The London-born Burger & Lobster concept may have started almost as a joke — but the dishes on offer at its Jeddah restaurant are seriously tasty.
The Russian entrepreneur George Bukhov launched the chain in the UK capital with two old school friends back in 2011.
As the Burger & Lobster name implies, it specializes in just two things — but doing them very, very well.
Bukhov has admitted that the name for his restaurant was, at the beginning at least, a bit silly — calling it “stupid” in one interview last year.
But the London restaurant proved a massive hit, with the brand name now standing for much more than its signature dishes. More Burger & Lobster outlets followed — with Bukhov saying last summer that he sees room for as many as 50 or 60 branches globally.
In the early days in London, the nascent restaurant chain became famous for its choice of just three main courses: A burger, lobster, and lobster roll. Each came with fries and salad and was priced at £20 ($25) in the London restaurant, which did not even feature a printed menu such was the scant choice on offer.
Another of Burger & Lobster’s trademarks was the inclusion in its restaurants of large crustacean tanks where live lobsters, otherwise known as “dinner,” enjoyed a final swim.
Yet simplicity of both the menu choices and pricing has always been the name of the game at Burger & Lobster. When the Dubai branch of Burger & Lobster opened in February, it offered the three signature dishes at Dh127 ($35) a pop.
The chain has since started offering a bit more variation in its menu, but as a visit to the new Jeddah branch suggested, the focus is still very much on its namesake dishes.
The menu features lobster, burgers, and spicy variations, plus lobster rolls, mocktails and a selection of desserts.
The chain’s original burger sandwich and lobster roll has gained quite a following in Jeddah, and will soon be available in Riyadh and in other Saudi cities as well.
The manager said the lobsters — which typically weigh in at about 1-2 pounds — are shipped in every week from Canada. As with the London restaurants, they are kept in special aquariums in the restaurant for customers to see and select the one of their choice. Every dish, whether burger, lobster or a combination of the two, is served with fresh salad and fries.
The meat was moist and delicious, drizzled with the signature Burger & Lobster creamy garlic butter. The manager made things even better by serving us mocktails such as sangria and passionfruit mojito.
Located in the Khalidiya Center, on Prince Sultan Street, Burger & Lobster is definitely worth a visit. There may be only a few choices on offer — but what more could you want?

Source:Arab News