By Marianne Arake on 25/04/2014
Restaurant Reviews

Hackney Wick is cool. Well, we all know that. I was just reminded recently as I cycled through it, en route to one of the many new gastronomic hot spots in the area. It was one of the warmest Sundays we’ve had so far this year and I kept having that fuzzy, wonderful feeling of […]
By Marianne Arake on 15/02/2014
Restaurant Reviews

Oh dear East London there is no end to your gastronomic surprises. As I headed down to another culinary adventure on Kingsland Road I was somewhat apprehensive about what I was going to experience. As you know, Dalston is rammed full of new restaurants, bars, cafes and pop ups, and while a lot of the […]
By Pete Lawler on 15/01/2014
kingsland road, little red staircase, shoreditch, viet grill, vietnamese food
Food & Drink, Restaurant Reviews, shoreditch

The Little Red Staircase capitalizes on the Hackneyite’s – and by extension the Shoreditchised Londoner’s – fondness for the strip of homely, inexpensive and frankly delicious Vietnamese eateries that line the Kingsland Road. And when I say capitalize, I mean capital ‘S’ for Saigon, as in the barely postcolonial feel of this ‘micro’ cocktail bar […]
By Marianne Arake on 08/10/2013
Miscellaneous, Restaurant Reviews

Feast London! Now, it is not exactly news that East London is the capital’s most exciting place to be at the moment. It has become a cultural and creative hub, a hotspot for all things cool, young and hip. Some might say that there are downsides to it, some might mourn the “loss of character” […]
By Pete Lawler on 27/07/2012
chatsworth road, clapton, creperie, e5, pete lawler
Restaurant Reviews

Whether you agree with The Guardian’s assessment of Chatsworth Road as the ‘frontline of Hackney’s gentrification’ or find it to be grossly unfair, glib labeling, misleading and unhelpful, one thing is clear: there are fewer greater manifestations of the change in the atmosphere of the borough in general than the continental influence on our […]
By Pete Lawler on 13/07/2012
brick lane, e2, indian restaurant, restaurant review, sheba
Food & Drink, Restaurant Reviews

A Londoner’s healthy scepticism and a doleful warning from our trusty well-thumbed Timeout London Eating and Drinking Guide (2004 Edition) stating that ‘there’s very little now that’s pukka to be found in “Banglatown”, and the general standard of food is pretty low’ has kept me away from the majority of curry houses on Brick lane. […]
By Carolyn Valahu on 26/11/2010
restaurant reviews, Su Sazzagoni
Food & Drink, Restaurant Reviews

We recently booked a table for two at Su Sazzagoni’s 17 course monthly tasting and it was a great experience. We were prepared for a small tasting menu, but what we received left us very surprised! Located in the heart of Victoria Park Village in South Hackney, Su Sazzagoni’s has fast become a favorite of […]
By Carolyn Valahu on 26/11/2010
e9, lauriston road, pizza, south hackney, Su Sazzagoni, victoria park, victoria park village
Restaurant Reviews

After a strenuous search, I thought the answer was nowhere, until I contacted my local Italian restaurant, Su Sazzagoni, and asked them if they could make this for my husband’s birthday. Not only was Chicago-style deep dish not on their menu, the chef had never heard of it. So, we exchanged several emails and recipes […]
By Jane Egginton on 24/07/2010
namo, restaurants, reviews, victoria park
Food & Drink, Restaurant Reviews

Since my first review of Namo Restaurant well over a year ago, it has gone from strength to strength, continuing to serve a dedicated following of locals, as well as diners from further afield. Holding true to its authentic cuisine, the restaurant is now serving up some traditional dishes, but with a modern twist. It […]