Damn. That was delicious! Deep flavour from the Deep South came to London for the finale of The Blues Kitchen Brixton’s Rib Fest with a sold out, one night only feast of epic proportion. In town from the States to man the grill were the award-winning keepers of the low and slow flame: Home Team BBQ. I was mightily glad to have managed to slide in for a taste of the action and reckon I enjoyed some of the best BBQ I’ve had since October 2015 when I had a chance to visit the Home Team fellas on their own turf of Charleston, South Carolina.
Wanna known what you missed (or – if you were lucky enough to be among the sated Rib Fest attendees – to revel in the remembrance)? Here’s the menu from the night: smoked St Louis pork ribs and belly, fontina and aged sharp white Cheddar mac ‘n cheese, collard greens, pickled vegetables with hot red sauce and Alabama white sauce.
Not bad for £20. Certainly filling. Every bite was a marvel. But allow me to wax poetical about a couple of dishes I was particularly partial to. The rib was thick and juicy and effused a rich smoky woody flavour. It cut like butter. The mac ‘n cheese was full-on with flavour too, refusing to sit idly on the sidelines. A pickled jalapeno dipped in the white sauce was a burst of tangy heat.
The event was on a Thursday night, which according to the waiter serving my table meant two-for-one on cocktails. Old Fashioneds were tasty – and strong, and much appreciated at half price. I’m not sure if the twofer deal is a running thing or not. Best check before you go.
Rib Fest was my first opportunity to take a gander at the newest of the Blues Kitchen trio of restaurants. Nice digs, close to the Tube, lots of live music: it’s a good ‘un to keep in mind. I didn’t try anything from the regular menu, but if it’s like the food I’ve had at the original Kitchen in Camden then it’s worth having a go. Service was swift and friendly.
The Blues Kitchen Brixton is located at 40 Acre Lane, SW2 5SP. There are Blues Kitchen outlets in Camden and Shoreditch too. Find out more at theblueskitchen.com.
For more about Home Team and what they do back in Charleston, go to hometeambbq.com.
