Ombra Venetian restaurant

One month ago, a disused shop in between Regent’s Canal and Viktor Wynd’s Little Shop of Horrors (The Last Tuesday Society) took on a new identity as a cafe and art gallery.

East London is known for its pop-up restaurants, DIY supper clubs and shabby-chic cafes, but ANDOR BUREAU is something a little bit special.

ANDOR GALLERY has been running since 2010 with monthly exhibitions and the new opening is ANDOR BUREAU, which hosts the gallery and presents a film programme, one-off supper clubs, evening events and delicious food and drink throughout the day.

After passing the cafe every day on the way to Bethnal Green tube, we took a stroll down to Ombra, the new Venetian restaurant opposite, looked around the art galleries on Vyner Street and finished at ANDOR BUREAU for coffee and cake.

Coffee is by Monmouth and there is a selection of mouth-watering salads and sandwiches (mostly £5.50 and under) and cakes. We ordered two flat whites and a slice of New York Cheesecake with Berries to share.

The flat whites were petite, strong and rich roasted with a slightly sharp after-taste often found in French coffee.

The New York cheesecake looked like it had come straight from a foodie magazine shoot and it tasted as good as it looked. It was creamy and light with a touch of vanilla and an insanely delicious base – the berries and fresh mint also made it not overly sweet.

In fact, the baker of the cheesecake was sitting at the table next to us, so you can be assured that everything is home-made.

The art installation at the time of our visit was ‘Let’s Be Civil’ a collaboration between Gandt and ANDOR. Based on the concept of a civil partnership between the two, guests are invited to offer a gift, inspired by a standard John Lewis wedding gift list.

Gandt describe the creation in the ANDOR GALLERY as a “quasi-domestic, quasi performative, semi-public/private amalgamation of kind, friendly and slightly obliged donations.”

To be honest, at first I just thought ANDOR were into their bric-a-brac and had slightly questionable taste, but it’s art…so go and have a look!

ANDOR is a delightfully odd space and a hub of creativity with a relaxed community feel. Go for coffee and cake and watch the world go by or be more adventurous and try one of the foodie event. I’m saving my pennies for the end of the month Brunch of Doom!

For more info and menus, visit: www.creativeandorcultural.com

Going past Vyner Street on the bus every day, I noticed a few signs of activity in a disused building on the corner. One day there were a few tables and chairs, then people sitting inside, then a paper sign decreeing the name Ombra, then a crowd of people eating and drinking in the mysterious new opening.

At first, I thought it was another Hackney pop up, but it turns out Ombra is a petite new restaurant serving up authentic Venetian dishes and cicchetti and is very much here for good.

Perched on the side of Regent’s Canal in the former Alma Enterprises contemporary art gallery (and before that, possibly a factory), Ombra looks more like an extension of the Vyner Street art spaces than a restaurant.

Inside, it’s filled with simple wooden second-hand furniture and glossy hot pink, blue and yellow tables by artist Russell Bamber and features an authentic Italian bar. It feels like a graphic design studio, but with Negronis and pasta!

The chalkboard features four daily specials and we were immediately tempted by Homemade Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce (£5). Other traditional Venetian dishes included Burrata Pugliese, Ham and Melon and Broccoli and Potato Salad.

The set-up is informal and typically Italian – a sugar paper place mat with a fork and spoon were casually slung down before the food came out. A nice touch was the decorative glass decanters of water and large continental beer glasses filled with napkins.

Head Chef and co-founder Andrea Michelon prepared our spaghetti and brought it out himself, greeting us with quick ‘buongiorno‘. The spaghetti was cooked al dente and the sauce was made with slow-roasted tomatoes and garnished with fresh basil.

It was subtle and hearty with no acidity and the portion size was generous for a late-lunch. I couldn’t help smothering it in freshly-grated parmesan cheese and every mouthful was a delight.

If you come to Ombra in the evening or just fancy a boozy afternoon, try a traditional Venetian spritz, a fine Italian wine or a digestif at the bar – their selection includes Aperol, Campari and Sailor Jerry’s.

Vegetables are sourced locally while artisan bread comes from the nearby E5 Bakehouse and meat is bought in from The Ginger Pig in Victoria Park.

Our bill came to just £15 for two, including a service charge, which is exceptionally good for the quality and amount of spaghetti. The menu changes daily, so I’m dying to go back and work my way through the dishes, as research into Venetian cuisine, of course!

Ombra, 1 Vyner Street, London, E2 9DG.

All photos by Cherie City.

Coffee and Cake at ANDOR BUREAU, Hackney

Venetian Dishes at Ombra in Hackney