Platterform Stage 3 - After Hours - Junipalooza

Friday 6th June - The opening of a new bar brought me over to Hackney Central on a sunny Friday afternoon, but I couldn't go all that way without stopping off at The Cock Tavern for a couple of brews.  

Last time I went, they only had one of their basement-brewed Howling Hops beers on offer so I was delighted to find 8 or so to choose from.  Their Pale XX Superior No.6 Motueka Cascade Pale Ale hit the spot this time around.  Lauren (the new List Leader) rocked up and had a crafty cider.

Just down the road at Hackney Empire, the reliably entertaining Platterform have found themselves a permanent home, and they are calling it Stage 3.  

After stints on rooftops in London Bridge & London Fields, I imagine they must be feeling whatever the opposite of altitude sickness is, now they are down at street level.  Any old riff-raff could wander in!  And so we did...

The site is great - a lovely large airy room, with plenty of space for a stage (for live music & DJs), with a mezzanine area overlooking proceedings.  Best seats in the house are probably at the tiny second bar tucked away one end of the raised section.  Funky Caribbean visuals all over the walls and the Hawaiian shirts add to the summery vibe.

Beers are sorted with three local Crate Brewery beers on tap, and a whole host of bottles.  We rummaged through the cocktail menu, coming out with Wild Strawberry, So-Co, Jerk'N'Stormy and Spice It Up, which involved several homemade items including spiced bourbon, jerk bitters, spiced tea gin and an orange ice shard.

I also like the sound of Orangutan (Peanut Rum stirred with honey & chocolate bitters) and Smoke Bush (Bourbon, Smoked Aubergine & Clove Shrub), which are listed in the online menu.

There's plenty to shout about on the food front - Spiced Island Stew & Grandma's Rendang sound great, and you can't go wrong with Jerk Chicken Satay.  I expect there will be a lot more to come on food-wise in the next few weeks, as they always provided an exciting spread at their rooftop hangouts.

Coffee & Tea are well covered too, as they open up at 8am on weekdays and 11am at the weekend. I like the suggestion of Crate IPA & tea bag dry hop infusion.  They make their own Iced Teas on site too which you will also be able to buy at their Cornershop, an in-house shop concept opening up in July which will sell all sorts of food and drink alongside guest merchandise.  Read more here.

Also launching in July are a number of events such as a monthly Monkey Stomp Blues (best described as an immersive jazz club experience!), and the cleverly named Chi & Tea on Sundays which will involve Oriental-style roasts, dim-sum, detox or retox cocktails and free tai-chi lessons.

We said goodbye to the Platterform lads and took a short bus ride to Ozone Coffee in Old Street where we were booked in for a 9.30pm sitting with After Hours.

What's that? 4 courses of pudding followed by coffee & petit fours in a hipster coffee shop with a different dessert demon in the kitchen every time? Yes please. Penny Jirayuwatana (Baxter Storey, Mandarin Oriental, Jean Georges Vongerichten) was our pastry pro for the evening.

The mastermind behind it all is Peter Butler (coincidentally in the year below me at uni - damn those overachievers) was on front of house, and showed us to some excellent seats for watching Penny & co. at work.

First up: Refreshing Strawberry & Thai Basil snugly housed in a gold-sprayed white chocolate igloo - why not?

Strawberry & Thai Basil

With a Bethnal Pale Ale on the side from the local Redchurch Brewery, we moved on to the second course.  Poached Apricot, Jasmine, Ginger & Pistachio - expertly created en masse in front of our eyes by Penny's crack team.  The four distinct flavours cleverly combined with none of them dominating.

Poached Apricot, Jasmine, Ginger & Pistachio

Half-way through, we got ourselves The Butler - cognac, Pedro Ximenez sherry, almond milk, pastis, egg white, orange blossom water.  A very drinkable & interesting cocktail, but a little too sweet considering its company!

The Butler - cognac, Pedro Ximenez sherry, almond milk, pastis, egg white, orange blossom water

Round 3 was the most visually impressive.  Banana, smoked caramel, and pineapple & coconut sorbet relaxing in the shade in a leafy tunnel.  This was my favourite (as I suspected it might be) - a deconstructed Bannoffee pie & Pina Colada in one, full of pleasing textures and flavours.

Banana, smoked caramel, and pineapple & coconut sorbet 

For the finale, Penny laid out an attractive plate of Guanaja 70% croquant, black sesame and red cherries.  Dark chocolate oozed out, complemented by a quirky hit of black sesame.  I'm not a huge cherries fan but they weren't at all offensive here, and the plate was empty in a few seconds.

Guanaja 70% croquant, black sesame and red cherries

We finished off with an Ozone coffee (Lauren sensibly opting for decaf at 11.30pm) and some petit fours jellies - strawberry, coconut and cola if I remember rightly? These weren't quite as thrilling as the rest of the dishes and petit fours can be the highlight if done right, but its pretty hard to top four courses of dessert with something else sweet at the end.

It was a brilliant unique evening, with friendly laid back service and stunning plates of food from start to finish.  We chatted to a couple next to us who were on their fourth visit to After Hours Dessert and they commented that every chef brings something totally different to the table every time so it is always an exciting experience. Here are some superb photos from the previous event.  It's definitely a great date option, though I wouldn't advise eating too much in the way of savoury beforehand, you will be full by the end even if you haven't had any salt!

Sign up on the After Hours website to hear about the next event - they are currently doing one a month, and it will set you back £25 a head - worth every Penny (had to get that in somewhere).

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Saturday 7th June - Whilst I've got your attention I'll just briefly mention a couple of trips from the next day.  After a quick stop at Kerb Southbank for a Kimchinary Gochujang pulled-pork burrito, I met up with Luke & Mark in Shoreditch for an afternoon of gin tasting at Junipalooza which I previewed a few weeks ago.

Gin Foundry took over Factory 47 for 3 days and filled it with distillers and a few cocktail bars to showcase a wide range of gins.  Tickets got you 5 tasters and mini G&Ts, though this stretched to more like 10 thanks to some "forgetful" card stamping.

DANGER OF DEATH

I have only included a small selection of my photos here.  You can see the rest of them on Matt The Tumblr - Set 1 // Set 2

With Mark of 58 Gin as our guide, we made our way round most of the stalls and chatted away to the friendly distillers who were keen to show off their products.  Highlights for me were the interesting St.George's gins (their Terroir makes an awesome Tom Collins), NY Distilling (which I'm hoping to visit in July), Herno Juniper Cask, Tarquin's and Dodd's Gin.  

I found Warner Edwards and Adnams to be too sweet, and the addition of tonic led to something reminiscent of cream soda.  Ferdinand's Dry Gin distilled using Riesling divided opinion.

Dodd's Gin - all gins should come with a beehive postcode

Too many gins for this one? Or a superman impression...

On the way out Luke bought himself a bottle of the Herno Juniper Cask which he said he looked forward to sipping neat whilst watching Take Me Out - each to their own.  Also available were miniature bottles of all of the gins, organised by Master of Malt's Drinks by the Dram.  

Drinks by the Dram - mini bottles of spirits from Master of Malt

Gin Foundry put on a fantastic show - it was a clever event pitched somewhere between gin festival and a trade show allowing the general public to get in on the fun that is usually reserved for drinks writers, bartenders and fellow distillers.  I look forward to seeing what they do next year!

Last stop of the day was a riverside pub dinner at the Prospect of Whitby in Wapping.  Much like Rotherhithe on the side, Wapping is one of the calmest areas of London for enjoying the Thames, and the Prospect of Whitby has enviable views (though the hangman's noose is a tad creepy!). 

However, the food is distinctly average and overpriced, and the beer selection is nothing to write home about.  I suggest having a drink or two outside before heading off to Bottega round the corner. Alternatively, head over to The Mayflower in Rotherhithe which goes well with a trip to Midnight Apothecary's summer cocktail pop-up on Fridays and Saturdays at the Brunel Museum.

Prospect of Whitby in Wapping

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Matt The Tumblr - Press Play On The Roof - Austin Powers - 1 // 2 // 3

Matt The Film - first attempt at a video / photo collage from Press Play's Austin Powers screening.

Match The List - most of the next four weeks will be spent in various international bars to soak up the best atmosphere for world cup games.  On the cards this weekend - Bradley's Spanish Bar for Spain vs Holland tonight, anywhere for England tomorrow, and Le Pot Lyonnais for France vs Honduras on Sunday.

Matt The Shortlist - It's World Gin Day tomorrow so here are some top gin hangouts:

CoLD Bar // Drink, Shop & Dance // London Gin Club // Gillray's // Gin Joint // 214 Bermondsey

I'll be in Bermondsey tomorrow drinking gin & beer cocktails at Anspach & Hobday, with Jensen Gin distillery round the corner and Little Bird Gin bar nearby in Maltby Street Market.  See you there.

The Good Egg - Ziferblat - Craft Beer Social Club - Platterform Sea Adventures

Saturday 15th February - Another day, another overdue write up on The List.  Easter Holidays are round the corner, I'm going to sort it all out. Probably. Anyway, better late than never? Absolutely! Four absolutely awesome places to mention from one fun day out in East London, starting with The Good Egg brunch at Cortado.

Run by old friend Joel Braham, The Good Egg has been getting a lot of great press recently, all thoroughly deserved, praising their delicious eggy brunches which are currently running at Cortado in Hoxton (Sat&Sun - 9am-4pm) and The Hangover Club in Hackney Wick (Sat only - 10am-4pm).  You can book places through Grub Club (highly recommended for a Mother's Day Special this Sunday) or you can just rock up and try your luck.  Rumour has it, Joel will be opening his own joint for The Good Egg soon too.

We called ahead and reserved a table for a Saturday morning, with my sisters and Al & Tim coming along to try and pick up a few crucial Team List points before the 1 year cut off point on Feb 22nd a week later.  The Cortado is well placed next to Regent's Canal, and is nicely set up with egg-based jokes lying around, plus Yumchaa tea, Allpress Espresso, cakes, and Mimosas & Bloody Marys available.  A lovely little bowl of free fresh fruit was brought to our table for us to enjoy whilst we mulled over the menu.

I normally go for the outstanding Shakshuka (Cotswold Legbar eggs baked in a smokey, spiced tomato & pepper sauce topped with lemon yoghurt & toasted za'atar sourdough served with Merguez sausages or Halloumi) but I couldn't resist a bit of pesto so I went for the special of the day, Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs & Ham - two poached eggs with Italian Prosciutto on sourdough toast topped with homemade pesto. It disappeared in seconds.

Three went for the classic & reliable Breakfast Burrito (Tortilla packed with fluffy eggs, crispy potatoes, refried black beans, mature cheddar, roasted chilli salsa & homemade guacamole) whilst Jo controversially went for an egg free Reuben (home cured salt beef griddled with Swiss cheese, Russian dressing & sauerkraut on rye).  Sadly noone ordered the Gary Barlow (that bloke off the Eggs-factor), a sandwich with chorizo, avocado & a fried egg.

The food is always fantastic, the staff are always charming, and the locations are always cosy & cool - The Good Egg brunch should be on everyone's to-do list.

Next stop, Ziferblat. Em & Al left, but Caroline joined at this quirky Russian café / social experiment tucked away above Bar Kick in Shoreditch. The premise is simple, pay 3p per minute that you stay and help yourself to as much tea/coffee etc as you wish. Food is not provided but you can bring along anything you like and make use of the tiny kitchen, provided that you help to look after the communal space.  You can even volunteer to help out in exchange for free minutes another time.

Ziferblat started in Russia as Pocket Poetry - classic poetry was put on tiny laminated cards and left for passers by to find and pop into their pockets.  Eventually they moved into a little attic in Moscow which they called the Tree House where people could come and play the piano, read books, recite poetry, have a coffee etc.  Payment was voluntary and a suitcase was left near the entrance for donations.  That was such a success that the Tree House is now Ziferblat HQ and many more "Ziferblats" have opened since.  New York is next on the list.

You fill in a timesheet on arrival, and pick a ceremonious clock from the shelf.  We went for Harold who was a little stuffy, but he was a lot more chirpy than poor old Alfred.  It's a lovely little touch (of which there are many) that makes a stay in Ziferblat even more pleasant.

All around, people were messing around on whiteboards and flipcharts, making origami, chatting, working, reading (spot Tim soaking up Art in the USSR below) and relaxing.  We got involved with a venn diagram project on Sane/Single/Crazy/Attached men that some ladies near us had undertaken.  It does have that hippy commune vibe going on (especially when you are washing up in the kitchen), but at the same time there's free wi-fi, groups celebrating with champagne, and others working away on iMacs, so there's no chance of it going all Martha Marcy May Marlene on you.

Ziferblat is open from 9am-11pm every day, give it a try and don't forget to bring biscuits, preferably milk chocolate hobnobs. Thanks.

Next stop, more personnel changes. Tim & Jo out, Lauren, Paul & Luke in.  We wandered round the corner to find the Craft Beer Social Club's latest pop-up pub.  The CBSC has popped up in London Fields and Shoreditch High Street already, and had a very brief month long stay in a flat basement in Leonard Street which we went along to.

CBSC set themselves up in fun spaces, and serve up affordable and interesting British beers (mostly bottles) alongside rotating food residencies. Flippin' Cow were turning out some delicious looking lamb wraps when we were there.  Interestingly, they accept Bitcoin, the digital currency that has been making the headlines recently.  I won't bore you with the details, mostly because I don't really know what I'm talking about, but expect to see a lot more of Bitcoin this year.  The Old Shoreditch Station coffee bar nearby has already installed a Bitcoin ATM! Click here for a newbie guide to buying Bitcoins.

We absolutely loved the Leonard Street site, it was a cute little living room with cosy corners, low lighting and comfy chairs.  I could imagine it turning into a very sociable evening in such a small space, which is just what CBSC want.  What a shame it was only here for a month! Keep your eyes peeled for their next pop-up.

Now, the beer. Alongside the familiar Curious, Crate & Brixton beers, we also enjoyed Yakima IPA & Black Jesus from Great Heck Brewing, Yorkshire Special Pale Ale from Wharfe Bank Brewery and Wold Top Scarborough Fair IPA, all from Yorkshire.  We were less taken with St.Andrews Brewing Crail Ale but we had a good run.  

The bottle for Great Heck Brewing's Black Jesus kept us fairly amused:

The atmosphere was wonderful, the hostess/landlady was charming and beers were great.  We are all Craft Beer Social Club converts, and are looking forward to visiting them wherever they pop up next - I hear SW11 is nice this time of year.

Last stop - we lost Paul & Lauren who sped off to Brewdog Shepherd's Bush for a quick drink before a n awesome Less than Jake & Reel Big Fish gig, but Caroline & Luke were still in.  The three of us hopped on a bus to London Fields and made our way to the Platterform rooftop to experience the High Seas!  I wrote fairly recently about Platterform's lumberjack themed Skylodge which was a riot, so I was pretty keen to see what they had done with the place.

For fifteen weeks (count from 16th January), everything on the rooftop is Sea Adventure themed - décor, captain's cocktails, seafood residencies, games, hats - it's all going on.  Check the website to see what is coming up.  They have transformed the space in style as you can see in photos below, but do go and experience it for yourselves - there's nowhere more fun in London right now.

We were there for Dave Yorkston's Smoke House, and we happily worked our way through his whole menu.  Dave converted a cupboard into a smoking room for all the fish as you can see below. An absolute bargain at £24 for 4 (generous) courses, it was fantastic from start to finish - the smoked Bloody Mary sauce was a highlight. 

Dave Yorkston's Smoke House

Dave Yorkston's Smoking Cupboard

The week after saw TOKO Indonesian Kitchen, Bar & Deli taking over the cooking, serving up 13 courses for £24 all served on a large Rijsttafel ("rice table") sharing platter. TOKO will be launching a full-time establishment in London later in 2014.

TOKO Indonesian Kitchen, Bar & Deli

In the galley tonight is Vinn Goute Seychelles' Kitchen - you can buy tickets in advance here or just turn up and find a table.  Vinn Goute are presenting a tropical seafood feast including two of the Seychelles most prized fish- the Bourgeois Red Snapper and the King Fish.  The Foragers are then turning up for two weeks.

Vinn Goute Seychelles' Kitchen

Onto the drinks! There are great bottled beers, including Einstock, Five Points, Harviestoun and Anchor (nicely strung up above your head), but really you should embark on the Captain's Cocktail Quest. There's the Zissou Sour with mezcal, absinthe & sea salt foam, Fish Called Wonder with hibiscus anemone & vodka jellyfish, Black Pearl Margarita with tequila & black mustard tapioca pearls, and the bonkers Phileas Fogg with smoked bourbon sazerac & absinthe helium, to name a few of their crazy creations.  They may sound silly, but they are still very serious drinks to taste and will keep cocktail conoisseurs happy.

Phileas Fogg with absinthe helium

Is that a sea anemone attached to Julian's chin?

Fish called Wonder with hisbiscus anemone & vodka jellyfish

Black mustard tapioca pearls for the Black Pearl Margarita

Creating the sea salt foam for the Zissou Sour

Zissou Sour with Sea Salt Foam

We finished the evening with a game of Battleshots - much the same as battleships, but with 1, 2 and 3 length shot boards replacing boring plastic boats.  This includes Visu (Fisherman's Friend infused vodka!), Stickleback (Jameson / Beetroot Shrub with Pickleback Foam), and Limey (Mount Gay Eclipse / Lime & Apple / Jasmine, Grenadine & Crate IPA).  The 2 / 3 shot length ships are effectively shots with funky chasers.  They foolishly let Caroline use the foam machine herself - she misjudged the power and blew her side of the board to smithereens.

Battleshots at Platterform Sea Adventure Series

It was another great evening with the Platterform team, they are always entertaining hosts and they have an excellent sense of humour as you can see from the dating profile that they have set up for Mr Winkle on Tinder.

I've said it for every place in this post so far, but make sure you go and check this out. Very highly recommended, fun for all, and top food & drink in a totally unique location.  Thanks to various team members for keeping me company throughout the day!