Mishkin’s comes from the restauranteur legend and master of dark lighting, exposed brick and no reservations – Russell Norman. What makes this restaurant different from his others however (Spuntino and the numerous Polpo’s) is that you can book – hoorah!
The other main difference is that Mishkin’s is ‘a kind of Jewish delhi with cocktails’. How very intriguing. The restaurant itself is a pretty little place with a bar by the entrance where you can drink, eat and admire the pretty and oh so trendy barmen shake their cocktails and stir their Negronis.
It only seemed appropriate that my lady friend and I try one of these Negroni cocktails (£8) that everyone seems so obsessed with at the moment. It’s basically a Gin, Vermouth and Campari concoction and although it looked rather sexy, it simply wasn’t for me. There’s only one thing I hate more than Gin, and that’s Campari – how can people drink that stuff? Bitter, bitter, bitter!
I decided to start with the whitebait, garlic mayo and parsley sauce (£6) and wasn’t exactly bowled over by the look of it – no wonder the restaurant is so dark. However the fish had a lovely crisp batter and dunked in the mayo hidden underneath it was really delicious.
My lady friend’s gin cured salmon, pickled apple and beetroot (£7) looked vibrantly pink. The salmon was delightful but the apple was so sharp it was close to being inedible. It was served with some soft white bread and butter which was a more suitable pairing.
The slow roast lamb, celeriac mash and pickled red cabbage (£12) was a very hearty main course. The lamb was crispy in places and full of flavour – the tangy red cabbage and the creamy celeriac mash all worked together brilliantly. The perfect meal to soak up all that Campari which had quickly gone to my head.
A side of fried onion rings (£4) were heavenly; seriously crunchy and not soggy in the slightest.
My lady friend’s meat loaf, soft egg and mash (£11) was really enjoyable. The soft boiled egg was hidden inside the moist meat loaf and the yolk burst to reveal a yummy gooey yolk. Both main courses were comfort food indeed, which left us both extremely satisfied.
I really liked the look of Mishkin’s and I couldn’t help but take quite a liking to the beautiful sink in the bathroom (I must have been drunk!) – it really was most unusual and rather lovely. I do love a good bathroom!
As is often the case with Russell Norman’s restaurants, as soon as it turns dark outside the lights go even dimmer and the music goes up a notch and suddenly you find yourself drinking cocktails and really enjoying yourself – or at least we did anyway. Mishkin’s had a great atmosphere to it – the staff were young and “hip” but most importantly friendly and the food was very simple but tasty.
Maybe it’s the handsome bar staff or the copious amounts of cocktails – either way I rather enjoyed myself.
7/10
