September 25, 2013 - Written by: Ilona-Jade Errington

DIY Dining: The Grill Shack

London’s Hidden Gems

Having moved to London only recently it has become somewhat a mission of mine to find awesome and unusual restaurants in central that don’t break my bank balance. And whilst even the trusty old chains seem to work out as quite a lot of £££’s for what you actually get I’m learning that there are some hidden gems whose bills won’t leave you counting your pennies.

Enter this week’s new favourite: The Grillshack.

Based on Beak Street (a convenient distance from Piccadilly Circus) the premise of this restaurant is simple. All. Day Grill. Your options are burger, steak, chicken or halloumi salad (admittedly slim pickings for the veggies out there) with prices starting from a mere £4.95! You can build up your meal with the likes of shoe string fries, salad or corn on the cob and they even offer gluten free burger buns for just £0.75 more – what a bargain! This is a no frills menu with no frills service, if you order half a chicken you get half a chicken, but even in its simplicity the food is just damn good. AND if you’re a fussy eater you get to make your meal up how you like it, win-win.

Now, it is worth noting that the modest menu and prices aren’t the only things that got my friends and I buzzing at this place: it was the unusual restaurant formulae that sparked some friendly debate… This place takes no reservations and offers no table service, only a waiting list for those busy times. If just rocking up isn’t your thing you can get your social networking head on, sit in a local bar and log in to the Grillshack app to put yourself on the waiting list there, and you’ll get a text when there’s a table available. Once you’re in, cos it’s super casual doncha know, your bench table for eight could house you, your friends “and the cute group of guys who have just walked in” winks the waitress as we sit down.

With no table service you are encouraged by the smiley staff to order at the counter, at the touch screens, or on the handy app using the restaurant’s free wifi. The techy in me quite enjoyed this aspect, although I did feel a tad anti-social sat on my phone at the dinner table (oh how disappointed my mother would be). Within minutes your drinks and food magically appear (this the wait staff do do) and even though you don’t have your one point of contact I was impressed at how the staff jump over each other to recommend their favourite sauces, or appear at your side to guide you through the tills and chat about the unusual restaurant procedure.

This system isn’t for all, and I will admit my friends are split on this one. Sometimes it’s nice to have a little banter with your waiter or to order a glass of wine without having to leave your seat or surf the net, and if you want a nice quiet date night this is not the place to go. But for a chilled night with some friends I was rather taken with the novelty of it all, and what was lacking in order taking was made up for by the general chattiness and attentiveness of the staff from the moment we walked in the door to the moment we left.

(Image via)

So at this point here’s over to you: Have you been to Grillshack? How did you find it? Are you pro or con this social media inspired, DIY type of dining?

And before I forget… Grillshack also has a rather tempting breakfast menu that I’m just dying to go back and sample… So Sunday brunch, anyone? I do love a bit of French toast.

For more information on the Grillshack check out their website.

Have a great week and happy eating!