If you’re the sort of Londoner who thinks browsing vinyls and watching a film with your BBQ’d dinner sounds just great, then you’ll be wanting to head to Hackney Fields hipster hub the Institute of Light, which is just about to launch a residency with Billy Smokes.
Operating out of what IOL dubs “one of the coolest terraces in London Fields”, Billy Smokes will be dishing up all the usually summery BBQ goodness with a Texas-meets-Britain flavour palette - so think bubble & squeak croquettes (definitely inspired), oxtail nuggets with stilton, plus beef cheek served up with chilli cheese grits.
This time around, Billy Smokes' residency will be "a slightly more extensive and grown-up menu to [their] previous residencies, but there will be dishes for all appetites with some existing favourites finding their place too," they said.
Other plates on the menu to watch out for include
- Wood pigeon breast with apple kimchi and yoghurt
- Charred courgettes with fennel, ewe’s curd, pine nuts, mint and lemon
- Pork shoulder fillet, Jersey royals, green slaw, pig skin sharing platter
- Lamb ribs, minted pea puree, pomegranate
We love the sound of the Texas Ploughmans sharing platter, a mishmash of smoked beef, avocado, pickles, sauerkraut and something they’re calling ‘beef toast’.
Of course, it wouldn’t be East London without sliders, and Billy Smokes have a whole host to choose from, including IPA sausage with vinegar slaw, or a veggie one with wild mushrooms and herb butter. Perfect for nibbling daintily as you browse the latest vinyl deep cuts or take in an art house film.
When: 13 July
Where: The Institute of Light, 376 Helmsley Place, London E8 3SB
More information: Visit Billy Smokes’ website or follow them on Twitter @BillySmokesBBQ.
