‘People can’t get enough of them. One group of men came for lunch and they kept on ordering them one after another!’
I was at The Ned – the wining and dining emporium which is a must-visit for residents and visitors alike to London for its stunning interiors – and I’d landed at Zobler’s Deli & Diner.
The ‘them’ our waiter was referring to, was one of the New York-inspired eatery’s most popular dishes; spiced ox cheek donuts.
Swept up by his enthusiasm, we put the savoury donuts on our order list.
The mac & cheese side dish – a bargain for £5
Also to start, we opted for the blistered padron peppers with a spicy dip.
For mains, the classic chicken burger caught my companion’s eye, while I went for one of the salad options; a medley of heirloom beetroots, avocado, spiced seeds.
Our waiter recommended padding the feast out a bit with another one of Zobler’s favourites, mac & cheese, and some chunky fries.
To wash it down I opted for my favourite, a dry vodka olive martini. I was advised to try the Konik’s Tail vodka, with a smooth taste.
For those who like dabbling in more exotic cocktails, Zobler’s serves up a nice little selection, including the Jack Rickey featuring Jack Daniels, peach liqueur, lime, sugar and soda and an Old Fashioned blended with Woodford Reserve, Ned’s old fashioned syrup and orange oils.
A martini made with Konik’s Tail vodka
My dining companion opted for a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, with a fair selection of wine by the glass at Zobler’s.
While we waited for the spread of treats to arrive we enjoyed the live music wafting over from the main bandstand in The Ned.
We also caught glimpse of the chefs busy at work, as Zobler’s has an open kitchen.
With candlelight and good acoustics, the convivial atmosphere at Zobler’s quickly transported me to a place of Friday night happiness, the woes of the week soon forgotten.
The food furthered this fine feeling.
The ox cheek donuts are indeed quite a treat… almost like stuffed Yorkshire puddings, with gravy and pickled cabbage served on the side.
The ox cheek donuts at Zobler’s served with gravy and cabbage
If you’re a fan of burgers, the soft buttermilk fried chicken comes recommended and if you’re feeling hungry the giant side portion of mac & cheese is a complete bargain for £5.
We felt pretty defeated by our Manhattan-inspired morsels.
The chirpy waiter returned and recommended the New York cheesecake but we decided to save that for another day.
If you’re looking for a breakfast place, Zobler’s also serves up a delicious spread of treats to kick start your day with free refills on the American style filter coffee.
Top recommendations include the buttermilk pancakes and breakfast burrito.
So, if you fancy a taste of New York in the city, head to Zobler’s and take a bite of the big… donut!
Zobler’s Deli & Diner is located at 27 Poultry, EC2R 8AJ
To book a table visit www.thened.com/restaurants/zoblers or call + 44 (0)20 3828 2000
