What: Dead Rabbits Saloon
In a nutshell: Gourmet Burgers in Highbury
Summing it all up: This Highbury burger spot boasts a head chef who's worked in Michelin-starred kitchens and has burgers on the menu which really deserve a gourmet label. Expect BIG burgers, with pork belly, oxtail, bone marrow and more thrown into the mix.
The low-down on Dead Rabbits Saloon
A brand new burger joint is always of interest to us - but when it's in our own neighbourhood and with creations that sound quite unique, then we really start to pay attention. Opening in Highbury today (very close to another new opening, Top Cuvee) is new burger spot Dead Rabbits Saloon. We popped down to try a couple of burgers and think this is definitely one to watch.
It comes from the team of Ash Panah and Hasip Mertsoy. Panah has taken over the space where his father ran a pizzeria (Pizza Plate) for years and is turning it into a burger and whiskey spot. Mertsoy is his head chef and comes from a background of working for Richard Corrigan in Lyndsey House, Tom Aikens and Pied a Terre, and has also been seen serving up street food at Glastonbury. They've based the restaurant on a shared love - Scorcese's Gangs of New York film - with the restaurant and the menu inspired by that.
And that menu is quite the thing - here's a taste:
- Bill The Butcher burger (£12): Dry-aged beef patty, heritage blue cheese, secret gravy, duck fat caramelised onions, slow-cooked pork belly, robe anar relish, bone marrow
- John Morrisey burger (£12): Mustard-brushed dry-aged beef patty, red Leicester, secret gravy, pickles, pulled oxtail (pictured above)
- For the love of rabbits (£7): Charcoal-grilled portobello mushroom, roasted red peppers, tahini, olive tapenade
- Caramelized bone marrow (£4)
- Lamb pepper fries (£6) - roasted lamb, roasted pepper, secret gravy, fries
- Posh julienne fries (£3.50) - with truffle cheese sauce
And their sourcing is on point too. All the beef is from the nearby legendary Frank Godfrey butchers, cheese is from Highbury's La Fromagerie and they also have hot dogs from Big Apple.
On top of that - the licence is pending at the time of writing - they'll also be serving up whiskeys (yes, Dead Rabbit whiskey included) which are being specially selected to go with each burger (as a burger and a shot) with beer and more to come too. And, of course, they'll be delivering to the local area.
Based on what we tried today, we think this will be a big hit - and expect to see more of them elsewhere in London too.
The Bill The Butcher burger (£12): Dry-aged beef patty, heritage blue cheese, secret gravy, duck fat caramelised onions, slow-cooked pork belly, robe anar relish, bone marrow
Lamb pepper fries (£6) - roasted lamb, roasted pepper, secret gravy, fries
More about Dead Rabbits Saloon
Where is it? 138 Blackstock Road, Highbury, London N4 2DX
When does it open? 9 March 2019 (open 5-11pm, seven days a week)
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @deadrabbitssaloon.
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