Clerkenwell

Clerkenwell
Boy; Australian native, anonymous blogger, oracle of
all things edible. Through commitment to his hashtag-soaked feed,
this faceless chap has become London’s prime source of food
knowledge. Not only does he remain a mystery (despite having over
100k followers on Instagram) but he also manages to be in all
corners of London at once. Here, he gives us his present favourite
spots to eat and drink around the city. Naturally, the interview
was conducted in a shadowy alley somewhere north of The Gherkin.
He’d tell you his name, but he’d have to eat you.

Clerkenwell Boy’s Guide to London

Best breakfast?

Dishoom’s bacon and egg naan, with extra green
chillies and bottomless chai.

Best place for brunch with friends?

I love Salon Brixton for Sunday brunch. Their
scrambled eggs with ‘nduja on toasted sourdough are a must!
Duck and Waffle is pretty special for brunch or
#BreakfastInTheSky.

Best place for after work drinks?

Zetter Townhouse for a cocktail or Sager + Wilde for a glass of wine and a cheeky cheese
toastie.

Best cocktail in London?

Pho Money, Pho Problems – basically a Pho martini (they’ve
created a pho spirit from Vietnamese spices, pak choi, lime leaf
and lime) by the talented Matt Whiley from Peg+Patriot.

Best place to take a visitor to London?

Local food markets such as Maltby Street, Druid Street or
Borough
Market – followed by a bar or restaurant crawl.

Best borough for food?

For me it’s important to support local businesses. Clerkenwell
(within the Borough of Islington) has an amazing array of
restaurants – some of my favourites include Morito Tapas, The Quality Chop House and St. John.

Best coffee?

Prufrock is my local. They also run workshops and
courses from their Leather Lane branch. For cold brew I would
suggest Sandows.

Best street food?

Anything at Kerb or
Street Feast is
usually fantastic. Favourites include tacos by Breddos, the ribs by
Smokestack, and steamed buns by Yum Bun. I also have a thing for
*THOSE* doughnuts by Bread Ahead.

Best place for beer?

Mother Kelly’s which is a New York inspired tap room
in Bethnal Green and the Bermondsey Beer Mile which does a
craft beer crawl on a Saturday.

Best small market?

Netil Market near London Fields.

Best cheap dinner?

Bone Daddies late night menu in
Soho.
£15 for a cocktail, chilli pork bun AND the most delicious curry
ramen with fried chicken and padron peppers (sadly only available
Thurs-Sat between 10.30PM and 11.30PM)

Best street for restaurants/bars?

I love my local Exmouth Market which is packed full of great
restaurants… alternatively Paradise Row in Bethnal
Green.