceptable.
The mini "original" burger was acceptable.
I returned a second time to meet a friend. The paving outside STILL had not been completed (can’t we find a few coolies in this town?) and the pubescent security guard in uniform three sizes too big for his measly frame was surly as ever as I tethered my trusted Flying Pigeon to a secure post.
My friend was ensconced in conversation with a young lady and was rather too full of himself for my liking – perhaps the meal had left ample room?
The full-size "original" burger was acceptable.
A wide range of sauces seem tantalising though exactly how “tangy” or “zesty” can one make a burger? Perhaps the management wish to allude to the possibility of the ultimate taste explosion – a tangy, zesty, spicy, juicy, peppery, puckery burgermoth.
The range of alcoholic drinks was a pleasant surprise with many bottles having been imported from Great Britain ensuring not only an acceptable level of quality but a price that will surely keep the zhapi-and-zhongnanhai crowd at a safe distance.
Having behaved like a complete and total cad throughout my meal without raising an eyebrow from the Chinese staff I gauge they are used to dealing with a semi-respectable clientele.
All in all, if you are accustomed to fine dining but fancy slumming it in close proximity to the Tongli trough there are worse options out there.
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