Bubbledogs, 70 Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QG
OK, let me just come out and say it. We didn’t like Bubbledogs.
We booked a table weeks and weeks ago, and had been excitedly anticipating the day of the booking. We didn’t fancy queuing for hours in the freezing cold, so as the minimum amount of people you need to book a table is six, we did just that.
Selecting a few random fellow Bubbledog virgins to join us, a mixed bunch. There was a food PR, fellow blogger, a film director and man with the best job in the world, a Google employee, we didn’t really get what his job entailed but we were jealous regardless.
For those that don’t know, Bubbledogs serves a weird old mix of hot dogs and champagne. Run by a husband and wife team, James Knappett, ex Ledbury, Marcus Wareing, Alyn Williams and Noma chef. Alongside Sandia Chang, who was most recently front of house at Roganic. Part inspired by Crif Dogs, a hot dog and cocktail restaurant in New York.
So we finally all met and squeezed onto our stools at our table. The champagne list was a total mystery but our friendly waiter helped us out. It didn’t go unnoticed that he selected one of the lower priced bottles. Still a fair whack though, we would never order a bottle of fizzy stuff over dinner. But when in Rome and all that.
I should mention that I’m really not that bothered about champagne, although I did quite enjoy this one, and liked the way the bubbles created a continuous little whirlpool in the centre of my glass. Something I’ve never really noticed before.
Ade and I both went for a Sloppy Joe bubbledogs chilli, onions, and cheese £7.50, mine without cheese of course. I was alarmed at how small they were, and how normal they looked. The bun was veering on the dry side, the mince lacked spice and was lukewarm. The sausage was, well, unremarkable.
We were expecting a dog as dramatic and special as the Big Apple Hotdogs one at Mishkin’s, now that we’d pay good money for over and over again.
We tried again with another dog (you need to have more than one as they’re so bloody small). I was equally unimpressed with my BLT bacon wrapped with caramelized lettuce and truffle mayo £8. Bacon woven around the sausage just made it tricky to eat, especially amongst almost strangers. The Breakie with fried egg, tomato relish and black pudding bits £7.50 looked more exciting, perhaps I should have gone for that. What we did really like however was the sides. The Sweet potato fries and Tots both £3.50 were warm crunchy perfection.
As we paid the bill and I reluctantly chucked £40 down the drain for my share, I felt like a fool. I looked over my shoulder at the curtained off area that contains the Kitchen Table, and wished we’d gone there instead. With head chef James Knappett cooking at a unique chef’s table for an intimate audience of just 19.
What did impress us, was receiving an email the next day from restaurant manager Sandia Chang. She’d seen my tweets from the night before and wanted to ask our feedback.
It’ll be interesting to see is if Bubbledogs still exists in two years time, especially as it’s at the dreary, and opposite end to where all the other restaurants are on Charlotte Street.
When the novelty wears off and the next trend hits, I wonder how much passing trade it’ll get. We still feel disappointed as we had high hopes, nothing at all wrong with the service, or food for that matter. It just didn’t live up to the hype.
www.bubbledogs.co.uk
70 Charlotte Street
London W1T 4QG
Telephone: 0207 637 7770
Email: info@bubbledogs.co.uk
Opening Times. Tuesday to Saturday 11:30-4 • 5:30-11.
Kitchen closes half an hour before closing time
Follow them on Twitter
Nearest tube: Goodge Street
I am gutted to share that the two things we thought were excellent (fries and tots), come out of a bag! Someone who works ther told my friend that these are pre-made instant food that are just fried n the premises. Talk about a con!!
Oh my god. Now we feel even more ripped off!
Really? That’s such a disappointment. Wonder if they are available for the public to buy? Love to have them at home
Great review. It’s a shame that anxiously anticipated venues have a tendency not to live up to prior expectations. I had the same feeling with MEATMarket. I’ve a table booked at bubbledogs for mid jan so will have to see what I make of it. Keep up the good work guys!
that mishkin dog looks totally epic! you should check out my latest blog post, where i’ve recreated bubbledogs at home – its super easy, and you can save yourself the cold queueing! http://dotrytheseathome.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/bubble-dogs/
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