Convenience Food – But Not As You Know It

Everyone loves a juicy burger – but finding a stylish restaurant in London that serves delicious and nutritious fast food in a child-friendly environment is like looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack. But now there is just such a haven – The Natural Burger Company and Grill, which opened its doors on March 1st in St John’s Wood.

The Natural Burger Company and Grill is the vision of proprietor Kami Kermani, who, after many years working in the fast food industry, recognised that the market was ready for something new.

Kami realised that instead of the poor quality pizzas, chips, wilting salads and other dreary staples that most convenience outlets offered, people with children in tow – or simply in a rush – still wanted top quality food in an efficient and friendly environment. And they particularly wanted burgers – but fresh, well made, well seasoned, and very very tasty burgers.

And so that is exactly what Kami provides at The Natural Burger Company and Grill. The restaurant uses only the best quality natural ingredients, sourced from local suppliers wherever possible. The meat is 100pc Aberdeen Angus Scotch beef from fully traceable, grass-reared cattle. The burgers are then served in a toasted ciabatta with a range of tempting additions, which can include avocado, bacon, Jalapeno peppers and even chorizo.

Why not try ‘The Works’ for example, which comes with streaky bacon, sausage, egg and brown sauce. Or if that’s a step too far for you, the classic cheeseburger has already become a firm favourite with regulars. All the burgers, incidentally, are garnished with ripe beef tomatoes, red onions, lettuce, mayonnaise and a range of delicious own-made sauces. All the customers need provide is a healthy appetite!

The restaurant also offers a varied menu of prepared-to-order starters, grills and salads. Innovative grill options include a butterflied chicken breast marinated in saffron and served with fresh salad and a cucumber and yoghurt sauce, while vegetarians can opt for Portobello mushrooms stuffed with goat’s cheese or homemade falafel. Unusual side dishes include bowls of delicately fried courgette chips. Mouthwatering desserts include home made tiramisu and American cheesecake.

To drink, children adore the restaurant’s homemade chocolate, vanilla and strawberry milkshakes – not surprisingly, as they are created with top quality Italian Bindi ice-cream – while adults usually prefer to select something from the carefully chosen wine list, which offers a range of vintages by the glass from just £3.05. Bottles start at £11.95 and popular choices include classic Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Grigio and Syrah Rose Lerane, plus a selection of Merlots, Rioja and Cabernets. Kami is keen to expand the wine list in line with customer’s requests.

With its bright and cheery colour scheme and carefully commissioned artwork, the décor is clean, modern and very family friendly, and the restaurant is fully non smoking. A downstairs room, with similar decor, is available for private hire. In the summer Bleinhem Terrace becomes a vibrant, charming, very popular destination for eating out, and The Natural Burger Company’s outside area will comfortably seat 24 customers under its attractive parasols. For chillier nights, there will be plenty of outside heaters.

The Natural Burger Company is open seven days a week, serving lunch from noon till 11.00pm.