The former ‘Istanbul’ sits opposite current favourite of this blog, Mezza Luna, and the upcoming New York Diner. It’s had a refit since changing hands, with an expanded kitchen area. Many-coloured glass lanterns, embroidered wall hangings: these are attractive touches, but it’s the neat ranks of meat-filled skewers on pristine display which impress this hungry Read More
This incarnation of the Streetfeast London collective is just short dap up from Canada Water station, signs pointing the way as soon as you as you re-emerge into daylight. The site centres on a large open courtyard, currently with a ‘World of Bamboo’ theme around a statuesque central fire pit. There’s an enclosed trampoline for Read More
A long room where the eye is drawn to the flames of the charcoal grill, Mezza Luna offers a menu influenced by both Lebanese and Moroccan traditions. And if that sounds unusual, then perhaps uniquely among the grill houses on City Road, there is alcohol on offer. I tried a crisp Lebanese Almaza pilsener. My Read More
A little run of shopfronts near Barry’s Cold Knap is where you’ll find Mr Villa’s. Open since last November, it bills itself as a fish and chips restaurant and oyster bar. That doesn’t do it justice. The tables hold old-school vinegar and salt; the broad white and blue stripes, whitewashed walls, unfinished concrete floor, open Read More
I Giardini di Sorrento bills itself as ‘Coffee House-Bar-Kitchen’, though that doesn’t really do it justice. It’s certainly not formal dining, and as such it fits in well on City Road, but this isn’t a café knocking out a few token sandwiches as an afterthought. Today’s specials of lobster and T-bone are a giveaway, though Read More
Fans of undercooked beef might enjoy this one; by the same token, ‘well done’ evangelists and soapboxers might do well to save themselves and me the bother, and check back in later. You can probably tell why. I’ve been keen to revisit Bleecker since last year’s Dalston Street Feast, where they had a corner stall, Read More