Lifestyle: Restaurant Review: The Bureau, Birmingham
HOT dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque, as Prefab Sprout might have put it had they found a great place to dine on wieners around the corner from where they work.
Because if you like a beefed up banger on a tasty roll with some decent sides, The Bureau on Colmore Row in central Brum could be the place for you.
I’ve been to this place a few times for Birmingham Press club (ahem) networking events but I hadn’t eaten here until a week or so ago.
A few different bars, bar/eateries have come and gone on this site and The Bureau just seemed to appear without too much of a flourish – although there was a bit of a fanfare when it launched the gin parlour on its roof terrace last summer.
As alluded to, its menu offering is based around hot dogs, burgers, club sandwiches and the like, which is ideal at lunchtime (unless you’re a health food type or a veggie).
There were a few people already in there when we arrived for lunch (which isn’t always the case in Birmingham) and by the time we left there was a decent enough-sized crowd enjoying lunch so it’s doing something right.
It has a young and funky vibe. I found the music a bit loud for a lunchtime but then again I’m not young and funky.
The menu is a little over-complicated, it should be said. You can choose from express lunch, chargrill, nibbles, bar bites and sandwiches and there were also a couple of deals on offer. Luckily our friendly and helpful waitress was on hand to steer us through the menu maze.
My partner chose the Bureau club sandwich, which was free range chicken with egg, crispy bacon, salad and herby mayonnaise (£6) and she also ordered a side order of sweet potato wedges (£3).
I thought I should go for one of The Bureau’s signature hot dogs and plumped for the deli dog of the day which was a chicken, chorizo and beef combo (£5). On the waitress’s advice I added a side of chilli beef (£3.50) and some hand cut chips (£3). ‘Oh go on then’ is my standard response on these occasions.
The food arrived quickly and my dining companion described her grilled club sandwich as substantial (not too substantial for her to wolf it down pretty sharpish, it should be noted).
My hot dog was one of the best I’ve tasted. The combination of meats in the sausage gave it a rich taste and the chilli beef really added something to the mix (and not just calories).
The best hot dog in town? Without doubt.
The sides were also good and we felt very sophisticated (in a Benelux sort of way) dipping our chips into mayonnaise.
For a place that isn’t what you would call high-end, there’s a lot of home cooking going on here and there is much to be admired in the effort that is being made.
But the best was yet to come. We decided – again on the advice of our waitress – to share a dessert of choc chip cookie dough and vanilla ice cream (£5).
The combination of hot dough and cold ice cream served in an earthenware pot can only be described as gooey gorgeousness. What a shame we had decided to share.
We enjoyed our lunch here and – important for this part of town – we were in and out within an hour.
The next time I need a superior hot dog fix or a terrific pud I’ll be back.
The Bureau is at 110, Colmore Row, Birmingham .
Tel: 0121 236 1110
