Upstairs Bar @ Top Dog Diner
Address 48 Frith Street, W1D 4SF
www.top-dog.com
Tw: @TopDogSoho
Cuisine: American
FOOD:
We headed down to Top Dog Diner smacking our lips for a taste of their hotdogs! They offer pork or beef dogs in brioche buns alongside “smashed patty” burgers.
We tried their truffle mac & cheese which I paired with the Korean beef hotdog (with trimmings of house kimchi and garnished in Gochujang mayo). I’d have liked their mac & cheese to have a baked cheese topping, as this was just your standard mac & cheese with the exception of the truffle oil. The Gochujang mayo really gave my dog a punchy edge with the kimchi adding more embellishment than taste really.
I did peep their burgers and the glutton in me wanted to have a cheeky bite, because they looked so juicy.
DRINKS:
They have recently opened their speakeasy “Upstairs Bar“, situated well funnily enough upstairs of the diner. Incorporating cocktails – with very peculiar names – that should really be on EVERY cocktail menu!
Their current list features just six cocktails and we tried four of them. Dill or No Dill (Gin, Elderflower Cordial, Lemon, Cucumber, Dill, Smoked Sea Salt) was a pleasant surprise, as the name threw me off. However it was a “dill” for me, tasting very refreshing and the dill was not overpowering.
My favourite was the East 8 Hold Up (Vodka, Aperol, Pineapple, Lime, Gomme and Passionfruit), which had the right amount of sweet and sour to it and definitely not too bitter.
OVERALL:
The Upstairs Bar is very easy going and has a no-frills decor. It’s almost makes you feel like you’re sitting in a living room with a bunch of friends. The low tables are more suited if you’re just having drinks, since they’re a little awkward if you’re dining like we were. Recommended for a bite with friends or a very casual date.
On the whole, Top Dog and Upstairs bar put together some very tasty treats for us and left us wanting to know what they’ll mix up next time they change their cocktail menu. We would also like to see some desserts added to their menu to accompany their milkshakes
Atmosphere ★★★ Food/Drinks ★★★1/2
Words: Toni Amporful, Health & Fitness Editor @F00diesCornerUK
