The Hackney Pearl

Effortlessly cool Hackney Wick never ceases to amaze me with it’s chilled and smooth hipster vibe. As one of our fave new hangouts it brought a smile to our faces to be part of the streets lined with jolly residents and the laughter that filled courtyards of Saturday night warehouse parties and bubbling restaurants.

The Pearl is conveniently located a stones throw away from Hackney Wick station, so we didn’t have to venture too far, and plopped onto one of the outdoor tables when we reached our destination. Luckily they had numerous tables which extended onto the street and actually had to bring more out upon demand.

Turning our attention to the menu we opted for a couple of The Kernel Brewery’s fine table beers to help ease the decision making, which complimented the summers evening a treat. Food wise my chum selected a nectarine, hazelnut and chicory salad with a vinaigrette dressing. My choice was rather more meaty as the Kentish rabbit, peas and xxx took my fancy. Unfortunately 5 mins later I was to be told that the rabbit had arrived late and was still braising. It was cool, it was a tough choice between that and the rare beef onglet steak, chips and rocket. I wasn’t disappointed!

We slurped and chatted whilst enviously eyeing food around us, the meaty mezze’s and warm bread topped with melting butter set our taste buds tingling. A while later a waitress came over to apologise about the wait for our food as the kitchen was super busy, we hadn’t even noticed! Probably as we were too distracted by this……..

Our food arrived not long after and by Jove it was worth the wait! The beef was perfectly rare (which is a rarity in many restaurants! Haha) and I worked in a steak restaurant so am like the steak snob from hell. But it was perfecto. The chips were thick cut which often means an uncooked middle so I was scepticle, however my worry was dispelled pretty sharpish by the well seasoned potatoey compliments. Yum! Peppery rocket……yum x2! Sadly they had run out of their homemade mayo, but maybe next time.

My mate loved her salad, surprising filling and tasty she revelled in the incorporation of nectarines, stating she was going to try making this bad boy at home! (Hmmm I look forward to seeing this that turns out…)

Undecided on pudding as not wanting to ruin our mouthwatering main, we finished our meal with a couple if dark and stormy cocktails. Merlin’s beard, dark and stormy they were!!! Rum, ginger beer and chilli. My buds eyes were left streaming but in a strangely good way……they went down rather well.

The Hackney Pearl will now be a place I’ll recommend to anyone heading east looking for top notch food, upbeat service and good vibrations. It retains what Hackney does best, offer flipping great nosh without looking like it’s trying at all…….

 

Reporter: Aspen Glencross @GollumCrackCorn

Check out their website and @TheHackneyPearl

The Hackney Pearl

11 Prince Edward Road

Hackney Wick

E9 5LX