A BSO LU T ELY FO O D YOUR LOCAL LARDER BY
FLORENCE KNIGHT
MENU MONTH
OF THE
SIP SNIFF
JOSH & JOHNNIE ‘TASTES’ AT THE BELL PUB
QUAIL EGGS + CHEESE POPCORN WINTER SQUASH SALAD OYSTERS 3 WAYS ‘DIY’ CHICORY DUCK AND FENNEL BLACK FOREST DOUGHNUTS
THE CHOCOLATE BOX 50 Middlesex Road, E1; joshjohnnie.co.uk
3 BRITISH CHEESES WITH HOMEMADE CRACKERS
On 13 November, Stories is bringing us a sensual evening of wine and perfume hosted by fragrance expert Odette Toilette and Sommelier and Wine Consultant Clara Rubin from Berkmann Wine Cellars. Dare to mix your fragrance with your Frascati in a series of six pairings, where your olfactory senses will be challenged as you attempt to identify between carefully-chosen wine from across the globe and fragrance from artisan perfumiers. Sip, sniff and savour the evening. £27.50. 30-31 Broadway Market, E8; storiesonbroadway.com
I
am forever uncovering new and wonderful nooks in East London. The number of local producers has grown over the last few years and there is now an abundance of beautiful produce throughout the area. In East London proper, as it were, I like Hackney honey from Curtis Honey Man and Golden Company, and fragrant jams and marmalade from Lillie’s London Borough of Jam. Lillie’s unusual combinations and seasonality mean that I often have two or three jars in the cupboard. In fact, these go perfectly with almost anything that comes out of the E5 Bakehouse ovens. Their raisin and walnut sourdough is a particular favourite of mine, almost as good simply hot and buttered. I will make the pilgrimage from Soho just to get fish from Steve Hatts. It is the best fish in London; gleaming, clear and bright-eyed, seasonal and often caught in British waters. The shop has a pleasingly old-fashioned, utilitarian feeling; women queuing up, baskets and children dangling off their arms, to get their fish suppers for the weekend or to order small mountains of shrimp. It’s great to be able to buy small amounts to test recipes with and have access to the best knowledge in the business. I’m also always happy for an excuse to have a coffee and smackeral at Towpath. There is little better than sitting in the sunshine at the canal’s edge, mopping up the last smears of sauce with squishy, crusty bread, watching London float by. Another lure is Labour and Wait - I always seem to need something – and round the corner Leila’s for baked eggs, where I am inspired by the display of fresh produce and carefully sourced pantry items. And for a full grocery shop without too much running around and the scent of coffee in the air, Maltby Street is a firm favourite.
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