Bistrotheque

"Bistrotheque was one of Hackney’s original ‘trendy’ restaurants. There’s the unmarked door, whitewashed and tiled warehouse space, bustling open kitchen, and fashion pack crowd. A decade on, creative sorts still clip-clop in wearing penny loafers for candlelit bistro dinners, and brunch is still a scene. A live pianist plays pop covers, and excellent cocktails will cure last night’s hangover or get you started on today’s. The food is pretty decent—the crispy chicken schnitzel is a standout, even if the chips are disappointing. But Bistrotheque remains a hangout where the fun atmosphere is the real draw. photo credit: Daisy Meager Food Rundown photo credit: Daisy Meager Crunchy Chicken Schnitzel, Garlic Butter Do not pour the gravy boat of garlic butter over the schnitzel. We repeat, do not pour the gravy boat of garlic butter over the schnitzel. It’s a completely unnecessary accompaniment to the excellently crispy cornflake- and panko-breaded chicken. video credit: Daisy Meager Steak Tartare A perfectly decent version of a classic. Nothing to write home about, nothing to complain about. photo credit: Daisy Meager Chips A silver platter of chips is always nice to pick at, but these are a little soggy in places. Zhoosy Margarita On paper, this passion fruit take on a margarita—with passion fruit liqueur and syrup—sounds like it could be sickly sweet. In reality, the lime cuts through and a Tajín-dusted rim balances it out with welcome heat. We’re not sure what ‘zhoosy’ means, but we felt it after a couple of drinks." - Daisy Meager

"Bistrotheque in Hackney, is delivering everything from roast chicken, to a potato and comté pie, to french toast, to Sunday brunch. They’re even delivering champagne, and bloody mary by the litre. Find it all here." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak

"In our mind Bistrotheque is one of the original ‘trendy’ Hackney restaurants, even though the pedants among us say it’s just across the border in Tower Hamlets. The fact it’s still going strong shows that they know exactly what they’re doing. And more importantly, they’re good at it. This all-white warehouse is equally lovely on a bright day, or for an evening with your better half. Food-wise it’s modern European, and you can get anything from posh fish and chips to steak tartare." - jake missing, sinead cranna, daisy meager

"Maximum Capacity: 54  Minimum Spend: from £4000  Sometimes booking a private dining space is about getting together with your mates or colleagues. And sometimes, booking a private dining space is just about showing people that you’re really bloody cool. Bistrotheque in Bethnal Green is a neighbourhood bistro inside an old warehouse, and their private dining room The Cockatoo includes a sound system, projector, bar, private kitchen, and a 1930s baby grand piano. See, cool. " - heidi lauth beasley, sinead cranna

"Sure, you can pre-order a weekend lunch or dinner from Bistrotheque, along with your choice of beer, cider, or wine, but you can also put in an order for 500ml bottles of pre-mixed cocktails. The negroni, the cosmo, the margarita, and the martini all come in at £30, while a half-litre of blood mary is just £15. Order here." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing