Monday, May 5, 2014

Brigade Bar & Bistro goes Beyond Food


Brigade and Beyond Food, London Tooley StreetIn this post, I'm going to show you photos of  scrumptious food and tell you about a London restaurant that you should definitely visit.  

Trust me, the food is enough of a reason to visit Brigade Bar and Bistro.  But there is another important reason to visit and support this restaurant.  It's because Brigade goes Beyond Food.  

Simon Boyle is the chef behind this project and he has some pretty hefty partners backing this venture.  In 2004, Simon decided to start doing more with his time, talents and resources and started a foundation. 

Beyond Food runs programs that support homeless people stuck in the "no job - no home" cycle. They are trained in life skills and cooking and given the opportunity to find employment in the catering industry.  Not jut a hand out but a leg up.  Big difference.

Over 400 homeless people have been changed by Brigade and the Beyond Food Foundation.  They've employed over 50 apprentices and helped most of them go from no job to gainful employment. 

I was proud to be invited to join them for a meal and to learn more about the venture.


Brigade and Beyond Food, London Tooley Street

Brigade Bar and Bistro opened in 2011 in an old Fire Station on Tooley Street near London Bridge.
It's home to the social enterprise bistro and bar with private dining, events space and a cookery school.
It was packed the night we visited and had a great, festive feel.
Once we sat down to this meal, I was convinced that Brigade is a pretty special place.

Brigade and Beyond Food, London Tooley Street

Homemade Brigade Breads, Netherend Butter and Olives.
Emma had the gluten free option and loved it.  Be sure to check out her review of  Brigade.
Everyone at the table was nice enough to let me take photos as our starters and mains arrived. 

Brigade and Beyond Food, London Tooley Street

South Coast Seafood Cocktail topped with Cromer Crab and Chase Vodka Sauce

Brigade and Beyond Food, London Tooley Street

I had the Vitality Salad and I have to say it's the best salad I've ever had.  Honest.
Barley, Pumpkin, Soya Beans, Empire Spices, Sunflower Seeds
and magic dressing that according to Emma tasted like sunshine.
I completely agree.  It was fabulous.  Next to the mains.

Brigade and Beyond Food, London Tooley Street

From their "Recipes for Life" Menu, the hand cut beef Carpaccio with semi-dried figs,
truffled watercress and raspberries.

Brigade and Beyond Food, London Tooley Street

 Emma had the daily special of Pork Saltim Bocca with grilled polenta and nectarine.

Brigade and Beyond Food, London Tooley Street

Confit of Gressingham Duck with spinach, dandelion and rhubarb sauce.

Brigade and Beyond Food, London Tooley Street

Check out this beautiful burger!  I have to go back and try this.
The Brigade Burger is loaded with braised oxtail and spiced chutney.
As if that wasn't enough, it's served with cheesy chips.

Brigade and Beyond Food, London Tooley Street

I had the Fish and Chips and it rates right up there with some of the best I've had.
We were discussing at the table that you can judge a restaurant based on the quality of their fish & chips.
Brigade has it just right.  Crunchy batter with big chunks of white flaky fish, not greasy at all.

Brigade and Beyond Food, London Tooley Street

I was stuffed and close to passing up dessert.  I'm so glad that I didn't.
The Cappuccino Creme Brulee was such a surprising treat.
Cappuccino foam over a perfectly cooked creme brulee.  It was lovely.

Brigade and Beyond Food, London Tooley Street

Really great food with a much higher purpose.
If you're ever over by London Bridge, stop into the Brigade Bar & Bistro for a terrific meal
that goes way beyond food.

Brigade and Beyond Food, London Tooley Street

So salad or burger?  Which one looks the most enticing to you?


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  I was a guest of Brigade Bar & Bistro for the purposes of review.
 All photos, writing and opinions are my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

22 comments:

  1. That burger is insanely big but amazing looking!

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  2. What an amazing spread. That salad looks delicious!

    http://liveitinerantly.com/

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  3. Oooh, this food looks so good (and what a great venture and idea behind it all). Yum!

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  4. Selena this looks like a great place to eat and I love the ethos behind it. Thank for writing about it, I'd like to go there when I'm in London.

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  5. That Homeade Brigade Bread looks soooo good!

    I'll have to mark this down as a must-visit for when I get back into the UK!

    Great blog!

    Caity at Adventures Abroad Blog

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  6. Oh My!!! I have to go there!! Looks so delicious!!! x

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  7. This looks delicious! I think I would have gotten that Pork Saltim Bocca with grilled polenta and nectarine (everything in that dish is a favourite!).

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  8. That salad was the best!! And so healthy.

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  9. It's a pretty special place. I've walked by in hundreds of times but had no idea the story behind it.

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  10. I really enjoyed my meal and I love the story behind it, too. Let me know if you get to have a meal there. The good is great!

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  11. You'll love it! Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Caity. I've connected on Twitter & Instagram. And I've followed on Bloglovin! Can't wait to read more about your travels.

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  12. So good! Whoever said you can't find good food in London was soooo wrong!

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  13. Katharina, thanks so much for connecting. The pork looked and smelled wonderful. I've followed on Twitter & Instagram. I look forward to connecting with you on social media.

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  14. Thank you!! I've followed too - Looking forward to reading more about your adventures too!

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  15. Perhaps I should try it out this weekend! I think I'll go for the burger and a few rounds of that Creme Brûlée! Yum!! Thanks for sharing :)

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  16. Did you ever try Brigade? I'd love to hear what you thought.

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  17. I did not :-( It has been a crazy crazy past few weeks, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down! But this is my dream life :-)

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  18. I am going through this post and thinking of it’s theme and trying to understand what is this post about. At last I can have found something from this post which feels pretty good.

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