THE RUSSET IN SPRING

Last week I was invited to go and try the new Spring Menu at The Russet in Hackney. 

The Russet is a community cafe that not only serves up tasty food, it also holds events, yoga classes and also not forgetting their new cocktail Bar, The Shrubbery.

The spring menu encompasses seasonal local produce where possible. Sourcing from places that include The Ginger Pig, Select Meats, McKanna Meats, The Fishery & Formans. The Russet’s Spring menu has also acknowledged the horrible wet weather we are currently experiencing so have added dishes that are warm and comforting.

So excitedly I headed down there and was introduced to a few other people which included David from Loving Dalston and Crummbs blogger, Stacey. Kathryn was our host for the evening, talking us through the menu and making sure we weren’t without a warming mulled cider. Yep mulled cider in spring and it works. Not to mention it isn’t called The Russet for nothing. 

Chefs, John and Sarah, kicked off by sending out a selection of starters which included:

Roasted Spiced Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Almonds - This was tasty and reminded me of an Ottolenghi style recipe. 

Courgette Noodles, Pea and Mint Pesto, Crushed Walnuts  - Fresh, light and reviving.

Slow Cooked Dalston Cola Sticky Chicken - Wow! This is a very good word to describe these wings, oh absolutely delicious. Plus you can’t get much more local than making your own Dalston Cola - These chefs are serious about finding locally sourced produce! ;)

                                                           

     

Beetroot and Vodka Home Cured Gravadlax, Avocado Mousse  - This was one of my favorites! I am an such a big fan of beetroot and avocado, plus it was fascinating to see how John had cured the salmon in the beetroot & vodka coating. Made it all more exciting!

Roast Piquillo Peppers stuffed with Tofu, Ajillo dressing, which flew from their plates so quick I didn’t have chance to try them but they seem to go down well.

     

Soup of the Day, Sourdough which on this occasion was butternut squash. I have to be honest here because I am such a big soup eater myself, but I found this to lack a bit of seasoning and was a little bland. 

Now that our appetites had been tempted the main courses arrived whilst the conversations flowed. These soon subsided to quiet appreciation of the new selection of dishes in front us.

Slow Cooked Pork Belly, Chorizo and White Bean Stew with Sourdough - This has to be one of the most comforting dished I’ve tried. A hug in a bowl with a soft fluffy cushion of sourdough bread on the side. Very handy to ensure you don’t miss out on any of that delicious sauce at the bottom.  

Roast Sea Bass, Brown Rice, Tomato,Cucumber Salsa, Sweet Pepper Sauce - A zesty light dish which would leave you feeling pleasantly satisfied.

Raw Kale and Avocado Salad with Crushed Walnuts and Tahini Dressing (V)  -  I love kale, avocado and walnuts but due to the fact that tahini isn’t something I like too much this wasn’t one of my favorites. 

Chunky Cheeseburger, Crushed New Potato Chips, Tomato Relish, Green Salad - I’m not a big burger person and rarely would choose this off the menu. However after one bite I can safely say I’m hooked. This burger was so delicious and full of flavour that when I go back I be having it again. Plus the slightly crushed new potato chips are a genius addition to this meal. 

Lastly, I thought it was worth mention that during the week, if you nip down to the Russet you must try out their current ‘No-frills’ lunch time special. A cheap daily dining option for those looking for a simple yet filling meal under a fiver! They have both a meat and vegetarian dishes on offer, to ensure everyone is catered for.

The Russet

Hackney Downs Studios

Amhurst Terrace

London

E8 2BT

Monday to Friday open from 08:30 - 23:00. 

On Saturday from 09:00 - 23:30 and on 

Sundays open from 10:00 - 23:00. 

BURNS NIGHT // DULWICH WOODHOUSE

This Saturday I was invited to go and celebrate Burns night with one of my Half-Scottish friends, Rach. She promised me kilts, burns poetry and haggis. Heading over to Sydenham, I met her and some friends at the Dulwich Woodhouse for the Scottish themed evening.

A few glasses of prosecco kicked off the night, as did some very excitable stories of events that had happened that day. There were stories of horrific storms, scary forests and a hero who saved Kay and Rach from getting stuck on a fence & prevented them from being struck by lightening!? What a hero!

After a catch up we headed over to our table, just in time for the bag-pipes.

He was fantastic and as promised was wearing the full Scottish attire. However there was no stabbing of the haggis due to being sold out for the evening, there was no haggis left to be stabbed!?

Now in the midst of superb Scottish atmosphere the starters arrived. 

We went for the full Burns' night menu for the evening, it only seemed right. 

Kay and I went for the Whiskey cured salmon with beetroot and potato cake. Not the most traditional but Scottish all the same and very tasty.

Rach and Paul went for the more traditional Cullen Skink. Which is a creamy smoked haddock soup with potatoes and onions, that originates from Cullen in Moray. It looked delicious but incredibly rich.

None of us could not resist the Traditional Haggis with neeps and tatties! The Woodhouse served up the Haggis with clapshot and a delicious whiskey sauce. I found out that clapshot is a traditional combination of mashed swede, turnips and potatoes (which originates from Orkney)

This was unbelievably tasty, yet incredibly filling. It may not have the visual elegance of an evening meal however the flavours were fantastic. Who knew I liked haggis so much!?

The meal was finished with another Whiskey infused course! Cranachan, is a mix of fresh raspberries, whiskey, whipped cream, honey and whiskey-soaked oatmeal.

Paul went for the sticky date pudding with toffee and salted caramel ice cream.

The meal was finished off with a couple of Whiskey Macs, which is Whiskey and Green Ginger Wine, but due a mix-up we ended up with whiskey and ginger beer. 

This was a bit of a shame, however it still seemed to hit the spot. 

The evening was completed with a recital of a 'Here's a Bottle', a Robert Burns poem from Rachael in her best Scottish accent. Then we headed off into the night to sooth our whiskey heads.

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.

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!

Considering we'd just cycled 12miles, plus a few more considering we got a little lost, so it was decided that it would be only right to try one of their homemade cakes, there was plenty to choose from. I choose the Green tea and blueberry cake - wow delicious! Again perfect on the sweet front, in that wasn't too sugary. Loved it! But cause I'm a fruit demon, I would've loved a few more blueberries in the cake or perhaps a drizzle of blueberry compote juice over the top of the icing? hmm I would love to get my hands on the recipe.... ;) 

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