Sager + Wilde Paradise Row

This wine-centric spot is just as cool as its trend-setting wine bar sister, Sager + Wilde on Hackney Road. Positioned just round the corner from Bethnal Green station, it’s joined by several other restaurants (including Arepa & Co) which all share a long dining terrace, making for a secluded, foodie community.

From the kitchen, you can expect a seasonally changing menu of on-trend European dishes, which are beautifully presented, and largely lean towards comfort food territory. On our dinnertime visit, we enjoyed a plate of sweet kohlrabi studded with fleshy crab, creating a bundle of sweetness, while silky ribbons of pappardelle matched with stomach-warming chunks of venison, is a perfect example of the ways in which Sager’s menu adapts with the seasons.

Expertly matched fine wines by the glass and bottle abound, naturally, with a separate, single bottle list adding extra interest and a strong selection of botanical cocktails inviting experimentation. Pricing angles this towards the middle of the market, while a classic interior of dark wooden chairs and gentle lighting reinforce this as a mature option for clued-up Londoners.

Located in the heart of Bethnal Green, Sager + Wilde is a buzzy restaurant serving Mediterranean sharing plates alongside a thoughtfully curated wine list. This location boasts a unique setting within an old railway arch and features an outdoor terrace, the perfect spot for al fresco dinner and drinks on warm summer evenings. Inside guests are greeted by wine bottles and black and white vintage art strewn across the walls and wooden tables and chairs are dimly lit by candles creating a cool and relaxed atmosphere.

Sager + Wilde pride themselves on using seasonal ingredients combined in an exciting way to create a new and enticing experience for diners, the dishes are intended to be shared but can be combined and enjoyed in whatever way you wish. Kick the evening off with a starter plate like the burrata with strawberries, fennel pollen and chervil or try the scallop crudo with tomato, kumquat, green chilli and smoked rapeseed oil. There’s also a choice of homemade pasta dishes such as tagliatelle with fig, pea and fresh ricotta, and tonnarelli with octopus putanesca. If you’re after a more substantial plate, try one of the larger dishes like the pork fillet with borlotti beans, rainbow chard, tarragon and capers. Vegans will be pleased to hear there is a dedicated plant-based menu, so they needn't be left behind. Highlights of this include cavatelli with summer mushrooms, and aubergine with slow-cooked tomato, basil and pangrattato.

The wine list is extensive and boasts a separate ‘by the glass’ European list, and a lengthy bottle list that has a range of prices suitable for all budgets including a rare section of the highest quality wines if you’d like to splash out. There’s also plenty of aperitivo and cocktails to peruse and a modest selection of craft beer and cider if that’s more your bag.