Restaurant Review: Byron Brings it Proper

Byron Proper Burgers

Don't let the sleek lines and clean design fool you, Princesshay's newest restaurant, Byron: Proper Hamburgers, is definitely about the food, and they're not messing around.  You see, the guys behind Byron are into American burgers - like really into them - and they've done their research. They've drawn from some of the States' finest establishments and most indulgent bun based cheekiness to inspire a menu with a few across-the-pond nods that you won't see at most other British burger joints. Delivered with style and ease, Byron is a welcome addition to the city centre dinnersphere.

Me and my meat eating wing man hubby popped in for an indulgent lunch, taking advantage of the best summer since 2004, for a little al fresco dining. Our friendly server greeted and seated us, and we got down to business.

Byron in the sunshine

We kind of went for it, starting out with the Tortilla Chips which came with a lovely fresh tomato salsa and a guacamole that might just be the best in the city - no really - both chunky and fresh. For the mains, I had the Veggie Burger of Portobello mushroom, goats cheese and Mediterranean veg with an order of courgette fries, and a glass of cloudy lemonade. And my carnivorous comrade had the Smokey burger with a portion of skin on chips and a side of macaroni cheese all washed down with a Brew Dog pale ale.

Lunch for two at Byron

For little old vegetarian me, my veggie burger was as good as any I've had, but the courgette fries(!) are something I only seen in the states and Byron were in fact BETTER than what I've had there. They were crispy, crunchy, perfectly seasoned and really worth the visit on their own.  My lemonade was just like mom used to make and, for research purposes, I sneaked a taste of the mac n' cheese and can attest to it being as rich as any of Uncle Sam's offerings. Vegetarians & vegans can also try the avocado salad or mix up the veggie burger with additional/alternative sides like sliced avocado, crispy fried onions and jalepenos as well as a selection of cheeses and sauces. 

The summer special: The Smokey

My partner also had high praise for his Smokey burger, saying that it fully lived up to its name with the taste of well...smokiness, coming through every bite.  All that smoked cheddar, smokey barbecue sauce, crispy bacon and crispy onions perfectly complimented his medium rare Scottish beef patty and made for some very happy dining. His beer was a light, deliciously malty, day time pale ale called Dead Pony Club by Brew Dog, part of a collection of quality craft beers available for on site.

And for puds, I had the brownie and he had the cheesecake. My brownie was hot and deliciously gooey and topped with a scrumptious drizzle of chocolate sauce. My husband's white chocolate cheesecake was an entirely different affair. This chilled cheesecake on a biscuit base, was decadently rich and well accompanied by the blueberry sauce.  A perfect end end to proper lunch.

And the kitchen were so quick as well.

Inside it's like a film noir set. Love the backlit factory windows.

Las Iguanas Lands in Exeter

There was a photo booth...I just about got the hang of it!

Las Iguanas launched their new Exeter restaurant this weekend with a bang. The party at their new Queen Street branch was heaving with VIPs grooving to a salsa beat and indulging in a delicious and generous selection of samples from the Latin menu.

VIPs a plenty....if you look closely you might see an Exeter Chief

We're talking mango & brie empenadas, mushroom quesadillas with garlic & thyme, mini smokey shredded beef burritos, nachos with quality guacamole & spicy salsa and that's before we even get down to the business of cocktails! Their signature caipirinha and rum punch were the stars of the night and the friendly staff were working hard to keep everyone topped up.

I was so excited to attend the event because Las Iguanas is kind of the answer to my prayers. As a native Californian I grew up on Mexican food and have struggled to find a good restaurant to fill that need. While the Taco Macho stall at the Exeter market, run by Ensenada Chef Gus, is a brilliant place for a spot of lunch, sometimes you just need more. Las Iguanas skill is that they manage to mix European ingredients with Latin recipes in a way that keeps the essence of the dish whilst giving if a fresh perspective. Add to this lovely staff and a vibrant atmosphere and you've got a recipe for awesomeness.

Bienvenidos a Exeter Las Iguanas!

Delicious Veggie Burrito that I sampled at their Brighton branch last spring.

Eating Out: Exeter Taste Card Independent Restaurants

Chain Restaurants in the Tastecard Programme

It might be said, by some, that I am...tight...that I pinch my pennies or more accurately that I gather them from throughout the the house, into a jar and then take them down to the Coinstar machine at Sainsbury's and cash them in for pounds before sticking the pounds back in my miserly pockets. I recycle, I reduce, I reuse, I get creative with accessories from charity shops, I make curries with left overs, and I am a big fan of Martin Lewis's MoneysavingExpert.com. And it was Martin, appealing to my frugal nature and great appreciation for tasty food, who led me to the TasteCard.

If you're not familiar with the Tastecard, then I should explain that this magical card allows you to get 2for1 deals or 50% off your bill the next time you saddle up to one of their participating eateries. There is normally a fee to sign up, but we were able to get a free 3-month trial and it's been pretty sweet. It works all over the UK but in Exeter there are tons of places to cash in on the action. While most of the Tastecard hook ups are at chains, if you would like something outside of the Pizza Express/Prezzo/ASK/Zizzi/Bella Italia faux-talian menu, here's a run down some of the independents on the list.

Bar Venezia
This is one of the most popular destinations on the Quayside. When the sun comes out, their picnic tables are full to the brim. They serve Mediterranean food, sheesha and also hold Salsa and Zumba classes.

Dance Class at Bar Venezia

Oriental City
This might be Exeter's classiest Chinese restaurant. Located on Pinhoe Road, they have a massive menu and the decor looks less like something that you'd see in an Exeter suburb and more like what you'd expect in Singapore. It's also one of the only places in town that you'll come across the lazy-susan feasting tables that seat about 10 people.

The Olive Tree Restaurant at the Queens Court Hotel
I can admit that I haven't personally been to the Olive Tree, but their menu looks fantastic and their TripAdvisor ranking is more than solid. With more than 35 reviews they've got 4.5 stars and are ranked 28 out of 232 restaurants in all of Exeter town.