#51 Haggerston, Margate, Valletta
Where's for dinner, this week?
As soon as the sun’s out, all I want to do is eat little plates alfresco.
I get that some people are sick of small plates, but I love them. A chance to try more, and just be lazy grazing over a few hour period. Heaven.
I did that this week at local Vino Vero - a new wine and small plates bar in my home town of Southend.
Their sister spot in Leigh-on-Sea- has been super popular for years, and they now have a second location in Thorpe Bay Broadway. And even better that it’s walking distance from my parents’ house.
We had booked a table outside to do just that, but some mad winds were occurring, which meant we were much safer from the comforts of the beatifically decorated indoors.
We shared manchego with walnuts and orange blossom honey, a generous plate of cured pork, my faves- Torres Olive Oil, big juicy olives and mini pickles. They even brought out gluten free crackers, and stocked a really nice GF pale ale, which was washed down after a glass of orange.
And before I forget - Holy Carrot from last weekend. Perfect. Thoughts here.
1. Towpath, Haggerston
Towpath is one of those little grazing spots that I just need to go to. It’s been on the list forever - but my God it gets popular, often with a queue out the door and down the canal.
Found on Regent’s Canal edge ( the most gawj spot in summer) perch on a bench and eat picky bits from cute plates, as you take in this special little part of London.
Headed up by Lori De Mori and Laura Jackson, the pair also have a book - Towpath - that brings together recipes and stories.
Choose from their blackboard, which changes regularly, but there’s always a lot to love, from meats, dips, and fresh seasonal veggies
The restaurant is strictly walk ins only, so be prepared to queue and is open from Wednesday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm.
I might just take a random day off and go base myself here for an hour or two in the sun.
Have a read here.
2. POM, Margate
You may know Pomus as a well loved wine bar and bottle shop, doubling up as a sharing plates restaurant in the heart of Margate.
But as of just a few days ago, they’ve announced a new location for their new sister - POM - which will sit on the gorgeous harbour arm and open this summer.
You can’t argue, that Margate on a great British Summer’s Day, looking out at sea, and tucking into what we spoke about in our intro, should be on everyone’s list in the next coming months.
Critically loved and labelled one of the best new restaurants of 2024, Pomus heroes local producers such as Whitstable Oysters, Cheesemakers of Canterbury, Chapel Down and Westwell, bringing together the best of Kent.
Promising much of Pomus, but on a smaller scale, I’ll be interested what killer snacks they bring to the table. If it’s anything like it sister - there will be a lot to love. Hoping for the above cheese plate for sure, a must when sun and wine is involved.
Book a table at Pomus here, and keep an eye out for details of POM’s launch of their Instagram.
3. Legligin, Valletta
In the Capital of Malta, you’ll find Legligin - rated the second best place to eat in the capital and mentions on Michelin Guide.
The reason it’s particularly interesting is because there’s no menu. Enjoy a blind tasting experience of roughly seven to nine dishes, with optional wine flight. And prices aren’t crazy either (Dinner Tasting Menu - €45 per person, or for Lunch, €10 cheaper).
What they do share is a promise of hearty homely food emulating a Maltese grandma's warmth, and celebrating Malta’s culinary heritage - which could include their famous Aljotta (fish soup) and a selection of Tnaqqir (tapas) displayed on mismatched crockery.
I’m also slightly obsessed with their dessert menu, which instead of offering a serving, offers the whole cake. So that’s a whole tiramisu, a whole strawberry cream flan, a whole Maltese ricotta and pistachio pie, or a whole white chocolate cheesecake. Better go with a big group or expect pud for brekkie.
There also appears to be veggie and gluten free options. Maybe not GF dessert though. One can dream of a whole tiramisu.
Book a table here.
What’s “Where’s For Dinner?”
Every week I’ll be tempting you with where your next meal out could be - one in London, one in the UK, and one beyond. All places I want to try, but haven’t yet.I would love for you to subscribe (button below), so we can enjoy these places together. And if you have got any tips of your own, I’d love to hear them.