Wine Wednesday: Champagne and Gourmet Hotdogs

Champagne and caviar…nope, not at Bubbledogs. This clever restaurant swapped out caviar and instead pairs their flutes of bubbly with gourmet hotdogs. And people line up literally around the block to wait to try what sounds like an odd culinary combination! I, of course, had to join the crowd and find out what the hype was all about.

Bubbledogs is located in an unassuming building on trendy Charlotte Street and had it not been for the line snaking out its doors, I might have missed it. That would have been a real shame, because not only are the gourmet hot dogs sinfully delicious, the interior is swanky yet totally unpretentious. Believe me, my hot dog dubbed the B.L.T. and topped with bacon, lettuce, and truffle mayo was worth the 30 minute wait for a table that I had to share with two other patrons.

Menu at Bubbledogs

The dining room is less than roomy, accommodating just 35 diners. But a beautiful copper bar is the centerpiece of the place with a chalkboard hanging above listing a clutch of high-end hot dogs. The exposed brick walls are decorated with sketches of all types of dogs – the four legged and furry kind, not the all-beef franks – and the light fixtures are stunning. There’s even a nook in the high bar tables perfect for stashing your bag while you eat!

B.L.T. – bacon, caramelized lettuce, and truffle mayo

Mac Daddy – bacon bits, macaroni and cheese, and fried onions

But back to the dogs and champagne. Start by choosing your dog – beef, pork, or veggie, and then pick from dozen or so ways to have your dog. There’s everything from just “Naked” with the frank and the bun to crazy toppings you’d never think to put on a hot dog. We tried the aforementioned BLT and the Mac Daddy, topped with macaroni and cheese, bacon bits, and crispy fried onions. Both were awesome, though a bit messy. Be sure to order a side of tots; they’re definitely homemade and oh-so-tasty!

I left the pairing of champagne up to our waiter and he recommended the NV Vilmart et Cie Grande Reserve Premier Cru Brut from Champagne, France. Brut means that the champagne is bottled almost completely unsweetened and its natural, raw state. It had aromas of citrus and a good acidity with a nice long and dry finish. Surprisingly, champagne with a gourmet hot dog works and it was all absolutely delicious!

Love the exposed brick and dog sketches in mismatched frames!

At our late lunchtime visit, Bubbledogs was heaving with beautiful people. You can’t book in advance unless you have a party of more than 6, but no one, including us, seemed to mind the queue (which was around 30 minutes in our case). The kitchen closes 30 minutes prior to closing and the staff was sure to give everyone plenty of warning, making sure any extra dogs or orders of tots would make their way to hungry diners. After the kitchen closed, we were invited to stay as long as we wanted to enjoy champagne or the other cocktails and beer on the drinks menu.

Know Before You Go

• Bubbledogs is open Tuesday – Saturday from 11:30am – 4pm and 5:30pm – 11pm.
• Reservations are only accepted for parties of 6 or more, so get there early!
• Champagne starts at £6 per glass or £32 per bottle and the hot dogs are £6 – £8 each.
• Bubbledogs is located at 70 Charlotte Street and is easily accessible from the Goodge Street tube station.
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