NOTE: The Whitechapel Refectory has now closed to become Townsend.
Refection | ri’fekSHon | noun
- A reinvigorating, light meal.
- The practice of eating of partly digested fecal pellets, mostly by rabbits.
One of these two definitions has inspired Luke Wilson and Cameron Emirali, the duo behind both the eminent 10 Greek Street and equally venerable 8 Hoxton Square, in their takeover of the cafe space at The Whitechapel Gallery.
We’ll let you figure out which.
The daytime stint is all about relaxed cafe dining, with cold foods ready to serve from the counter as well as an à la carte menu with hot dishes from the kitchen. The former range from sandwiches like the Hoxton smoked trout with horseradish and watercress, to the butternut squash, goat’s cheese and lentil salad, while the latter includes more warm and hearty offerings like a mutton, olive and rosemary casserole with fresh bread, or chorizo and potato tortilla. However, just like their other two eateries, there’s a strong focus on seasonality and local produce, resulting in a rapidly changing menu – so you’ll always find the best of month on offer each day.
And on top of all that refection, they stay open late on Thursday evenings to run a low-key, after-hours wine bar.
They’re calling it “After Hours.”
As the lights dim, the food shifts to an enoteca-style spread of homemade bread, terrines and cheese boards to complement the craft beer selection and extensive wine list – which, naturally, involves occasional appearances from the team’s famous Little Black Book, with the odd bottle of rare wines…
…alongside the rare bottles of odd wine.
NOTE: The Whitechapel Refectory has now closed, to become Townsend.
The Whitechapel Refectory | 77-82 Whitechapel High Street, E1 7QX