On the busy street of West London’s Haven Green, this upmarket New Zealand-meets-American style burger dinner looks like so many others, but there are tastes to tantalise, surprise and delight on this fast and filling taste journey.

The Venue
You’d be forgiven for not putting this first on your list of eateries, as the name Gourmet Burger Kitchen conjures up images of unappealing pub grub. The venue has an oversized, dimmed glass frontage, making it look like it was once a dodgy night club. Inside, its minimalist and restrained layout feels more like a doctor’s waiting room with its white walls and the odd framed print or two dotted about. However, the wooden benches and stripped pine floors give it a picnic-type feel, and with only around 15 tables diners quickly become the centre of attention to the floor staff.

The Atmosphere
This is one of the busier restaurants within Ealing, buzzing with friends on a night out and families young and old fill almost the entire dining area. It’s bursting with vibrancy, the staff are friendly and hot off the mark with seating arrangements, menus and the specials, introducing themselves by name and asking how your day was in welcoming American fashion, although the idea for Gourmet Burger Kitchen originated in New Zealand. There are smells of barbequing coming from the open plan kitchen and food is ushered to each table promptly.

The Food
The menu layout is simple to follow, but with so much choice it’s hard to be decisive. There’s no room for starters here, Gourmet Burger Kitchen goes straight for the jugular with the mains. The peppered beef salad arrives smelling and looking like summer with chilled medium rare steak on an array of green leaves, sprinkled with pine nuts and a warm chilli dressing. The flavor combination is delightfully light on the palate as the meat is melt-in-the-mouth with a soft buttery texture combined with the bed of crunchy rocket, cucumber slivers and just the right amount of zing from the dressing. This just one in the range of mouthwatering healthy options and there is also a really good choice of vegetarian meals, such as the aubergine and feta salad and the puy lentil burger.

The burgers are a good range of classics and for the more daring palate there’s Thai beef satay and the infamous Kiwiburger, served with a topping of egg, beets and pineapple. All burgers are served in a fresh sourdough sesame seed bun with extra toppings available on request. The price range is to suit all budgets at about £5 - £10 for mains. Sides include bread, salad olives and of course chunky cut chips, this is fast food with bags of style and vigour. Two can easily dine for about £20 a head.

The Drink
Not too many surprises in store here for the pocket with a good list soft drinks at around £2 - £3 each, along with milkshakes in five flavours. There’s a small beer and wine list from about £3 - £5 per bottle and glass, and there’s also good, old fashioned tea or coffee, a happy ending to a sublime evening of upmarket burger munching.

The Last Word
For those looking for good fun with comforting, novel, fast cuisine on a budget, this hearty delight does not disappoint.

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