Saltine is a modern restaurant that was opened in Highbury in the later months of 2023 by Mat Appleton and Jess Blackstone, along with head chef Phil Wood. Saltine is all about offering seasonal and contemporary cooking in a smart space that feels comfortable. The menu is designed to be vibrant and creative, with seasonal dishes that reflect the best ingredients. The restaurant is open all day with coffee and cocktails available in the bar, depending on what time of day you're visiting. In the evening, the full menu operates in the restaurant.
At lunchtime, begin with some olives, potato sourdough and butter, or pickled mackerel on rye. Then, perhaps you'll order the crispy lamb and celeriac remoulade, or the pumpkin scapece with roast hazelnuts and spenwood. Don't forget about the chips, of course. Round off your lunch time feast with a sticky toffee apple cake or some St Tola with rye crackers and fig chutney.
Dinner time has slightly different offerings, with starter additions of chicken liver parfait and saltines, along with the brandade on toast with soft eggs. There are also dishes of peppered venison with beetroot and quince, and Cornish crab with pomelo and creme fraiche. For your main, try out the red mullet with fennel and salsa verde, or the Swiss chard with gubbeen gratin and chanterelles. Another delicious dessert to finish on is the mandarin granita with citrus jelly.
The bar has its own menu, with some of the same dishes from the restaurant, along with crispy lamb and aioli nibbles, persimmon with stracciatella and rye toast, and chips and gravy - a classic that nobody can resist. And, a chocolate mousse with candied kumquats and arlettes.