Since my brief stay in New Orleans, Lousiana, I still can’t get over the Deep South’s atmosphere, food, drinks and magic. It’s only natural then that I had to try London’s The Fat Bear, a corner of New Orleans in the hustle and bustle of touristy St. Paul’s.
Upstairs from the Rising Sun pub in Carter Lane, The Fat Bear has an impressive bar, an outstanding collection of spirits and jazz playing in the background. Once you’re through the door, shut blinds, dim lights and staff taking Southern hospitality to heart will make you forget you’re in London.
We started the night with a Chased Cobbler, a fresh cocktail made with Chase marmalade Vodka, fig liqueur and a hint of lemon juice, perfect to accompany the spicy Andouille sausage corn dogs and hot Buffalo wings with blue cheese dip.
Still, it was the Game gumbo that brought me back to the streets of NOLA. Served in a hot pot with rice on the side, this gumbo is a real meat feast with duck, venison, wild boar, pheasant and vegetables: spicy enough and heart-warming like any Creole stew I tried in the South, the gumbo is definitely the menu’s strongest dish.
We finished the night with a lovely Oreo cheesecake, crispy and yet soft, with the inevitable Oreo on top. Last but not least, ask for a sip of The Fat Bear’s Visciolata, a cherry liqueur coming directly from the Marche region in Italy, for a perfect digestif.
The Fat Bear stole my heart with one of the best, most eclectic menus I’ve seen in London. Can’t wait to be back for the rabbit gumbo and the crawfish Mac & Cheese!
Pictures: Carolina Are, The Fat Bear
The Fat Bear
61 Carter Lane (above the Rising Sun pub)
EC4
London
Dinner for two plus drinks: about £60
- Chased Cobbler (£10)
- One large glass of red wine (£7)
- Buffalo wings (£7.50)
- Sausage corn dogs (£6)
- 2 x Game Gumbo (£15 each)
- Oreo cheesecake (£6)
