Back in December – feels like forever ago now! – we popped into Clapton’s new jazz café Jackdaw; just across from Clapton Pond for the locals among you. Outstanding food and with a most photogenic refurb…
Exposed brick walls just the way I like them, upstairs a vintage tiled bar leading into a cosy snug of a space where the main restaurant is, full of character and quirky retro bits and pieces. White grated steps lead down to the speakeasy jazz space below, complete with a little stage for the bands and decks for DJ sets (owner Ash plays!). A cosy comfort zone, the food is a real headturner. Head chef Joshua Dallaway (recently appeared in Alex Polizzi’s BBC series ‘Chefs on Trial’) seems to have the culinary magic touch.
Our first visit we had the most delicious poached eggs and avocados on toast. Best I’ve ever had. Full. Stop. And coffees and pastries. But we came back a few days later for the full Sunday roast and it was perfect. Clean and fresh, if you can say that about a roast – I mean, not overcooked and sloshing in gravy, the chicken and the veg you could really properly taste. The pudding was a water-cressed garnished crumble and out of this world. And though I was bursting, I had to wolf it down. Oh, and we had a live jazz singer crooning just inches away from us. Gus was spellbound and clapped every classic number end.
So, amazing food plus live jazz in the evenings (check out the Jackdaw Periscope for the latest gig) and sometimes in the day and just the most relaxing atmosphere. I can’t wait to go back. Enjoy the photo tour! Oh, and in case you’re wondering why Jackdaw – it’s a bit of Yorkshire slang…
