Friday 8 April 2016

Barbecoa restaurant

Barbecoa Restaurant
Many of you who have been reading this website for a while will know, I grew up watching Jamie Oliver on television. His love of food was infectious, it spilled out of the television screen and made me want to cook. His approach to cooking very much models my own, there are no rules, you use the best local produce and flavourings to create wonderfully uncomplicated food.  

Barbecoa restaurant, which Jamie opened in 2010 is very much founded on these principles, where the in-house butcher picks the very best British meats and uses traditional fire based cooking techniques from all over the world to create wonderful barbecued steaks. 

When I was invited to visit the restaurant I didn't have to think twice. Having a love of steak I was keen to visit and see if the restaurant could challenge some of its top steak restaurant counterparts

Trying to have a meal out with a small baby can be quite the logistical challenge. Everything has to be timed perfectly, feeds, nappie changes and sleep. Any delays and all hell breaks loose. Despite these challenges so far as a family we have had some great meals out with Noah.

On the day of visiting Barbecoa however the logistical challenges came from a different source, we were fraught with London underground travelling nightmares (lifts, escalators and lines not working), running late and arriving in the rain the restaurant was extremely gracious and had held the table. 
London
The first thing that you notice entering Barbecoa is the restaurants high volted ceilings with floor to ceiling glass windows. It has breathtaking views overlooking the magnificent  St Paul's Cathedral
Jamie Oliver restaurants
St Paul's
Perusing the drinks menu we begin to relax, watching the drizzle fall on the beautiful St Paul's cathedral and spying on the chefs in the open planned kitchen hard at work. 
Jamie Oliver
Having not had a drop of alcohol for many months, I opted for the Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve champagne (£11.50). The other half opts for a tawny Port and glass of La Rioja Alta 'Vina Alberdi' Reserva 2008 (£11).
Barbecoa
From a quick glance at the menu I can already see that the restaurant has lots of starters and mains that I would happily like to eat. 

I decide to keep with the meat theme and choose the coal seared beef carpaccio fillet with Artichoke, salted Ricotta, lemon and thyme (£12). 
Barbecoa
I love beef carpaccio and have finished off a fair few over the years. The addition of the roasted artichoke and salted Ricotta are very welcome. 

My dining companion opts for the Salmon and Tuna Ceviche with meat radish and citrus red chilli glaze (£14). 
Barbecoa
I'm reliably informed that the citrus and red chilli glaze is a perfect accompaniment and very flavoursome. 

I found the picking of my main a challenge, as the restaurant had a number of things that I would happily have liked to try. But after considerable wavering and constant changing of my mind, I opt for the fillet steak with smoked béarnaise, herb salad and bone marrow (£35).

Jamie Oliver

My steak is perfectly cooked, medium rare and has a wonderful charcoal flavour, whilst still maintaining a lovely moist meat. The addition of béarnaise sauce and red pickled onions to the herb salad are delicious. 

There is something very primal about a T-Bone steak and my dining companions choice doesn't disappoint. 
Barbecoa
Whilst for a steak it is expensively priced at £40, it is huge in size and packs a punch in flavour. 

To accompany my steak the choice of side is easy, it has to be beef dripping chips (£4). My dining companion found the choice slightly harder so opted for two sides, coal roasted sweet potato with sage and chilli (£4) and charred broccoli (£4).
Barbecoa
I have to be honest that I found the chips rather disappointing they were rather bland, the vegetables on the other hand were superb. Broccoli has never tasted so good, the addition of miso and almonds were delicious.  

The service throughout diner is attentive without being intrusive and the spacing between courses was perfect. 

At this point in proceedings and given the quantity of food we have consumed I would normally begrudgingly leave the restaurant.   

Although stuffed, for the benefit of the blog I push through and order dessert. Noah however is simply too full and decides to lay this one out. 
FoodieForce
My dining companion however really doesn't take much persuading, picking the lemon meringue (£8.50).
First thing to say is that the dessert is gorgeous looking. It has just the right amount of tartness and crunch from the meringues.  

I settle on a refreshing ice cream rhubarb crumble sundae. 
Jamie Oliver
Barbecoa offers really wonderful food, with great service and breathtaking views. The restaurant offers a superb lunch menu Monday-Saturday (12-5 pm), two courses £22 and three courses £27.

Embrace your inner cave man and pay a visit to Barbecoa you really won't be disappointed. 

One New Change, 
20 New Change, London, 
Square Meal Barbecoa Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
Other restaurants from Jamie Oliver:
Jamie's Italian Restaurant Review

Our meal was complimentary for the purposes of this review, but this is an honest and fair reflection of the restaurant and our meal. If you are in search of a wonderful steak then look no further.

 photo foodieforce_32.jpg

22 comments:

  1. I love everything about this resturant when I went! I really want to go back 😊

    www.sophiekate.co.uk

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    1. I loved visiting in the day when the views can be appreciated most, I will definitely go back Lucy

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  2. I found a few things about Barbecoa a little hit and miss but overall I enjoyed it! Glad you did too x

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    1. Ah that's a shame, as we visited at the weekend service and food was very good Lucy x

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  3. Wow your pics are gorge! I also had a hit and miss experience at Barbecoa but your choices do look yummy! Lots of love, Andrea xxx

    Andrea's Passions

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    1. That's a shame as our meal and service were faultless Lucy x

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  4. The decor is amazing! The food looks delicious too. I've never been to a Jamie Oliver restaurant but would love to.

    I can't believe how big Noah has gotten! Bet he is turning into a right handful :)

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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    1. I've now experiences three, Fifteen is definitely the best and the Barbecoa. His Italian I wasn't that impressed but you can't please everyone.

      The time with Noah has gone supper fast, he is now four months. He has a lovely cheeky sense of humour just like his mum. I don't have a second to do anything though. Writing blog posts is a real challenge Lucy x

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  5. We had a great time there too, that rhubarb sundae looks amazing!

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    1. The Sundae was a delight big pieces of rhubarb, biscuit and creamy ice cream. The steaks were yummy too x

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  6. I'm glad you all enjoyed your food, that lemon meringue looks delicious! And Noah has grown so much since I last saw a photo, still completely adorable though :) xx

    Toasty

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    1. The lemon meringue was a definite hit and a great way to finish a lovely meal. Noah is growing very fast it is actually quite scary x

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  7. Everything (aside from the chips) sounds amazing! Especially the lemon meringue, my favourite. Loving the views of St. Paul's too.

    Ash | Liakada

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    1. The view is breathtaking and the perfect vista for a lovely meal x

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  8. Ahhh Lucy, I am so glad you already are able to visit lovely restaurants with your little Noah. He is so adorable, love his blue eyes. God bless you all, Liuba x

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    1. He does have beautiful blue eyes and is becoming quite the little character. I hope that you are well in your final few weeks. Its great when you can go back out and do the things you love x

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  9. Wow food looks delicious, thanks for sharing! :)

    I have a new post up on the blog, would love to know your thoughts:

    * Electric Sunrise - Fashion and Lifestyle Blog *

    x

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    1. The quality of the food was very good and I will definitely be going back Lucy

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  10. I had no idea Jamie had this restaurant! What a fab view of St Pauls and the food looks delicious - hello to your little one as well :D!

    Style Sunrise☀

    :)
    x

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    1. This fell of my radar too and considering I love steak I'm not sure how. There brunch set menu is brilliant very good value if you want to try it out Lucy x

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  11. I'm glad to hear you've managed to incorporate Noah into your restaurant-visiting foodie experiences :) although I'm assuming he wasn't the dining companion you referred to :p this place sounds so good, that broccoli looks insane, is it covered in cheese too? Madness! xxx
    Lucy @ La Lingua | Food, Travel, Italy

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    1. The broccoli I cannot do justice too, it was delicious. I don't think it was cheese but it was divine. I can't wait till Noah is the dining companion, although restaurants might not be that keen Lucy x

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