NOTE: Pickled Fred has sadly now closed.
This new pan-Asian spot is apparently named in honour of a monkey who was intent on stealing pickles.
He took it as a condiment.
It comes to you from friends Ben Lusty (Som Saa) and Can Turker (Berber & Q) who, it turns out, have both exciting names and a love for Asian dishes in common. They dreamed up the spot whilst holidaying in the Philippines, where they met the aforementioned mischievous monkey. Now they’ve returned safe and sound (pickles intact), and are ready to bring you…
THE FOOD
Thanks to head chef Dan Borham – who’s built up a wealth of experience on the street food circuit with traders like Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen – the menu’s based around small plates and street snacks; so you’ll find flatbreads (and vegan-friendly chickpea pancakes) stuffed with banh-mi or lemongrass poached prawns, jackfruit scotch eggs with masala mayonnaise, lotus root crisps with avocado aquafaba, and grilled octopus with harissa-marinated chickpeas. They all go down rather nicely with-
THE DRINKS
If anyone can do innovative cocktails, Can can. He’s mixing up numbers like the Smoking Goat, with butter-washed tequila, pineapple, sweet basil and agave; and Fred’s Preserver, with green and black peppercorn-infused vodka, Aperol, preserved strawberry and rose petal wine.
Now that’s real rosé.
NOTE: Pickled Fred has sadly now closed.
Pickled Fred | 61 Hanbury Street, E1 5JP
Like getting in a pickle? Check out Little Duck