The Union Street Cafe is Gordon Ramsay’s new venture that had David Beckham as an investor, but he’s since pulled out of the deal. Apparently he wants to open Pie & Mash shops with Gordon instead – can’t wait as they’re a dying breed and great hangover food except maybe for the eels & (green) liquor (so just the pie then!). It’s south of the river in Southwark which used to be ‘edgy’ (in a bad way) but now it’s ‘up & coming’.
The Cafe on the ground floor has flat access and there appears to be plenty of room for manoeuvres but with it being so popular with ‘walk-ins’ to the bar, this may not always be true. The bar downstairs is accessed via a lift and this is where the disabled toilet resides with all the grab rails needed, I’ve been told.
The reviews are mixed but I’m holding judgement until I’ve tried it myself.
The Standard said:
“A café this isn’t, nor even a trattoria, but an ambitious ristorante in street disguise….”, They thought the food was cheap for the quality it offered. The menu does seem reasonable as you’d expect for an Italian cafe. Not sure I can translate it all.
However The Telegraph:
“loved the downstairs bar, which has a funky warmth to throw the ersatz chilliness above (The Ground Floor Cafe) into sharper relief, ……… this was its second day of business, so the food should improve”. They didn’t seem to like the food or the Cafe.
I’m intrigued by the diverse opinions but that’s what Ramsay does to people. In the meantime we give them a provisional 2.5 BBS Ticks.