August brought sad news for Hackney restaurant-goers: Pidgin has flown the nest.
But the pioneering fine dining spot had a good run, conjuring up a different tasting menu every week for an impressive nine years (and winning a Michelin star in the process). And as it happens, something very exciting is moving in in its place: er, the team from Pidgin.
Head chef Drew Snaith is teaming up with his long-time friend and colleague Hannah Kowalski (Pidgin’s GM and wine aficionado) to reinvent the site as SESTA, a neighbourhood restaurant supported by the very same front and back-of-house team. And you’ll feel like part of the family too, because Nudge Members (+1) are getting a secretive 30% off the food bill* and a complimentary welcome drink for the entire opening month.
Andrew Livingstone
So, what’s on the menu? Well, anyone who’s been to Pidgin in recent years will know that Snaith’s something of a flavour alchemist, and he’s putting together a line-up that’s wildly inventive (but still approachable). You’ll start with a little cheddar & cider scone, or a plate of padron peppers with smoked eel taramasalata, before moving onto starters like prawn & seabass dolma with Ouzo butter, or a beef ragù toastie with dripping brown sauce.
Scaling up, there’s mutton bacon ribs with fermented garlic honey and Riesling mustard; cider flambéed mussels with caramelised cream and bottarga toast; and Cornish brill slung over hot coals and served with ‘aggressive’ aioli. The broadly British/European feel is interspersed with ideas picked up on his travels across Southeast Asia, so expect little creative touches like the fresh oysters with apricot pho, or the side of smacked cucumber with raspberry hot sauce.
Naturally, with Kowalski on board the wine selection’s going to be stellar too: expect a natural-leaning selection focussed around France and Europe, that’ll be refreshed constantly to showcase a variety of producers. But there’ll also be signature cocktails like the Blackberry Juice (mingling gin, homemade peanut syrup, lime & Thai basil oil), and they’ll even be making their own mead.
Sounds like they’ll be busy bees.
NOTE: SESTA is set to open on 11th September 2024, and bookings are now open. However, Nudge Members (+1) are getting 30% off the food bill*, plus a complimentary welcome drink, until 11th October. For details on how to book, check the Members’ box above.
Not a Nudge Member yet? Sign up for your free 7 day trial.
*excluding the duck dish to share. Ironically, there’s no 30% off that bill.
SESTA | 52 Wilton Way, London E8 1BG
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