The Firehouse was perhaps the first of a slew of new places to have opened over the last year looking to use finer ingredients to elevate the burger beyond a simple fast food snack. It certainly leads by example, serving up pretty memorable burgers in a narrow, contemporary space, made all the more pleasant through the clever use of mirrors and glass. The name comes from the owner’s passion for fire-related paraphernalia, with the walls filled with everything from firefighters’ helmets to a 19th century Japanese fireman’s uniform. The food shows the same attention to detail, with a sizeable menu of American-inspired pub grub, and the occasional specials. Starters include classics like clam chowder ( B150) and a Cobb Salad (B190) that’s almost a meal in itself; packed with chicken breast, bacon, avocado and egg on a bed of crispy Romaine lettuce, it’s lovely and fresh but perhaps a little heavy on the dressing. The fish and chips (B260) also impresses and not just for its size; it comes with a meaty piece of fish coated in a nice beer batter that’s neither too thick nor too greasy, while the accompanying tartar sauce is also light but zesty enough to keep you interested. However, the menu here is dominated by an ever-expanding range of interesting burgers. Most, like the simple but impressive premium burger (B215), use patties made of organic Thai French beef from Pon Yang Khan Cooperative farms. Featuring 180 grams of beef topped with fresh lettuce, onion, tomato and homemade mayo, it’s wonderfully succulent and juicy. The mayonnaise is a great addition, with our only complaints being that the sesame seed bun is a tiny bit too sweet and the thick-cut fries can sometimes be a little greasy. We also challenge you to tackle a burger here without it collapsing all over the thick wood blocks on which they’re served. The Australian Black Angus burger (B380) is equally enjoyable, and the sliders (B295), three mini burgers with four different dips, from BBQ sauce to peanut butter, are another good call. While service is friendly, it can be a little ragged when they get busy, which they often are, especially with burger-loving expats at weekends. Good burgers, big portions, a decent drinks menu (and lengthy daily happy hours from 5-8:30pm) all explain why The Firehouse rings the right bells.
