The Big Easy, London

Any bottomless brunch is always a winner. Throw lobster in to the mix however and there’s a real risk you might never want to leave. The Big Easy’s weekend affair is one that’s not to be missed; available at all three branches (Covent Garden, Chelsea and Canary Wharf) with unlimited prosecco, Big Easy Brew, frozen Bacardi mojito or house wine for £29.50, it’s the perfect excuse for a weekend feast.

THE VIBE
If you like your brunch spots quiet and refined, The Big Easy isn’t for you. Covent Garden is big, brash and ballsy, with pumping tunes, a buzzing atmosphere and a plastic bib handed to you on arrival. So far so good.

THE FOOD
Being that it’s a lobster shack and smokehouse, you can guess what the menu looks like; heavy on the crustaceans, with a healthy (or maybe not…) dose of southern-style barbecue dishes and a veritable smorgasbord of sides. With dishes like deep fried pickle chips and chilled Atlantic crab claws, to dry-rubbed St Louis pork ribs and Texas slow-smoked brisket, you’ll be hard-pressed to make a decision. Everything that came out while we were perusing the menu looked - and smelt - utterly sublime. Word of warning - one visit won’t be enough.

Being that this is somewhere famed for its lobster, we figured it’d be rude no to try the star of the menu. The Big Easy have been working with the same fishermen in Nova Scotia for the last 20 years. The blighters are flown in three times a week, with the Covent Garden restaurant housing almost 2000 live lobsters in specially designed tanks, so it’s pretty damn fresh.

We plumped for The Big Easy Original, a 1 3/4lb lobster, served with salad and fries (if that’s a little much, there’s also The Pounder at a more modest 1lb). Fresh, juicy and with an utterly sublime jug of garlic butter, it was seriously delicious. The winning side dish takes the form of the trio of macaroni cheeses; not for the fainthearted, these three little dishes of joy - one with lobster, one with brisket and one with just cheese - are the ultimate comfort food.

THE VERDICT
Suffice to say our meal was enjoyed; lobster and prosecco? It’s basically the perfect pairing. We left stuffed to the gills in a slight food coma with very big smiles and very tight belts. I’ve been back twice since, I think I’m converted.

Food and drink *****
Ambience *****
Staff attentiveness/friendliness  *****​

Big Easy Bar.B.Q & Lobstershack
12 Maiden Lane
London
WC2E 7NA

Laurel Waldron
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