Big Byron does Uncle Sam - the classic cheeseburger

The Uncle Sam - a classic cheeseburger

Sadly, today was the last day for Byron Uncle Sam.  It's a classic, a 6oz hamburger (Byron's usual quality applies); American cheese, sliced gherkin, French's mustard (to which I am partial) and ketchup.  It's a nostalgia trip.

Scarlett made a beautiful cross-section of hers - lovely manicure too.  But the uncovered glory is as above.  Sadly, my cheese hadn't melted completely, something which I noticed wasn't a problem for either Burgerac or Burger Me.  But I'm not going to weep over it.

It was the usual happy medium and was completely delicious.  Everything came together.  You know what it is, don't you?  It's a quarter pounder with cheese from the provider we do not name on this blog, but with prime quality beef, a happy bun, and nicely put together, which is why it looks good the whole way through.  It is a first choice, not a last resort when you've had too much to drink and need something to (literally) act as blotting paper to a surfeit of alcohol.

This is what Uncle Sam looked like when he turned up - modest guy.  He was accompanied by some crispy, crunchy friends.

The skin-on chips.  Again, King's Road branch turned up trumps.

The excellent coleslaw, addictive as ever.

And I can't recall whether it was Burgerac or Burger Me who led me to suggest we try the courgette fries but we are in your debt.  They were absolutely glorious.

Light, crunchy, flavoursome batter, lightly coating softly melting courgette, which tasted of the vegetable.  Quite perfect, so much so that Scarlett and I actually loved them as much (even more so?) than the super fries.

Afterwards we went winter coat shopping - in 28 degree heat!!!  To be honest we did try on a coat each in Reiss, really lovely ones too.  We'd spent quite a bit of time in there and had cooled off thanks to the lovely air-conditioning.  It was still too hot to actually buy anything wintry though.  We aren't eccentric, we'd actually made our date to meet a couple of weeks ago when it was a lot cooler.  So, there we were, trotting down the King's Road, and where did we end up?

The Martini from Outer Space

No prizes I'm afraid as it's where we always end up, yup, it's the Chelsea Bar and their fabulous Martinis (and Daiquiris and Margaritas as it turned out).  Just the one photo this time, of the Lychee Martini - still looking as if it's an embryo from Outer Space.  We parted afterwards and given that it was quite a while since the burger (and I'd done extra in the gym), I stopped off at Kulu Kulu Sushi for a few plates and rounded off with a trip to the one (two if you're being picky) and only (one more than the original branch if you're still being picky)...

Scoop in Short's Gardens - the original, the factory is downstairs and the charming staff are upstairs.  I had a scoop of the Malaga the amazing one with Marsala wine and Chilean sultantas this time, and the cioccolato extra fondente (crema as there was no sorbetto).  Honestly, I'm in heaven just thinking about it.  It deserves a close-up and a reminder that this place is run by people who love and are proud of what they produce.  They're Italian.  They're kindly and generous.  The small cup costs £3 (keep it that way, guys, per piacere).  Go there.  Give them your business if you're in or around or anywhere near Covent Garden - even if you're a walk away, the walk will do you good - or the Brewer Street branch.  So here's the close-up to remind you how good it is and what you're missing if you've never experienced the gelato, the lovely people and the great vibes.

Malaga and Cioccolato Extra Fondente (Grand Cru)