A Great Experience Benefiting a Great Cause
During our most recent visit to London we had the opportunity to experience Brigade for the first time, and I came away totally impressed. As you entered through the bar area it was bustling with young professionals socializing following a long week at the office. It made me yearn to be working in London just so this could be my new favorite place to network and unwind. Being just around the corner from the Station, it certainly would be a convenient location to meet friends and colleagues for drinks and a catch-up. It was certainly a short enough stroll along the South Bank from the Grand Residence Marriott, and a central place to dine following a visit to the Borough Market, Tower of London, Tate Modern or the numerous other attractions in the area.
As we did book for an early evening reservation, the hostess took us straight through to our table. Our waitress was at our table in a flash with the menus as well as a thorough explanation of the Apprentice Special Dishes for the Week. Once she took our drinks order, we had an opportunity to peruse the menu offerings, from the highly touted Steak & Oxtail Burger to the more adventurous Pot-roasted Rabbit, and in between, a little something for everyone.
As we continued to ponder the delightful sounding offerings, our drinks arrived along with wonderful handmade breads and warm spicy olives with Chilli & lemon. These nibbles gave us ample time to watch the chefs doing their magic in the open view kitchen while we made our final selections, which turned out amazing. I started with the best Scotch Egg I have ever experienced, and my wife selected a Goats Cheese Rarebit. Our dinner guests chose the Foraged Wild Mushrooms on Sour Dough Toast and Wood Pigeon & Chicken Liver Terrine, both apparently equally awesome.
For our Mains, I selected a Char-Grilled Ribeye Steak and my wife chose the Pan-fried Beef Fillet. I must say Texas steaks are world-famous, and these ranked right up there with the best. They were both cooked to medium-rare perfection and the presentation was delightful. Our guests enjoyed traditional Bangers & Mash and the Ale Battered Fish & Chips. You can't get much more British than that, and they were spot on. We shared sides of Garlic Mash, Crunchy Green Beans and the Salted Russet Chips - all excellent choices. All of this was complimented with a couple of bottles of nice South African wine from the excellent selections on the wine list. The serving portions were all so generous none of us were brave enough to attempt a dessert selection, although they all looked delicious.
The attention we received from the wait staff was superb, and as there was a new waitress in training the night we visited we received double attention! They were both very well versed on the menu offerings and provided encouraging recommendations when we asked about the various dishes.
When I first saw the name Brigade, The Fire Station, I wondered if the interior would look like an old fire station, complete with a brass pole for the firemen to slide down to their truck and fire coats & boots decorating the bar. But we were treated to an ultra-modern décor which contributed to the overall ambiance of the restaurant, and which provided a very romantic setting that makes for a terrific date night. If you choose to sit closer to the open kitchen area you can get an up-close and personal experience watching the chefs do their thing. I also saw a very nice private dining room that would be perfect for small dinner party's or celebrations.
The Brigade's website indicates that Cooking School packages are available for private groups or corporate team building events. Offerings such as this with top-ranked chefs are very popular in the States, where individuals can register for classes with others to make up the necessary group size required to make an offering viable. I would be very interested in signing up for one on my next visit to London if they were offered.
I was so impressed with Brigade that I have done a bit more research into its origin, and I find this is more than just a typical British Bistro / Bar. Through their affiliation with the Beyond Food Foundation, they are providing the opportunity for meaningful apprenticeships and employment that is both fulfilling to the individuals that participate as well as beneficial to society. This is a great cause and a brilliant example of how the private sector can give back to society, helping people pull themselves up by their own bootstraps and make a go at life, without having to rely on the government to take care of them. I applaud their efforts and encourage other business sectors to follow this model to help regenerate the economy and the people necessary to make it successful.
Five Stars to Brigade on all fronts. read more