The Perfect Pork Pie at The Water Poet
As the saying goes ‘the proof of the pudding (or pie in this case) is in the eating’...
Charlotte Lily Prior
Interview with Rivington Grill Head Chef Simon Wadham
Born on the Isle of Wight, Simon attended Kingham Hill School in Oxfordshire before joining the army aged 15, serving abroad for the next seven years. Upon leaving the army, he began working at the fashionable Joe’s Café in South Kensington. He then went to work for Oliver Peyton at the Atlantic Bar & Grill, spending the next ten years working for Peyton. In 2007, Simon joined Caprice Holdings as Head Chef at the Rivington Grill in ShoreditchInterview with Fifteen London Chef Andrew Parkinson
Fifteen London is a restaurant that uses the magic of food to give unemployed young people a chance at a better future. All profits go to the Jamie Oliver Foundation, a registered charity (#: 1094536). This week, Made in Shoreditch journalist Charlotte Lily Prior was granted an exclusive interview with one of Shoreditch's (and London's) finest chefs, Andrew Parkinson.Dining in Shoreditch: Song Que
After hearing about Joobin’s less than perfect Vietnamese dining experience at Little Hanoi, I decided to check out if the grass was greener anywhere else. And my oh my was the Sông Quê Cafe…well…a different tune altogether.
Down the Hatch!
Never really putting myself down as an ‘oysters and champagne’ kinda gal (…more like kebab and cider), I nonetheless thought I had better give it a shot, all in the name of food discovery. Upon entering the Rivington Bar & Grill, one is immediately taken in by great atmosphere and the bustling crowds, which do much to inspire confidence in their food, as well as the establishment itself.Reclaiming the Hot Dog
Having walked many times to Old Street station, I often spotted the hot dog vendor by the side of the road, and one day vowed to return (with money) to purchase one of his delicious treats. Last week, that day finally dawned. On a rare sunny day, I headed over to the Big Apple Hot Dogs stall to talk to the owner about what makes their hot dogs just so bloody good, having recently seen reviews in such publications as Metro and Time Out.Getting the Munchies
If, like me, you haven’t enjoyed a proper Sunday roast since you left the ‘nest’, and/or can’t be bothered to open a cook book (let alone cook), despair not; Munch Catering at the Red Lion in Hoxton Square may very well be the answer to our prayers. Renowned for its plastic glasses, you’d be surprised to know that it serves some pretty fantastic food. One need only attend one of its massive Sunday roasts – which could well satiate the population of a small Eastern European city – to catch my drift.Holy Cow
Not being a fan of mindless violence or fire-starting, I nevertheless hit the streets of Shoreditch last week. But instead of throwing bricks through people’s windows, I rather decided to treat myself to a massive steak dinner. I chose Le Bouchon Breton in Spitalfields as my destination, because if you’re going to eat steak, you have to do it properly. For instance, if you go to Wetherspoon’s (as much as I love it) and order a steak – well, let’s just say you’d be better off not doing that. You will get part of a cow – yes - but definitely not a bona-fide fillet or T-bone.Rock the Casbah
On this occasion I was walking past what I thought was yet another shisha bar near Old Street, when I peeked in the doorway and couldn’t help but revel in the parade of culinary delights being placed on tables in what appeared to be a pretty well-done-up Moroccan restaurant. After making a mental note of the place, I rang up my mother, who has more or less the same outlook as me (i.e. that if food is in the equation then it is pretty much going to be a good day), and we arranged to go and check it out.