Review: The Fire Station, Waterloo
Style Points: 3/5
Price: £££
Overall: 4/5
Located in the most convenient place if you are venturing onto the Southbank is The Fire Station. Next door to Waterloo station and newly refurbished, this lovely establishment has spaces for standing and sitting in the bar area along with a quieter restaurant section at the back. The decor is basic but stylish and you can see the work that has gone into the decor.
Would I Want Seconds?
The menu is no frills so you either will be dining on burgers or pizza. There are no starters on offer so when I visited I got stuck straight in to my main dish. I ordered the margherita pizza and my vegetarian dining companion ordered a pizza with goat's cheese, olives and the like.
The pizzas were served (along with pizza cutters) on big black slates which were quite handy for our mixed fries that we had also greedily ordered. We were both very impressed with the quality of the pizzas. The flavours were delicious and having eaten a fair few margherita pizzas in my time I can say that The Fire Station won't let you down.
Another important thing to note is that are a variety of cocktails available and these are also above par when it comes to flavour and strength. I opted for the vodka based East 8 Old Up and the Pear Fizz and whilst my partner chose the speciality smoked cocktails which included the Smoked Cherry Manhattan and the Cinnamon-Smoked Old Fashioned which were great variations on loved originals.
Drinks!
Mixed fries
Pizza for mains
Desserts are also not something you should skip at The Fire Station. Whilst my partner ordered the demure chocolate brownie, I couldn't help but experience The Fire Station's sundae. Unless you're feeling especially hungry I would say that this is one to share as it is on the larger side, however the combination of honeycomb ice cream with brownie along with all other surprises is well worth the extra calories!
Could I Afford Seconds?
The prices at The Fire Station are comparative to other chain pizza and burger restaurants you can find in London and would be a welcome and much tastier retreat from the likes of Pizza Express. The mains range from £7.95 to £12.50 and desserts are around the £6 mark.
Cocktail prices are the London standard of around £8 although I do think that a few cheaper cocktails and a happy hour (for those in need of a good daiquiri after work) wouldn't go amiss.
Chocolate brownie
The Fire Station Sundae
Overall: 4/5
I enjoyed my experience at The Fire Station. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful when choosing both food and drink and there was a fun buzz to the place, even at 5.30pm on a weeknight when we visited. It isn't gourmet cuisine and it isn't trying to be. It is just the sort of place you go to when you need yummy quick food and a delicious cocktail before hopping on the next train a few meters away.
Website: www.thefirestationwaterloo.com
Address: 150 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8SB
Closest Tube Station: Waterloo
Reviewed by Guest Writer @VeggieEatsLnd