Not sure what is going on in HK at the moment, but there seems to be a huge burger movement at the moment. It is as though we have just discovered this food item and are going hell for leather for it. And now, brand new on Arbuthnot Road, is The Diner. As the name betrays, a traditional American diner, that serves burgers.
The menu is quite simple, you get burgers with a variety of toppings; bacon, cheese, bacon & cheese, blue cheese, onion rings, egg, spicy Mexican, you get fries, with or without cheese and/or bacon - you get the idea. There are chicken burgers, pulled pork burgers, and to Mrs L's delight, a proper veggie burger that is a vegetable patty, not just salad in a bun. There are a few starters like nachos, chicken strips, ribs, and a few sides. That's pretty much it for the dinner menu. There are no dogs, no blue collar plates of fried chicken and mash, it's a diner that only serves burgers, so really a burger shop. I mention dinner menu, as the brunch menu is more like a Denny's idea, with breakfast, waffles, pancakes. To me, the brunch menu looks more interesting and varied, and coupled up with the bottomless coffee, I know where I will be on Saturday morning. They also have a reasonable drinks menu of beers, cocktails, and spirits.
The food is great. Burgers are 100% US beef, cooked really well - not as tasty as Big Bite in North Pint, but at least hot through! The buns are toasted and loaded with your choice of toppings. Warning, they do like to stack 'em high, so you may want to keep it simple. Fries are the shoestring type, which are great for the first few of, but I get bored with eating crisps by halfway. Gimme fat fries any day.
The interior is brilliant. It really does look just an old school US diner. Not that I have been to a US diner in the 1950's, but from what I have seen in Grease and Back to the Future, I think this is fairly accurate! What gives it away as HK is the huge open frontage that looks out to Arbuthnot Road, the second a taxi goes by, your back in Soho HK.
Service is not included in The Diner, and they go directly to the staff, so you should tip well. The staff are really nice, efficient, and don't make a grumble when they make a mistake, "Jim Beam Gold", not "Jim Beam Coke" - I know I speak fluent English with a perfect RP accent, but really, how can you get that wrong! read more