Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Lower Floor, Festival Place, Basingstoke 

01256 354864 gbk.co.uk

IT has been an age since I was in the Basingstoke branch of Gourmet Burger Kitchen, which has a prime location in Festival Place, and it has changed. A lot.

The husband and I popped in with the three year-old to try the new junior menu, and we were instantly impressed by the friendliness of the staff, the decor and, essentially, the food.

In 2001, three Kiwis came together to create the swiftly expanding burger chain. Now its Basingstoke branch is a relaxed but incredibly smart venue, boasting semi-industrial chic and nicely robust furniture and fittings.

Customers have a view of the busy shopping centre wherever they sit, making it the perfect place from which to sit and watch the world go by. In addition, there are seats outside facing the Festival Place food area - perfect for warmer weather.

Water and glasses are already on all tables, as are key condiments, cutlery and napkins, plus crayons for any young customers.

After being seated, we ordered at the top counter. I supported our local superstar producers Laverstoke by sampling their wild boar burger, which comes with smoked bacon in the pattie, salad and mayonnaise.

The other half chose The Don, which added bacon aioli, blue cheese, American cheese, onion jam, rocket and mustard mayo to his burger.

Both came in a brioche bun, which I was delighted to see given that I love these and much prefer them to floury rolls.

The new junior menu has a lot to offer. In addition to a 100 per cent West Country beef burger, kids can have a chicken breast instead (which comes chargrilled or panko crumbed and fried), crumbed fried haddock or a vegetarian bean burger.

Our daughter also had a choice of skinny or chunky fries, chargrilled corn on the cob, or a simple green salad and either apple, orange or lemonade, a choice of junior milkshake or a soft drink, all for £6.50.

Desserts – a Yeo Valley organic pud, Greek yoghurt and honey ice cream, frozen strawberry yoghurt or Madagascan vanilla ice cream – cost an additional £1.

I have memories of being unable to finish my burger at GBK, or leaving with my meal all down my front due to its unconquerable size, but our burgers, when they arrived, were perfectly adult-sized.

They, and the food we saw being delivered to the countless families eating around us, looked extremely appetising and we all tucked in enthusiastically.
Our daughter’s skinny fries were indeed that, and so she traded some of her matchsticks for our fatter shared portion of the chunky chips.

She’s a fussy madam, but the little one devoured her chicken, which was succulent and perfectly, evenly cooked.

I must admit I was surprised by how tasty my burger was and I had a bite of my husband’s equally delicious choice.

We even managed to scoff the new amazing The Nutter peanut butter milkshake between us, but sadly couldn’t find room for dessert or coffee!

*WE HAVE a family meal at Basingstoke's Gourmet Burger Kitchen for 2 adults and up to 3 children up to the value of £50 to give away.

GBK say: "Gourmet Burger Kitchen is all about the burger. The freshest ingredients are used to create classic and innovative taste combinations to make the 'best burgers in town'.

"The burgers are at the heart of everything GBK do, made by hard-working and fun-loving staff who take pride in serving you awesome food, every time.

"Burgers may seem simple but Gourmet Burger Kitchen go to extraordinary lengths to make sure they serve the freshest and the tastiest out there. The beef patties are made with nothing but lovely 100% West Country beef simply seasoned and cooked fresh to order every time.

"The new junior menu lets children choose a burger, side and a drink for only £6.50 and if they are still hungry they can add a delicious Yeo Valley ice cream or frozen yoghurt for £1."

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question: In which year did three Kiwis create GBK?

Email your answer, plus your name, address and contact telephone number to joanne.mace@basingstokegazette.co.uk or send the same details by post to GBK competition, Joanne Mace, Gazette House, Pelton Road, Basingstoke, RG21 6XD.

The winner will be picked at random from the correct entries received by 10am on May 28. Normal Newsquest rules apply for this competition. To see these, go to dailyecho.co.uk/leisure. Good luck!