Vegan options: what’s driving the animal product-free takeover of Hackney grub?
The popularity of plant-based foodstuffs in the borough is not just a fashion – we look at the other factors playing a part in the success of the borough’s vegan outlets
Food & Drink
Friday Night Dinner: Monty’s Deli’s new four course Shabbat meal, reviewed
The Hoxton-based Jewish deli has been receiving rave reviews since finally opening a permanent space. Does their new group dinner option – a traditional Friday night dinner of roast chicken and more – live up to expectations?
Brain food: charity Headway’s new supper club and homemade grub brings people to the table
Headway EATS and their crack kitchen squad, made up of survivors of brain injury, delivered a Middle Eastern meal and good vibes besides – their next event is coming soon…
Gillian Riley on food: Why pastrami? The answer is blowing in the wind
Ever heard of Iron Age salt beef? Our resident food historian reveals the obscure history of the quintessential deli meats, from pastrami to Turkish basturma, with an eye on Hackney’s thriving bagel scene
Take the spear – Gillian Riley on asparagus and other shoots ‘n’ buds
You may get in trouble pinching someone’s asparagus, but perhaps wild Hackney borage will take your fancy? Our resident food historian focuses in on this genre of edible greenery in her latest piece for us, featuring a recipe for a very non-traditional – but incredible – risotto
Yuzu, Spitalfields, restaurant review: conveyor-belting sushi and more
Sushi on colourful plates spinning past customers is not just the domain of Yo! and co, as this Japanese eatery aims to prove with its takeaway and sit-down dining options
The Lacy Nook, Stoke Newington, restaurant review: no need to balk at this fine Balkan cuisine
Visitors to Stokey may have missed this Nook – our reviewer makes a good case for seeking it out, particularly for the dessert option…
Travelling on an Oyster: history, biology and some local cooking tips
Our resident food historian Gillian Riley and her trusty Roman legionary are again on the move in the borough, bringing you a fascinating overview of the mighty mollusc
Empress Market, London Fields, restaurant review – ‘a successful culture clash’
Authentic Pakistani street food and New Orleans cocktails shaken together to create ‘spellbinding combination’
Les Nénettes, Clapton, restaurant review – ‘classic southern French’
This new French restaurant on La rue de Lower Clapton offers fine fare from apéritifs to main course
Bring on the artichokes! Gillian Riley on Caravaggio, veg and violence
In her latest column, our resident food and art historian imagines the painter and GBH enthusiast storming through Hackney
Field Day: commemorative “cat beer” readied by Five Points, Dinerama celebration planned
Five Points’ Field Day Citrus Pale Ale will be in abundance at the Victoria Park music festival on 3 June
Where have all the Grannies gone? Gillian Riley on Latin American food
Mexican food of varying quality is on the march in the borough – our resident food historian breaks down how we can get authentic dishes for our pesos
Martello Hall, Hackney Central, restaurant review
The atmosphere may not fit Mare Street like a glove, but the Italian-meets-Mediterranean food on the menu is undeniably superb
Three sheets to the wind: we take a wine-centric look at a trio of new local eateries
Quaffs were taken at Whitechapel Refectory (the cafe located inside the Whitechapel Gallery) as well as Newcomer Wines and Furanxo, both on Dalston Lane
Honest Burgers, Dalston, restaurant review
Our reviewer heads to Bradbury Street to sample the Dalston Chilli, Honest’s first “location burger”