Food & Drink
‘We’ve got the homeless of Hackney sick of sourdough!’: Volunteer project dishes up weekly meals for the needy
A spin-off from a project born in the Calais Jungle, Refugee Community Kitchen sets up shop every Thursday outside Hackney Central Library
Read MoreSmoking Goat, Shoreditch, restaurant review: ‘like they’ve entered a cheat-code to my heart and stomach’
New Shoreditch restaurant Smoking Goat takes inspiration from Northern Thailand and its culture of aharn glam lao – drinking food
Read MoreGuy Fawkes, garlic and and the Great Pyramids: notes on November in food history
In hiding from Halloween, our resident historian Gillian Riley turns her imagination to Bonfire Night and the transgressive thrills and benefits of so-called ‘Papist’ garlic
Read MoreGillian Riley on food history: ‘I say it’s spinach, and I say the hell with it!’
Leafy greens have a crucial role to play in many global cuisines, from Seoul to the Seine. Gillian Riley leafs through her history and recipe books to make the case for the much-maligned likes of spinach and cabbage
Read MoreHackney Downs Vegan Market to go weekly from this weekend
The free Saturday plant-fest, which attracts thousands to Hackney Downs Studios, is run by popular local blogger Fat Gay Vegan
Read MoreA ‘gram don’t come for free: Insta ‘influencers’ feed the camera first
Four of East London’s most followed Instagrammers share where to eat and how to show off the best spots
Read MoreEssence Cuisine, Shoreditch, restaurant review: raw and order
This shiny new Shoreditch hangout is part-takeaway salad joint, part-molecular gastronomy café, and 100 per cent meat, dairy, gluten and refined sugar-free. Rabbit food or raving success?
Read MoreWalking on eggshells: Gillian Riley on eggs, featuring global recipes and some cracking history
Through the eyes of Gillian Riley’s “always hungry” Roman legionary (who this month is picking up some eggs from Stamford Hill for the journey north), take a tour of the world’s unbeatable eggy dishes
Read MoreHomebrewing: Forest Road brewer gives advice on how to make it WORK
The story of Forest Road Brewing Company’s pale ale WORK began in Pete Brown’s Dalston garden – we bring you his tips on creating your own batches of beautiful beer
Read MoreVegan options: what’s driving the animal product-free takeover of Hackney grub?
The popularity of plant-based foodstuffs in the borough is not just a fashion – we look at the other factors playing a part in the success of the borough’s vegan outlets
Read MoreFriday Night Dinner: Monty’s Deli’s new four course Shabbat meal, reviewed
The Hoxton-based Jewish deli has been receiving rave reviews since finally opening a permanent space. Does their new group dinner option – a traditional Friday night dinner of roast chicken and more – live up to expectations?
Read MoreBrain food: charity Headway’s new supper club and homemade grub brings people to the table
Headway EATS and their crack kitchen squad, made up of survivors of brain injury, delivered a Middle Eastern meal and good vibes besides – their next event is coming soon…
Read MoreGillian Riley on food: Why pastrami? The answer is blowing in the wind
Ever heard of Iron Age salt beef? Our resident food historian reveals the obscure history of the quintessential deli meats, from pastrami to Turkish basturma, with an eye on Hackney’s thriving bagel scene
Read MoreTake the spear – Gillian Riley on asparagus and other shoots ‘n’ buds
You may get in trouble pinching someone’s asparagus, but perhaps wild Hackney borage will take your fancy? Our resident food historian focuses in on this genre of edible greenery in her latest piece for us, featuring a recipe for a very non-traditional – but incredible – risotto
Read MoreYuzu, Spitalfields, restaurant review: conveyor-belting sushi and more
Sushi on colourful plates spinning past customers is not just the domain of Yo! and co, as this Japanese eatery aims to prove with its takeaway and sit-down dining options
Read MoreThe Lacy Nook, Stoke Newington, restaurant review: no need to balk at this fine Balkan cuisine
Visitors to Stokey may have missed this Nook – our reviewer makes a good case for seeking it out, particularly for the dessert option…
Read MoreTravelling on an Oyster: history, biology and some local cooking tips
Our resident food historian Gillian Riley and her trusty Roman legionary are again on the move in the borough, bringing you a fascinating overview of the mighty mollusc
Read MoreEmpress Market, London Fields, restaurant review – ‘a successful culture clash’
Authentic Pakistani street food and New Orleans cocktails shaken together to create ‘spellbinding combination’
Read MoreLes Nénettes, Clapton, restaurant review – ‘classic southern French’
This new French restaurant on La rue de Lower Clapton offers fine fare from apéritifs to main course
Read MoreBring on the artichokes! Gillian Riley on Caravaggio, veg and violence
In her latest column, our resident food and art historian imagines the painter and GBH enthusiast storming through Hackney
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