There's some very bright, bold and fresh flavours on offer on OSLO's summer menu.
A vital part of Hackney’s clubbing and live music scene, OSLO rarely needs an introduction. From its impressive gig listings that showcase every level of the international music industry, to its packed out club nights that cause queues all the way back to the Hackney Central ticket office, it’s been a thriving part of local nightlife for nearly five years now. The Nordic-inspired bar also brings some very fine casual dining to the area, with gut-busting burgers and innovative Scandi starters, so we went down to try out the latest offerings from their summer menu.
It's surprisingly chilled out for a Friday evening, with a few tables of diners and post-work drinkers chucking back their pints. One look at the menu and my friend and I immediately fall on the Chicken & Waffle (£12). The honey and wholegrain mustard gravy turning the smoked bacon waffle into a gooey mess of dough, gravy juice and buttermilk chicken crumbs. The cabbage slaw poaches the dish a delightful shade of lilac, while the crunchy-coated chicken and a few red chilli slices bring a nice zap of spice to the ensemble. It’s a poultry double bill as the Iberian Chicken Salad (£9) offers tender sous-vide breast next to a gargantuan pile of crunch-fresh baby gem lettuce topped with with chorizo crumble, almond flakes, parmesan and a heavy-handed drizzle of paprika aioli. There’s a lot of flavours battling for dominance in this dish, but they do their best work when all piled together on your fork.
Spacious and relaxed interiors make it a great spot for an easy bite to eat, day or night.
As the evening wears on, the pace certainly picks up and by 9pm the lights are dimmer, the music louder and the bar is pulling in a crowd. Boasting a tantalising cocktail menu, it's well worth digging into the drinks list here as well. Bringing sugar and spice in equal measure, the Gentlemen’s Sour (£8.50) is a tart and refreshing drink boasting Haig Club and plum sake, topped with a duvet of egg-white froth and a slick of cinnamon across the top. It’s the OSLO Spritz (£8.50) that clinches it though, fronting pear, ginger and yuzu sherbet, bitter bianco and a bergamot peel aperitivo topped up with prosecco. It starts off deliciously cold and bitter, sweetening as it warms but maintaining the crisp edge of an ice cold dry white.
The DesignMyNight Digest
Ideal for a pre-gig bite, or just a sunny weekend lunch on the outdoor terrace, you’re in safe hands with OSLO. Packing their dishes with big, fresh flavours and a hefty helping of Nordic soul, it’s a chilled-out dining experience perfect for balmy evenings.
