I woke up on Saturday morning blinking in disbelief at the offensively bright surroundings that I found myself in. This was my room but, as is the benefit of an eaves skylight bedroom, when summer actually arrives it takes no prisoners. Its either windows open and searing 5 a.m sunshine, or windows closed and its more an equatorial Batcave. Neither of which are conducive to a whisky hangover.
However, this particular hangover was accompanied by a heady sensation of feeling content and self-loathing. Feeling content because I’d spent the evening before sampling the eateries and watering holes of Haggerston’s Street Feast, self-loathing because this weekend marks its final outing (at least in its present carnation) and I had only bothered to go once. The monkey drilling a Wild Turkey bottle size pneumatic drill into my skull did not help either.
As we are Claphamites by trade, venturing into the Dalston area I was worried we would be the least trendy people on site. Even though the place was full of families with strollers, I’d say we weren’t far off but that didn’t stop us having an awesome evening of stuffing ourselves stupid.
Street Feast founder Dominic Cools-Lartigue (top name, top man) was inspired by the Merchant Yard space and wanted to create a no frills, community atmosphere with great, affordable food produced by London traders. On top of this, the aim was to also use it as a showcase for local design, art and music as well as making it the perfect place to have a casual night out with some tasty cocktails. I would say he has hit all of the proverbial nails on their heads. Its a fantastic space and atmosphere.
With good portions of everything available at decent prices, the real agony of this place is the choice. That being said, we still managed to tuck into 1.5 dishes each, plus desserts:
Chorizoo & Halloumi Wrap
Kimchi Cheeseburger from Kimchi Cult
Rib Sandwich with ‘Holy Fuck’ Hot Sauce from The Rib Man
Doughnuts with Salted Caramel Sauce and Marshmellows
The Holy Fuck sauce on the Rib Man sandwich nearly blew my face off. Laura (girlfriend) managed to chomp her way through several mouthfuls, even dipping the roll itself so that it was slathered with the stuff. Impressed and emasculated.
After eating we hit The Gin Store which is a pop up cocktail bar run by Milk and Honey who (I was told) have won the best cocktail bar in London for 3 years running. Definitely one to add to the list. I felt a little sheepish ordering whisky cocktails in this place but was rewarded with a seriously strong (and delicious) off-menu Manhattan. This and a few Old Fashioned formed the structural base of my next morning woes.
The beginning of the end…
I have no real sense of what time we left but the queue outside was enormous and the party was still very much in full swing. I fear we peaked a little early but at least we outlasted the toddlers (I think).
I’m also very gutted to have missed out on Ben Spalding’s Stripped Back pop-up that sat upstairs of the main bar. Apparently its the real foodie highlight of the whole place and hopefully they’ll be another opportunity to have a crack.
On that note, there were rumours that the next Street Feast will find a home somewhere a little closer to Brick Lane. There’s also an upcoming Truck Stop set to happen in Canary Wharf from the same people. You would think with this winning formula that doors would open and it won’t be long till Street Feast is back in earnest. Here’s hoping!
The Whimsical Onion 