If you’d previously had the pleasure of dining at Hackney’s tiny Nest restaurant over the past few years, then things are on the move – and in a good way. Taking over an impressive Victorian building next to Shoreditch Town Hall, Nest is really branching out (pardon the pun). There’ll be space for 24 diners in the main restaurant, and also a dedicated bar area: Nest Cellar - a 400% increase on their current capacity.
The cellar is a walk-in option only and will be a cosy space of wooden benches, small tables and the kind of vibe reminiscent of the original Hackney venue, with jars of pickling produce within view. Here you’ll have the opportunity to sample low-intervention wines, cocktails, beers, ciders, and perries and pair them with small snacky plates, featuring the likes of British cheese and oatcakes, game bird terrine, house bread and home-churned butters.
Step further through to the restaurant (which also has a bar area, as well as an open kitchen), if you’re in the mood for the tasting menu. Executive chef Johnnie Crowe champions produce from small-scale farmers and suppliers (including Shrub Provisions, Keltic Seafare, Alternative Meats) and tends to choose one food theme to highlight in a very seasonal menu. All the courses can come as a surprise, though there is the option to view the menu, sealed with a wax-stamp and delivered to the table, mysterious-style.
They’ll kickstart life in their new location with Game Season, which will include the following dishes:
- BBQ Welsh wagyu with bone marrow mayonnaise
- Milk bread with beef fat butter and grated cured beef heart
- Nest-fried partridge with XO sauce, dusted in chilli powder
- Seaweed and kale-baked ‘Rockefeller’ oysters
In keeping with the focused approach, there’ll be a ‘one-region’ wine pairing, with Austria being front and centre for the Game Season, and Loire Valley next up for the forthcoming Seafood Season.
In addition to the extra dining space, the new-and-improved Nest is going to be offering a weekday à la carte lunch for the first time.
More about Nest
Where is it? 374-378 Old Street, London EC1V 9LT
When does it open? 4 October 2023
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @nest_food
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