The Rosemary Branch

/ The Ribs /

/ The Crumble /

The Rosemary Branch is North London's award wining theatre - a small theatre situated right on the border of hackney and Islington. Yet it is also a pub and a restaurant. You get a sense of this mixed and quirky personality once inside the pub. It is one of those no-fuss - yet charming - type of places with a very strange yet intriguing decor where everything clashes yet works. There are boardgames lining the walls, but then there are also airplanes dangling from the roof and a old piano stuffed in one of the corners of the pub. 

They pride themselves in their freshly cooked and even award winning food. they were the winner of the 'Best Foodie Experience' at the 2011 OWE awards. This being said, the prices remain very reasonable. Their extra large ribs are a must for a quick snack and at only 5£ you can't really say no. 

They are extremely dog friendly which is great as the pub is situated in between Rosemary Gardens and Shoreditch park.

Where:
The Rosemary Branch
2 Shepperton Road
Islington
London N1 3DT

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The Blue Legume

/ The Cumberland sausage Breakfast / 

/ Eggs Royale /

/ Chocolate Con Churros and Banana Milkshake /

The blue legume is a chain with restaurants in Islington Stoke Newington and Crouch Hill. They are all generally packed on a weekend, especially during brunch hours and it is probably best to ring them up to book a table. Their poached eggs are always a success and everything is affordable and good. They have a very wholesome approach to food and don't expect to give your tastebuds the best culinary experience they have had but you will be feed and you will be feed well. They also have a good selection of fresh juices and their salads are also a decent size.

Sadly they don't accept dogs, unless you are sat on the terrace. 

Where:
The Blue Legume
177 Upper Street
Islington
London N1 IRG

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Duke's Brew&Que

/Dukes's Breakfast/

/Mister Frenchie's Ravioli/

Dukes's is most famous for its incredible - and gigantic may I add - spare ribs. I will do a separate post on their dinner menu another time.This being said, they also do a mean American brunch where the portions are just big enough to finish. We went for the classic breakfast - two eggs, three strips crispy streaky bacon, Brazilian beef and pork sausage, diced home fried potatoes, grilled tomatoes, sauté mushrooms and toasted sourdough - and the not so-classic french toast - french toast stuffed with crispy bacon and cream cheese with loads of maple syrup (see picture above). Both were extremely good but the Mister frenchie's ravioli was a definite winner - different, unexpected and extremely tasty. Definitely something I want to try at home. The Dukes's breakfast was the perfect post-hangover breakfast but it probably wasn't the best nor the tastiest 'full English - or American - breakfast' we have tasted so far, but it is definitely up there with some of the best. This being said, the paprika potatoes were a nice addition.

Everything on the brunch menu looked so good so we will definitely be returning to taste something else. With the weather warmer and dryer, you can sit outside on the terrace (which is sadly mainly in the shade - but really who cares when the food is so good.

They are also very dog friendly. Although you will probably not be able to eat inside seeing as they have an open kitchen.

Where:
Duke's Brew & Que
33 Downham Road
De Beauvoir Town
Hackney
London N1 5AA

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Columbia Road Flowers

ph/Private

Columbia Road on a Saturday is spectacular with ever surface covered in flowers stalls and plants. This magical market is tucked away at the heart of East London in what would normally be an unlikely setting. You can also grab a coffee and a bite to eat and get lost in Hackney park on the way back from market. If you are on a serious plant or flower hunt I would suggest you get there as early as possible because the market attracts a lot of people - both locals and tourists - and it can get very busy, especially during summer.

Where:
Flower Market
from 8am until 4pm Saturdays
Columbia Road
London E2 7RG

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