Meatcure

Bedford is brimful of burgers! 

When we heard that Meatcure was expanding into Bedford there was, amidst the excitement, a cynical, whispering voice in the back of our head that questioned whether Bedford’s food scene is in need of a touch more diversity. This is the third burger joint to open in the last few years, it said. Bedford is, increasingly, a town of festival, art and culture and our foody folk can be trusted to turn out for something different. French, maybe? A modern (non-buffet!) Chinese or bao place?


That grumbling, though, was quickly forgotten on our first visit. Everyone loves a good burger, after all, and the regeneration which Meatcure brings to the top of the High Street should be welcomed by the most ardent of vegans. The building, formerly one of Bedford’s biggest eyesores, looks great both inside (where they have opted for a relaxed, modern industrial aesthetic) and out.

The beef hotdog smothered in chilli, and a burger
with chorizo and caramelised onions

We were invited to a launch event where we were treated to piles of sliders brought round on platters, sampling a classic cheese burger, a Southern fried chicken burger (with Meatcure’s own, delicious, Armageddon chilli sauce) and a burger of pulled beef brisket in a sweet BBQ sauce. We have been back since to try other items on the menu, including the beef hotdog smothered in chilli, and a burger with chorizo and caramelised onions.


The beef patties had a richness that suggests they are of decent quality, though their overall flavour was fairly mellow and was drowned out in the burger with the chorizo. They were on the thin side and cooked all the way through, which for us meant they were leaning towards being just a little dry, which could also be said about the chicken burger. But if your preference is for a compact, tidy burger that, depending on your table manners, wont end up all over your face and fingers, you will enjoy them.


The chilli dog, in contrast, was messy, fiery, and the sausage had all the flavour of a classic American frank. The beef brisket slider we had was delicious, so it’s a shame we haven’t seen it on the main menu since the opening.


For us, a better and more diverse selection of beers is a must, particularly when the new Brewhouse and Kitchen over the road offers a broad range of more flavourful lagers and IPAs.

Overall, Meatcure is a solid offering

The service has not been perfect so far, with items missed and requests forgotten about, but food has generally been brought out speedily and the staff are cheery and welcoming.


Overall, Meatcure is a solid offering where you are likely to find something you will be happy with at a reasonable price (burgers are, generally, a few pounds cheaper than at Smokeshack on Mill Street.) The food is rich, filling, and tastes pretty much how you would expect.


Does it offer Bedford’s best burger in this increasingly crowded market? We’re not sure. But we’re going to try and find out.


Better get eating…

Have you been? If so, let us know on Twitter! 

Blue ginger

Blue Ginger facade can be lost in its surroundings

Blue ginger is a popular little Indian restaurant on Bedford Road, Kempston. It is easy to drive past without giving it a second look especially now with the addition of The Elephant; the Chinese and Thai restaurant that is situated practically on top of the understated Indian.

The restaurant is rather small inside and on a busy Friday or Saturday night it feels as though you are eating from the table of your neighbour. However, I feel this adds to the charm of the place. It has always had a really nice atmosphere whenever I have been there. Indeed a lot of customers that come to pick up their take-away order come early to have a drink and a chat at the bar. The staff are friendly and indeed the owner / manager likes to come to the tables of his guests and engage in conversation, which is a bit more than the usual, “Is everything alright with your meal?” You can sit and relax without having courses thrust under your nose as soon as you have finished the starter, which is very welcomed especially when considering how busy the place gets.

The takeaway menu is also very good and is quite often found at the top of the pile in my house. Their menu can be found on their quite comprehensive website http://bluegingerbedford.co.uk/default.asp

The one thing I really like about this restaurant is the quality of the food. You can have a really nice, large meal and still feel as though you are eating healthily. The menu isn’t as lengthy as other Indian restaurants but all this means is that the chef can concentrate on the quality of the dishes they do provide.

The restaurant is great for meals with friends, partners or family and I have been with all and had a good experience each time.

There are so many Indian restaurants to choose from in Bedford and its surrounding area and I being a great lover of Indian cuisine have never really dined in one that I have truly disliked. I think it’s fair to say that the level of Indian cuisine in Bedford is generally quite good. Let me know if you think otherwise.

Blue Ginger really carves out its niche in the market by being a small, friendly, wholesome restaurant that achieves success through customer loyalty. I believe that if you visit there once, you will more than likely go again.

Quality 9
Service 9
Price 8
#Wicbha? Yes

The Plough

The Plough at Bolnhurst is my favourite restaurant in the Bedford area. The food is of a consistently high quality cooked under the auspices of chef Martin Lee who trained under Raymond Blanc among others. The menu is distinctly English in character with Italian and French influences that change with the seasons. The wine list is extensive and each main menu item has a suggested wine accompaniment. An average meal with wine will set you back around £30.

Situated in this small village 10 minutes drive from the town, guests are greeted with a warm welcome from Martin and Jayne Lee who always wear a smile even at the busiest of times. There is a wide selection of ales for the beer drinker and guests are offered complimentary bread and an olive/balsamic vinegar dip with the meal if desired. Such is the popularity that booking is essential. However, if you turn up at the 6 o’clock opening time, you may be able to grab one of the tables in the bar area. The proprietors have recently built an extension to increase the number of tables inside, and on hot summer days there are many more tables outside in a pleasant environment. The pub is closed on Mondays.

Quality 9
Service 10
Price 8
#Wicbha? An unequivocal yes.