0
Shares

Under the arches - we Test Drive Beagle in Hoxton

Under the arches - we Test Drive Beagle in HoxtonWhat can you tell me about Beagle?

Beagle is a new restaurant, bar and coffee house that recently opened its doors in Hoxton. Running the kitchen is a former head chef from the much-beloved Rochelle Canteen, James Ferguson, who’s serving up a very seasonal British menu.

There are plenty of cocktails at the bar (again changing seasonally) along with a separate bar and restaurant menu. You can book at the restaurant, but the bar is reserved for walk-ins, so it’s certainly worth stopping by if you’re in the area.

Where is it?

It’s right underneath Hoxton station (now very accessible thanks the the London Overground) – so much so that you can feel the trains rumbling overhead. The restaurant is part of an overhaul in the area than has reclaimed and renovated the arches under the station, so the feel of the trains somehow feels just right.

Where should I meet for a drink first?

The bar is certainly worth a try, going by our cocktails – a lovely, strong Beagle Martini (potato vodka, Spanish gin, caraway, coriander bitters) and a Silver Fox (gin, vermouth, sherry, lillet, orange, lavender) – with plenty of tables and an outside terrace. Alternatively, there are a growing number of options very close by, such as the Mezcalaria Quiquiriqui on Hackney Road or The Clove Club at Shoreditch Town Hall.

And where should I sit?

The main restaurant room is a large open space, so we’d there are no obvious places to choose (although take a seat facing the kitchen if you can). The seats by the window might be preferable at lunch, particularly when the big glass doors are open. There will be plenty of outside seating in the summer too – so we think it’ll be a really big draw when the sun comes out.

And what to order?

Beagle offers a short, seasonal menu (plus a few specials on the board that are clearly limited – they’d run out by a few popular dishes by the time we ordered mid-evening). Starters are in the £5-£7 range, mains £12-£15 and desserts £5-£7. Portions were certainly generous on our visit, so while we ordered a couple of sides (potatoes and cabbage at £3.50 each) we’d say you could probably do without them (we, alas can never resist getting at least one side...)

We were very happy with our choice when it arrived. We have to be honest and mention that, upon first glance, we weren’t too sure what to order – nothing immediately stood out, pigs head croquettes being an exception. However, reviewing the menu while writing this as we reflect upon a very successful meal – we think we’d be keen to try a lot more next time and be a bit more adventurous (apart from the beetroot – we’re still really not fans).

But of what we actually tried – a few things really stand out. The pigs head croquettes were pleasingly meaty  and chewy – and came with well matched grebiche sauce while a quick taste of the crab and puntarella salad almost made this salad-afeared writer wish he’d ordered that too. A special of braised meatballs and lentils was also a big winner (with sauce that it’s worth saving bread for).

Dessert-wise, a perfectly created rhubarb and panna-cotta (billed as “set cream”) was a good choice for both of us. We think you always know you have a great panna-cotta when you marvel at how it all holds together and wish you can create it at home – this was a perfect example of that.

We didn’t try anything from the separate bar menu – but it looks worth going for alone, with pork fries, among others, being given good reports online.

And bread?

It is indeed included – as mentioned, save some for sauce-dunking.

How about drinks?

It’s worth checking out the cocktail list before you sit down (or before you start perusing the main menu) as mentioned above – all in the £8-£9 range, while there are local beers (Camden Hells and Redchurch) on tap too. Wines start around the £18-£19 range  (going up as far as £70).

Overall

For us, Beagle is so temptingly close that we can see us returning often – particularly for that one last drink while out in Shoreditch/Hoxton before hitting the train. Every course we had worked well, and the service was super-friendly and effective, particularly as we went early on while many staff were still learning the ropes. A lot of what we ordered ended up surprising us (sometimes that’s the benefit of the menu trend of just listing basic ingredients). We will definitely be back – probably checking out the bar food on our next visit.

It’s a buzzy place - a review the day before from Fay Maschler must have contributed to what was their busiest day yet, but we can see that trend continuing, particularly as the bar stayed full all night - and yet another reason to visit Hoxton.  

Beagle can be found at is located at 397-400 Geffre Street, London E2 8HZ - Find out more about Beagle

Prices were correct at time of writing. Hot Dinners were invited to eat at Beagle.
 

0
Shares
0
Shares