Forget the dodgy tacos, Setlist is best for riverside pints - Review - London - The Infatuation
"We hate awkward conversations but unfortunately we need to have one with Setlist, the riverside terrace at Somerset House. The thing is, babe, you’re a bar, not a restaurant, and that’s OK. Despite the presence of three separate cuisine offerings that meander from a satisfying potato-clad saucisson pizzette, to West African classics, to one of London’s most truly offensive baja tacos by way of (potentially) Mexico, most of the food here isn’t essential for a good time. Instead, spontaneously summon a couple of friends who will encourage riverside pint consumption, another friend who can be entrusted with SPF top-up reminders, and momentarily cheat on your local pub garden with views of big red buses chugging along Waterloo Bridge. If you do get hungry, order the hench beef wahala burger which comes with sweet suya yassa onions and, like all of London’s most satisfying stomach-liners, will require a minimum of three napkins.
video credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley
video credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley
video credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley
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Food Rundown
Saucisson Pizzette
As impartial journalists we can’t hold this creamy, lightly herbed white pizzette solely responsible for the new grease stain on our tote, but it should come with a high risk of olive oil drip warning. The generous orbs of sausage and firm potatoes are a safe bet for mindless sunshine sharing, though.
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video credit: Emily Hai
Beef Wahala Burger
Behold, the big old burger that probably makes 99% of London’s crispy, thin smashburgers feel a bit insecure. It’s not messing around—the patties are served just on the right side of medium rare, the slow-cooked brisket adds a little smokiness, and the subtly spicy kaanne sauce is a whole lot more flavour-forward than yet another run-in with ketchup.
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video credit: Emily Hai
Baja Fish Taco
We’ve had fish fingers with more charisma and if there’s a synonym for ‘Sahara’ going spare, we’ll use it to describe this hard, crisp tortilla. Avoid it even if a ray of sunshine and your third pint are conspiring to tell you that habanero mayo sounds like a good idea.
photo credit: Emily Hai" - Heidi Lauth Beasley