The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema & Tv
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
      • Shows
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureFood & DrinksRestaurant & bar reviews

Joe’s Southern Kitchen & Bar

Joe’s Southern Kitchen & Bar | Restaurant review
6 July 2013
Ben Corrigan
Avatar
Ben Corrigan
6 July 2013

Covent Garden’s renowned Navajo Joe has been transformed by the Maxwell’s Restaurant Group and re-launched as Joe’s Southern Kitchen and Bar, striving to bring the best in a new wave of Deep South cooking that looks beyond the burger to bring even more variety to London’s rapidly evolving culinary landscape.

The venue is set over three floors in a converted warehouse, with a speakeasy-type bar in the basement offering a massive range of cocktails designed by award-winning bar manager Marco Piroli, which feature original takes on Southern classics, and an exclusively American beer list. The cocktails were fantastic and looked great, such as the Nucky (inspired by bootlegger Nucky Thompson), the American Pie, and a Bloody Mary that was voted “European Champion of Tabasco based cocktails”. Drink in hand, simply reading the food menu is enough to build an insatiable appetite, with dishes that are far too rarely seen in other restaurants. 

Of the starters, the delicately crispy exterior of the Corn and Monterey Jack Rice Balls contrasted perfectly with the succulent and moist Cajun mustard and red pepper combination, bursting with flavour and creamy moisture. The Popcorn Shrimp with Chilli Lime Salsa and the Slow Braised Beef Brisket Chilli Cup were equally incredible in both taste and portion size, offering the little kick for which Louisiana is famed. But the standout winner was the Southern Fried Wings with Tabasco Honey that would easily rival and possibly surpass the quality of wings in any restaurant in the capital.

Of the main dishes, the enormous Deep South BBQ Short Rib was simply perfect. The stringy and intensely rich meat fell off the bone at the touch of a fork and with the creamy whipped potatoes, the combination was completely satisfying. The only let-down was the Mac n’ Cheese, which was just a little flavourless. Thankfully the whole bird Beer Can Chicken rectified this disappointment immeasurably and will undoubtedly cement Joe’s as must-visit hotspot.

For desserts, it was a joy to end the meal with a Pecan Pie that was sweet, crunchy and insanely moreish. Unfortunately the Strawberry Fool Sundae was not quite up to scratch– it looked great but failed to excite.

Overall, Joe’s Southern Kitchen and Bar was a welcome change from the frequently disappointing Deep South food on offer. The location is spacious and well designed, and balances a bustling atmosphere with appropriate intimacy. The service staff were very knowledgeable, friendly and attentive, and the speed of the drinks service improved as the night progressed. It is a truly impressive restaurant that really puts culinary excellence and soul at the forefront of its ambitions.

Food: 17/20
Drinks: 18/20
Service: 18/20
Joe’s Southern Kitchen and Bar: 53/60

Ben Corrigan
Photos: Steve Taylor

To book a table at Joe’s Southern Kitchen and Bar, 34 King St, London WC2E 8JD, call 020 7240 4008 or visit here.

Related Itemsreview

More in Food & Drinks

Celebrate Margarita Day at home with these simple yet sophisticated cocktails

The editorial unit
Read More

From high-altitude service to high-end delivery: Daniel Hulme’s One Fine Dine packs gourmet flavours into a fun and fuss-free experience

Rosamund Kelby
Read More

Go global this pancake day with ten recipes from around the world

Rosamund Kelby
Read More

Last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts for an intimate at-home bar experience

The editorial unit
Read More

Opso at home: Impressive Greek-inspired dishes perfect for sharing

Alex Julie Woods
Read More

The best Valentine’s Day meal deliveries for a romantic night in

The editorial unit
Read More

Delicious Chinese New Year deliveries to welcome in the year of the Ox

The editorial unit
Read More

The best food and drink for an indulgent Valentine’s Day

The editorial unit
Read More

Spotlight: Vanessa Vaz on being a young restaurateur of colour striving for diversity and community spirit

Lilly Subbotin
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Smith & Burrows – Only Smith & Burrows Is Good Enough
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Creation Stories
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • Wrong Turn
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Ginny & Georgia
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Gatsby at Cadogan Hall: An interview with Jodie Steele and Ross William Wild
    Theatre
  • In the Shadows
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • Laura Mvula – Under a Pink Moon
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Typical at Soho Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Judas and the Black Messiah
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Detroit Stories – Alice Cooper
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Typical at Soho Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Detroit Stories – Alice Cooper
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Minari
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • West End Musical Drive In Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Hymn at the Almeida Theatre Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Chris Bracey & Christian Furr – Staying Alive at 45 Park Lane | Exhibition review
Bon Jovi at British Summer Time Festival in Hyde Park | Live review