Shoreditch & The East
See and do
The streets of Shoreditch and Spitalfields are loaded up with some of London’s best fashion finds. For some British boots, moccasins and shoes, including the nation’s finest Brogues, stop by Grenson, where it’s all about handmade and high quality. Ò18 Hanbury St, London. +44 20 7377 8099. www.grenson.co.uk. Shoreditch High St/
Liverpool St. The Victoria Miro Gallery hosts some of the best exhibitions in East London and a visit to this former furniture factory rarely disappoints. Located on the border between Hoxton and Islington, the gallery covers two floors and a landscaped garden overlooking Regent’s Canal, which has been used for installations by artists such as Yayoi Kusama. Ò16 Wharf Rd, London. +44 20 7336 8109. www.victoria-miro.com. Old Street.
Eat and drink
When two great chefs get together and buy a dodgy pub in Hackney, you can expect some pretty good things. In the case of the Marksman, it is amazing things, courtesy of the creative genius of Tom Harris and Jon Rotheram, who list St John, One Leicester Street and Fifteen on their CVS. Menu highlights include
devilled crab on toast, beef and barley buns with horseradish cream, fried salt hake and potato rissoles, curried duck and a chicken and wild garlic pie for two. Save room for pudding because the brown butter and honey tart and quince and saffron sorbet are must-orders. Ò254 Hackney Rd, London. +44 20 7739 7393. www.marksmanpublichouse.com. Hoxton.
Table drinks service from friendly staff, booth seating, a snooker table and a minimalist design with exposed brick and timbers? Yeah we’re at home here at Original Sin, a Stoke Newington drinking den that was named Best New Bar by
Time Out London last year. Order a Red Hook (rye, maraschino and Punt e Mes) or an Iron Butterfly (Peppercorn Tequila, cider brandy, mezcal, apple juice, lime, honey and Gamma Ray American Pale Ale) for £8.50. Ò129 Stoke Newington High St, London. +44 20 7241 4148. originalsin.bar/. Stoke Newington.
Stay
Commanding a brilliant location on Shoreditch High Street, the Ace Hotel London Shoreditch is the pick of digs in this part of the capital thanks its designer rooms, the Bulldog Edition café (which serves up the hood’s best coffee), minimalist Lobby Bar, and modernist English brasserie Hoi Polloi. Book an Ace suite, which has a wrap-around terrace. Ò100 Shoreditch High St, London. +44 20 7613 9800. www.acehotel.com/london. Shoreditch High Street.