Flesh & Buns

Smack bang in the middle of London's Covent garden is Ross Shonan's new little Izakaya baby. Following his success with meaty-eatery Bone Daddies - just a few minutes round the corner - Shonan launched his Japanese come burger bar restaurant, Flesh & Buns. 

Hidden just behind the hustle and bustle of Neal Street, Earlham Street boasts a rather dinky entrance naaat leading to a vast cellar of sharer tables, booths and an extremely generous bar.

Super huge grin in anticipation of the ridiculous amount of food to be consumed.

What I'm Wearing: Cos T-shirt, Gap Forever Stretch Legging Jeans & Zara Metallic Brogues.

Hop into the booth and get ordering a few 'hard' but super pretty drinks.

That little yellow guy on the right. Yeah. That's a frozen yuzu margartia. Pure frozen delicious heaven. Just keep 'em coming.

And now for some starters.

Well these lasted all about 5 seconds. As soon as they were snapped, the girls dove in like vultures to get their hands on some of the tempura goodness.

The most devine soft shell crab. One of my favourite foods and cooked to perfection here.

Fried squid dusted in Japanese pepper.

Chicken yakitori skewers.

 Humongous tempura prawns with yuzu ponzo.

Rae and Em thoroughly enjoying their pretty drinks.

A few cocktails down and the anticipation slighlty building for the infamous dish...

BUN TIME!

Steamed & slightly sweet, these Chinese bāozi buns are the Western answer to brioche pattys. Good enough to scoff down on their own, but wait and see all the goodies they give you to put inside.

Jesse and I opted for the Sirloin Steak complete with wafu dress which is melt in the mouth delicious. 

The others went for the Peking duck, pulled off the bone at the table. 

I am a huge burger fan, and getting to build my own just the way I like it is way more fun!

Just look at that bad boy.

Perfection!

Just look at Laura's hoisin drizzling talent.

Baskets of buns later and its desert time!

Naturally we had to go for the smores. Hello! They come with your very own fire pit. Who in their right mind could possibly resist?! 

Marshmallow on a stick and slices of green tea chocolate and crackers to build your very own campfire treat. 

Just a quick 'How-To' for those less experienced smore sandwich makers...

1. Toast to perfection (whilst avoiding setting it alight).

2. Place in-between the two crackers and of course add the slither of green tea chocolate for some extra deliciousness.

3. Squeeze and demolish. 

Don't eat it all in one go, as you'll want to seriously savour every last bite. 

Let's not forget to mention the black sugar donuts.

Bigger than my entire fist and jam-packed full of deliciously creamy black sugar sauce.

Ahhh I'm in desert heaven.

Whether you're looking for a laid back escape in the centre of London, or a cool location to impress your friends, then this place for you. With mouthwateringly exciting food, great atmosphere and delicious cocktails, this little restaurant is quickly becoming one of my favourite eatiers in London. 

I dare you not to love it.

Find Flesh & Buns at 41 Earlham Street and be sure to book online (click here) or call up (020 7632 9500) for a booking to avoid disappointment as they are bursting at the seams at peak times.

Getting super hungry writing this post, click here to check out their tantalising menu. Cannot wait for my return visit next week. 

Shake Shack London

Have you heard the news?! Its all over town! My favourite burger bar has hit down in London town and has at last graced us with it's gourmet presence. 

Ever since hearing the news that Shake Shack was coming to London a few months back, it was instantly marked in my calendar and I have been counting down the days till the grand unveiling. After being a regular back in New York and craving the delectable Cheese Fries on a dangerously regular basis (click here to read the original post), I just had to see for myself if they were equally as good over the pond. 

Following a huge opening shin-dig on July 4th (a rather appropriate day to launch if you ask me), I decided to wait a couple of days in hope that the insatiable queue might die down before revisiting my American true-love in my own home town of London.

For some reason - unbeknown to me - word got around the queue that I was some what of a regular at this ol'burger bar. Every Tom, Dick and Harry looked to me for guidance on the extensive and rather enticing menu. After acting like some uber keen brand spokesperson and knowing far too much about Shake Shack after being in the UK for only a few days, I correctly matched everyone up with their perfect meal, acting rather shamelessly as some sort of Shake Shack Yoda.

Much to my surprise the snaking line went delightfully fast and I was absolutely buzzing when I got into the restaurant that I had been pining for, for almost a year.

Buzz-buzz-buzzing! Geddit?!

The Cheshire Cat-esque grin didn't leave Geneva or my faces all evening as we delved into our Shack burgers, cheese fries and concretes. 

Just look at that tray of beauty!

Say hello to this little number. Be warned, this is not for those with small appetites. The Shack Stack is comprised of everything that I adore about this American burger bar. A signature cheeseburger layer with a deep fried cheese filled Portobello mushroom, more formally known as a Shroom Burger, topped off with signature ShackSauce. Gaaawwwhhhhhh I want another one now!

Oh and the cheese fries, literally the best fries in the entire world. Like ever. I dare you to find better. Double dare ya.

This ear to ear grin is still on my face just thinking of the epic experience and I'm already planning my return visit. Two Shake Shack's in one week you ask? Yes. Well it's seriously that good! 

London's very own Shake Shack can be found a mere 2 minutes walk from Covent Garden Station in the heart of the iconic Piazza Market;

24 Market Building

The Piazza

London

WC2E 8RE

And just to warn ya. Be prepared to queue. It sure is worth it.