24/03/26

Review of Calong in Stoke Newington

Tucked along Stoke Newington Church Street, Calong is one of the areas truly neighbourhood restaurants, known for its creative menus and relaxed atmosphere. Soft lighting, candles on the table and exposed brick walls, it felt cosy and calm, which was further accentuated by the relaxed but knowledgeable service. At just 11 months old, Calong has already been Michelin recommended and was recently cited as one of the Financial Times ‘Best New London Restaurants of 2025’, owned and run by husband-and-wife team, Joo and Sujin.

The cooking blends Korean flavours with European technique, resulting in interesting dishes with a twist on their familiar traditional form. We leaned into the vegetarian side of the menu, of which there was a range of strong options which didn’t make us feel like we were missing out by not eating meat.

We started off strong with the kimchi fritter with chilli mayo, which was an immediate highlight; crisp on the outside with a tangy, fermented punch from the kimchi inside, balanced by a creamy chilli mayo that added gentle heat, I would hands down order this one each and everytime. The vegetarian mains continued the theme of layered flavours.

The vegetable tofu mandu was a kind of Korean dumpling served in a delicious umami broth which was entirely moreish but still felt light. Coupled with a tangy alternative to a side salad in the form of a kohlrabi, apple and cashew paejori, although the options felt rich and decadent it was in no way heavy which was vey much welcomed as we grazed through the menu. If you are going to order any veggie main then I would say make sure you get the mushroom sot bap; a clay pot rice dish enriched with butter and egg yolk, this was the ultimate comfort dish of the evening. Earthy mushrooms and deeply savoury rice created a gentle but deeply satisfying umami flavour, simple, well constructed and deeply satisfying.

Dessert brought a theatrical finish with the baked Alaska which was the team’s suggestion and I’ve very glad we went for it despite feeling pretty full by this point. A dome of lightly torched meringue concealed layers of ice cream and fruit, with caramelised hazelnuts adding crunch. The perfect sharing desert. We paired our meal with a delicious natural orange wine, but the team offer great cocktail options which leans into the central idea of combining Korean and European flavours to create something new and interesting whilst still familiar.

I’m a Stoke Newington local and I have to say this is one of the best restaurants the area has to offer, a great option if you are looking for something a bit special. A relaxed but refined setting with a menu and service to match, we went on a Wednesday night and it was fully booked so make sure you get your reservation in advance. I would highly suggest having a small plates approach and ordering for the table to share, so many great options you won’t want to miss out.

Address: 35 Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 0NX

For more information, click here.

Written by Jordan Crowley

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Review of Bistro Sable in Islington

22 hours ago
2 min read

Opening in late 2025 on the former site of The Smokehouse, Bistro Sable has brought genuine bistro chic to a corner of Islington, and what an arrival it is. The dining room is a beautifully considered space with original artworks lining the walls, French signage setting the tone, an open kitchen hums with quiet confidence, and candlelit tables flicker with a roaring fire.

The details have been obsessed over, and it shows. Within moments of stepping inside, we'd entirely forgotten we were in London. We were warmly greeted on arrival and shown to a wonderful table with a full view of the room, always a good sign. The menu is a love letter to the French classics: pâté, steak tartare, all the greatest hits present and correct. Taking our waitress's recommendations, we opted for the house specials with a cheese soufflé and French onion soup, though not before demolishing an exceptional baguette plate with the most outrageously good butter and crudités. No apologies.

The soufflé arrived perfectly timed, impossibly light, melt-in-the-mouth, a warm hug in edible form. The soup was tangy, deeply savoury and quietly magnificent. Both were remarkably generous for a lunch sitting, and by the time our mains arrived, the room had filled, and that wonderful hum of a happy, busy restaurant had taken hold. Sidenote: the restaurant is both dog and child-friendly.

For mains, we chose the rotisserie chicken with frites and green salad, alongside the classic boeuf bourguignon with pomme purée. The half chicken was flawlessly cooked, bathed in a white wine and girolle cream sauce of genuine deliciousness. The bourguignon was exceptional with the beef slow-cooked to perfection, rich and deeply flavoured, accompanied by a pomme purée that was, frankly, mostly butter.

Bistro Sable is not playing games: these are the finest quality ingredients, handled with real skill, and the flavours are extraordinary.

Somehow, we rallied for dessert. A shared chocolate and cherry mousse proved to be a revelation, rich and silky. The crème brûlée had that perfect caramelised crackle giving way to a creamy, cloud-like custard beneath. Absolutely heavenly.

Bistro Sable has the rare quality of feeling both effortlessly stylish and genuinely welcoming. The kind of place that's already someone's favourite restaurant, and will quickly become yours too. Exceptional, full stop.

Address: 63-69 Canonbury Road, Islington

For more information or to book click here.

Written by Claire Selby

Photography courtesy of Bistro Sable