Islington

  • The Nook wine bar and deli opens in Islington, taking over from Linden Stores

    The Nook wine bar and deli opens in Islington, taking over from Linden Stores

    With people not heading into the centre of London to work, neighbourhood bars and restaurants are getting a lot more attention - and this new opening in our own local area caught our attention. The Nook has taken over the space that used to be Linden Stores, so we popped down to find out more. 

    The owners are Angus and Lale Oztek-Pook. Angus is front of house and Lale the chef. Lale studied at Le

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  • Test Driving NASI Economy Rice - Sambal Shiok's neighbour makes for an excellent lunch

     chicken1

    NASI Economy Rice is the next-door spin-off of Sambal Shiok. We take it for a Test Drive takeaway and find it makes for a pretty perfect lunch. 

  • Test Driving the Drapers Arms - our first meal out post-Lockdown

    drapers arms islington review

    Hot Dinners makes our first foray back into the world of dining out - picking a popular Islington gastropub for the first post-lockdown meal. 

  • Nourished Communities sells farmers market produce from its Canonbury shop

    nourished communities canonbury lane

    Folks who live in or around Canonbury in Islington may have spotted what looks to be a rather unusual installation in the window at high-end furniture store Coexistence on Canonbury Lane.

    It turns out that the shop has been supporting a company called Nourished Communities, which stepped in to look after suppliers affected by the closure of farmers' markets in London during the lockdown.

    The premise is simple - instead of trying

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  • N5 Kitchen is a weekend pop up at Maison Bleue by Highbury Fields

    n5 kitchen popup at maison bleue in islington

    Spare a thought for London's catering companies. All their work stopped the minute events were cancelled and, unlike restaurants, who knows when large gatherings might be back in our diaries again?

    One such company, who's moved to a different way of doing things is N5 Kitchen. This Islington-based catering company has started popping up at Maison Bleue Cafe near Highbury Fields every weekend.

    The company, which in normal

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  • Test Driving Around The Cluck - chef James Cochran's celebration of fried chicken

    around the cluck by james cochran islington

    James Cochran's Islington restaurant 1251 has opted for a menu celebrating fried chicken for its delivery option during lockdown. We gave his burgers a go.

  • Trullo opens a deli next door to their Islington restaurant

    Trullo opens a deli next door to their Islington restaurant

    We've known for some time, well before the lockdown, that Islington's Trullo (sister restaurant to Padella) had bought the shop next door. It was kept empty for a while - but now we finally have some info on what's being planned, just as they've reached their 10th birthday. 

    Now they've unveiled the Trullo deli. We're told to expect "all the things you love about Trullo for you to take home." So there are

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  • Padella enter the DIY game with cook-at-home pasta kits

    Padella enter the DIY game with cook-at-home pasta kits

    The good news is that Padella is going to be doing pasta deliveries from this weekend. The bad news is that, to begin with, you have to be in either Hackney or Islington to avail yourself of the service.

    If you do happen to be in either of those boroughs then you can order up one of two pasta kits to cook up at home in less than five minutes. The options are their famous pappardelle beef shin ragu, which Grace

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  • Ottolenghi is back - starting with Notting Hill and Islington

    Ottolenghi is back - starting in Notting Hill and Islington

    Have you missed that whole wandering past an Ottolenghi, being tempted by the cake displays in the window, and then popping in to order as much as you could carry thing? Well, that chance is coming back with the news that two of the stores are getting ready to reopen. 

    It all starts with Notting Hill today, with Islington to follow on Friday. They're starting slowly - first with a reduced "essentials"

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  • Sambal Shiok is opening NASI Economy Rice next door on Holloway Road

    Sambal Shiok is opening an economy rice takeaway next door on Holloway RoadSambal Shiok in Holloway has been a huge success, with the warming bowls of laksa being a big draw in Holloway and beyond. Now owner Mandy Yin expands next door with a takeaway serving up affordable Malaysian rice boxes. 

  • Fish & Chips returns to Upper St Islington with Trawlerman's Fish Bar

    Fish & Chips returns to Upper St Islington with Trawlerman's Fish Bar

    Hot Dinners Exclusive

    A new restaurant in Islington certainly highlights the cyclical nature of the restaurant business. Trawler Trash on Islington's Upper Street shut its doors in 2019 and the site has been closed ever since. But now a new restaurant has opened in the space and locals will be very pleased to learn that it's a fish and chip shop called Trawlerman's Fish

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  • Megan's dog-friendly restaurant is coming to Islington

    Megan's dog-friendly restaurant is coming to IslingtonAfter success in south and west London, Megan's are opening in the Islington Square development, just off Upper Street. They'll have their usual Mediterranean menu and, of course, will welcome dog owners with open arms. 

  • Patron Cave à Manger are bringing their Parisian brasserie to Blackstock Road

    patron cave a manger opening blackstock road highburyPopular Kentish Town brasserie Patron is expanding - they've picked Blackstock Road for their second site, serving up all manner of classic French wine and dishes.

  • Ogam Korean tapas bar has opened in Islington

    Ogam Korean tapas bar has opened in Islington  

    While wandering through Angel over the Christmas break, we spotted this restaurant that opened somewhat under the radar in December. Owner Tae Yeol Kim was apparently International Korean cup Championship 2015 Winner Bartender and is also a Korea traditional alcohol Ambassador. Ogam will serve up a Korean tapas menu (obviously) in a small restaurant that's primarily counter seating. At the time of writing, there's a choice

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  • Skal Nordic Dining opens in Islington

    Skal Nordic Dining opens in Islington

    Rok may be gone, but Nordic dining in Islington is back with the opening of Skal. They've quietly taken over the space left by Rok on Islington's Upper Street promising traditional Nordic recipes but with a modern, seasonal twist from head chef Lauri Hilli (formerly Sanctum Soho). The space looks much the same as it was with Rok - it still has a stripped-back Scandi vibe, so fits the new restaurant well. 

    As for the menu - here's

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