Kench & Bibesy

'Kench & What?' I hear you cry? Kench & Bibesy!

Kench 'A container in which fish or animal skins are salted' (also a verb: 'to laugh out loud')

Bibesy 'An excessively earnest desire to drink!'

So in short, I think you'll agree that Kench & Bibesy pretty much translates into 'eat, drink and be merry'! It also happens to be the name of a rather brilliant new establishment who's creator is behind another one of my favourite London haunts, Evans & Peel Detective Agency.

Located in the heart of Farringdon, K&B is the perfect place for a spot of lunch, a few after-work drinks, or a proper night of wining, dining and secret cocktails (clue: Kench is the 'eating' bit, whilst 'Bibesy' is the hidden drinking den...)

As I now have a Mini Person in tow, nights on the town aren't as plentiful as they used to be at the moment. So I was very happy to try out K&B's wares over lunch the other day. And I can't rave about it enough. During the day it's a bright, informal and relaxing space to enjoy a leisurely lunch whilst watching the world go by through the big windows overlooking Smithfield Market. But I bet by the time night falls, it takes on a whole new vibe as the cocktail shakers, top tunes, Belly Pops (I'll explain later) and enthusiastic banter all vie for attention. And that's just upstairs!

Kench & Bibesy has been kitted out in a very unique and creative way - I'd call it 'Old School Industrial Chic'. The Detective in charge has been busy taking time off from his successful SW5 Detective Agency and has literally gone 'old-school' as he's been rummaging around an old school up north and has come back to London armed with all sorts of random bits and pieces including a lovely large piece of parquet flooring which has been made into a beautiful bar. Plus he's recycled some old science lab basins which are now the loo hand-basins (he even made the taps himself). Then there are the little concrete igloo-shaped lampshades which glide along the ceiling (yep, he made those too). And something which I was very impressed with - radiator beer! Old fashioned radiators which have been adapted and fitted with a tap as a vessel for beer on tap. Genius! I know you're often told 'don't try this at home', but on this occasion I really would like to try that at home. With wine. It's all the lovely attention to detail which makes this place special.

By the time my friend, Elliott (my Baby Blogging Partner in Crime) and I had finished looking around, as well as being given a sneaky peak of the secret Bibesy bar with its 'impossible to find' entrance (very Evans & Peel), it was time for lunch. Kench & Bibesy offers an essentially British menu in a sharing plates style and all very reasonably priced. Our plates included truly excellent Scotch eggs, comforting cauliflower cheese, a truffle-infused Jerusalem artichoke pate, tasty butternut squash with gnocchi & crispy sage, and the aforementioned Belly Pops - fun little morsels of braised pork belly lollipops served with pumpkin puree and Bramley apple. We even managed to squeeze in a couple of perfect puds, the sticky toffee (served with custard ice cream and raspberry leather) and a Winter Mess (wintery variation of the Eton Mess). The service was faultless, friendly and fast, and we were given some great cocktail recommendations (one of which came wrapped in a bag of lavender), and the Lapland Collins is a must!

As Farringdon turns strangely quiet at weekends, K&B isn't open on Saturday or Sunday (but you can hire it for private parties.) I really like Kench & Bibesy - it's quirky, inviting, unpretentious and affordable. And a perfect weekday/night haunt, especially for anyone who likes a hint of speakeasy with their Belly Pops. I think it's going to take EC1 by storm. In fact I know it is. The resident Super Squirrel told me!

Kench & Bibesy
50-52 Long Lane
London EC1A 9EJ
020 7796 3631
@kenchandbibesy

Opening hours 11.00 - 00.30 (Mon - Fri)
Closed Sat & Sun (but available for private hire)

Columbia Road, E2

So, after a crazy summer of adapting to motherhood and moving house, I've finally found a quiet moment to hop back into the blogging saddle again. And what better suggestion for autumn than a visit to Columbia Road in East London. Not just for its terrific and iconic Sunday flower market, but also for its multitude of excellent cafes, restaurants, shops and pubs. Whether you're after daffs in spring, roses in summer, pumpkins in autumn or Christmas trees in winter, Columbia Road flower market is a floral and foliage haven.

Columbia Road is busy on a Sunday, very busy, but it's worth the mayhem just to soak up the flower market buzz and bag yourself a bargain. Especially if you're there just before closing time when the stall holders are shouting over one another to offer you "two bunches for a fiver!" You know you're in the right vicinity when you see endless smiling punters heading towards Hoxton or Shoreditch, awkwardly armed with massive bunches of gladioli and lilies, regal orchids, hardy laurels, boxes of herbs, wafting hyacinths, giant yukkas and sprawling fig plants. And if you appreciate music, Columbia Road is home to some of London's best street buskers by far!

Once you've survived the crowds, the pollen and the heady floral fragrances of the market, you'll probably be ready for a stiff drink and a hearty Sunday roast. I recommend The Royal Oak, a proper boozer offering just that. If you're a meat eater, you may want to dine at 'Brawn' which serves fantastic mainly meaty treats. If it's more of a cafe vibe you're after, then the Jones Dairy shop and cafe just around the corner on Ezra Street, is a delight.

There are also a load of great shops and art galleries along Columbia Road selling all sorts of interesting artefacts, gifts, cupcakes, antiques and nick-nacks. The only downside is that most of them only open at the weekend to make the most of the market punters, which is a shame, as Columbia Road is also a lovely place to frequent on a weekday when it's peaceful and crowd-free. Come rain or shine, a visit to Columbia Road flower market is a Sunday well spent.

Columbia Road, E2
Flower Market Open every Sunday (inc Easter) 8am - 3pm  
@columbiaroad

Hoxton (London Overground)
Old Street (Northern Line tube)

Pip's Dish Kitchen Table, Hoxton Square, N1

Having closed closed the garage door in Islington, Philip & Mary of Pip's Dish have relocated to start an exciting new venture in the heart of Hoxton. This time, they've collaborated with Plain English (purveyors of rather lovely bespoke kitchens) and have set up an excellent lunch time establishment downstairs at 41 Hoxton Square where they've made full use of one of the kitchen showrooms, transforming it into an intimate dining club. This is a brilliant idea and an ideal way to promote the stunning kitchens on offer whilst showing off their culinary expertise.

Pip's Dish offers a homely, relaxed and informal dining experience, a bit like going round to your friend's house (if your friends are lucky enough to have a kitchen as swanky as this, that is). Lunch is served in the open-plan kitchen with random diners gathering around the communal kitchen table, engaging in casual banter with one another, whilst Mary and her lovely assistant quietly busy themselves in the background, choppinging parsley, dicing tomatoes and topping up your wine glass.

I met a friend for lunch there last week and it was such a lovely, relaxing afternoon. Even baby Elliott came along for his first ever blogging expedition and seemed very happy mingling with the other diners. Despite being situated in the basement, the sun streams through the pot-plant lined stairwell, creating a lovely bright space. We were met with a warm welcome and a glass of vino, then found a pew at the table before tucking into a delicious 3 course lunch. And all for a very reasonable £20 per head.

MENU

Roasted Sardines with a Sweet Onion, Tomato & Potato Stew

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Feta & Courgette Filo Tart with a Baby Leaf Salad

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Baked Peaches with Chantilly Cream & Almond Brittle

Pip's Dish Lunch Club is open every Wednesday to Friday (bookings only), but if you fancy hosting a private dinner party of up to 10 guests (Mon - Thur) or a Saturday lunch gathering, just check the Pip's Dish website for more info, or give Pip and Mary a call to discuss. They're very friendly and will be happy to accommodate.

Even the loo is lovely. Once you've pampered your hands with gorgeous Aesop toiletries, take a peek in the cupboard saying 'Open Me', which reveals a selection of Pip's special treasures. This really is a great venue and as everyone knows, all the best parties take place in the kitchen!

Pip's Dish
41 Hoxton Square
N1 6PB
07503 293 438
(entry via the shop)

Wed - Fri lunch time 12pm - 3pm (bookings only)
£20 for a 3 course lunch including a glass of wine!
Also available for private parties