GBK Clink St
Today I'm in the Clink St store for an early lunch, it's just around the corner from Borough Market, which is the most famous food markets in London. I had to walk through it on the way here and couldn't escape the fact that all I really wanted to do was go in and find something new and exciting to eat, but a deal's a deal, and this stack of free GBK lunch vouchers is burning a hole in my pocket, so I followed the tight alleyway around just past the prison tours until I found the spot. It's nice... I want a view I think. Maybe I was spoilt yesterday, but the window I'm currently sat at is looking straight at a boring wall. It is raining outside though, which is nice, but there's no phone reception which is a BIG minus. Oh boy. Like, none at all. NOTHING! The music sounds about the same as yesterday's, but the feeling in here is a bit more restauranty – “stuffy” is probably too negative, and it's not a small space, but maybe just a little too open and big, it feels more like a food hall than the cosy restaurant I think they're going for, or the airy street-side cafe feel of Haverstock Hill. Decor/Vibe: 2.5
In the toilets... oh damn, they've got a big ass mirror in there! Full length, tip to tail, and the benchtops that the sinks sit on feel like real marble – shit is EXPENSIVE bruh! Same green and white tiles as Haverstock, nice uniformity in design, I appreciate that. While I was sitting on the throne I heard the mechanical clicking of the air freshener going off which is reassuring as well, all in all a very positive experience. Toilets 4.5
The guy who served me when I came in – my receipt claims his name is Patrick – was lovely. There was only one other table of customers when I arrived just before midday, so I reckon I might have got the silver service, but the moment when I failed to understand whatever it was he said and he laughed, “Good morning!” at me was great, very human. There have been at least two other servers who've come to my table and asked how everything's going since then, which is cool. Feels a little impersonal, and actually I wanted to talk to Patrick again. I thought we had a connection?! The place is busier now though, way busier than Haverstock, but there seem to be plenty of crew on hand to deal with it. Staff: 3.8
Today I went and mixed it up a little with the Chicken Burger, and baby I got it grilled too, and then oh my days hold onto your hats here, A SALAD! Hahaha the knowledge of another meal coming in a few hours has really set me free, I'm like a maniac right now! WOOOOOPWOOPWOOPWOOPWOOP!! The burger was nice, the chicken fillet didn't really cover the bun, but it was tasty, I could taste the fire, or whatever that taste is when something is nicely grilled – the little burnt bits, like in the bun yesterday. I put some hot sauce on it and that had a little kick to it as well, not a lot, but you know, some nice white-boy kick, which was plenty. Salad was good, crunchy, all their ingredients are clearly fresh. I think they used a different bun on the chicken as opposed to beef burger yesterday too which is an interesting development. Something to look into. Food: 4
All up I'd say this place is nice, but definitely not as good as Haverstock, or Spitalfields where I went with Brenda on Monday. The location probably has a lot to do with that, it's not much to look at from the outside, but because Borough Markets is so busy and full of tourists, I'd say they get fairly busy all the time, which is something to account for. I wonder if they ever get full though? That would probably be very hectic. Overall, only because I'm betting the other locations are better, I'm gonna say Final Score: 3
GBK St Pauls
After a lovely spot of reading and a delicious coffee (SHOUTOUT Department of Coffee and Social Affairs) that has unfortunately made me feel jittery and nervous, I'm back in for my second helping of the day. Being right next to St Paul's Cathedral, I'm pretty sure this store would get a fair bit of tourist custom just like the Clink ST, but it's 4:10pm right now so it's empty but for a few tables. The layout of this one is marginally worse than Clink St – on the right when you walk in there's booths, which I'm all for, but on the left it's just open floor, and some of the tables are right in the middle of that mayhem. Fuck having to sit there if it got busy. Also my table right now is wobbly. Picky, sure, but annoying, also sure. At least there's reception here, and the hanging lights with copper lamp shades is a nice touch. This place has a more autumnal colour scheme,very well coordinated. I just noticed that, and it's notched up the points slightly. Decor/Vibe: 2.8
My man Lewis up on Terminal 5 was cool when I ordered, he yawned a late-afternoon yawn at one point which oddly endeared him to me. The other kid on the floor though – I don't know how old he was, but I think I'm calling him a kid because he just seemed real shy – was helpful but not at all engaging. It's late though, as I said, so I'm sure this crew are tired... .OH SHIT a lady wearing casual clothes just walked past with THREE BURGERS AND THREE SIDES balanced on her arms. Big Stuff! Staff: 3.5
The burger was just good enough. I got the chicken again, but this time had it crumbed, to be honest it was a little dry... well very dry, but I got some hot sauce from The Kid on The Floor to lube it up a little. The breading was very light, and it was crunchy but listen... when I'm having some fried chicken, I want some FRIED CHICKEN, you understand? I fuck with chicken shops HARD (why am I talking like this?), and I love that skin the spice and everything about some dirty fried chicken. The cut in this burger was good for what it was, so it can't lose too many points, but it's just not the kind of thing I'm after. I want it DIRTY! I want to hear squelching sounds when I bite into the shit, you know? Anyway... the coleslaw was good though. Food: 3.5
I'm going to start putting the ratings for toilets at the end, or chronologically, so to speak. The autumnal theme did not extend to the toilets, no real problem there I'm not a maniac. There was no similarly impressive mirror situation like in Clink St, but the place was still neat, even though I had to go up stairs to get there I think that's fine, make me earn it GBK, no worries. Toilets: 4
All in all, as 5pm ticks over and the sound of RJD2's timeless Ghostwriter bubbles away over the speaker above me, GBK St Paul's is pretty decent. Phone reception probably has it just ahead of Clink St this morning, but the two are fairly neck-and-neck. Final Score: 3
I'm off to an ominously titled “Networking Event” tonight, invited by someone I met after my show on Monday. Formal dress, oh yes yes yes. I knew I packed my slacks and dress shoes for a reason. See you tomorrow chums.
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