"At FKABAM (formerly known as Black Axe Mangal), Metallica blares, smoky scents waft from the kitchen, and you'll alternate between shouting your conversation and stuffing your face with lamb offal flatbread. There's a changing a la carte menu with dishes like foie gras and prune doughnuts and a ‘borscht back’, which is a vodka shot, a borscht shot, and a bit of frankfurter on a stick. This is overstimulation at its finest." - jake missing, daisy meager, sinead cranna, rianne shlebak, heidi lauth beasley
"Fire is much more fun when it’s in a smoky, boisterous restaurant on Highbury Corner than your roasting pan at home. Head to F.K.A.B.A.M—a tiny BBQ spot with big party energy—when you can’t be trusted to host another festive gathering. Their Christmas set menu this year includes a smoked pig cheek and prune doughnut and a deep-fried mince pie with clementine ice cream. This is a great option if you’re rolling with a group that has dietary requirements—there are dedicated gluten-free and vegan set menus too." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna
"Shouting is pretty much mandatory at the restaurant Formerly Known As Black Axe Mangal. It’s just the way it is. The cupboard-sized spot in Highbury will attack your ears from all angles: metal blares from the speakers, cutlery clatters on trays of things like mushroom mapo tofu rice, while beers are cracked and drinks are poured all around you. Every meal at F.K.A.B.A.M tends to feel like a party. Only you’re more likely to be snacking on octopus and bacon skewers glazed in a Sichuan sauce rather than, like, crisps." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing
"Your friend is staying in tonight. No really, they are. Of course, that’s fine, but on the way home, why don’t you all just pop to Black Axe Mangal in Islington? It’ll be quick. Fast forward two hours, three glittering squid ink flat breads, and several beers later, and they’ll have forgotten all about that early night. Because if a Kiss themed oven, BAM’s soundtrack, and the buzz of this spot’s open kitchen isn’t enough to convince your friend that a night out is in order then you need better friends." - heidi lauth beasley, eileen twum
"Going to Black Axe Mangal - a restaurant that serves foie gras doughnuts and glitter-covered flatbread - with your visiting friend who once referred to Heston Blumenthal as ‘Willy Plonker’ may not seem like the best decision. But if there’s one what-the-fuck-am-I-eating restaurant to go to with someone who thinks they hate ‘all that London nonsense’, it’s this one. BAM serves some delicious creations, be it lamb offal flatbread or mapo tofu laksa, in a loud and proud 20-seat space on Highbury Corner. It’s a restaurant that changes minds about a lot of things. Even the city it’s in." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing