Dalston Lane Cafe: A great breakfast

Half way between Hackney Downs station and Ridley Road market on Dalston Lane, there lies an unremarkable row of shops, many of which rest unoccupied. No doubt once the shopping centre for the immediate community, these sites have long since been lain to rest by the emergence of large supermarkets at Dalston Junction and Hackney Central. Such broadways are invariably converted to residential accommodation, especially in high-demand areas with a young rental market. DLC, however, has emerged within the row to herald a renaissance for the commercial viability of neighbouring properties, which may now provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to reincarnate them to suit the developing clientele of the area. Indeed, the owners of the new Healthy Stuff next door are indebted to the lead taken by DLC.

For DLC to have succeeded it needed two things: an understanding of what their market wanted and the ability to deliver it. Thankfully they have an abundance of both.

The café décor is suitably retro kitsch: not too smart yet comfortable and clean. The atmosphere this creates matches the fare on offer. The menu is typical of a greasy spoon, yet the ingredients are of a higher quality than you will find elsewhere. The sausages contain nearer 100% than 50% meat, the bacon is largely water free, the black pudding subtly flavoured and the condiments are branded rather than overbearingly sugary, cheap alternatives. For a little extra you can upgrade to granary bread, and real butter portions are supplied to butter your toast with. The breakfast is all in all just about perfect, and at £6.90 for the works is surely worth what extra it costs compared to the inferior alternative venues.

If all day breakfasts aren’t what you’re looking for, there’s always muesli for a healthy option, and French toast for something a bit different. There are a range of warm sandwiches on the menu, supplemented by daily specials such as steak and rocket or bacon and brie. While the coffee is below par, builder’s tea is a reasonably priced extra, as are a range of speciality teas. Tap water is self-served from jugs on a side table, meaning you don’t have to wait when you arrive and realize how thirsty your hangover has made you.

Service has improved as the establishment has grown into its popularity, with the only downside being that swaps to set breakfasts are charged as extra. As more people learn of the quality on offer, you will find it difficult to get a table at the weekend, but, more often than not, it’s still worth the wait.

Pros: Reasonably priced, quality ingredients, friendly atmosphere, WiFi.

Cons: Changes to set menus charged as extra, weak coffee.

170c Dalston Lane, Hackney, E8 1NG

Anatolia - a safe kebab choice

So after fifteen years of thinking about it, I am finally going to try and start writing something on a regular basis. Everyone always says to write what you know, and one thing I definitely do know about is eating around the Hackney area.

I'll start with one of my regular haunts: Anatolia, 253 Mare Street.

The place is a pretty typical Turkish barbecue restaurant (an Ockabasi), a little away from Hackney's main stretch of them, which lie north of Dalston Junction. As such there's only a couple of alternatives if you're looking for a proper kebab, but that doesn't matter as this is one of the best in the borough.

Shish kebab rolls are my takeaway of choice, and the meat is always of a good quality and well cooked. At £3.50, or £5 for a large, they also represent just about the best value you'll find. The chilli sauce is pretty spicy, so just trust their judgement rather than make the mistake (as I have a couple of times) of asking for more. The flavours speak for themselves and don't require being masked out by spiciness. For those that want a doner kebab, you can actually sometimes see them making the chicken on the premises, while the lamb similarly consists of real meat cuts pushed together rather than the ubiquitous processed crap.

If you're looking for a decent meal out, then Anatolia will also fit the bill. They have a range of fairly priced stews and meat dishes, and all of those I've tried have been good (not outstanding, but then you wouldn't expect so at these prices) and at least match the quality of the more expensive competition. A couple of recommendations are the Patlican (lamb and aubergine) and the Adana (lamb kofte in a tomato and onion sauce). You'll always be served some warm, fresh turkish bread, and for a couple of pounds you can add some olives and hummus to enjoy while you wait. While the atmosphere doesn't make it great for a first date, it's a good place for pre drinking groups or a cheap meal with a mate or partner.

Finally, for those of us that sometimes run out of food money as we're saving it for the pub, you can always pop in for a lamachun. For £1.30 you get a flat bread roll containing minced lamb paste and salad, which is enough to fill a hole at a tiny price. This tip goes for pretty much any of the Turkish places around Hackney, with the product always having hit the spot.

Good for: cheap, good kebabs, late night meals to absorb some of the drink, cheap meal with friends or a partner.
Not so good for: a romantic meal, a flat belly.
Drinking: they sell alcohol on the premises and allow you to bring your own on the odd occasion they run out. A range of soft drinks are also available.
Vegetarians: fully catered for, with two of the daily stews plus other menu items.