Six Of The Best | A New Series Of Supper Clubs At East Village (E20)

The new series of supper clubs hosted at six different venues in East Village (E20) was something I couldn’t help but get excited about. Simply the fact that East Village (E20) is the former London 2012 Athletes’ Village was enough to send me all misty eyed with nostalgia.

I remember like yesterday the first time Saff and I visited the newly redeveloped Stratford. We’d become obsessed with the Paralympics (thanks to Adam Hills’ The Last Leg) and tried as we might, we couldn’t secure a ticket. Then on Sunday 9th September 2012, while we were decorating our landing, the phone rang. We’d bagged a couple of seats at the Paralympics closing ceremony, jackpot! We literally dropped everything and quicker than Jonnie Peacock ran the 100m, we were at the Olympic Stadium.

So fast forward six years and for the real reason we were back at East Village (E20) – to attend the East meets East supper club at Fish House (an ethically sourced, contemporary seafood restaurant and takeaway). Sure we’d been back to Stratford but only to visit Westfield and the odd emergency use of the HS1. But this was the first time that we ventured over to the new (and still ongoing) development.

So why hold the supper clubs here? Simply to showcase the area and the range of independent restaurants and that East Village has to offer. Running from 14th March – 29th May the aim is to allow diners to ‘discover seasonal flavours from across the globe’. Taking place every two weeks, you can choose cuisines ranging from Japanese to Italian and Indian to French.

The sound of the menu at this first in the series “East meets East” supper club really intrigued me. As you walk into Fish House the first thing you notice is a traditional chip shop counter, so far so normal. But it’s the Indian twist on the menu that made the whole experience more memorable – where there’s a deep fat fryer, there’s s way.

Guest chef Sultana Qureshi served up a really playful menu mixing up all the tastes and smells from Indian sub continents and that big melting pot of cultures that is the East End – just beyond East Village. Sultana takes her inspiration from her Bengali, Indian and Pakistani roots and from her childhood memories of growing up on Petticoat Lane.

A locally brewed lager and a twist on a classic

We were welcomed in with a choice of three drinks. I had the Bloody Rani (basically a Bloody Mary), not sure if the Rani is a reference to the Bollywood actress or the Middle Eastern fruit drink brand. Whatever it was, it was a perfect pairing to the tasting menu that followed. Saff was on driving duty so stuck to a bottle of Redchurch Brick Lane Lager – a cold fermented lager combining British lager malt, American hops and true lager yeast, brewed just round the corner in Bethnal Green. While were on the subject of drinks, they seemed to be almost bottomless and included in the price. Not that people were taking the Mickey, it wasn’t that sort of crown – they were here for Sultana’s authentic and traditional cooking methods.

Fill those balls!

First up were the “Tubby” Pani Puri, what fun! Three little crispy hollow ping-pong sized balls that you chip away at to make a hole. Once you’re happy you stuff your ball with all/some of the sides provided. My favourite combo was the spiced prawns, mini Bombay potato and yogurt raita with cucumber and dill. Where as Saff swore by her chickpea and the hard-hitting green chilli sauce creation.

We were beginning to think something fishy was going on…

Next up was the sharing platter of Deep fried spiced white bait and anchovy sprats and Spiced deep-fried soft-shell crab. The “East meets East” version of a fritto misto with a the whole crabs adding touch of I’m a Celebrity bush tucker trial – although they did taste fantastic. The spice levels were perfectly balanced, but if you wanted to whack up the heat factor there were plenty of chutneys and dips. Our pick of the bunch were the fiery Green Chaatni (mint, coriander and fresh chilli) and the slightly sweet and sticky Brown Chaatni (tamarind, dates and fresh chives).

A melting pot of cultures and cooking

Next up was a dish that highlighted Sultana’s skill of using varied regional spices and seasonal produce but giving a cheeky nod to her East End roots. Salt Fish Aloo Tikki took inspiration from Sultana’s memories of childhood friendships where she was exposed to both Jewish and Caribbean cooking and culture. Served with Tandoori prawns skewers and a pot of Mixed pickle puree. Although we sneakily kept hold of the Brown Chaatni – salt fish and sticky dates an amazing combo – who knew! But as Sultana rightly pointed out, it’s all about experimenting.

Pakora and Burani – what a combination!

And the food just kept coming. The Squid Pakora (almost as good as Dishoom’s calamari) and Spicy chaat Masala pakora a medley of round cut potato slices, cauliflower, courgettes and aubergine where belly bustingly good especially with a big dollop of Burani (a lightly spiced yogurt, with finely chopped herbs, deep-fried spiced aubergine and finished with tempered cumin seeds).

The final straight…

We though that was it and was expecting dessert, but no! It was time for the main course (and time to undo the button on my jeans). A lightly spiced fillet of Shallow fried fish sat a top a thick, hearty and deeply fragrant Daal, Kale tops bhaji sauted with fenugreek seeds, cumin and shallots and a side of naan bread.

A hat-trick of desserts. She shoots, she scores!

Finally the trio of desserts did arrive and luckily the portions were relatively small. Cold Kheer rice pudding was by far my standout pudding, the Spiced fruit Chaat was an acquired taste, one that I acquired quicker than Saff so I swapped my Warm Beetroot/Carrot Halwa for her fruit. Saff must have really liked her moist Halwa – I didn’t get a look in, but she informed me it more cake like than the more usual nut butter-based crumbly halwa.

So it was time to attempt to subtly do up my top button and say our goodbyes to the addictively likable Sultana, who had spent every spare minute between courses to wander around the supper club telling stories and explaining the menu. We left happy and full and at just £25 per person it was amazing value too. So the first in the series of six East Village (E20) supper clubs was a success, and by the look of next five they appear to be equally as good. For more information on the brand new Supper Clubs at East Village (E20) and details on how to book, please click HERE but here is our brief rundown of each event.

EAST VILLAGE SUPPER CLUBS

Signorelli “Escape to the Italian Riviera” Supper Club

Date: Thursday 29th March
Price: £20 per person
Tickets: BUY HERE

As spring approaches, Italian food lover Alberto gets nostalgic for his hometown in Liguria, on the Italian riviera. While enjoying a glass of Rossese, and listening to classic Italian songs from the 80s, he will cook up a feast to bring to life his roots and childhood memories. It’s all about fresh, seasonal, flavoursome ingredients to create simple yet distinctive flavours, even their artisan bread made on site.

Menu highlights
• ‘Torta Pasqualina’ Chard and parmesan savoury pie
• ‘Stocafisso alla Ligure’ Salted cod, olives, pine nuts, tomato and potato stew

Tina, We Salute You “You’ll Get What You Are Given or Fill Up On Biscuits” Supper Club

Date: Wednesday 11th + Thursday 12thApril
Cost: £30 per person
Tickets: BUY HERE 

The award winning third wave café, Tina, We Salute You, welcomes guests to feast on a menu curated with owner Steve’s mums’ motto in mind – “you’ll get what you’re given…”  The fun doesn’t stop there, as guests work their way through the five courses, they will be able to request their favourite ballads from the 80’s and 90’s which guest pianist will perform live.

Menu highlights
• Syrian Fatoush Salad with an Arak Spritz
• Roast Pork Belly / Cauliflower Steak, Deep Fried Mac n’ Cheese Balls and Baked Apple

Darkhorse Basque Country Supper Club

Date: Thursday 26th April
Price: £29 per person
Tickets: BUY HERE 

A very special evening dedicated to just one area of Spain, the Basque Country often proclaimed the food capital of the world! Darkhorse (a modern European restaurant and cocktail bar) have created a menu which encompasses the northern coastal roads from San Sebastián to Bilbao travelling through small fishing villages like Getaria famous for their anchovies. Basque cooking has a reputation for innovation and modern techniques but so much of Basque food is simple food using great ingredients, cooked well with little fuss.

Menu highlights
• Char-grilled lamb neck with Basque spices and black pudding
• Traditional Basque puff pastry cream cake

Ted’s Veg Japanese Vegan Supper Club

Date: Thursday 10th May
Price: £25 per person
Tickets: BUY HERE 

Teds Veg is excited to pay tribute to all the farmers and their produce in an evening of vegan Japanese Washoku cuisine. Washoku revolves around respect for this natural bounty and preparing it in a way that maximizes the natural flavor of the ingredients as much as possible. The superfood menu curated by guest chef, Marie Soh, aims to exemplify the goodness of raw whole foods – not cooked, but warmed to preserve their nutritious elements.

Menu highlights
• Strawberry and tomato gazpacho with fennel salsa
• Celeriac, stewed apple and pickled walnut salad with black olive caramel

Village Vanguard  “Voyage en France” Supper Club

Date: Tuesday 29th May , 7pm
Price: £25 per person
Tickets: BUY HERE 

Bringing traditional French fare to East Village (E20), this brand new Supper Club will take guests back to the roots of French Cuisine.
It’s all about simple, traditional food, made with quality ingredients – served in large quantities to communal tables, creating a truly authentic convivial atmosphere. Four courses of French delights from traditional Coq au Vin to Tart Tatin with matching wines, chosen by wine specialist Thierry Talibon.

Menu highlights
• Seared scallops, black pudding, apple compote
• Baked goat cheese in filo pastry, sautéed peppers, mixed leaf salad

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