For anyone who loves their food and wine, Bright should probably be on your list. This wine bar, wine shop and restaurant comes from the team behind P.Franco, Noble Liquor and Peg, and you can find it in London Fields on the former site of Ellory. At the centre of the kitchen lies a majestic charcoal grill, while the menu changes daily according to what’s fresh, seasonal and available. It’s a sound premise, and one that locals have fallen in love with since it opened a few years ago.
While no two days are ever the same at Bright, examples of dishes you might expect to find include a buckwheat galette with chicory, walnut and Ogleshield, tagliatelle with rabbit and duck offal ragu, and fried veal cotoletta with parmesan fonduta and pancetta giovanna. This is all served in a mix-and-match sharing style, so best to take someone who likes trying a bit of everything. Desserts are just as fun and intriguing – think lemon leaf cream with hibiscus, grapefruit and kumquat.
Naturally, the wine list is impressive and includes a range of white, orange, pink and red types. A rotating list of wines by the glass is the best option for those who would like to try a few, and there’s even a house wine that’s made by the restaurant’s owners. You’ll also find various aperitifs and digestifs to top and tail your meal, as well as a number of non-alcoholic options.
The bar has space for around 20 walk-ins, but organised diners can book the tables at the back, which overlook the open kitchen. The décor has been kept simple here, with high ceilings, wooden tones, large windows and verdant plants creating a serene aesthetic that keeps the focus on the food.