Tipped

Don't Lose Hope, it's There

June 02, 2008

Bistrotheque is a somewhat unlikely restaurant down a rather dim looking industrial street in Bethnal Green. When you reach the corner and take a peek down the road you think that the last thing you'll find down that lane is a understatedly swank bistro, but don't lose hope! The entry, once you reach it, is not hidden, but it is not exactly terribly ostentatious. Nothing wrong with that, just persevere.

And if you do, you'll be in for a treat! In a bright, spartan dining room that definitely echoes the presumable earlier incarnation of this space (warehouse? factory floor?), a range of tasty dishes are served for brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11am. I was quite pleased with the selection, which included some favourites like pancakes and eggs benedict. Ultimately, I settled for a plate of scrambled eggs with chorizo, another yummy choice.

If you're that kind of person, or if you have a debaucherous day ahead of you (I did), you can opt for a bloody mary or mimosa to go with your brekkie. I didn't know, until I read other reviews, that there is a bar downstairs, but it did definitely seem like something that was notable by its absence. I'll have to go back sometime to check that out! Bistrotheque also does dinner, which looked quite fine, lots of traditional French dishes to try, but I found the brunch quite satisfying. The staff were very courteous as well, happily refilling our jugs of tap water and splitting up the bill without a fuss for our large group (which we had called to book only an hour or so before we arrived without trouble). All in all, a lovely place to start off a weekend day in East London.

Tags: brunch, cocktails

Fashion Crowd Hangout in E2

August 28, 2007

For a bit of a different night out in East London, this is the place to go. Tucked away down a salubrious looking alley close to Cambridge Heath station, this blink and you'll miss it place holds many delights. Upstairs the restaurant is stripped back and offers a selection of seasonal French style bistro food. Service is good although not overly friendly - but then this place is all about being cool.The food is fairly good, but then this place is more about the whole package. Make sure you book tickets to an event in the Caberet bar downstairs - but this is not the place for the conservative. Lip synching transvestites, a dirty take on the Christmas Panto, and a Human Jukebox are just some of the delights that have been on offer. Throw in a cocktail bar and a rowdy (but friendly) crowd and you've got yourself a great night out in the East End.