Islington

• Trullo opens a deli next door to their Islington restaurant

  

  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 was 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

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• Padella enter the DIY game with cook-at-home pasta kits

  

  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

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• Ottolenghi is back - starting with Notting Hill and Islington

  

  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"

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• Sambal Shiok is opening NASI Economy Rice next door on Holloway Road

  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. 

• Fish & Chips returns to Upper St Islington with Trawlerman's Fish Bar

  

  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

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• Megan's dog-friendly restaurant is coming to Islington

  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. 

• Patron Cave à Manger are bringing their Parisian brasserie to Blackstock Road

  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.

• Ogam Korean tapas bar has opened in Islington

   

  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

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• Skal Nordic Dining opens in Islington

  

  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

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• Islington gets dinner and a movie with Odeon Luxe & Dine

  

  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

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• Four Legs at the Compton Arms launch their Sunday roast menu

  

  They've already secured a place in the London burger hall of fame, so it'll be interesting to see what Four Legs - the residency at Islington's Compton Arms - do with Sunday Roasts.

  Kicking off this weekend, the mains will be:

  • Roast beef with potatoes and Yorkshire pudding
  • Whole/half
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• Little Bat in Islington has gained a restaurant with Little Bat Kitchen

  

  Change has come to Islington's LIttle Bat, the cocktail bar run by the same people behind Calooh Callay - it's been divided into two. The front part of the building will remain the Little Bat Bar, where the cocktails will continue to flow as before - but there's a change at the back. That's become the Little Bat Kitchen. 

• Eat Like a Girl Niamh Shields takes over the kitchen at Islington's Homeboy

  

  A Hot Dinners exclusive

  Regular readers of Hot Dinners will know that we're keen supporters of the Irish in London. As second-generation Irish ourselves we're always delighted to be able to bring Londoners a taste of Ireland here in this city.

  But we couldn't be more thrilled to break the news that one of our favourite food bloggers and authors Niamh Shields - better known to some of you as

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• Berto is a fresh pasta restaurant from Zia Lucia in Holloway

  Right next door to their pizza restaurant, Zia Lucia are opening Berto, a fresh pasta restaurant in Holloway. There will be affordable fresh pasta, Italian wines and more.

• Corbin and King are closing Bellanger in Islington

  

  London has been no stranger to big restaurant closures over the past few months, but one of the biggest was announced last night. In an email, Jeremy King of Corbin & King, revealed that they'd be closing Bellanger in Islington this summer.

  "It is with great sadness I must inform you that, after over three years trading, we have decided to cease trading Bellanger on Sunday 11th August.

  "It is a great shame but, although we loved being in

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