Bar Beach Grill Experience – Sarah Finn

Hello, today I will be sharing my experience at Bar Beach Grill restaurant in Lewisham.

Bar Beach Grill is a small Afro-fusion restaurant that combines popular Afro dishes such as jollof rice and suya with barbecue, seafood and grilled dishes.There is also an extensive cocktail menu.

Dress code – Casual

experience

I’ve known about this place for a while, but last month my SIL and I tried to go in thinking we were getting a table. The place was packed, but the door was actually locked (I’ve never seen that before lol) and we were informed that there were no walk-in tables and it was fully booked. We decided to book later to see what all the fuss was about.

Decor – It’s a casual restaurant so the setting was simple. Once inside, I actually saw how small it was, so I kind of understood why there wasn’t a walk-in table, but I don’t understand the locked door (lol).

food service

I was seated quickly and got a mixed share platter with a little bit of everything I wanted to try. We had Jollof & Mac & Cheese as additional sides and my SIL had some cocktails. There are no mocktails on the drink menu, but the server asked if we had alcohol. I was very surprised that a place like this doesn’t have mocktails on the menu, so I think they need to add something to the menu that allows drinks to be made in mocktail style and price. Anyway, we didn’t have to wait too long for our food. The place was busy but not packed.

The food was good, but some of it wasn’t very appealing. My SIL didn’t care for the suya at all, I thought it just needed a little salt, but the meat wasn’t chewy or dry. The salt and pepper calamari was great and we both loved it along with the dipping sauce that came with it. The wings were nice with a little heat and the grilled shrimp had a sweet glaze and was okay. I’m Ghanaian, so I prefer jasmine rice when it comes to jollof rice (lol), but this basmati jollof rice wasn’t bad either. It was a little spicy, but also needed a little salt. The mac & cheddar was cheesy and delicious. I was so full that I didn’t even touch the chips. The platter is definitely a good portion to share. The table next to us had banana cake and custard for dessert. It looked great and although it was a little heavy on the cinnamon, the cake was light and moist and you couldn’t go wrong with the custard.

verdict

I think it lives up to its hype. It’s a great little spot with delicious food and good service, and I’d happily go again just for that platter. They are doing a bottomless brunch and the table next to us is definitely enjoying the bottomless drinks. They were very happy with their drinks and my SIL said her cocktails were really delicious. If you park at the Asda right next door, your parking time is limited to 2 hours, but there is also parking nearby. Street parking is prohibited. Her food ratings were Mac & Cheese 8, Calamari 10, Chicken Wings 8, Suya 7, Shrimp 7, Dessert 10, and Cocktails 10.

The conversation with my fellow diners was really thought-provoking. She asked if I was drinking and I said no and she looked very surprised and she asked why she wasn’t drinking, but I didn’t know this I was very surprised (lol). Why is it so surprising that someone doesn’t drink that you question the drinking habits of a complete stranger? Lol. If you say you drink alcohol, I don’t think you’ve ever heard the question, why do you drink? It was very interesting and made me think.I don’t have a problem with alcohol or people who drink She just found that interaction amazing and thought provoking

Anyway I highly recommend this place for brunch and lunch too