Caravan Kings Cross

Christmas is now days away and if I could head out for a big festive night out I'd head straight to Caravan in Kings Cross. (This might not be on the cards with a small child and a hefty to-list before hosting the big day for my family, but who knows...)

The original Caravan in Exmouth Market was impressive enough and I mentioned it on this blog a couple of years ago. But – and big but – Caravan Kings Cross is very good indeed. It helps that it is located by the Regent's Canal in the stylishly renovated Granary Building that also houses Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design. This big, buzzy industrial space feels awesome – and, to be honest, feels like the kind place that London has been waiting for for decades. (I'm a bit biased as I live nearby in Tufnell Park, so feel very excited about the redevelopment of this part of London and the proximity of Eurostar.)

Like the original branch, it is open all day for breakfast, brunch and dinner, offering notably good food and especially coffee (which they roast themselves). However, what I liked most was the drinks list. Creative cocktails include Martinis (pictured above) made with Sacred Gin (produced at home in Highgate by Ian Hart): 'Dirty' with basil and 'Clean' with cucumber (both £8). The seasonal Spiced Apple and Pear Daquiri sounded good (£6.50). Champagnes included Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs (£9.50 a glass, £50 a bottle) – a particular favourite and what we served at our wedding – and magnificent Jacquesson 734 (£50 a bottle). Prosecco is offered on tap for £4.50 a glass and there are a couple of beers from local Camden Brewery: Hells Lager and a Pale Ale brewed exclusively for Caravan. The list is fleshed out by many other tempting options, so tempting, in fact, that I paid the price the next morning.

Caravan will be closed between 24th December and Wednesday 2nd January, so try and get there this weekend if you want to treat yourself to a well-deserved festive drink (and some tasty food). Merry Christmas!

Caravan of Exmouth Market

When I recently visited this new restaurant/bar in Exmouth Market, I don't think I experienced the best of what it has to offer. Despite most aspects of Caravan being perfectly good, I imagine it really comes into its own for breakfast or a leisurely weekend brunch to fully enjoy the delicious coffee they roast onsite.

That said, we had a very enjoyable evening. It was a mild and sunny and Caravan’s light, corner site was an ideal spot. What’s more, you are immediately struck by the friendly, relaxed atmosphere (the team behind it are Antipodean and chef, Miles Kirby, previously worked at Providores). My friend had already arrived and was sipping a virgin mojito and I opted for a glass of Picpoul de Pinet from quite a succinct wine list offering an interesting selection from around the world. Most wines are priced below £30 per bottle and about half are served by the glass (from £4.50). There are also some tempting sherries and ports, draft and bottled beer, organic cider, malt whiskies, fruit eaux de vie from Alsace, cocktails (including a tempting pear bellini £6.50; others £7.50) and thoughtfully selected soft drinks such as Fentimans ginger beer and lemonade. If you’re serious about coffee, several single origin coffees are available, as well as more regular offerings using the house blend. To continue the experience at home, bags of beans or ground coffee are on sale at £4 per 250g and £15 per kilo.

 

We selected our food from the all-day menu (served Monday to Saturday 12 noon–11pm). Wanting to try a few small dishes, I went for falafel (with apple and pepper relish, tahini and coriander), salt and Sichuan pepper squid with chilli mayonnaise, with a side dish of corn bread with chipotle butter. Other dishes from the ‘small plates’ section of the menu that caught my eye included golden beetroot, berkswell, poached egg and watercress and, secondly, home cured organic salmon, sesame cucumber and rye crumbs. 

My friend had almond couscous, tomato ragout, aubergine and sumac yoghurt from the ‘large plates’ section which she described as very tasty, but a bit sloppy (above). 

My falafel was okay, but a bit dry (above right) and the squid nicely spiced, but chewy (below). What stood out for me, though, was the cornbread and chipotle butter – lovely contrasting flavours and textures: the smoky chilli warmth of the butter worked brilliantly with the sweetness of the corn, refreshed by a squeeze of lime (above left). Great.

We skipped pudding and coffee, although I was sorely tempted by the chocolate, espresso pudding with crème fraîche sorbet. Our bill for two with a couple of drinks came to about £40.

I’m sure I’ll be getting back there very soon for weekend brunch with husband and small daughter in tow. I’ll be needing another bag of fabulous Finca Irupana Bolivian coffee. (The picture above shows the imposing looking coffee roaster in the cellar.)

11–13 Exmouth Market

London EC1R 4QD

Tel 020 7833 8115

Open 8am–11pm Mon to Fri; 10am–11pm Sat; 10am–4pm Sun.
http://www.caravanexmouth.co.uk/