Foodie Rich Away Days: Beigel Bake

June 28, 2016 by Rich - Foodie Reviewer

Foodie Rich Away Days: Beigel Bake

Here at Leigh-on-Sea.com we love everything about SS9. I’m stating the blooming obvious really, its why we run this website! We’re spoilt for choice with lovely restaurants and bars along the Broadway. Not to mention the charm and quaintness of beautiful Old Leigh. I would go as far to say, its one of my favourite places on Earth. But, there’s a big wide world of food and drink out there just waiting to be explored, so from time to time it does us good to get out of the SS9 bubble. You may remember, last year I wrote a ‘Foodie Rich Away Day’? Lou and I chucked our glad rags on, and jumped on the train up to the big smoke; being correctly Essex, we went ‘Up Town’! Following in the footsteps of the rich and famous, we had an amazing lunch in the Ivy. It was then I thought, we should do this more, and share the experience with the good folk who take the time to read my foodie ramblings each week. After all, how many of us in Leigh and the surrounding area work and socialise in London? So, casting my ‘foodie’ net farther afield seemed like a good idea to me. I could spend the next 10 years working my way round the London food scene and only scratch the surface. It never stands still, there’s always new trends evolving. No longer is it just our French neighbours pushing the gastronomic boundaries. London is now regarded as a hot spot within the worldwide food industry.

So, with all that in mind, Lou and I hopped on C2C for another London foodie adventure. But this time lets forget the swanky upmarket restaurants around the west end. I wanted to get down and dirty in one of my favourite parts of the capital. A place home to mad eccentrics, bearded hipsters, pop up markets, retro vintage shops and street art. Where else than the curry capital of London; yep Brick Lane.

I’m sure most of us have experienced Brick Lane in the past? If not, I encourage you to give it a go. Its great fun to meander past the neon lit curry houses, where waiters stand outside tempting you in with promises of free poppadum’s, beer and onion bajhee’s etc. I’ve had some pretty good curries along Brick Lane, but always remember, pick a busy restaurant, never an empty one. They’re empty for a reason! After a curry, Lou and I often head to one of the Indian Sweet shops, and get a box of traditional sweets to enjoy on the train whilst heading home. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, traditional Indian sweets certainly hit the spot, as they are SWEET and incredibly moreish! Another favourite is a chocolate shop called Dark Sugars. Boy, this is a must for any chocaholic, its chocolate nirvana! The moment you walk through the front door the aroma of chocolate hits you. Seriously, Just the smell of the shop is enough to feel the calories piling on, let alone the taste! Their homemade hot chocolate looks pretty awesome too.

However, if you want to sample an alternative part of the Brick Lane food scene, head north, past all the curry houses and up to Beigel Bake. My last London review was of the Ivy, this time we’ve gone to the other end of the spectrum entirely! But, by no means is it less appealing. Beigel Bake is no frills, and I mean no frills. Similar to how Chinese Restaurants along Gerrard Street hang crispy belly pork and char siu in their windows, Beigel Bake have a hunk of glistening, juicy salt beef strategically placed by the window for all to see; I can never walk past. Whenever I’m in Shoreditch I have to make the short pilgrimage to this small bakery, for my fix of their glorious salt beef.

Beigel Bake has been on Brick lane since 1974 and little has changed. They bake their own bagels on the premises, so you wont get fresher anywhere. Other fillings such as smoked salmon or pickled herrings can be had, but for me, you’ve got to go for their salt beef with mustard and pickles. Simply order at the counter, and your warm bagel will be served to you in a brown paper bag, ready to be devoured. Hand on heart; I’ve never tasted better. You can eat this wonderfully tasty bagel whilst strolling along Brick Lane, or why not eat in? But, don’t expect a table or even a chair, just lean up against the wall, and watch the comings and goings of this Brick Lane institution. Just another point, it gets busy, so expect to queue, but the wait is well worth it. What’s even better, Beigel Bake is open round the clock, yep 24 hours a day! So fear not, you can supress you’re salt beef cravings be it at 3am or 3pm.

On the face of it, Shoreditch comes across as a gritty, gnarly, underground, frayed around the edges part of town. And I suppose it is, but I love it. Its unpretentious, laid back, pretty eccentric character is like nowhere else in London. It has what can only be described as an ‘alternative’ charm. Once you’re over the initial first impression, there are some quite unique and interesting shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. So next time your ‘up town’ give the west end a miss, and explore Shoreditch. When you get to Brick Lane forget a curry this time, grab yourself a salt beef bagel, a simple but awesome foodie treat!

To read all of @foodierich's previous reviews please click the link https://www.leigh-on-sea.com/tag/listing/blog/restaurant-review