How the bar looks as you enter it.
So what do we need to know about Valderrama's?
This is chef James Cochran's new sports bar in Islington, serving up cold beer, cocktails and fried chicken with resident DJs. It's not really a sports bar as you might expect. When you go in, you'll find the requisite TVs showing the footie, but they're placed pretty high up on the wall, so you can either fixate on the latest match or, just as easily, ignore it.
Where is it?
You'll find it just a little way along Upper Street from Cochran's other Islington establishment, 1251 (opposite the Shell garage). It's equidistant from Angel or Highbury and Islington tube stations.
Where's a good place to sit?
There are high-top tables and some counter seating as you come in, along with a group of tables for 2 and 4 along the left-hand side opposite the bar.
There's also two a good booth table for groups at the rear of the restaurant.
What's on the menu?
Cochran has used this new bar's opening as a place to showcase his Around The Cluck menu that was originally launched as a delivery service. At first glance, this looks like another fried chicken menu, but there are clues that something a bit special is happening here, from the inclusion of Bombay Mix in the Spice Up Your Life burger to dried shrimp and togarishi on a chicken thigh.
Here's what we had:
Crispy buttermilk chicken thigh with chip shop curry sauce (£7.50) - if curry sauce is on a menu, then it's a must-order for us and this was a perfect bar snack combo.
Hash brown with seaweed mayonnaise, crispy shallots and pickled chilli (£7) - no, we've never seen a hash brown like this either. Next. Level.
The various sides are all available as either hash browns or fries - depending on what you fancy. These are with crispy shallots and chicken gravy (£7)
The Chicken Royale (£14) - buttermilk fried chicken with chicken gravy mayo, chicken gravy, chicken skin, crispy shallots and beer pickled cucumber. A fabulous burger that took us so long to eat it that it lost structural integrity before we could finish. Messy but delicious.
Hear Me Now (£16) - buttermilk fried chicken with cheese 'n' truffle fondue, smoked mushroom relish and slaw. Another enormous burger - that smoked mushroom relish is amazing too.
What's on the menu for vegetarians and vegans?
If you're after more plant-based fare, you'll be happy to hear there's a vegan burger especially for you - The Veganator (£11) made with buttermilk vegan fried chicken, gochujang, Asian slaw, peanuts and coriander. Plus, three of the five hash brown/french fries combos are also vegetarian.
Room for dessert?
You really will want to pace yourselves because the dessert section is devoted to one thing - doughnuts. There are three options (all £6 each), including one with apple compote, pie crust and salted caramel glaze).
We tried the other two choices on offer.
Left to right: Banana and caramel mousse with salted peanuts and in the front, Strawberry jam with toasted marshmallow and yoghurt.
What about drinks?
There's a range of beer on draught including Peroni, Asahi and Beavertown beers along with a variety of cocktails and two frozen options - Mango and Watermelon.
Pisco Sour from the cocktail selection.
Overall thoughts:
A lovely air-conditioned bar with a DJ playing - their quote - "80s,90s, and early 2000s bangers", Valderrama's proved to be a welcome haven on a hot Saturday evening in Islington. It's fun and the food is very good - what's not to like?
More about Valderrama's
Where is it? 163 Upper St, Islington, London N1 1US
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @valderramas_bar.
Hot Dinners dined as guests of Valderrama's. Prices correct at time of publication
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