Slider Bar @ The Player

I'd never even had a Lucky Chip burger before my visit to Slider Bar at The Player on Broadwick St.  But that certainly didn't stop me being ridiculously excited about the prospect of visiting.  If you have sampled them, you'll know why being able to get one in Soho is beyond brilliant.  Soho is my regular haunt so it made sense to wait for this, instead of schlepping to the Sebright Arms or Netil Market.  It was a long wait though.  Kitchen refurb issues, whisperings of a disturbed ancient burial site, there were multiple delays.

Finally word came that opening day had arrived.  No bookings for groups of less than 6 though, obv, but we had no trouble getting a walk in table at 8pm on Wednesday.  I already loved The Player, and their cocktail menu, which is now slightly pared down (no more gin, raspberry, egg white, fresh cream offering, probably for the best).

From humble burger van beginnings, riding on the wave that glorified diner style food is enjoying, these guys are offering some of the very best fancied up American style junk delights. London is all about this right now and the Slider Bar menu is a thing of beauty.

I had 2 sliders with fries (£12.50). The fillet-O-fish, crispy breadcrumbed fish sandwiched between the bun with tartare sauce and cheese. It was magnificent. The sauce was truly standout.

My 2nd choice was the club slider.  I'd read it about here and had to have it. It's no longer 2 patties stacked up though, as people were having trouble eating it, it's now 1 larger patty.  Adorned with special sauce, onions, lettuce and cheese, this is the Lucky Chip take on a big mac. Also game-changingly good.  Fries were nice too.

The chicken bucket (£9) was brilliant. Crispy coating and tender innards, ripe for dunking into the sweet creamed corn.  Also on the tray come some lovely cheese croquettes and some chicken gravy for squirting over everything. It's the best little collection of treats one could hope for. Fried chicken AND sliders, it's almost too much.

The fish & chips (£7.50) was also pretty special. Really good cod in a light and totally non greasy batter served with a scallop, pea puree and, just as I thought it couldn't get any better, some crispy fried fish skins. A prawn cracker of sorts and yet another willing vessel for that creamed corn!

And to well and truly top it all off, there's mac & cheese to be had (£6.50).  The gooey 4 cheese pasta topped with crunchy breadcrumbs is wicked and utterly delicious.

The desserts too have been given a lot of thought. There's the ice cream cheeseburger (£4.50) which is chocolate covered ice cream in a sweet bun with raspberry and mango reductions making up the cheese and ketchup elements. Pretty perfect as desserts go and cutely served in a little cardboard burger box.

Art & I shared the make your own sundae, vanilla ice cream with blueberries, honeycomb, meringue, popping candy and chocolate and raspberry sauces (£6.50). This is so fun and such a simple idea.

I know I'm sickeningly praising the place, but it's that good. If you're reading this, you'll probably already be planning a visit or have been and you'll know what I'm talking about.  I'll be back again and again and I can't wait to try the rest of the menu.  It's pretty cheap if you don't hit the cocktails hard and they even give you a palate cleanser!

I miss working in Soho so much.

Slider Bar
The Player
8 Broadwick St
Soho
W1F
9.5/10