Know Thine Enemy – USA

This is the first installment of the London Word’s Know Thine Enemy feature where we look at the cuisine of England’s World Cup opponents.

Although the idea might seem a little strange, there is a precedent involving footballing success and an opponent’s food.

In the 1962 World Cup held in Chile, the host nation devised an innovative way of preparing for their matches. Ahead of every match, they would eat or drink the national food or beverage of their upcoming opponent. For example, they ate Swiss cheese before defeating the Swiss. A dish of spaghetti helped them overcome Italy whilst an intake of vodka spurred them onto a victory over the Soviet Union. Unfortunately the tactic was of no use against the Brazilians, despite the consumption of coffee.

So to England’s first opponent, the United States of America. Little introduction is needed for American cuisine, given how embedded it has become in everyday eating. However, some strictures need to be applied on what is American food, given that a lot of what we think makes up American cuisine does actually come from other countries. Examples include French fries, which originate from Belgium, even when re-christened Freedom fries. Hamburgers come from Germany and Argentina would lay claim to producing the definitive steak.

It is also difficult to try and define American cuisine given how vast a country it is with large variances within states let alone the country. However, this feature is not really aiming to provide a guide to American cuisine as a whole but the best of what you can get in the capital.

Nothing quite matches the American way of cooking like a good rack of ribs. The best place to get a lip-smacking combination of meat and glaze is the Chicago Rib Shack in Knightsbridge. The restaurant uses 25-year-old recipes and features esoteric items such as onion bread.

If you’re looking for an extended barbecue experience, you should head on over to one of the five Bodean’s. They bring their Kansas City style barbecue to different points of the city. You can also find regional specialities such as Cajun-style crab cakes. It is also a place to watch the World Cup games.

Another venue that is entering into the footballing festivities is the Big Easy. This restaurant’s speciality is seafood including Maine lobsters and Alaskan crabs. There is also the incentive of hoping that the American team do well as the venue is running a promotion of ‘Cheer for a Beer’, in which you will receive a free beer if and when America scores.

Chicago Rib Shack
145 Knightsbridge
SW1X 7PA

Tel: 020 7591 4664

Big Easy
332-334 King’s Road
Chelsea
SW3 5UR

Tel: 020 7352 4071

www.bodeansbbq.com