*This post first appeared on Time Out, on Friday 14th June.
Living in London, I’ve developed quite a list of my favourite places to eat, drink and be merry. Whilst I appreciate it’s unlikely this will ever happen, I can’t help but daydream about the chance of taking Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band on a little gastro tour of London. A girl can dream!
Travelling from the US, it’s important the E Street Band sample one of the finest culinary delights the UK has to offer, the bacon sandwich. Whether it’s enjoyed in greasy spoon café or my living room, there is no better way to start the day than crispy bacon slotted between some soft white bread. Whilst I don’t doubt that Bruce and the band are down to earth, I’m sure they also appreciate the finer things in life, so I’d take them to the St John Bread & Wine, home to one of the simplest yet tastiest bacon sarnies on offer in London. I might even treat them to one of their legendary donuts afterwards.
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| Bacon and bread for the band |
After this light breakfast we’d move on to Burger Bear, a popular street stall burger seller in London. With super juicy burgers and pillow soft white rolls, Burger Bear flips the patties to create a dish every member of the E Street Band should be trying. The Grizzly Bear burger is the one I’d force the band to have, smothered in ‘bacon jam’ it’s sticky and sweet and very pleasing on the taste buds, and the waistline. I’m happy to say Burger Bear is a Springsteen fan….His favourite tunes? The good old classics, ‘Born To Run’ and ‘Badlands’. Maybe Bruce and the band would even break into song for us, mid burger.
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| I challenge Bruce to eat this burger and sing Born To Run |
From one Springsteen fan to the next; continuing our culinary tour of London we’d have to head over to two brothers known as the Pizza Pilgrims. Having set up their little van following extensive pizza based research in Naples; their pizza is cheap, doughy in some places, crispy in others, and oozing with mozzarella goodness. With the band frequently playing in Italy, and more recently in Piazza del Plebiscito, Naples, I’m sure they’ll all be craving some authentic Italian pizza again. It’s always hard to pick a favourite, but while the pizza is cooking, Pizza Pilgrim number one would love to hear the band play an impromptu ‘Rosalita’, whereas Pizza Pilgrim number two would opt for a more chilled ‘My City Of Ruins’. Let’s hope Jake Clemons has his sax to hand.
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| Can Jake juggle his saxaphone and pizza? |
After all this eating it’s time to quench our thirst with a beer. There are plenty of traditional English pubs to choose from, but where else could I take the band than CASK, so we could raise a toast to The Boss, with a pint of The Boss. Tucked away down a side street in Victoria, it’s a cosy little place with an ever changing selection of ales and lagers. Imagine my glee when I saw this special brew on tap.
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| A beer for The Boss |
9pm: Spicy Food PLUS
Nothing goes better with beer than curry, so our final stop would have to be a post pub food fix at Spicy Food PLUS. This place is definitely not as good looking as some of my other choices, but the food is surprisingly brilliant, not to mention cheap (I’m paying and there’s 16 or so people in the E Street Band). Choices are as simple as chicken or lamb, spicy or mild, and apart from that it’s a bit of a gamble. What is guaranteed however, is that it will taste incredible.
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| I hope Curt likes curry |
Whilst the ideal situation would be to enjoy this day with Bruce Springsteen and the band, I’ll accept the fact that my friends may have to do instead. Whether you’re a fan of The Boss as well, or know nothing at all about his music (I’ll teach you) these are still some of the best food offerings that London has to offer.
St John Bread & Wine, 94-96 Commercial Street, E1
Burger Bear, Red Market and Harringay Market, follow @burgerbeartom for details
Pizza Pilgrims, 102 Berwick Street, W1F & new location soon opening
CASK, 6 Charlwood Street, SW1V
Spicy Food PLUS, Wilton Road, SW1V