Updated 20/8/18 with soft launch info
What: Crispin
In a nutshell: Simple, seasonal dining from the people behind Lundenwic and Scotchtails
Summing it all up: The duo behind the Lundenwic coffee shop and Borough Market’s Scotchtails take things to the next level with their latest project, an all-day eatery housed in an East London ‘zinc and glass kite’, with low intervention wines, local produce and even a ‘listening bar’.
The low-down
There’s a new cafe coming to Spitalfields, that’ll be open from morning to night, dishing up a whole host of classic English goodies from classic bacon sarnies to charred broccoli and romanesco.
It’s the latest from Oliver Hiam and Dominic Hamdy, who’re behind scotch egg company Scotchtails, and minimalist Aldwych coffee shack, Lundenwic.
This time around, there’ll definitely be plenty of coffee, provided by Brixton’s Assembly Coffee, but there’ll also be a seasonally changing menu, a rotating wine list with loads of natural and low intervention bottles, and a weekend brunch. And it’ll all be housed in an origami-esque, purpose-built ‘geometric pavilion’ with space for 40 people and a ‘listening bar’ that we can only assume is laden with techno (Oli’s involved with south London nightclub Corsica Studios).
Back to the food though - we’re rather liking the sound of their Friday to Sunday evening "meal deal" for want of a better word, which will give you a main and a glass of wine for the exceptionally reasonable price of a tenner. Otherwise, get down from 7am for breakfast sandwiches, or swing by at lunch for daily salads, soups and hot toasties.
Some of the dishes they’re planning on for this time of year include:
- Cheddar, hispi cabbage and chilli jam toastie
- N’duja, ogleshield and jalapeno toastie
- Charred broccoli and romanesco sandwich
- Merguez sausage with daal, green sauce and egg
- Waffles with poached apricots, thyme, candied pecans and milk ice-cream
Where possible, the duo will be availing of London’s many local producers for ingredients, including Secret Smokehouse’s salmon, Clapton Park’s honey and Dusty Knuckle’s bread.
They’ll have a separate bar snack menu, which you can work your way through alongside one of the local beers they’ll be offering or try a cocktail - maybe at the listening bar. Those are seven stools by the bar where you can don a pair of headphones and listen to Crispin's record collection - which sounds perfect for solo diners.
More about Crispin
Where is it? Duval Row, Spitalfields, E1 6EN
When does it open? 20 August
Soft launch information: 20-26 August get £1 coffee all week and 50% off food.
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @crispin_e1.
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