Brunch at L'entrepot

Photography @GaretReidPhoto 2013

230 Dalston Lane, London, E8 1LA

I moved house. Or flat. So that's why I haven't blogged in a while. Sorry. And, in other news, I started writing for recommendations website Twenty Something London (TSL) so have been a bit busy all in all.

The new place is in Walthamstow so I'll start visiting and reviewing places this end of town in the next few weeks. It may sound like I've grown up and moved to the 'burbs' but never fear, I'm only in zone 3 and 15 mins from Liverpool Street on the train. Phew. 

So... L'entrepot. I went for dinner and wine in the week with TSL and then got invited along to a brunch event today (perks of the job) which seemed more down my cafe-lined street. The recommendation will be going up on TSL in the next few days so check that out for the full picture. However, in terms of brunch I have to say I was suitably impressed. For what is essentially a wine bar and restaurant, man, can they do eggs. 

Chef Stefan is French so there's a definite continental twist on the menu with a fair few options it's impossible to pronounce. But the 'gypsy eggs' pulls them back from pretentious by whacking everything that's good about breakfast (eggs, bacon, tomatoes, potatoes...) into a pan and serving it up with sourdough. 

My other half tried the oeuf meurette - eggs and bacon cooked in wine. Don't let the purple hue put you off, the taste is fantastic. If you like red wine, why save it for dinner? 

Right next to Hackney Downs Station, it's an easy enough walk from Victoria Park Village or London Fields and well worth the effort. The atmosphere is laid back, the decor beautiful and staff knowledgeable. Brunch is served until 4pm at weekends so you can lie in as long as you like! 

There's freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee on offer but why not go for a bloody sherry or some Prosecco? You're in a wine bar after all. 

 L'entrepot are on Facebook and Twitter. Or check out their parent company Borough Wines. 

A review of Amandine

Image from amandine-cafe.tumblr.com

176 Victoria Park Road, Victoria Park Village, Hackney, E9 7HD

If you're looking for somewhere to slow down the pace and escape the crowds on a sunny day in Victoria Park, then Amandine could just be the perfect spot. Slightly away from the main strip, it's a short walk around the corner from Lauriston Road and well worth the few extra yards.

As well as being dog friendly, they have a lovely outside seating area to the back of the cafe so we made the most of the sunshine by taking a table in the garden.

Image from facebook.com/Amandine-Café

The menu only appeared to be up on the chalk board inside, and was written in such small writing that I struggled to read the detail of what I was ordering. However, I am coming to realise that foregoing my contact lenses is probably not the most sensible of lifestyle choices so can't really complain.

With sandwiches, salads, soups and daily specials there's plenty of choice, and lots of sweet treats to tempt your taste buds too. The fridge was stacked with cold drinks which hit the spot on a hot day, so I'll have to return for coffee and cake later in the year in order to give a balanced review of all that's on offer (I'm sure I can handle that...).

We had toasted ciabattas and a salad:

The food was really tasty and generously proportioned, the staff friendly and attentive (although we ordered separately they clocked we were sitting together so brought the food out at the same time). I'm sure a little gem like this gets busy at times, but for us it was a haven of calm in the chaos of an East London summer and I'll definitely be back for more. 

Amandine is on Facebook, Twitter and Tumbler. 

A visit to Happy Kitchen

Arch 393, Mentmore Terrace, London Fields, E8 3PH

I've been meaning to drop by Happy Kitchen for ages and never quite made it, but yesterday the March sunshine encouraged me to wander further afield than usual and I came across it quite by accident. It's not exactly on the beaten track, but if you're happy exploring London Fields you'll find it not far from Pub on the Park.

Unfortunately, having had a BBQ pork Banhmi11 baguette for lunch at Broadway Market and then a rather generous hunk of baked cheesecake from CakeHole  at Hackney Homemade, I was stuffed and couldn't manage anything to eat. However, I did have a very yummy coffee (coffee beans from St Ali) and can vouch for the cakes looking amazing.

With a focus on organic whole foods, sweetened only by fruit sugars and no gluten, eggs, dairy or wheat, my glutounous side at first felt at risk of being disappointed. However, the smorgasboard of cakes adorning the counter put this to rest, and given they have their own range of brownie bars, I know these girls understand my sweet tooth, as well as my waistline. Yummy, decadant cakes that might also be good for you? Never?

The proof is, of course, in the pudding, so I will have to return on an empty stomach and sample their baking. They do pancakes at weekends so I think I'll have to give those a go soon, as well as perhaps invest in some of their vitality-inducing granola and grains (they have a 'pick 'n' mix' nut bar...).

Happy Kitchen are on Facebook, Twitter and have a website.

A review of Loafing

79 Lauriston Road, Victoria Park Village, London, E9 7HJ

I’ve had a horrid cough and cold lately so haven’t been out and about too much. However, the weather was beautiful today so my other half agreed to a walk in Victoria Park. Bundled up to protect my chest from the November chill, we ventured across the park to Lauriston Road. Stopping first for a swift half of Aspall and packet of crisps sitting in the sunshine outside the Royal Inn on the Park, I soon decided I needed something a little more warming and hearty.

We headed further in to Victoria Park Village and popped into ‘Loafing’, a tiny little cafe on the corner of Lauriston Road and Victoria Park Road. With a stunning window display of cakes piled high on a tower of glassware, I was curious as to the kind of savoury fare on offer. Our first selection was the cheese on toast and salmon and cream cheese sandwich. However, they’d had such a busy day that they’d run out of bread by 2.30pm (seems kind of ironic given their namesake) and only had focaccia to offer us. Going with their suggestion we had one toasted focaccia with mozzarella, olives, sunblushed tomatoes and basil, and another with mozzarella, parma ham and basil. Both were y-u-m-m-y. I had a latte and he had a cappuccino, as usual.

Most of the savoury menu is under a fiver and there’s a good selection of hearty sarnies and salads. A slice of cake is between £2 and £3 and there’s a large cold drinks cabinet as well as a full selection of hot drinks including Monmouth coffee and hot chocolate.

We could only get a table right by the front door and next to the counter so it wasn’t the most relaxing experience, with so many people coming and going. The indoor seating is limited, which I imagine may become a problem as the weather gets worse. However, today people seemed happy to sit both outside the front of the cafe and in its small back yard.

The decor is all distressed wood and vintage tea sets which looks great, but doesn’t make for very comfortable seating. I was perched on a cast iron garden chair, my fella on a rickety wooden one, and neither of us could fit our legs under the small table.


If you’re in the area and don’t fancy pub grub, then definitely give ‘Loafing’ a try. The whole experience was a little stressful, but the food and coffee delicious.

- Loafing doesn't seem to have a Facebook, Twitter or website. An interesting approach to marketing which rather suggests they don't care what people write about them...

All photography by Gareth Reid - @GarethReidPhoto