DIRTY BONES

‘Are you bringing your sports gear to London?‘‘ Elke asked me on the left. ‘Uhh, no way,’ I hissed very quickly between my nose and lips. ‘We’re going to eat, drink, and sleep in. Just kidding… because at 8:30 AM we’ll be backstage at MAC. I’ll do a hundred sit-ups next to the bed beforehand. And uh, you’ve got mail.’ Elke fell off her chair. I don’t know if it was from happiness or surprise, but she was definitely beside herself. A confirmation of the reservation at Dirty Bones.
My London hotspot list is full of healthy hotspots: from vegan lunch spots to juice bars, brunch places, raw food bars, and so on. But the reservation I made for us was totally outside my comfort zone. A new hotspot where the hottest guys are behind the bar and the DJ booth, where the burgers are on fleek, and where a bald fry is sent straight back to the kitchen. And also just because Elke and I are both huge fans of America. Dirty Bones, American style dive bar & diner, brand new in Shoreditch and definitely a must-try.
At Dirty Bones, you can go for all your American style comfort food with a raw edge. Did you pull an all-nighter at an underground party (they're good at that in London), then make sure you flop down here with your hangover. The bloody marys are finished with a rim of Pringles Sour Cream & Onion, and they’ve paid extra attention to people with choice stress. Can’t decide between a burger or mac & cheese? Then just go for the Mac Daddy! A dry aged burger topped with pulled beef, mac & cheese, and barbecue sauce. Your hangover is gone before you even walk out the door. Want to go a bit lighter, but still want something from the grill? Then the shortrib with barbecue sauce of salted caramel & charred shallots or ‘The Burger’, a dry aged steak burger with bacon, gorgonzola, pickles jalapeños, spinach, and chipotle aioli is what you want on your board. And don’t think it stops there. The side dishes, you want them. All of them. Did I already mention that mac & cheese?

That’s not just any: freshly made pasta with a creamy full sauce of Taleggio, smoked cheddar topped with crunchy parmesan. A bit too cheesy? How about charred eggplant in a rich spicy tomato sauce with fresh cheese? Just give us a portion of skinny truffle Parmesan cheese fries (indeed: TRUFFLE). And a burger on the side. What was I again? A happy & healthy editor?

I was practically bursting at the seams after that incredible skinny burger and portion of truffle, that much is clear. Even before I could ask for the bill, the dessert menu was slid under our noses. And yes, you haven’t been out with Elke if no dessert has been ordered. Okay, to share then (we did share the fries after all): salted peanut butter ice cream, caramelized chocolate ganache, chocolate chip cookie chunks, and honey nut brittle. Guys, if I don’t score any points with Elke after this weekend, then I don’t know anymore. Oh yes, we do everything by bike here, you understand that.
Joejoe, balancing again on Tuesday.