The Proud East (Dalston)

• They do the best bloody mary in town
• My thankless research into the best bloody mary does continue
• What I am more of a fan of is when somebody else suggests a place to explore
• This exact chain of events occurred a few weekends ago and is what led me to The Proud Archivist in Haggerston
• With the evening light pouring in through the window there was really no way we were going anywhere else
• At the bar we were served by a cheery beard after a little umming and ahhing due to being presented with all the perfectly arranged options
• To our left was a large illuminated wall space which we couldn't help but be drawn to like moths to a flame and decided to make it our home for the time being
• Later discovering that a performance of the Crucifixion (or a loose version of) was taking place in the room next door
• We chose to focus on the psychedelia around us and pretend everything was as normal as ever
• Menus presented on clipboards were placed in front of us and we were confronted with the irritating struggle of wanting everything
• The food at The Proud Archivist is 'shaped by the seasons' and is locally inspired
• Safe to say everything was delicious and all hit the spot
• I also imagine they are hugely open to any manner of suggestion and are committed to supporting the local community so if you have a bright idea
• They've also made it nice and simple with their life sized clipboard calendar to help everyone on the way to a better planned and consequently a more fun life (I'm totally on board with organised fun)
• After finally finding the venue (which was a bit hidden away) was its light open space and white dé
• The venue was very busy and seemed to attract everyone from young to old with its interesting concept of restaurant/pub combined with gallery exhibition
• We were met by a friendly helpful staff member that took our order of Roast Chicken Dinner with drinks and provided us with a high chair for our son
• The venue even promotes itself as dog friendly and we saw many dog owners with their dogs there
• Frightened the life out of him that he now unfortunately is petrified every time he sees a dog and calls them 'bad doggie
• ' Luckily my husband was there at the time to scoop my son up before the dog got to him
• Was acceptable (with consideration it was a full house) and one of the staff members even chased up our order without being prompted
• The Roast Dinner was very generous in size and served on large white plates
• Our first impression was that it did not look very appetizing (wish now I had taken a photo of the meal) and we were unfortunately right
• The chicken was dry and unflavoured and the vegetables consisting of broccoli and courgette had not been cooked through properly
• The carrot mash was somewhat sloppy and not sure what the other stuff on the plate was
• We did not get served any Yorkshire pudding with the meal or asparagus as stated in their menu so unfortunately overall not a great dining experience
• They were a bit slow with sorting out our bill
• Being by the canal on a sunny afternoon is super pleasant
• The soya (curdled) flat white had to be sent back with the only explanation being "
• I'm not the only one with the same idea so feel totally relaxed in doing so and the music is awesome
• More importantly the music is super cool
• I opt for the Fishcake with Hollandaise Sauce served with a salad
• This dish is screaming to be served with a poached egg and I check if that's possible
• The fishcake is a perfect ratio of fish
• Otato and the breadcrumbs are crispy without any excessive grease from deep frying
• The food we enjoyed kept the best feature of pub food
• Whilst dispensing with one of it's worst
• Being served piping hot is very important with Sunday roasts
• Essential if roast is to have that heart warming and crispy quality
• Went there for an event and noticed there was a list of inspirational artsy stuff going on
• A 2 storey well designed venue where you can both indulge in the music and hear the background noise along with that your friend is telling
• The overtly mainstream or the wannabe avangarde music with a medium quality sound system
• The others are cashing in with a crowd
• As hosting 120 people at an event night is not every single persons cup of cake
• The cocktail my friend ordered was pretty much undrinkable
• The response wasn't rude but was not particularly warm either and my friend's cocktail was neither reimbursed nor replaced
• Proud Archivist is down by the regent&rsquo
• The decor look like a 14 year olds tech project combine with things found in local skips
• The asparagus was served slightly differently to how I had expected
• The eggs were poached very well and the hollandaise sauce was freshly made but the muffins were a bit thick and doughy for my liking
• We had to put up more of a fight than should have been required when a soya latte turned up with lumps in it
• When we visited the focus was on paper craft with incredibly intricate models and sculpture
• Not to mention the time I called ahead to make sure they were serving breakfast only to arrive to find out their kitchen was closed for the morning
• Very pushy with ordering more and more
• The only advantage is large space
• Junior staff are very friendly though
• There are smaller coffee shops around with better food and much better coffee
• The new pool tables are a really great addition to add to the nice restaurant and terrace's on the other side
• Moored boats (is that what they are called) and the battle between cyclists and pedestrians to own the small walkway provides the setting
• Just a stones throw away from my flat is a little bit of the canal which has a couple of cafes one of which is Proud East
• It has great outside seating and is super trendy inside
• From the minimal interaction I had with The Proud East (Dalston)
• They think that plopping food on a piece of grey slate is enough to make up for mediocre food and service
• One of the waiters was ok once we got his attention
• You pass a bar with bartenders and waiting staff
• We started with a glass of wine (could be a little more chilled) and a glass of water
• Once we interacted with out waiter
• Regardless of the fact that you are bang in the middle of the cool east (this is actually N1)
• A place of grilled portobello mushroom was delivered with feta cheese and a medley of red peppers and aubergines on top
• The problem was it went beyond al dente
• Maybe having come from a Caribbean background where meat is seasoned the day before
• Veg is slow cooked for hours and gravy is made from actual stock
• Proud East is a no for a Sunday roast while you have Rosemary Branch down the road who show them up tenfold
• Just a stones throw away from my flat is a little bit of the canal which has a couple of cafes one of which one is Proud East
• The Proud East (Dalston) was really cool and the food was lovely
• I ve been with some friends and we re all had such a good time specially with the waitress Virginie

Read More