The wait is no more: the much anticipated first restaurant of James Knappett & Sandia Chang is now open to the public and from the reception given to it by diners today at its first service, Bubbledogs& looks set to be a big hit.
Bubbledogs& is actually two restaurants in one. In the front half of the restaurant, Bubbledogs& displays its casual side. The food is hot dogs (pork, beef or veggie), with over a dozen choices of style from the simple Naked Dog, to more exotic varieties such as the K-Dawg (kimchi, lettuce and spicy red bean paste), and lots more in between. Putting the bubbles in Bubbledogs are grower champagnes, that is, small production vineyards, who, most likely you will never have heard of, but who have all been selected personally by Sandia for representing outstanding quality and outstanding value - only in grower champagnes are these not mutually exclusive. If champagne is not your thing however, there's also great cocktails on offer or bottled beer if you prefer.
The front room is quite compact so there's a buzz to the place and holding not so many people, there's a chance of queues at peak times also, though booking is (we understand) available for tables of six. There's also tables for four and bar side dining but not tables for two, so smaller parties may end up sharing a table and making new friends as we did today, yet it came together to produce a very social atmosphere and, across the table, much interest in the 'dogs' other people are eating.
While some have questioned the wisdom of pairing champagne and hot dogs, the champagnes sold here are excellent in their own right and drinking it with the hot dog is a light hearted touch, suitable because the champagnes offer remarkably good value allowing you to drop the reverence. Given that I was charged £6 for half a pint of IPA at Duck & Waffle last week, Cava starting at £6 a glass and champagne at £6.50 makes for what's termed 'affordable luxury' and really is excellent value. That means that at Bubbledogs&, a hot dog (£7), glass of champagne (£6.50) and potato 'Tots' (£3.50) still provides you with change from a twenty.
Bubbledogs& is actually two restaurants in one. In the front half of the restaurant, Bubbledogs& displays its casual side. The food is hot dogs (pork, beef or veggie), with over a dozen choices of style from the simple Naked Dog, to more exotic varieties such as the K-Dawg (kimchi, lettuce and spicy red bean paste), and lots more in between. Putting the bubbles in Bubbledogs are grower champagnes, that is, small production vineyards, who, most likely you will never have heard of, but who have all been selected personally by Sandia for representing outstanding quality and outstanding value - only in grower champagnes are these not mutually exclusive. If champagne is not your thing however, there's also great cocktails on offer or bottled beer if you prefer.
The front room is quite compact so there's a buzz to the place and holding not so many people, there's a chance of queues at peak times also, though booking is (we understand) available for tables of six. There's also tables for four and bar side dining but not tables for two, so smaller parties may end up sharing a table and making new friends as we did today, yet it came together to produce a very social atmosphere and, across the table, much interest in the 'dogs' other people are eating.
While some have questioned the wisdom of pairing champagne and hot dogs, the champagnes sold here are excellent in their own right and drinking it with the hot dog is a light hearted touch, suitable because the champagnes offer remarkably good value allowing you to drop the reverence. Given that I was charged £6 for half a pint of IPA at Duck & Waffle last week, Cava starting at £6 a glass and champagne at £6.50 makes for what's termed 'affordable luxury' and really is excellent value. That means that at Bubbledogs&, a hot dog (£7), glass of champagne (£6.50) and potato 'Tots' (£3.50) still provides you with change from a twenty.
putting the bubbles in Bubbledogs
Breakie: bacon, fried egg, tomato relish & black pudding
Small eye: pickled vegetables, fresh coriander, and Sriracha mayo
New Yorker: NY onions
Horny dog: corn breading with corny bits
K-Dawg: kimichi, lettuce and spicy red bean paste
Sloppy Joe: chilli, cheese & chopped onions
'Tots'
Fourth of July: smokey BBQ, and coleslaw
We found Bubbledogs& a really good, fun place to grab a bite to eat and glass to drink. Sipping a glass of champagne of a lunchtime, it's also a place where you can feel special during your lunch hour without breaking the bank. The hot dogs are fabulous in all of their guises and there's something on the menu for everyone. And as for service, there's many a familiar face from Roganic there (not least Sandia) so you know it will be both capable and friendly. Offering an informal quality and value along similar lines to MEATliquor and Burger & Lobster, Bubbledogs& will without doubt be a huge hit: get there before the queues get too long.
Finally, we said Bubbledogs& was two restaurants in one, and we've talked about the hot dog offering, what though of the second? Look to the back wall when you visit and you'll see a curtain, and behind that curtain is Jame's Knappett's chef's table providing a fine dining tasting menu. But that's a different blog post altogether.
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Bubbledogs& website
Bubbledogs& on Twitter
Finally, we said Bubbledogs& was two restaurants in one, and we've talked about the hot dog offering, what though of the second? Look to the back wall when you visit and you'll see a curtain, and behind that curtain is Jame's Knappett's chef's table providing a fine dining tasting menu. But that's a different blog post altogether.
Return to homepage
Bubbledogs& website
Bubbledogs& on Twitter
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