Tucked away on a quiet side street close to London Fields station, stands Wringer & Mangle, an old industrial laundry turned modern British restaurant and bar. On a blustery and cool April evening, the warm lights of this hidden East-London hangout were a welcoming herald of the friendly and laid-back atmosphere we would find within. Our experience that evening was defined by the hearty food, expertly mixed cocktails and a venue that makes the most of its colourful East London heritage.
The Venue
Wringer & Mangle’s vintage laundry theme pervades throughout, with the old wringer and mangle itself standing in pride of place at the far end of the large restaurant space, and the delicious cocktail menu containing such gems as The Laundry and the Pre-Wash. Despite the open and lofty interiors, Wringer & Mangle manages to create a sense of warmth and simple elegance throughout the 250 cover venue. Contemporary artwork adorns the whitewashed walls and vintage-style filament lights hang from the ceiling.
Open, airy and bright, Wringer & Mangle retains a quirky vibe with its contemporary artworks.
The Food & Drink
The food is simple and done well, and the portion sizes generous. I tried my first pork scratchings (£3) - by which I mean gourmet, homemade pork scratching sticks more akin to the crackling you would have with a good Sunday Roast. Being a salt fiend, I did feel the need to cover mine in the stuff.
To start I had the Steak tartar and sourdough (£8.50) and my friend had the Duck and pork sausage roll with tomato chutney (£7). Then for mains we went for the Westcombe ricotta and squash rotolo (£13), and the freerange spatchcock baby chicken (£16) with seasonal greens (£3.50) The flavours dished up are wholesome and comforting, with the gastropub feel menu conjuring up a uniquely British sense of lazy Sundays spent enjoying some proper home-cooked fare at a local pub. At the same time, the menu presents customers with plenty of interesting dishes and combinations and there is a strong emphasis on sourcing fresh, seasonal ingredients. We finished with the Chocolate tart and blood orange (£7) and the Neal's Yard cheese board (£10).
Wringer & Mangle's crowning glory are its cocktails. All based upon the classic Tom Collins, each one has been given an interesting twist, and the resulting concoctions, each weighing in at about the £8-10 mark, are delicious. I went for a fruity theme, beginning with the Bramble, a sweet vodka-based cocktail using fresh blackberries and ginger root, and later continuing with the Crumble. My friend went for choices in-keeping with the restaurant’s overarching theme, opting for the Pre-wash and the Laundry.
One of the many delicious spins on the classic Tom Collins offered on the Wringer & Mangle cocktail menu.
The Atmosphere
The vibe here is friendly and unpretentious, and overall creates a very pleasant setting in which to spend a relaxing evening chilling with friends or partners. There is a young, fashionable East London crowd who frequent the venue, coming in for after-work drinks or staying to enjoy the comforting menu of seasonal delights offered up by the kitchen. Whilst we were not there on a particularly busy evening, there was still a pleasant hum of chatter and sense of ease flowing throughout the venue.
The bar area is a popular spot for after-work drinks, and there's a lovely alfresco spot to discover as summer draws closer.
Summary
Overall I was very impressed by this new gem in East London's crown. The restaurant and bar staff are lovely and clearly experienced at making their customers feel relaxed and well looked-after. I would suggest that Wringer & Mangle is equally good as a spot for drinks, be that a few glasses after work or a sophisticated starting point to a night out, as for a relaxed lunch or dinner. My advice? Make sure you sample the cocktail menu. Food-wise, take advantage of the moreish appetisers as well as the hearty mains.
