Monday 20 June 2016

White Rabbit

Dalston is a place most people shy away from. OK, so it may not be the most glamorous of areas in London but it certainly doesn't lack character or good food for that matter.
A mere stone throw away from Dalston Kingsland Station, on Bradbury street, lies a number of trendy bars and a restaurant that is well worth the travel.












White Rabbit is a place that some people are unfamiliar with, but being set up in the most unlikeliest of locations it has certainly made itself at home with the locals. It's funky, modern layout is a breath of fresh air and as for the food, bloody amazing.

So let's get down to business.

The menu is pretty much designed for sharing and trust me, its worth ordering a s*** load of dishes. Sit back, down a few cocktails (the super cool front of house staff will recommend them) and go to town by shaking things up with the variety of meat, fish and veg on offer.



















To get the taste buds warmed up, knuckle down with the fruity, tangy sea bass ceviche and the tender charred leeks with brown shrimps from the "straight ups" section of the menu.
If you're still wanting more fish, then the charred mackerel is an obvious choice and winner. The fish dishes here are clean, simple and executed with minimum fuss.

It doesn't stop there FoodPunkers, because if you're a proper meat head, White Rabbit will serve up food that will put a massive smile on your pretty little faces. The crispy lamb belly is coated with a sweet, salty miso glaze and has a jalapeno puree to give it that extra punch and as for the lamb rump, it's succulent, juicy, perfectly pink and is on a bed of fat capers, fresh peas and mint.


The dishes are a match made in heaven, but for me, the wood pigeon was probably the weakest of the lot. Visually appetising and the beetroot is moreish, but the star attraction could have been cooked less and just didn't have that wow factor the others had.





Sea Bass Ceviche, Pomegranate, Grapefruit, Avocado Puree

Charred Leeks, Beurre Blanc, Brown Shrimps

Charred Mackerel, Cucumber, Mooli, Lime

Crispy Lamb Belly, Miso Glaze, Jalapeno

Lamb Rump, Pea Fricassee

Wood Pigeon, Beetroot, Halzelnut




Nevertheless White Rabbit is a restaurant that you should go to as soon as possible. Mouth watering food, refreshing, tasty cocktails and all of it at decent prices, no one will argue with you for going to Dalston.


Monday 6 June 2016

Smokey Tails

International DJ Seth Troxler has mixed his beats with his love of good old dirty, finger licking barbecue and smoked foods.
Inspired by his old family recipes, he and goods friends Jo Vidler and Jona Ahearne have created a hub that is surely going to make waves in Hoxton.









FoodPunkers, you're going to absolutely love Smokey Tails. Why? Because you'll get the best of both worlds. Lunch and dinner is served Monday to Friday and if you're a 24/7 party animal, this sort of concept will suit you down to a T.
But if you're like me and you've had a messy one in town on a Saturday night, having brunch on a early Sunday afternoon and listening to proper old school rap, funk and soul might just do the trick to cure the hangover and stop yourself from hitting that damn wall.


So lets talk brunch shall we?

The choices are simple, you can either play it safe and have the classics such as eggs and avocado, (which I'm sure will satisfy the masses) or you can man up and go all out by making a proper good go of the more meatier options.







The porky pig bun is a beast of a plate. Its crammed with two smoked Toulouse sausages, smoked streaky bacon, pulled pork, soft poached egg, Gruyère cheese and Seth's own BBQ sauce. Yes people, this isn't for the faint hearted but devouring this meaty package will undoubtedly set you up for the day and wanting another one. But steady on,  ff you're feeling like a greedy pig (excuse the pun) and that bun isn't enough, then having Grandmat's crispy, juicy fried chicken ( three pieces for a small plate, six for a large) alongside with a serving of fresh seasonal slaw and fries will do just the trick. 

Now if you're a veggie, don't be alarmed by this place because their vegetarian options are just as awesome. There's no way you'd turn down their bun filled with halloumi, poached egg, avocado and lashings of rocket and tomato relish.





Porky pig bun




GrandMat's Fried Chicken (small), fries & seasonal slaw



Classic bun





So whether you want to party like its 1999 or take it easy like the Eagles, Smokey Tails will indeed make you a very happy chappy. I'm already planning my next visit for dinner to indulge myself in those bad boy smoked lamb belly croquettes and BBQ spicy baby back ribs.