Burnt Ends at Bodean’s
Bodean’s is in it’s third year at the Poland Street address and now has three siblings – one in Clapham, one on Fulham Broadway and the other Westbourne Grove – proof that Andre Blais and Bryan Tyrell knew what they were doing when they decided to launch what is now the best BBQ smokehouse in London. They should know though – Andre helped establish the Belgo chain and Bryan is a twice winning International BBQ champ.
The opinion at Bodean’s is that ‘fingers were invented before knives and forks’ so the idea is just to get stuck in. Sticky ribs, fat burgers, pulled pork, chicken wings and Burnt Ends (slow smoked pieces of beef brisket served in a light BBQ sauce) tempt you to throw away the cutlery.
The layout at Bodean’s Soho is a stroke of genius. Upstairs is modelled on an American diner, something straight from a street corner in Queens or a quiet nook of Manhattan’s Soho. It doesn’t feel themed in any way, a little rough around the edges and a more snack biased diner menu. Then downstairs is the restaurant area. This is a complete change to street level. You enter down a back stair case and arrive in a dimly lit basement space with a mix of tables and booths. This feels like Soho dining with a decent cocktail list – including Meat Martinis. There’s a feeling that this could stay open all night so if you get the chance to organise a party down there, see if they will.
So for BBQ fans please make a pilgrimage to Bodean’s – Soho, Clapham, Fulham or Westbourne Grove. Don’t leave without having tried the Burnt Ends and if you do go on a Tuesday, all steaks are half price.
www.bodeasbbq.com
Bodean’s Soho
10 Poland Street
London, W1F 8PZ
020 7287 7575
Bodean’s Clapham
169 Clapham High St.
London, SW4 7SS
Bodean’s Fulham
4 Broadway Chambers
Fulham Broadway
London, SW6 1EP
020 7610 0440
Bodean’s Westbourne Grove
57 Westbourne Grove
W2 4UA
0207 727 9503