A quick shot of cycling along the thames to work after the 'storm' last week!
Good old Chesini got me to work even if the trains couldn't!!
Showing posts with label Chesini. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chesini. Show all posts
THE RUSSET // HACKNEY DOWNS // FILM PREVIEW
This weekend I took Chesini out for an autumnal cycle from New Cross Gate to The Hackney Downs to check out THE RUSSET for some well earned grub! The Russet is a community cafe is based in Hackney Downs Studios. It's name derives from the fact that 15 heritage apple trees were planted in the orchard in Hackney Downs Park, four of the varieties are russeted. And an Egremont Russet, was planted around the opening of the cafe. The old print press under the arches has now been transformed into a creative space and café for the local community.
There are three people behind The Russet, Lizzie Bassham, Amy Letts and also Steve Wilson. Steve has a background working with the experimental food designers, Blanch and Shock and has been involved with the People’s Kitchen at Passing Clouds in Dalston. Which aims to raise awareness of the problem society has with the amount of food we waste. Every Sunday in Dalston, the music and Arts venue, Passing Clouds serves up nutritious meals that are made from food that cannot be sold by shops but is perfectly fine for consumption. Steve is only 27, sort makes you feel that you should be achieving more doesn't it....
Once Chesini was safely locked up we ventured inside to sit down at the rustic wooden tables and mix matched benches.
"The Russet aims to serve local people with good food at reasonable prices. The produce used to design the menus is local, seasonal and fresh. We support the re-localisation of the food production system and in doing so will ensure that the food and drink represents the terroir of the cafe. The seed of The Russet was planted in early Autumn, when apples are harvested by the bucketload. Menus will change daily and be inspired by the changes of the seasons and the produce that comes with nature’s shifts."
The Russet menu is delightfully seasonal and you can see they focus on local and fresh produce. They source the beer from London Fields Brewery, coffee from Bow's Union Hand-Roasted coffee,
E5 Bakehouse bikes over it's fresh bread and cakes are homemade in their on-site kitchen. They even have their very own Russet Apple Juice and home-brewed Dalston Cola & Raw Fiyah Ginger Beer. You can't really make it more local than that!
We both had a Fiayah Ginger Beer, which as I had heard packed a punch but was not horrifically sweet like most other ginger beers. Very refreshing.
We both had a Fiayah Ginger Beer, which as I had heard packed a punch but was not horrifically sweet like most other ginger beers. Very refreshing.
The tapas is served from 5pm - 10pm, we were too early for it, but it looked good and is something I'd like to go back and try!
It was around 3pm, so wanting something not too brekkie we opted for the Latina Pippina. Which was, fried Plantain, Avocado Salsa, Black Beans, Fried Egg & Sourdough for £7. Both of us didn't seem that sure about ordering a brunch/bekkie dish so late in the day, but our doubts were quickly dashed! It was really really tasty, with a slight kick (not what that was a bit like tobacco) and I personally loved how they'd sprinkle the top of my fried egg with a pinch of sea salt. 10/10!
It was no frills food with fantastic flavour!
As well as serving breakfast, lunch and also a Sunday lunch menu, they also host exhibitions and events and the space is available for hire. Which brings me to why we made the long cycle journey to Hackney Downs from South East london.
Next Thursday, The Russet, is holding the London Bicycle Film Festival opening night party and a selection of BFF film screenings including the first screening of "The Coldest March" which is shot, directed and score composed by Ben Pickett. I've had the privilege to work with Ben and Brother Cycles previously on a short film for their Road Frame, you can watch it here.
"The coldest March" is on a whole new level! It follows two friends Will (one of the brothers from Brother cycles) and Mingo who take on the challenge of cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End in 72 hours, that is THREE days! They tag team it by cycling 75 mile stints each, none stop day & night, cycling on the same bike. One slept whilst the other cycled. Ben's film follows them on this 880 mile journey through the changing scenery and weather conditions, freezing temperatures and not much sleep.
So if you're about pop down for a beer and come see this epic journey!
THE RUSSET
Hackney Downs Studios
Amhurst Terrace
London
E8 2BT
MR LAWRENCE
On Saturday Ben & I headed over to Brockley Market for a delicious shredded Suffolk chicken with sticky gooseberry wrap from Mike & Ollie. We were then accompanied by the fabulous Gisela Torres, cycling in convey down the road to cool off at Mr Lawrence's.
Mr Lawrence's has been going for over 20 years and until recently also had the wine merchant shop next door. You can sometimes find them at Forest Hill Food Fair selling French wines and London Craft beers, alternatively you can order online here.
They do have a small, but perfectly formed food menu if you fancied a nibble. We opted for a bowl of olives. Proper decent olives they were at that!
We spent the rest of the afternoon listening, sharing stories & catching up over a few chilled glasses of champagne. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday.
CHESINI BIKE ADVENTURE
With the Tour de France starting this weekend I thought I'd do a post bicycle related and what better than about my beloved Chesini!
Chesini, is a 1970's Italian made bicycle from Verona, that in it's day won an award in The Bicycles Oscars.
So far this so called summer I have managed to go on a few adventures which I highly recommend.
Orginally a bit apprehensive of cycling in London, I have since found it addictive!
Richmond Park and St Petersham Nurseries was a great day. I got there from New Cross via the London Overground. My cycle buddy for the day, Ruth, met me at Hoxton on route.
We even managed to get to the top for a well earned drink and a superb view of Richmond Park. Unfortunately due to lack of bike locks we didn't stay to sample the culinary delights of Petersham Nurseries but I will be definitely going back soon to amend this! www.petershamnurseries.com/
The next adventure was a little closer to home. The Horniman Museum, Forest Hill via the Forest Hill Food Fair for a bit to eat.
We decided on a Van Dough pizza at the food fair, which was freshly made infront of us. Then baked in a wood-fired oven in the back of their Citroen H Van. So good, so fresh! I highly recommend you search these guys out - www.vandough.co.uk/
After our lunch we continued our cycle up to the Horniman Museum. Again, there is rather a big hill to climb but well worth it!
This is how I'd imagined a museum to be when I was a child. Lots of diagrams and glass cases filled with stuffed animals with their Latin names below. It was like stepping back in time.
The day rounded off with a '99. Can't get much better than that!
Hope to post more adventures soon.
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