Ever since it opened, 3 weeks ago, The Pitt Cue Co. Soho has been reviewed to death, but after a quick lunch there today I found myself unable to keep quiet about it. However, given the amount of blog-inches already written about this tiny restaurant, I'll try to keep this post uncharacteristically succinct!
The Pitt Cue Co. started life serving smoked, slow-cooked BBQ meat from a van under the Hungerford Bridge on South Bank. Once word got around about just how good their food was, and how different it was from pretty much anything else on offer, they were selling out of grub on a daily basis.
I was sad when the Pitt Cue van left its spot on South Bank - it had provided me with some of my tastiest mouthfuls of 2011. However, they have spent the time since they disappeared well and have been reincarnated in permanent premises near Carnaby Street. From this tiny establishment they serve the same wonderful, melt-in-the-mouth pulled pork and brisket they had before as well as ribs, sausage, several interesting sides and daily specials. They also serve a couple of take-away options.
The no-bookings policy and small number of seats means that it can be hard to get a table, but I strolled in today for a late-ish lunch and only had to wait 5 minutes (during which time I admired the impressive collection of Bourbons and sipped a glass of Four Roses). Once parked, I chose the Pulled Pig's Head from the daily specials (the other being Smoked Ox Cheek with Pickled Walnuts) and the Burnt Ends Mash as a side. I topped this off with the Fried Pickled Shitake Mushrooms that seem to be becoming the unofficial 'signature' dish.
The food arrived and was every bit as tasty and interesting as the hype had promised. Smokey, juicy, pork which almost dissolved in my mouth was accompanied by thinly sliced, sweet and tangy pickles and a doorstop of charred sourdough to mop up the addictive juices. A jar of smooth, slightly cheesy mashed potato was topped with a rich, rugged sauce made from chunks of smoked beef brisket burnt ends - utterly delicious. As if that wasn't enough umami for one meal, the pot of panko-crusted, pickled mushrooms were as delightfully crunchy and squishy as they were moreish.
In short, everything that was put in front of me was devastatingly good; I couldn't get it into my face fast enough!
On top of the glorious, slobber-inducing food, the laid-back and friendly atmosphere, chatty staff and thoughtfully stocked bar make Pitt Cue Soho one of my new favourite places - I can't wait to go back and see what other sticky, smokey morsels they have come up with (and to further my American Whiskey education).
Pig, mash, mushrooms and booze for one came to £16.50
1, Newburgh St,
Soho, London.
W1F 7RB
