Any excuse to return to Manhattan Grill is a valid excuse. Our excuse this time was their ‘Battle Of The Burgers’ – a somewhat short lived menu modification, made to coincide and commemorate American Independence Day (July 4th). It’s funny to think that a few centuries ago, celebrating American Independence could have got you in a shit-ton of hot water, but these days we can basically celebrate our less than amicable split from what was our ‘most promising colony’ in the form of gastro burgers and nobody’s all that bothered by the whole thing. MEAT UNITY
But yeah, about this Independence Day Menu. It takes the form of three burgers. These are not ‘regular’ burgers. No. These are burgers designed and prepared by a Marriott Steakhouse. Which means at the very least that they’re extremely substantial, extremely high quality and extremely expensive burgers. But I’d rather describe them as little steaks served on burger buns with a delicious and often excessive topping (but it all works in a good way so don’t you worry). There’s ’The American’ – USDA Beef, streaky bacon, sautéed garlic mushrooms, Monterey jack and beer bartered onion rings. Then there’s ’The British’ – Aberdeen Angus, gammon, a fried egg and tomato relish. And lastly, a neutral one called ’The Other’ – lamb, pickled red onions, coriander and mint yoghurt dip. My personal favourite was The American, whereas Tasting Britain’s founder Bryony preferred The British. Therefore culinary stalemate ^_^
A little more about Manhattan Grill. Based underneath the prestigious and expensive Marriot Executive Apartments in Canary Wharf, (by West India Quay station) – Manhattan Grill boasts stunning riverside views, and a head chef from Mexico City who has cooked for President Obama no less. We profiled him on Tasting Britain and he’s been hiding from me ever since. They’ve also got one of those splendid enomatic machines so you can drink single glasses of VERY fine wines (Manhattan Grill s