Holy Duck! | Peter’s Menu at Gourmet Burger Kitchen
So where’s the kitchen? Photograph: GBK
There are a few things I learnt this week. 1) The SpongeBob SquarePants movie is terrible. 2) Kiwi Chef Peter Gordon (of Kopapa fame, of which we’re big fans) has been working with GBK since 2001, when he created the original menu for their first restaurant on Northcote Road in Battersea. 3) Fellow Kiwis Adam, Greg and Brandon asked for Peter’s input when they first introduced the UK to premium beef burgers 14 years ago – yes, GBK were around before Byron.
To be honest, I’ve often dismissed Gourmet Burger Kitchen as somewhere to grab a decent burger. We (being me, my son and daughter) were in Bluewater shopping centre and had time to kill and bellies to fill before seeing the aforementioned film. When at Bluewater we normally pop into either Five Guys (directly opposite GBK) or Byron but as I was sent a voucher and as Peter’s Menu was available I thought it would be daft not to give it a go. Plus I didn’t have Saff with me telling me not to bother.
Decor wise the space is quite homely, Oliver (my son) said the kitchen looked like it could be in a house. And there were some nice little design touches too, painted pallets hung from the ceiling. Metal table tops added a slight industrial feel and I loved the Smeg fridge loaded with ice-cold bottles of tap water. This really does have a different feel from most burger joints, it’s not a fast food joint and it’s not all grungy or edgy.
It’s not Peter’s… It’s mine!
Peter’s Menu is created in his unique fusion style and most definitely isn’t your usual burger, in fact it’s probably not a burger at all. Their Duck Confit Burger is a mix-up of crisped confit duck layered with a creamy duck liver pâté. Topped with cheese, crispy shallots, fresh rocket leaf and a sweet yet fiery ginger and apricot chilli jam all sandwiched between a soft, buttery slightly toasted, fresh brioche bun. There’s a choice of sides, I had the Sweet Potato Fries with a sweet and sour Tamarind Dressing and Dukkah (an Egyptian aromatic seed and nut mix). There’s also a fresh Summer Homeslaw with Mint, Pomegranate, Molasses and Sumac – far too healthy for me, but Saff would have approved.
Easily the best milkshake I’ve had in a long, long time. Photograph: GBK
My favourite bit? Easy! The mind-meltingly brilliant Banana Biscoff milkshake, combining thick banana ice cream and Lotus Biscoff caramelised biscuits. I love those biscuits, the Biscoff spread is my very guilty pleasure – so good yet so very bad, especially when eaten straight from the jar.
I was pleasantly surprised by GBK, the service, atmosphere and special menu were great. Even their full menu is impressive, a vast range of different style burgers. I didn’t get the chance to try out their standard beef burger (always a good test) as Oliver had a Bun less chicken burger (£6.75) and Charlotte’s Junior burger (£6.95) was cooked well-done and ‘plain’ (at her request). I’ll have to take Saff with me next time to get her opinion, although she’s still more than dubious about the whole thing…
Peter’s Menu costs £17.95 for the Duck Burger, choice of side and the milkshake (or a beer/wine/soft drink) or they can be bought separately. Duck Confit Burger (£11.45), Sweet Potato Fries (£4.25), Summer Homeslaw (£3.25) and Banana Biscoff Milkshake (£4.50).
gbk.co.uk
Lower Mall, The Plaza, Bluewater,
Greenhithe, Kent, DA9 9SG
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Ade ate as guests of GBK, this does not affect our review in any way. We always write with complete honesty. Oliver and Charlotte’s meals were paid for.
