Islington

The General Store is coming to The Garage in Islington
Big changes are afoot in the Garage in Islington. It was recently bought, along with the Borderline, by DHP Family. A big refurb is planned to the venue in general, including a new sound system and more.
But it's the addition of the General Store all-day bar that has us interested. As passers-by will know, you can't actually see into The Garage from the outside, but that's going to change. You'll now be able to see into
...
Islington's Almeida to close to be replaced with Francesco Mazzei's new Italian
After 15 years serving modern British cuisine in Islington, Almeida will close its doors for the last time on 1 January, with a new Italian set to rise up in its place.
Details are scant, but what we do know is that the new Italian restaurant is planned to open a few months later, there’ll be a considerable interior design overhaul (though we trust they’ll keep the floor-to-ceiling
...
Katsute 100 offers traditional Japanese tea in Islington’s Camden Passage
With its cobbled streets, quaint houses and antique markets, Camden Passage is a veritable haven from the busyness of Upper Street. Now you’ll be able to further unwind with a soothing cup of traditional Japanese tea thanks to the arrival of Katsute 100.
There’s a huge drinks menu, including tea served by the pot and flavoured tea by the cup, plus non-leaf teas and takeaway options too. The most familiar tea on the menu is Sencha, which also comes available in
...
Islington's rotisserie spot LeCoq is to close
Bad tidings to report today as Islington Rotisserie spot LeCoq is closing its doors just before Christmas. As it's one of Hot Dinners' local restaurants, it's particularly bad news, but the team are looking towards new ventures in the new year. In the meantime, you have until 23 December to get down there and try some of the best rotisserie chicken in town, not to mention more rotisseried beasts (like the mutton above) and the amazing roast potatoes. And to find out more
...
Test Driving LeCoq - lots more than chicken on this rotisserie
We return to Islington's LeCoq to check out their brand new menu with a lot more than chicken in the rotisserie.
Islington's LeCoq spreads its wings for rotisserie relaunch
Good news for fans of LeCoq’s rotisserie roasted chicken - the Islington brasserie is reinventing itself as a full-time rotisserie restaurant.
Hibernation season is still quite a ways off yet, but for fans of LeCoq it might be time to embrace the elasticated waistband already. Previously only available on Sundays, their golden (spit) roast dinners, including their Sutton Hoo chickens, will soon be available to
...
Return visit: Test Driving brunch on Bellanger's new terrace
It's all change at this Islington brasserie with a new menu and a new terrace
Test Driving Rok Islington - North London's new smoking hot restaurant
Rok have opened their second restaurant in Islington - we went to try it out
69 Colebrooke Row is having a street party with Bellanger and Oldroyd
We've got to say, we like the way street parties are going. They're no longer the kind of thing where the best you could expect food and drink-wise would be some curling sarnies, pasta salad of dubious origin and some lukewarm sauvignon blanc.
And the one that has Hot Dinners' name written all over it (not literally) is the Colebrook Row street party in Islington this weekend. Tony Conigliaro’s cocktail bar 69
...
Zia Lucia, A new pizza place is coming to Holloway Road
07/06/16 - Updated with soft launch info.
We've been in the Islington area for a long time now and we've really noticed that the past few years or so have seen a real improvement in Holloway Road's food scene. So we look with interest to the opening of a new pizzeria, Zia Lucia, which is different enough to get our attention...
The pizza bases are 48-hour slow fermented doughs. And
...
Rok Smokehouse's second restaurant will be on Islington's Upper Street
Jay Rayner praised the "the sheer pleasure" of their food. Grace Dent eulogised their "highly devourable sharing plates". And on the back of such success Shoreditch smokehouse Rök are now opening their second restaurant. They're taking over a Grade II listed building halfway up Upper Street where they'll open a 60-seat restaurant and bar in July.
Rök Islington will launch with a seasonal summer menu by executive chef Matt Young featuring aged beef rump with
...
JaguarShoes Collective are popping up After Hours at Manze on Chapel Market
JaguarShoes Collective are expanding their empire further north, taking over pie and mash spot Manze on Chapel Market for two months. Every evening the beautiful art deco cafe will transform into a cocktail speakeasy. They'll be serving up prohibition era style cocktails with a modern twist - such as Hanky Panky - Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Fernet Branca Menta. They're also promising plenty of oysters too. If you're heading out after work, head down there
...
Test Driving Galley - a sexy new spot on Islington's Upper Street
Seafood with a huge dash of sex appeal, Galley brings va va voom to N1
Galley hits Islington's Upper Street with ex Randall & Aubin head chef
The revitalisation of Islington's dining scene continues apace with news of another interesting restaurant opening on Upper Street. Galley restaurant and bar takes over the space occupied by United Ramen and is a venture by brother and sister team Oriona Robb and Marcel Grzyb.
Marcel's been Head Chef at Soho’s Randall & Aubin for a decade and, as you might expect given his background, he's put together a menu with a strong focus on seafood.
His sister
...
Corbin and King's Bellanger restaurant is opening on Islington Green
Updated 7/12/15 with menu, photos and opening date
Hot Dinners got a sneak preview of Bellanger this week and even with days of fitting out to go, the place looks fantastic. They've opened up the front of the dining room, adding a semi-private dining alcove, put booths all down one side. There'll be 10 seats for counter dining and a large dining room towards the back which has been
...