http://www.blackandbluerestaurants.com/page/borough-market/1/1

Oh no, Black & Blue. No no no no no. We had such high hopes. Comfy leather booths for us to sit in. Attentive staff and a gentle buzz to the atmosphere, even on a Monday evening. Mouth watering menu and an intriguing wine list. We were in such hopeful spirits, we were even willing to forget the minor mix up we caused by ordering the Caesar salad as a starter rather than a main, (an instruction which prompted three huge salads being delivered to our table).

We were in positivity mode and ready to enjoy the salad. And our optimism seemed to be rewarded by a generous helping of char grilled chicken, complete with hint of bbq smokiness. Good things seemed imminent, sign posted by tasty (and pretty fancy) big croutons resembling melba toast.

But then it all went wrong. You let us down, Black & Blue. You committed two cardinal sins. One could be forgiven. The other could not.

The first was using the wrong type of lettuce. The second time on the Great Caesar Salad Search we’ve been served with chopped-up iceberg lettuce rather than romaine. For my part, I could just about turn a blind eye to this, but my partner in Caesar Salad is to the Search what Simon Cowell is to talent contests - well informed and unforgiving.

But it was the second sin which nailed your fate, Black & Blue. It was the dressing. Yet again, a promising Caesar Salad is ruined by its dressing. It was incredibly thin, and simply dripped off any morsel of food it accidentally found itself attached to. When we were lucky enough to stumble upon a pool of the stuff, it was revealed as tasteless. This I couldn’t ignore. If you’re going to get the dressing wrong, always better to get it wrong in the generous direction. Better too much punch than too little.

The admittedly high quality (and perfectly cooked) steak, impressively flavoursome peppercorn sauce, and generous glass of cabernet sauvignon helped restore our spirits. But at Caesar Salad, Black & Blue (like most before it) failed. The Great Caesar Salad Search goes on.

5/10