Search The Nudge

X
Search

Loading Choices

Restaurants

Talisa Dean 06/11/19


Oren

Oren | Smashing Middle Eastern Small Plates

Oded Oren clearly backs himself.

Because he funded the opening of his debut restaurant, Oren, himself. Of course, that means he’s able to deliver the food precisely as he likes it, and that food impressed Jay Rayner so much at one of his sell-out residencies that he described one dish as “verging on genius”.

The venue he’s chosen is in Dalston, just off Kingsland High Street, in a petite space that used to be a brasserie named Floyd’s. It’s still petite, holding just 35 diners when it’s heaving, but he’s completely refitted the decor: the dining area is now hued in understated orange & grey tones, and corked at the top with a gleaming metal bar.

oren

The food, like Oren’s heritage, hails from Israel, but adds a few influences from the rest of the Middle East too. Dishes start with the likes of burnt aubergines with tahini from Mount Gerizim (it’s literally where the Good Samaritan came from); and baked hispi cabbage with a vibrant romesco sauce.

Going slightly larger, there’s the self-describing brill tartare with raw courgettes & Kurdish-style laben kishk cheese; a melt-in-the-mouth ox cheek layed on a bed of hummus; a whole grilled lemon sole with Kalamata olives; and a hefty Tamworth pork chop with preserved lemon & hasted garlic. And you can finish it all with a cardamom panna cotta with lemon verbena, a chocolate mousse tart, or some strawberry & lemon sorbet.

oren

If you fancy propping yourself up at the bar you can explore the wines of offer, which have all been curated by Zeren Wilson (whose CV includes Bib Gourmand winner Kiln, and its older sibling Smoking Goat). It’s short, punchy, and features smaller growers, and biodynamic vineyards as well as a frequently changing ‘guest wine’ spot, which you can always go for blind…

…if you back them to make a good pick.

 

NOTE: Oren is open for dinner Tues-Sat, plus lunch on Sat. You can make a booking, see the menu, and find out more on the website here.

Oren | 89 Shacklewell Lane, Hackney, E8 2EB


Like keeping up-to-date with new openings? Take a look at our Restaurant And Bars Opening Soon guide. 

The Nudge is an independent, searchable and highly-curated guide to the most interesting places to go and things to do in London, giving members unrestricted access to our full compendium of continually-updated restaurants, bars, events, exhibitions, date ideas, itineraries, member perks, weekend guides, monthly agendas and more – all delivered via our website, email newsletters & members’ app.

Join us to see what’s hot in London this week; to explore all of the recommendations & ideas stored within The Nudge’s website and members’ app; and to start making the most of life in London today. Start Free One Week Trial

Carpe Diem!


Oren


89 Shacklewell Lane, Hackney, E8 2EB
View On Map

0207 916 6114




Got A Tip? Email [email protected]



More Ideas


Our Top Picks