East London Eating & Drinking Tour

The first May bank holiday is coming to a close this evening. With a few holidays on the horizon, and no last minute deals presenting themselves, Ollie and I decided to have a staycation in London but make the most of it by exploring an area neither of us know very well.

We booked an AirBNB apartment right on the canal in Haggerston in Hackney and headed up on Friday night. It was a brilliant idea, and not in the least because it ending up being a self-guided eating and drinking tour.

On Friday night we ate several courses too many at Rotorino. Delicious italian food, in a dim-lit, cool space - all exposed brick and mid-century furniture and light fittings. Everything from the buffalo mozzarella and smashed broad bean starter to my slow-cooked braised goat was so tasty.

On Saturday we brunched at The Proud Archivist across from the apartment, walked around Dalston with a pit stop at the Hackney drinks market for a few locally brewed tipples while the sun shone, and then made our way back to the apartment via The Haggerston pub. Dinner was at Hill & Szrok on Broadway Market which Stu and Kris have taken me to before, and which I love. It's a butcher by day, and a cookshop (restaurant) by night. The meat-based menu is simple but extremely well executed. We stopped at the Gin Palace for a few drinks on the way home. Following a similar business model, it's a pie & jellied eel shop during the day, and a bar at night time. The latter is a destination that appeals to me far more!

Negronis at the Hackney drinks market

Are stilton and mead a match?

Tasted far better than this looks (red chard & apple salad, new potatoes, rib eye, chipolatas)

Gin with seaweed?

Rain in the early morning on Sunday encouraged us to stay in. We had brunch at the apartment and watch the first episodes of Game of Thrones. As the weather fined up, we ventured out again slowly making our way to Street Feast in Dalston Yard. We met Laleh & Jesse there for a some drinks and check out the offerings from the different food stalls (I had half a Bleecker Street Burger and beef rib from Smokestak). Ollie and I kicked on at a bar called Farrs Dance School which was fun and lively.

Spritz while the sun is out

This morning we stumbled upon Trip for a coffee and walked up through London Fields stopping in at a little bakery under the arches of the overground railway. It was a warm morning so perfect for the stroll back along Regent's Canal. Our last stop, on the tour was The Scolt's Head. I had the roast pork sitting in the sunshine before it clouded over again. After a last cider or two it was time to head south to Balham again.

We skipped the coffee festival and found our own

A Spring moment!

I'm looking forward to my next staycation already. I'll take better photos next time.