East London just got a new temple of good food, good wine, and good music, called Bambi…
…and trust us, you’re going to fawn over it.
It comes to us from James Dye, one of the co-owners behind one of the best rooftop bars in London – Frank’s Cafe. But this place is very much on the ground.
You’ll find it at the foot of Netil House in London Fields, in the old space that was formerly occupied by Bright. And true to the name it’s a bright venue indeed, with an array of floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the place with light. At least, that’s what happens when the sun is out. At dinner however, when the sun dips below the horizon, the DJs take over and the place becomes awash with the mellow glow of candles. It’s all stool seating, lining the tables, bars, and countertops, with a huge set of speakers flanking a mini library of vintage vinyl at the back.
So, taking the three elements one at a time, here’s what’s going on:
The food is all marshalled by chef Henry Freestone. His last gig was at Peckham Cellars, where he won them a Bib Gourmand. Now, he’s plating up casual wine-friendly numbers like roast chickens with chicken fat focaccia & green sauce (which is absolutely delicious, for the record); braised butterbeans with kale & goats curd; smoked mackerel pate & pickled cucumbers; and a fat chicken parm ciabatta sandwich with vodka marinara. Oh, and the macaroni cheese arancini are by far the most popular dish for a very good reason.
The booze all revolves around the wine list, and the wine list revolves around natural & low-intervention bottles from across the globe, with plenty available by the glass. After that, there are cocktails, which swing from a light Bambi Martini, to a considerably punchier frozen tequila & coffee number.
The music is what drives the atmosphere, and it’s all pumped out through a high-spec vintage sound system (but you can still hold a converation without shouting, so don’t worry) and the records are all be plucked from a custom-built wall of vinyl. Resident selector Charlie Dark MBE is in charge of both the tunes and the various guest DJs who get to spin them, and the party goes on until 1am on weekends.
We can only imagine that Thumper would approve.
NOTE: Bambi is open now. You can find out more at the website right here.
Previous perk: Nudge Members enjoyed a pair of exclusive secret soft launches at the space on 18th & 19th October, with 50% off the food bill. Don’t miss the next one: sign up for a free trial right here.
Bambi | 1 Westgate Street, E8 3RL
If you like Bambi you might also like… Sager + Wilde