Hill and Szrok | Broadway Market, E8

As it usually happens at the beginning of the year, I found myself looking for areas of my life where I could improve. And while at first, I found myself at a loss…for quite some time…I knew deep down that I haven’t been as brave with my exploration of London as perhaps I should be. I know 'the ends' well, you know, pockets of North London -  Camden, Regent’s Park and neighbouring Marylebone teeny bits of South like Brixton and parts of West London where I went to school. 

In my glory days of being one of PR’s most highly recommended interns, I have set up shop in East London, though, embarrassingly as a native Londoner I hadn’t been to places like Broadway Market [I write this blushing with shame]. I have to admit, I don’t think I had even been to The Barbican until Basquiat came to town and I had heard so many incredible things about it that it felt sinful not to go. I mean, it was pretty fucking gorgeous and I fell in love with Jean-Baptiste. He had me at Boom. 

Alas, we aren’t here to highlight my shortcomings (are we?!). This is my roundabout way to of saying that I found myself one Sunday, after taking up a class at Gym Class, pulling all my muscles, and indulging in an overpriced green juice at The Hoxton, making my way towards virgin territory - Columbia Road Flower market. 

I, unfortunately, was not prepared enough to bring cash with me but I enjoyed the wandering around, among the flowers, succulents and the hipsters. Quite stunning really. 

And carrying on, hungry, through Haggerston Park, we made our way towards Broadway Market where we happened upon our Sunday Lunch spot. I have followed Hill and Szrok on the 'Gram for a while so was pleased when we found it.

Hill and Szrok describe itself as Butcher shop by day and a 'Cookshop' by night. It is the brain-child of Luca Mathiszing-Lee who thought that more could be done with the traditional butcher shop - if they served food at night, they would be their own supplier and cut out the middleman. And it proved to be popular. When Hill and Szrok (named after trained butcher Thomas Richardson Hill, and chef Alex Szrok) first opened, there were queues all the way down Broadway Market. This Sunday, their large, communal table was full so we grabbed one of their bar seats, crowned by a wine bottle, ambient 'art' piece. 

They do a reasonable lunch menu - £15 for 2 courses and £19 for 3. Can’t argue there.

I started the meal with a little slab of Salt Beef with was served with pickled cabbage and a horseradish cream topped with caraway seeds which were delicious.  The salt beef was deliciously savoury, if a teeny bit on the slim side, though this is my greed speaking. And I would have liked more punch from the horseradish which was a little weak.

My gorgey companion did well, ordering the burrata. I mean, unless you're going to serve a tired, old, thick-skinned burrata then it will always be a winner. It was served with toasted hazelnuts, honey and cured egg yolk which was sweet and, oddly, a bit citrusy. At first, I thought this was some lemon derivative, though, this was untrained palate. Essentially, they take an egg yolk and leave it in salt for 2-4 days. The cured yolk, now hard, is then grated over the dish.

We both ordered the Pork for the main course which was great – juicy and with crispy crackling. It was served with cavalo nero, Jerusalem artichoke which I LOVED with the pork and topped with a herbaceous, pesto/salsa which I ignored in favour of the mustard which is kept in the jars on the tables. 

To finish it all off, my gal pal had an ice cream and I had the cheese - a little slice for a £2 supplement. No pictures because by this time my phone was charging behind the bar and my glamorous assistant, who did take some pictures, has since smashed her phone (for the fifteenth time...) A lovely way to round off our little day of exploration and with a price to die for!

Is Hackney my new spiritual homeland? Perhaps not as I am a NW1 gal through and through, but the food is good and it was a lovely way to while away a few hours on a Sunday. Plus, I really want to try out El Ganso Cafe. 

The Damage: £50 (including 2 glasses of wine)

Hill and Szrok

60 Broadway Market 

London 

E8 4QJ