White Rabbit

Dalston is a place most people shy away from. OK, so it may not be the most glamorous of areas in London but it certainly doesn't lack character or good food for that matter.

A mere stone throw away from Dalston Kingsland Station, on Bradbury street, lies a number of trendy bars and a restaurant that is well worth the travel.

White Rabbit is a place that some people are unfamiliar with, but being set up in the most unlikeliest of locations it has certainly made itself at home with the locals. It's funky, modern layout is a breath of fresh air and as for the food, bloody amazing.

So let's get down to business.

The menu is pretty much designed for sharing and trust me, its worth ordering a s*** load of dishes. Sit back, down a few cocktails (the super cool front of house staff will recommend them) and go to town by shaking things up with the variety of meat, fish and veg on offer.

To get the taste buds warmed up, knuckle down with the fruity, tangy sea bass ceviche and the tender charred leeks with brown shrimps from the "straight ups" section of the menu.

If you're still wanting more fish, then the charred mackerel is an obvious choice and winner. The fish dishes here are clean, simple and executed with minimum fuss.

It doesn't stop there FoodPunkers, because if you're a proper meat head, White Rabbit will serve up food that will put a massive smile on your pretty little faces. The crispy lamb belly is coated with a sweet, salty miso glaze and has a jalapeno puree to give it that extra punch and as for the lamb rump, it's succulent, juicy, perfectly pink and is on a bed of fat capers, fresh peas and mint.

The dishes are a match made in heaven, but for me, the wood pigeon was probably the weakest of the lot. Visually appetising and the beetroot is moreish, but the star attraction could have been cooked less and just didn't have that wow factor the others had.

Sea Bass Ceviche, Pomegranate, Grapefruit, Avocado Puree

Charred Leeks, Beurre Blanc, Brown Shrimps

Charred Mackerel, Cucumber, Mooli, Lime

Crispy Lamb Belly, Miso Glaze, Jalapeno

Lamb Rump, Pea Fricassee

Wood Pigeon, Beetroot, Halzelnut

Nevertheless White Rabbit is a restaurant that you should go to as soon as possible. Mouth watering food, refreshing, tasty cocktails and all of it at decent prices, no one will argue with you for going to Dalston.



Smokey Tails

International DJ Seth Troxler has mixed his beats with his love of good old dirty, finger licking barbecue and smoked foods.

Inspired by his old family recipes, he and goods friends Jo Vidler and Jona Ahearne have created a hub that is surely going to make waves in Hoxton.

FoodPunkers, you're going to absolutely love Smokey Tails. Why? Because you'll get the best of both worlds. Lunch and dinner is served Monday to Friday and if you're a 24/7 party animal, this sort of concept will suit you down to a T.

But if you're like me and you've had a messy one in town on a Saturday night, having brunch on a early Sunday afternoon and listening to proper old school rap, funk and soul might just do the trick to cure the hangover and stop yourself from hitting that damn wall.

So lets talk brunch shall we?

The choices are simple, you can either play it safe and have the classics such as eggs and avocado, (which I'm sure will satisfy the masses) or you can man up and go all out by making a proper good go of the more meatier options.

The porky pig bun is a beast of a plate. Its crammed with two smoked Toulouse sausages, smoked streaky bacon, pulled pork, soft poached egg, Gruyère cheese and Seth's own BBQ sauce. Yes people, this isn't for the faint hearted but devouring this meaty package will undoubtedly set you up for the day and wanting another one. But steady on,  ff you're feeling like a greedy pig (excuse the pun) and that bun isn't enough, then having Grandmat's crispy, juicy fried chicken ( three pieces for a small plate, six for a large) alongside with a serving of fresh seasonal slaw and fries will do just the trick. 

Now if you're a veggie, don't be alarmed by this place because their vegetarian options are just as awesome. There's no way you'd turn down their bun filled with halloumi, poached egg, avocado and lashings of rocket and tomato relish.

Porky pig bun

GrandMat's Fried Chicken (small), fries & seasonal slaw

Classic bun

So whether you want to party like its 1999 or take it easy like the Eagles, Smokey Tails will indeed make you a very happy chappy. I'm already planning my next visit for dinner to indulge myself in those bad boy smoked lamb belly croquettes and BBQ spicy baby back ribs.

Come Get Som.

What an explosive year it has been for Som Saa. After a hugely successful fund raiser, it has transformed itself from being a tiny little joint at Climpson's Arch, London Fields, to now being the talk of the town in the East End with its rather impressive walk in restaurant.

That's right FoodPunkers, forget your generic Thai Green Curries and Pad Thais, Som Saa will take you on a journey that for a period of time, you will literally think you're in Thailand.

There are some unforgettable treats at this place and in my opinion you should go for a dish from each section such as The "Penang Curry" with its rich, creamy sauce and delicious chunks of salted beef cheeks, which just falls apart at the slightest touch. If you're a serious meat head, the succulent grilled pork and the chicken leg is a no brainer.

As for the fish option, you can not go to Som Saa without ordering the deep fried sea bass. It is a monster of a dish and one that you'll regret if you don't have it. Flaky bits of white flesh fall from the sides with ease. Even the skin is worth eating especially as its super crispy and the fish is dressed in a generous amount of some sort of sweet, sour and fiery sauce, garnished with fresh delicate herbs.

If things get too wild, just take it down a notch and go for some salads, The "Yum Karmin Khao" is a winner, Juicy prawns, tender pork, crunchy peanuts ( I know right? Me eating peanuts) all party together with loads of fresh tangy lime juice. Seriously impressive stuff.

Penang Curry ( Salted Beef Cheeks)

Deep Fried Sea Bass

Thai Style Grilled Chicken Leg With Tamarind Dipping Sauce

Grilled Pork Neck With A "nahm jim" Dressing

Prawn, Pork, Peanut & White Turmeric Salad

Som Saa is a place in demand that everyone wants to check out for the first time or simply return for an umpteenth time. If you're going as a pair, prepare to wait for over an hour. My advice, go as a group because then you'll be able to book a reservation (as well as ordering everything off the menu).

Regardless of waiting times, this restaurant has raised the bar in Thai cuisine, so get your foodie asses to Commercial Street and feast on some proper authentic Asian food. Pad Thai's and Green Curries are a thing of the past people.



God Gave Us Black Axe Mangal.

"I cook for fun" is Lee Tiernan's attitude towards food and it basically sums up what his restaurant is all about.

There's three things that makes Black Axe Mangal popular and successful.

1. A killer soundtrack consisting the likes of Rage Against The Machine and Queens Of The Stone Age.
2. Electric vibe.
3. Quality Food.

Oh and there is absolutely no way you can't not but be impressed seeing a big bad ass wood fire oven  plastered with the members of Kiss taking centre stage in the small open kitchen. 

This place is all about getting stuck in and not giving a fuck. Everyone is so chilled out and even though its a tight space, its not even awkward rubbing shoulders with the person next to you. Luckily for me, I was sitting next to Lee himself. 

When it comes to the food, there are no set rules and that's the kind of thing I love. It's dirt cheap, small and each dish carries it's own individuality and character. It bloody goes down well with an ice cold can of beer too. You could easily tackle the menu in a group but if you're a dude with a big appetite, knock yourself out and go for every dish.

White Sprouting Broccoli & Fermented Shrimp Butter

Lamb Offal Flatbread

Pig's Head, Scallop & Chilli

Buttermilk Fried Quail & Mission Spice

There are two particular dishes that stuck out for me, the quail and the lamb offal flat bread. The quail is coated in a Szechuan pepper and cumin spice mix. Its gives out the most strange tingly, numbing sensation on the tongue and even though you think its too much, you keep going back for more and more. Tasty stuff!. 

As for the lamb offal, ok it doesn't sound the most appetising but this is the dish that everyone recommends and trust me you will never look at offal in the same way again. Be brave and try it. 

Black Axe Mangal is a mischievous little joint that everyone should check out. Rocking out to tasty food never felt so good. 

Greece, Is The Word

Notting Hill, probably best known for one of Hugh Grant's biggest films and where Ronan Keating sat on that park bench serenading the many masses with the film's hit soundtrack.

But I'm not here to reminisce over such things. Oh No, I'm here to tell you about Mazi, a tiny restaurant tucked away a few minutes from Notting Hill Gate Station that serves some of the finest Greek food in the area.

 Its shabby chic and Mediterranean style is a welcome addition to this part of town and the people who dine here? Well just think Made In Chelsea where conversation is about designer gear and the new boutique outlet along the high street. As for me, I'm just there to dive in and feast on what this restaurant has to offer.

As for the menu, plain and simple, it's designed for sharing, so don't be shy and get stuck in. The front of house team are very hospitable and patient and if you're like me at times find it hard to pick what dishes to try, they're on hand to guide you.

In my opinion hit the jars immediately because if you're a sucker for cheese fondues, then the spicy tiropita will put a massive smile on your face. Lumps of feta in a rich creamy sauce, accompanied with thinly sliced red chillies and soft leeks. It's cheesy, gooey and the sweetness from the honey helps to cut through the richness.
If you want a lighter option, then look no further than the cold, soft and smooth velvet textured beetroot yogurt.
FoodPunkers don't be afraid to order more bread either, you'll regret it if you don't dunk, spread and mop up every inch of the jars.

Spicy Tiropita, Broken Filo Pastry, Leeks and Chillies

Beetroot Dice, Greek Yogurt, Lime and Crushed Walnuts

When it comes to meat, Mazi comes out on top. You can't go wrong with crispy and succulent Lamb belly finished off on the grill and I would love to meet  Mazi's Grandmama because her meatballs are so god damn good, sitting on a bed of cool tzatiki and herb oil.

On the veggie side of things, you will definitely get your monies worth with the feta tempura. A huge slab of crumbly feta encased in a sesame shell with lemon marmalade and caper meringue.
As for the courgette cakes, five crispy bite size nuggets go down well with the sweet cucumber dip and if you're a greedy bugger like me, there will probably be none left to share around the table. Perhaps order a couple of them.






Lamb Belly, Miso Aubergne, Chickpea and Tahini Paste

Grandmama's meatballs, Handmade Crisps

Courgette Cakes, Cucumber and Mint Dip

Feta Tempura, Caper Meringue, Lemon Marmalade

Mazi is the perfect place to go to especially with summer rapidly approaching us. The food is outstanding I'm already making a note in my diary for my next visit. Right now Greece is definitely the word.

 

Hop In

Sri Lankan and Tamil Cuisine is something that I haven't really delved into before. So when it came to checking out Hoppers, I went in with very little knowledge but come the end, I left having tried some fine ass food. The restaurant showcases the Sri Lankan cuisine bringing as much authenticity as possible whilst at the same time giving it a modern makeover.

Hoppers is a bubbly and bustling little hotspot in Soho, the only tricky thing though is that they do not take reservations, so get there in good time to ensure you get a table. Even if you don't manage to get a table straightaway, let me be the first to tell you that it is well worth the wait.

 

 

Knowing what was on the menu proved a little difficult but luckily Hoppers engaging, helpful and friendly staff were there to guide me and save me from making a fool out of myself.  I should mention one important thing, that I stupidly failed to realise there's a glossary of terms at the back of the menu. But nevertheless FoodPunkers, let me give you the heads up by giving a brief description of the key items.

 

• Hopper - Bowl shaped fermented rice and coconut milk pancake
• Dosa - Crispy fermented lentil and rice crepe
• Kothu - Finely chopped roti cooked with vegetables, meat or seafood.

 

As always I ordered a whole heap of stuff, any more and it would have been game over. I just know the pictures below will get your taste buds going.

 

Bonemarow

Roti

Mutton Rolls

Lamb Kothu Rot

Hopper with various chutneys and Sambals

Dosa

 

 

If you like you're spice then you're gonna love this place. For me it hit the right note, enough heat to coat the lips but if things did get a little too hot, I had a cool crisp beer to cool things down. FoodPunkers if I were you I would order two rounds of mutton rolls. One just isn't enough and I'm not being greedy here. Those bad boys were just incredible and the good chefs themselves don't shy away from packing it with lots of  meat. It tasted even better with the chilli, garlic and ginger dip. In fact all of the dips and sambals are to die for. Get your dosa, roti and hopper and just dunk away.
The fish curry had flaky bite size pieces of mackerel swimming in a spiced coconut sauce and the soft fatty bonemarrow came with a fiery sauce and a light buttery roti, perfect for spreading that flavoursome fat on.




Without a doubt Hoppers could just be one of the best restaurants in London. So next time you're in Soho and you want to spice things up a little, hop in to this little gem of a place.