Where? You know, the former Torriano pub in east Kentish Town that last year re-emerged, like a butterfly, as the Rose & Crown, with its simple, pared-back interior, emphasis on craft beers, cocktails and mahoosive nightly arts line-up in the downstairs basement.
What? Buttermilk chicken suffers from its own hype a bit nowadays. But this brioche burger (£8.50) is packed with tender marinated juicy breast, crunchy batter, a hash brown, slither of cheese and special mayo: the real deal.
Notes? We also enjoyed a lobster roll, but that’s £12 and therefore disqualified from this column. Chips are skinny, light and crispy. Chipotle slaw crams heat and creaminess in equal measures. Eat outside in the sunken garden by the “smoking” kitchen for maximum authenticity – at least before winter hits.
Don’t: drink wine, as craft beers are the Rose & Crown’s speciality. Try Beavertown Gamma Ray or cleverly-named N253 pale ale.
Amendment Oct 5th: Smoking Buns is no longer at Rose & Crown. Follow them on Twitter for more info @smokingbuns
