Val Penny's Hotel and Restaurant Reviews The Traveller's Guide to Hotels and Restaurants around the World

On a recent visit to London, England, my husband and I discovered Brigade. Our daughters and son-in-law joined us for dinner. Brigade is a very special restaurant. It serves tasty modern European bistro cuisine in a former fire station with exposed brickwork and an open kitchen. However, what makes it trule special is that it is based at the historic Fire Station on Tooley Street, close to London Bridge Station. Brigade Bar & Bistro is also a unique social enterprise with an appetite for distinctive food and individual service led by Chef Founder Simon Boyle. At Brigade, outstanding food does more than just provide pleasure. Together with Beyond Food, Brigade offers vulnerable and homeless people catering apprenticeships, giving them the opportunity for a brighter future. We were delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile endeavour.

The dining area is large and bright and you can see over to the kitchen where the food s prepared. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Although they had only a limited choice of beers and no slimline tonic, we were pleased with our meals. 

We started with a selection of breads, olives & nuts and then for main course my daughters and I had vegetable pasta whil my husband and son-in-law had fish and chips. The meals offered plentiful portions and were nicely served. The boys stuck to beer, while the girls and I shared a bottle of pinot grigio. The wine was nicely chilled and properly served. 

The food at Brigade, consisted of  simple, ingredients, that, we were told were sourced as locally as possible from farmers and suppliers known and trusted. The service was friendly but professional and, apparently all the service staff learn to cook and so can give knowledgeable recommendations and advice on dishes.

It was clear to me that every part of Brigade is about the food and the people who need a break. If we are honest, we all need a break sometimes. Together with Beyond Food, they offer vulnerable people catering apprenticeships. This gives them tools for a better future. At Brigade, we enjoyed our evening: the food, the service and the ambience. However, the evening did more than just provide pleasure, it also felt good to support an enterprise that creates opportunities.

I highly recommend Brigade and look forward to going back again.

Valerie Penny