When it first opened on Islington's Upper Street, Chinese Laundry quickly developed a fan base. Giles Coren loved it, saying in the Times; " they have done exactly what hipsters do, and they have done it brilliantly. So welcome to Chinese Laundry – Britain’s first Chinese Hipster Restaurant". And Olive magazine dubbed it "Quirky, fun and super-friendly".
But when fire damaged the building and then squatters moved in, it was all too much for friends Peiran Gong and Tongtong Ren who ran the place. They closed down (and it's now where you'll find James Cochran's restaurant 1251).
But in a bit of a phoenix from the ashes scenario, Chinese Laundry are back. They're cooking in The Mountgrove Bothy on the Highbury/Finsbury Park borders for the next six months. You'll find them there doing dinner service from 6pm, Thursday to Saturday every week.
Dishes will change regularly, for example you'll only be able to try Grandma's wind-dried pork sausage for as long as supplies last, but as an example, recent menus have included:
- Chrysanthemum Sea bass, our sauce, sunflower seeds, orange.
- Yang Xie Zi- kid neck Beijing style
- Eel, seaweed & cucumber dumplings, served with pickled wood ear, tahini dressing and chilli oil
- Dough drop soup with crab, scallop and seaweed
- Tomato, kaki, drunken rice and plum powder
More about The Chinese Laundry
Where is it? The Mountgrove Bothy, 90 Mountgrove Rd, London N5 2LT
When: Thurs to Sat for dinner from 6pm until March 2018
How to book: It's walk-ins only for 1-4 guests. Groups of more than 5 can book with a £10 deposit per head. Email hello@themountgrovebothy.com
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @chinese_laundryroom
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