I am using the words Supper Club in a completely different meaning of what you might expect here, this is not a get-together of likeminded foodies in an unusual pop-up location. No, Iron Bloom is a restaurant with a club vibe, giving you three reasons to visit this new Shoreditch venture: delicious British food with a few twists and classic, yet unusual cocktails, paired with an eclectic music menu, all curated by experts and brought to you by the people behind the legendary Looking Glass Cocktail Club.
This former iron factory has been transformed into a place that is both edgy and cosy at the same time. Some of the previous fixtures have been incorporated in the interior design, like a safe in the basement that is now a table or the top of the lift cage which houses the DJ booth. There is exposed brickwork, lots of metal, but also wood and plenty of candles to give the décor warmth. There are inviting booth and a handmade bench with chairs that takes up the middle of the main floor plus more seating that surrounds the open kitchen downstairs.
This may not be the place to go for a romantic dinner for two, but it is highly recommended as somewhere to go with friends who love their food, cocktails and music in equal measures.
The food is made for sharing and is seriously good. It is lovingly prepared, beautifully presented and very colourful, though in the dim light that is sometimes difficult to see. But the taste definitely makes up for it.
We got to try quite a few of the dishes on the menu at the official launch and loved them all. Nibbles include Black Pudding Quail Scotch Egg and Wild Boar, Game & Apple Croquettes. Very moreish! From the sharing menu we had English Lamb Cutlets served with Tabbouleh and Citrus Curd; Smoked Cod Roe with Crab Butter on Crumpets topped with Caviar (You must try this! It was a favourite with almost everybody we talked to on the night); Red Mullet cooked with Agave, Rum, Raisin and Pineapple wrapped in Banana Leaf cooked over charcoal (I loved this!), Tuna Tartare with Lime & Samphire; Crack & Cheese (a creamy three cheese mac’n’cheese) or Wagyu beef and Bone Marrow Burger, which was one of the best burger I have ever eaten. Saying that, I was not so keen on the blue burger bun, the burger is so good, it does not need a gimmick. Lovely, lovely food, but maybe a bit light on vegetarian or vegan dishes (though it does say on the menu that dishes can be amended).
As Iron Bloom is brought to you by the creators of Looking Glass Cocktail Club, purveyors of quality at the forefront of the Shoreditch cocktail scene, you are right to expect some seriously good cocktails. We got to try the refreshing Iron Spritz (Green Chartreuse, saffron liqueur, cumin liqueur, touch of lime, topped up with beer or prosecco), the fruity Berrigroni (Havana 8, pomegranate aperitif and Punte e Me) and the smoky Scotch & Steak (Chivas Regal 12, Oloroso sherry wine, Montenegro rosé and petal liqueur served with smoking cinnamon and crackling). The finale of the evening was a flaming punch – there were so many bottles, I have no idea what went into it, but it was very, very good.
What makes Iron Bloom standout amongst the competition is its focus on music. Up a small iron staircase and set within the cage of a disused lift shaft is the DJ booth featuring the ever faithful set up of Technics 1210’s and Pioneer mixer. The crackle of vinyl washes over you as it emanates through the Martin Audio speakers. The venue has its very own music programming curated by resident Clifford Irving, DJ, Producer and Co-Founder of 38 East Studios, serving beats to match the menu. Legendary clubland DJ Stefan Ritteri also makes selected guest appearances fresh from his international sets across the globe. Look out for big headliners to be announced in the coming months.
Every other Saturday you can expect a real treat in the form of Iron Bloom’s UK Garage Brunch, with a strictly old-school garage music policy complimented with a bottomless brunch. UK Garage Brunch is a different dining experience – expect a juicy soundtrack rooted in the sound of London through the late ‘90s/early ‘00s, from classic soulful vocal tracks (Little Man, Crazy Love, Enough is Enough) to some bass heavy bangers (Rip Groove, Reach & Spin, Sugar is Sweeter) and everything in between.
Iron Bloom
46 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP
T: 0207 729 4235
E: info@ironbloomshoreditch.co.uk
W: www.ironbloomshoreditch.co.uk
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @ironbloomshoreditch
London-Olios 