This summer sees the return of Bubbledogs, the ingenious concept famed for its Champagne and hot dogs, which is popping up on the terrace at 45 Park Lane until 29th September 2024. Writer Alissa Stroud shares more:
The terrace is small but perfectly formed and thanks to the red and white striped awning and intimate feel of the space, you immediately forget the stress of London and feel transported to another world – one where good food and fizz is in abundance.
In collaboration with 45 Park Lane’s executive chef Elliott Grover and the founders of Bubbledogs and two Michelin-starred Kitchen Table, Sandia Chang and James Knappet, the bespoke menu focuses on gourmet hotdogs with a selection of seriously good starters and sides.
We began with the signature chicken wings with spicy buffalo hot sauce and a creant blue cheese dip – totally worth the mess they make. Alongside the wings, a serving of frickles – juicy, tangy pickles, deep fried in a delicate batter with a lovely aioli dipping sauce.
I am a big pickle fan and am thrilled to see frickles popping up on more menus, and of those that I’ve tried these are definitely up there with the best – just the right amount of batter so to provide that crunch but not overpowering.
For the main event, I opted for the Fourth of July with a pork hot dog (for each dog you can take your pick of pork, beef or veggie sausage). The top quality pork sausage was topped with crispy bacon pieces, coleslaw and a spicy, sticky BBQ sauce, all served in a perfectly soft roll and let me tell you – boy was it good.
Whilst a simple combination, the flavours worked so well together – the meatiness of the pork sausage and the salty crispness of the bacon, cut through with the freshness of the slaw and the sweetness from the BBQ sauce. All I can say is YUM. I was in heaven from the first bite. And when washed down with a glass of champagne? Well, honestly, what more could you want from life? It was sheer perfection.
My guest opted for the showstopping Native Dog – at an eye-watering £48 it is definitely pricey but when you look at the ingredients you can understand why. The dog is topped with dressed native lobster with a marie rose sauce, and finished with Beluga Caviar.
Definitely the fanciest hot dog I have ever seen. I will admit, it was delicious – it was a slightly more unusual pairing with the lemony hit from the sauce and the sea-like freshness of the lobster with the sausage, but it definitely worked.
As for the sides, we shared tater tots – perfect crisp, fluffy bite sized pieces of potato-based joy – and mac and cheese. Oh, the mac and cheese. You might think a side of mac and cheese would be excessive and a little unnecessary given everything else on our table, and you are probably right, but it was a very welcome addition and I couldn’t help but inhale it as it was so delicious. A gorgeous crispy, cheesey topping, with a creamy indulgent sauce. Perfection.
To finish – the amazing ‘Chocolate Dog’ which sees a sweet cinnamon brioche roll filled with chocolate ganache, served with adorable squeezable bottles of cherry and passion fruit sauce that are meant to look like ketchup and mustard. On the topic of sauce, I am obsessed with the Bubbledogs branded ketchup bottles.
Make sure you catch them when you visit as it truly shows the level of thought that has gone into the entire concept, right down to the tiniest detail.
The Wordrobe Verdict
I couldn’t fault my visit to Bubbledogs – the setting is beautiful, the service warm and friendly and the menu sensational.
It’s the perfect spot to while away an afternoon with friends with a glass of something cold in one hand and a delectable hot dog in the other. Go on – treat yourself – you deserve it!
Make it happen
When: Available until 29th September 2024
Where: 45 Park Ln, London W1K 1PN
How: Find out more and make a booking via dorchestercollection.com
Words by Alissa Stroud, writer
