Hache Burgers

Kang Leong lets us know about the best burger in town.

329-331 Fulham Road Chelsea
SW10 9QL
Tel: 020 7823 3515
http://www.hacheburgers.com

‘Something is definitely award-winning about their burgers’

There’s only so many ways I can photograph a business card, but that’s all
Hache burgers left me with after my visit to Timeout’s best burger place.
Odd I must say, I wouldn’t have expected a chic and relaxing burger bar
banning photos of their juicy creations.

I may not have understood their refusal for pictures but I tell you what,
I might have just ate the best fish burger. ever.

‘A reputation to envy’

If you search the web and keep your ears open on the streets, you’ll find
that there’s alot nice words like ‘juicy’ , ‘lovely’ , ‘delicious’ ,
‘ohh..’ being used in the same sentence with Hache. Word of mouth is a
pretty powerful thing and you know that just means one thing – I have to
check it out.

‘Hachin’ it’

Hache brands themselves as Burger Connoisseurs, that’s a pretty bold claim
especially when it comes to dealing with fast food. But these days with a
general trend towards healthier eating ( even McDs have re branded with
‘healthy deli buns’ ) , making the ol’ burger fit for posh palettes seem
appropriate. Besides, I think there’s a little bit of burger connoisseur
in every one of us. Yes, admit it, you love a good hearty burger.

‘Constructing the decor’

It’s wet and rainy as I write this so the atmosphere is alittle dreary to
say the least. I am in need of a warm burger to clear those rainclouds.
There’s two branches one in camden and the other on fulham road. I headed
towards the fulham road branch today and it’s immediately recognisable as
the outside is a beautiful brown wood and does seem to exude the
appearance of a connoisseur.

Stepping through the door, I am greeted by loud 80’s pop music, pots of
green plants hanging off the door, mirrors on white walls and fairy lights
in the shape of floral patterns. The lights are low and lend it a an urban
candle-lit atmosphere. Also, I should mention the mini chandeliers hanging
off the exposed white ceilings with which the wooden beams are visible.
The space is very reminiscent of a family run restaurant who’ve had a
secret burger recipe which has been passed down from the centuries. Aside
from the blaring 80s music, the restaurant is alive and cosy and is
coloured with the brilliant grilled smell in the air.

‘Something delicious is definitely cooking in the kitchen.’

Duck, lamb, fish and anything you can put between two pieces of flour

How many ways can you dress a burger up anyway? It’s just meat in buns isn’t
it?

I got to say, these guys deserve an award just from judging their menu
alone; there are a multitude of options available! In addition to the
standard beef + innovative add-on , they have options made from english
shoulder lamb , dabble with a venison in a rich coating of cassis and even
indulge in the aromatic crispy duck option. I mean, seriously, the
description of the options alone seem they belong in a restaurant serving
proper meals. Do have a read at the full menu here.

‘Gone fishing’

I’m a seafoodie , fresh seafood is just good no matter how you cook it.
Being that they are connoisseurs – I just had to order something a little
less common to test their mettle. Not that fish burger is a rarity in any
case, while I do love the angus option at Burger king, I tend to enjoy
their ocean’s catch a lot more.

I spotted this on the menu:

COD A CROÛTE. Chunky Cod Steak topped with our chef’s own recipe of crust
of blue cheese, red pepper, corriander and a touch of chilli . £9.50

Sounds really unique especially that crust with a medley of ingredients. I
took the plunge with this. As it’s lunchtime ( and I actually just woke up
by the way.. so er, it was actually fish burger for breakfast.. ok
brunch. ) I also ordered their banana berry smoothie which was frothy and
very light as well as some thin frites on the side.

‘Finally sinking my teeth in’

The plate is deliciously beautiful. The bread is a rather dry ciabatta
bread, which is crusty but soft on the inside. I appreciate the fact that
it’s dry because that helps mop up and suck in all the juices from the
burger.

If indeed the burger is juicy that is.

Complimenting the burger are the run-of-the-mill fresh and delicious giant
tomato slices and super fresh lettuce. The burger is served semi-open, so
the fish is exposed. I normally dip my head into the dish when it comes to
the table just to take in the aromas of freshly cooked food. A deep breath
and I’m just absolutely swooning, that grilled fish smell is very nice
indeed. The searedness comes through just nice and I’m in abit of grilled
heaven. The first cut and I can see that the fish is just on the side of
perfectly grilled. The fish flakes perfectly being that it is just ever so
slightly undercooked ensuring that the fish’s texture is still not falling
apart and thus still has a bouncy bite rather than an overcooked chewiness
to it. Hats off to the chef getting the cooking spot-on.

I will note that this is a pretty big chuck of cod, so there’s no way for
me to pick up the burger and take a bite out of it ( which I would have
loved to do, but fearing it may be abit of a messy affair for public
eyes.. ) . Wow, wow, wow, the grilled smokey taste comes straight through
and it’s just so nicely seasoned peppery , a little garlicky and just full
of that fresh cod goodness. I have a sneak suspicion the rich tastes
partly come from the excellent crust which accompany the fish. The crust
is more likely described as a thinly grilled savoury cake of sorts. It’s
definitely as advertised on the menu being cheesy, peppery and alittle
fiery at the end of it as well. I’ll note now that while the fish itself
is not oozing juices, though it’s not meant to be, it does taste just so
hearty.

I have got to say, this is an excellent fish burger that is well-executed,
probably the best I’ve ever and miles better than an ocean’s catch. This
definitely does seem like burger taken to gourmet levels, but thankfully
it hasnt taken on any snotty pretentiousness.

‘Thoughts’

I forgot to mention that the frites were very tasty as well. They are
fried crispyly and are full of that nice potato flavour. So, at the end of
this meal, I am left nodding along to their reputation, I must say I
thought I knew burgers but Hache really helped re-introduced me to
burgers.

If you are after, dare i say, the best burger in town , do pay them a
visit.

Review By Kang Leong