Hot Dinners makes our first foray back into the world of dining out - picking a popular Islington gastropub for the first post-lockdown meal. 

Folks who live in or around Canonbury in Islington may have spotted what looks to be a rather unusual installation in the window at high-end furniture store Coexistence on Canonbury Lane.

It turns out that the shop has been supporting a company called Nourished Communities, which stepped in to look after suppliers affected by the closure of farmers' markets in London during the lockdown.

The premise is simple - instead of trying

Spare a thought for London's catering companies. All their work stopped the minute events were cancelled and, unlike restaurants, who knows when large gatherings might be back in our diaries again?

One such company, who's moved to a different way of doing things is N5 Kitchen. This Islington-based catering company has started popping up at Maison Bleue Cafe near Highbury Fields every weekend.

The company, which in normal

James Cochran's Islington restaurant 1251 has opted for a menu celebrating fried chicken for its delivery option during lockdown. We gave his burgers a go.

We've known for some time, well before the lockdown, that Islington's Trullo (sister restaurant to Padella) had bought the shop next door. It's been kept empty for a while - but now we finally have some info on what's being planned, just as they've reached their 10th birthday. 

Now they've unveiled the Trullo deli. We're told to expect "all the things you love about Trullo for you to take home." So there are

The good news is that Padella is going to be doing pasta deliveries from this weekend. The bad news is that, to begin with, you have to be in either Hackney or Islington to avail yourself of the service.

If you do happen to be in either of those boroughs then you can order up one of two pasta kits to cook up at home in less than five minutes. The options are their famous pappardelle beef shin ragu, which Grace

Having trouble working out what you fancy when it comes to food delivery in Islington? We're here to help you choose some of the best.   

Have you missed that whole wandering past an Ottolenghi, being tempted by the cake displays in the window, and then popping in to order as much as you could carry thing? Well, that chance is coming back with the news that two of the stores are getting ready to reopen. 

It all starts with Notting Hill today, with Islington to follow on Friday. They're starting slowly - first with a reduced "essentials"

Sambal Shiok in Holloway has been a huge success, with the warming bowls of laksa being a big draw in Holloway and beyond. Now owner Mandy Yin expands next door with a takeaway serving up affordable Malaysian rice boxes. 

Hot Dinners Exclusive

A new restaurant in Islington certainly highlights the cyclical nature of the restaurant business. Trawler Trash on Islington's Upper Street shut its doors in 2019 and the site has been closed ever since. But now a new restaurant has opened in the space and locals will be very pleased to learn that it's a fish and chip shop called Trawlerman's Fish

After success in south and west London, Megan's are opening in the Islington Square development, just off Upper Street. They'll have their usual Mediterranean menu and, of course, will welcome dog owners with open arms. 

Popular Kentish Town brasserie Patron is expanding - they've picked Blackstock Road for their second site, serving up all manner of classic French wine and dishes.

While wandering through Angel over the Christmas break, we spotted this restaurant that opened somewhat under the radar in December. Owner Tae Yeol Kim was apparently International Korean cup Championship 2015 Winner Bartender and is also a Korea traditional alcohol Ambassador. Ogam will serve up a Korean tapas menu (obviously) in a small restaurant that's primarily counter seating. At the time of writing, there's a choice

Rok may be gone, but Nordic dining in Islington is back with the opening of Skal. They've quietly taken over the space left by Rok on Islington's Upper Street promising traditional Nordic recipes but with a modern, seasonal twist from head chef Lauri Hilli (formerly Sanctum Soho). The space looks much the same as it was with Rok - it still has a stripped-back Scandi vibe, so fits the new restaurant well. 

As for the menu - here's

Updated with full launch info

We've slowly been hearing what's planned for N1's Islington Square (taking over the old post office site off Upper Street) and now we've confirmation of at least one restaurant - but it's not a standalone one. 

Odeon Luxe & Dine is Odeon's latest attempt to bring dining and a movie together. So if the very idea of people eating away while you try to enjoy