When you’re a 120 year old Dutch cargo barge, everything seems new: powered flight, wireless communication, combustion engines…
…and, indeed, the latest menu from the people at Barge East.
That menu is called the Taste of Barge Autumn, and it’s going to be served up in the restaurant’s surprisingly roomy ancient cargo vessel that’s moored up along the banks of the canal at Hackney Wick.
The founders (one of whom is the generous man who brought London the hot tub boat) sailed Barge East all the way from Holland to its current home in Hackney Wick, where it’s moored overlooking the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the eastern end of Regent’s Canal (which makes a great pre- or post-meal stroll, taking you along to Victoria Park and beyond).
Barge East has space for 120 over its two decks; the upper, a canopied, festoon-lit sun-trap strung up with bunting, the lower an intimate hull filled with tables made from the boat’s former anchor winches. And spilling out onto the banks of the canal, there’s alfresco seating set amidst a kitchen garden, supplying some of the ingredients that’ll make their way into your food, as well as an airstream caravan serving up a more casual, street food-style menu.
THE FOOD
The fancy new Autumnal menu is a seven course stunner, featuring the likes of spiced monkfish with smoked paprika, cocco bianco beans & pickled clams; a hearty helping of beef sirloin resting on a bed of polenta with furikake and a watercress sauce; a rather refreshing East London sgroppino; then a blackberry parfait with bay leaf & white chocolate diplomat, among many others.
Also? They serve an absolutely flawless Sunday Roast.
THE DRINK
Balancing out all that water around you, you’ll find plenty by way of liquid refreshment too, in the form of craft beers brewed in Hackney and further afield, a well-picked wine list, spritzers, Dutch lagers, and cocktails like the classic Negroni, and the not-so-classic Sex with the Captain. Which leads us nicely to…
THE CAPTAIN’S CABIN
…no, not because you ordered that last one with a wink. The Cabin is a private area that can be hired out, which is cool because a) it essentially makes this your private boat, and b) it’s equipped with a direct phone line to the bar.
Presumably for taking captain’s orders.
NOTE: Barge East is moored in Hackney Wick and open daily. You can find out more, and book, on their website HERE.
Barge East | Sweetwater Mooring, River Lee, White Post Lane, E9 5EN
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