What can you tell us about Lucky Chip?
Lucky Chip were one of the first on the scene when London actually started serving decent burgers (it may not seem like it now - but there was a time before our current embarrassment of riches on the burger front when you'd have wept tears of gratitude for just one place serving a good burger). Best known for their van at Netil Market which was followed by various popular residencies (which are still running), they've finally settled down in Dalston. But there's more to the menu here than just burgers.
Burgers matched with wine, you say?
It's something that's been tried before with Big Fernand, but this is a very big step beyond that. Burgers & Wine features a regularly changing wine list and an emphasis on more limited availability wines and bin ends means that there will always be something new for a return trip (it had already changed twice in the week before we ate there on a Friday night).
Where is it?
It's about half way down Dalston's Ridley Road Market. It's certainly a VERY different beast from its immediate surroundings but that's part of the charm. It's only a few minutes walk from either of the Dalston overground stations.
Where should we sit?
First off, there are lots more tables in a basement room - something to be aware of if you're passing by and thinking of popping in. Downstairs there is an area that could seat around 16 together (that'll be used for their upcoming wine clubs) but we'd say the booths for four on the top floor by the windows are the top choice.
And what about the food?
First off, as we mentioned, there's more to Burgers & Wine than the name suggests. The extra dishes here take a different turn to the Lucky Chip residencies with a totally different list of snacks and some brand new dishes. Of those, standouts were:
- The onion bhaji corn dogs with mint yoghurt - essentially mini corn dogs wrapped in an spicy onion bhaji. Lovely. (£5.50)
- The scallops with nduja butter and chive - not cheap at £7.50 each or two for £12 but quite huge scallops and the spicy butter worked well.
- The Chicken Parmigiana - we have to be honest, our pic below really doesn't do this one justice. One of the best Chicken Parmigianas we've had, with just perfectly cooked chicken. Great value at £12.50 with fries and salad (and with wine or beer on Mondays for £16)
- The truffle fries with gorgonzola were AMAZING. Do not leave without getting these (£6.50).
We would have tried the steak too - 40 day aged Galician sirloin with fries for £17 - but we needed to save ourselves for the burgers.
Anything new about the burgers?
The main thing is the addition of aged Galician beef as an upgrade for £3. We tried one burger with and one without to compare and we have to say, we think it really is worth the upgrade. Both burgers were every bit as good as we have come to expect from Lucky Chip, but the Galician beef was a clear step up. But either way - you won't be unhappy with the burgers here.
And that wine?
The list itself starts at around £5.50 a glass (125ml) and £25 a bottle. We'd definitely recommend getting some assistance with the selection, but we were particularly pleased with the Peter Jacob Riesling from Germany (£37). If you MUST have something else, beers are available and pretty soon they'll be adding a selection of Manhattans to the list.
Overall?
It's been a long time coming, but we're very glad that the permanent Lucky Chip is finally here. The food was excellent, the wine list very impressive and their 80s playlist is bloody excellent.
Lucky Chip Burgers & Wine is at 23-25 Ridley Road, London E8 2NP. For more, follow them on Twitter @lucky_chip
Hot Dinners were invited to Lucky Chip Burgers & Wine. Prices were correct at the time of writing.
