The Hackney Pearl (Hackney)

• An open kitchen and tables that you imagine were salvaged from somewhere hugely in need of an overhaul
• We started with a pint of Meantime London Lager for him and a fittingly feminine drink for me that involved prosecco
• Basil and berries and was possibly one of the nicest concoctions I've had in a while
• I chose a bottle of 1997 Decenio Rioja that was syrupy smooth and perfectly on the edge of unadulterated bliss
• We shared the homemade focaccia that was brought to the table salted and with olive oil for dipping
• He had roasted fennel with milano salami and sumac aioli deliciously simple but a nice trio of ingredients that brought sweetness to the saltiness of the meat and a bite of tartness
• I went for the smoked mackerel pate and toast it came smoother than I was expecting but well seasoned and even good enough to make the the non fish fan across the table appreciate it
• 16) which came with huge skin on chunky chips and garlic butter
• Perfectly pink (they serve it rare) it was melt in the mouth good and a massively generous portion that was swiftly demolished
• Perhaps but we were too busy devouring everything to really mind
• I had the roasted seabass fillet with roasted tomatoes (so sweet they were almost sunblushed)
• Another bottle of red in and we were ready for dessert
• The menu here is a little disappointing and harks more to its cafe roots than offering restaurant ready puddings
• The service was some of the friendliest I've had in London
• The food that was coming out to the tables around me looked and smelled fantastic
• While trying to explore Hackney Wick with a few friends last year
• The cocktails are all have a quirky twist to them

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