How do you know a restaurant is popular? There is a queue outside the door when England are playing a World Cup football match!
This is the dilemma which I faced last week. Thinking myself savvy, I thought "It will be quiet, all the men will be at the Pub watching football, best time to go" I did not reckon for a queue outside the door at 19:45, albeit a Friday evening!
I was lucky enough to win a 7 day pass via Grillshacks Twitter competition, which goes live every Monday. Never one to pass up free food (brought up in Yorkshire, with a Scottish mother, I think you get my way of thinking!) I entered this competition on a weekly basis. A good few weeks down the line and I receive notification that I was that weeks lucky winner! After a lovely message informing me of this, along with a cheery email, I sent along a passport photo for them to make up my pass. Then came a week of eating till my heart was content of some of the finest food I have been lucky enough to taste, along with wonderful friendly service.
From Day One, the staff were gracious and friendly considering I was eating Gratis. Each day I was allowed one hot drink, one cold drink, a Starter, a Main and a Dessert. I am ashamed to say I know what I like and I like what I know so despite a varied menu, I tended over the course of the week to eat the same things as they were so tasty I couldnt refuse a repeat of something I had enjoyed immensely.
For my cold drink I alternated between a Vanilla or a Strawberry milkshake. Served in a tin tumbler like a Southern panhandler would use in the Klondike, creamy and sweet tasting, with nice satisfying chunks of ice cream, it was both refreshing and chilled to perfection. One evening I took my friend Irina along and she chose Diet Coke, which came cold in an original style bottle which was a pleasant suprise. I love a drink in a glass bottle!
Hot Drink tended to be either a Latte or Cappuchino. For a coffee afficionado or those used to the taste of the Deep South, it will be blended at just the right strength, but I found it a little too strong for my taste and used more sugar than I normally would. Funnily enough, the Cappuchino was more to my liking than the Latte, which I usually find milder in other establishments, but not here at Grillshack.
For a Starter, I tried the Green Salad with Advocado Dressing. I initially thought I would find a plate full of Giant Watercress a little too bland, but I was mistaken. With a light peppery taste fused with the Advocado Dressing I felt I could have eaten more it was so enjoyable; and I must stress that I dont normally choose a Salad so this is an accolade indeed! Another time, I chose the Garlic Flatbread. Cut into eight good sized pieces this was lightly infused with garlic, deliciously warm and just right for me. This option was not on the Starters but on the Sides, but at my request they allowed me to have this as a Side so if something you see on the Menu isnt quite to your specification, just ask - you might be pleasantly suprised and pleased at the result! My favourite starter was the BBQ Spicy Chicken Wings - 6 tangy and succulent pieces lightly glazed and very spicy! I asked for some tap water as my throat needed respite from the spice, despite my enjoyment of it! and a bottle of chilled tap water was delivered to my table by the lovely waitress Alice with the perpetual smile. My only regret wit the Starters being I did not get to try the Mac and Cheese (one of my favourite meals) as I I couldnt get enoough of these BBQ Wings!
For a Main, I repeatedly craved more of the Steak and Fries. The Rump steak was grilled lightly; not my usual choice as I like a well done steak normally but it was perfect - they really know how to cook a Steak at Grillshack! With succulent juices and served with smoked butter which soaked through to the Seasoned Fries, I would recommend this dish every time anyone asked, looked forward to it and was never bored of eating it! My friend Irina chose a Daily Special - Shrimp in a Bun with Seasoned Fries. The Shrimp was coated in breadcrumbs yet tasty and moist and Irina loved it. As she has a much smaller appetite than I, the Manager (an amiable chap called Andy) made sure she could take it home and arranged for it to be put in a doggy bag for later.
For Dessert, I was usually so full I often missed this course but occasionally had a scoop of vanilla ice-cream; again, not on the Menu, but "something to cleanse the palette" as Andy said! Another time I tried the Buttermilk Pancakes with Maple Syrup and they were soft and luscious, a real treat. On my last evening I chose the Vanilla Cheesecake wth Toffee Sauce and it was heavenly. I often worry that when I choose this kind of dessert it feels a little 'frozen' still, but not here - it was soft, crumbly and tasty - a perfect end to a weeks feasting!
If anyone asks me where they can get brilliant service, wonderful Cajun/American Southern Food at its best in a great location I would not hesitate to say Grillshack. The ambience is great and the decor rustic and elegantly retro-cool. The soundtrack is a great blend of well known catchy tunes of 60s & 70s classics mixed in with Soft Rock. As I left that last evening the sounds of Manfred Mann's Do Wah Diddy Diddy were playing and the lyrics were exactly how I was feeling, especially at the line "I knew we was falling in love". Never a truer word spoken, Grillshack; I couldnt have expressed it better! I was welcomed with friendly and genuine smiles every day I appeared for food and never treated like a freeloader for a millisecond.
Thank you Grillshack for the best week of food of my life! I love the offer you have for regulars to sign up for your 'Neighbourhood' scheme where all members can claim a FREE glass of wine, beer, choice of soda or slice of delicious carrot cake every day when they eat with you. You do look after your regulars and
I shall see you very soon; got to try that Mac and Cheese!
61-63 Beak Street, Soho, W1F 9SL
http://www.grillshack.com/
Note : I was not paid to write this review and it is all my own opinion.
