SUN’S OUT, BUNS OUT
Melissa Nazareth demolished home-style burgers and giant milkshakes at Butcher and Buns Lounge, Le Méridien City Centre Bahrain.
I headed to Butcher and Buns (B&B) Lounge for lunch. It’s a new kid on the block and I was excited for what it had to offer. Happy to report, I wasn’t disappointed. The space gave off Arabic sports bar vibes, only posher. The hardwood flooring and vertical wooden blinds rendered a classy edge. The glistening blue-tile wall added a pop of colour. Offering booth-style and regular seating, the venue was moderately lit when we visited, during the day. There was lounge music playing, which elevated our experience. If you visit on a Monday, you can enjoy a live Latino band. On other days, a resident DJ plays.
The ’Bites’ menu features build-your-own-burgers. Adding variety are salads, snacks and steaks. You can choose from soft brioche, bagel, seeded or focaccia buns, which are made inhouse; beef, chicken or vegetarian patties; and a variety of B&B toppings. Sides (ordered separately) include regular fries, sweet potato fries, steakhouse style fries, a salad or a corn casserole. There are a variety of condiments and sauces. Black Olivada and Brava stood out for me. The former tasted like a tapenade; the anchovies lent it a salty note, which I particularly liked. The latter was spicy, made using chili peppers, tomatoes and garlic. It offered a nice touch of heat, which appealed to my numbed Indian tastebuds.
Our meaty affair began with Born in USA. A juicy beef patty topped with beef bacon, cheddar cheese, roasted onions, lettuce and tomatoes. It was lightly seasoned but a bite with all the elements tasted splendid. The burgers are made in-house with a signature blend of different cuts of meat, which keeps them moist and succulent. Hand in glove with the patty was the crispy, sweet and smokey bacon. All this was served with a soft brioche bun, which was buttery, airy and light. Next, we tried Veggie Friendly, a spin on the local felafel, made with chickpeas, kidney beans, broad beans, flax seeds, cereals and vegetables. I’m an obligate carnivore but I quite liked this earthy creation. Every bite was savoury and herby. The mushrooms and thinly sliced beets added texture.
After this came Frenchie – a humble American classic transformed by melted brie cheese and truffle sauce. The earthy brie and musky, pungent truffle sauce complemented the sauteed onions, which had a caramelised flavour. The homemade pickle slices brought a briny goodness and texture to the dish. The last one was Mexico Sunset, which brought together the best of both worlds – American and Mexican. A perfectly cooked, juicy grilled chicken breast piled with verdant, creamy guacamole and sour cream. Slicing the velvety richness of these toppings were the acidic juices from the pico de gallo. Adding a crunch were nachos – chips inside a sandwich – so rustic!
If you’re not too hungry, we recommend the Butcher & Buns Signature Brioche sliders – mighty flavours of a burger packed in a tiny bite. Three are served per portion and you can choose chicken or beef. While I enjoyed both, my loyalty lies with the chicken version. It was juicy, savoury and herby. You can select any topping style.
The last dish was the Butcher’s Secret Rib Eye. A 300g tender cut of Certified Angus Beef. We didn’t have to wrestle with our steak. It had a rich, buttery and beefy flavour, which was further enhanced by the sides – a creamy corn and cheese dip and herb butter. The accompanying roasted potato wedges had a crispy skin and mushy insides – very home style!
Butcher and Buns has an exciting ‘Sips’ menu featuring Instagramworthy milkshakes, iced coffees, lemonades, iced teas and soft drinks. You can make your own milkshakes by selecting your ice cream – vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or caramel; and milk – full fat, coconut or almond. There are a variety of shake styles to choose from. Nuts About U, which is peanut butter-based, came topped with a waffle cone, KitKat bar, whipped cream and caramel coated nuts. The glass had the same nutty rimming. The drink was thick and creamy, underlined with peanut buttery goodness. Candy Crush will appeal to those with a sweet tooth. Made with strawberry ice cream, it was one of the prettiest looking shakes I’ve ever seen. Floating on a bed of whipped cream and marshmallows was a cloud of pink candy floss, which, as we sipped, gently hovered over a rim of rainbow sprinkles. What’s The Schor!? is basically your good ol’ Oreo milkshake.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. A casual dining space with great music and straightforward food – what’s not to like! ✤
GO: CALL 3350 2101 OR FOLLOW @BUTCHERANDBUNSLOUNGE FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.
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