We were all buzzing earlier this week about new Kensington opening Dirty Bones. However another skeletally-monikered restaurant has also flung open its doors this week. Opening VERY under the radar this week in Hoxton is new rotisserie spot Bones on Kingsland Road. A quick squizz at their menu shows however, that they're way more than just a chicken joint.
It's been opened by the people who run The Grocery next door, brothers Joss and Simeon Goodman and their partner Simon. Simeon's been the chef at The Grocery's cafe, but clearly when the building next door became available they decided it was too good an opportunity to miss, so he's transferred to the kitchen here. They describe themselves as "a modern European restaurant serving savoury rotisserie meats and vegetables alongside tasty brews, organic wines and cocktails".
Rotisserie chicken is at the heart of the menu though, available in quarter, half and whole sizes ranging from £8 to £30. Prices are almost identical to Islington chicken shop LeCoq, so you get two courses including a quarter of chicken for £17 with a side, or three for £23. Sides mean fries, rotisseries roasties, green beans and parmesan or a mixed leaf salad.
But it's the other dishes on the Bones menu which really caught our eye. Starting with snacks like crispy pigs ears with tartare sauce (£3.50) and soft quails eggs with sea salt and toasted cumin (£4) it ranges through starters such as Ceviche of sea bass with grapefruit foam and shiso salad (£6) and Pan-fried artichoke hearts with paprika and truffle aioli (£6). There's also sharing dishes including Medjadarah – rice and lentil pilaf with sweet fried onions (£5.25) and Chickpeas and smoked morcilla with honey and paprika cured pork loin (£10).
As for drinks, wine starts at a reasonable-ish £4.80 a glass with a wholly European list as well as a range of craft beers for £4.50 and Aspall cider.
Right now Bones is opened from 7pm till midnight, but they're hoping to open during the day from next week. Tonight is the last night of their soft opening offer with 50% off the food bill. Book via reservations@ieatbones.com. For more information see their website ieatbones.com or follow them on Twitter @bonesrestaurant
Bones is at 52 Kingsland Road, E2 8DP just around the corner from Hoxton station.
