1. We are obsessed with making muesli
Sure, we love Wild Goose for its superior coffee-to-go, and the OMG sweet treats (hello pastel de nata). But for some inexplicable reason we hadn’t quite graduated to purchasing oats and the various bagged nuts, seeds and dried fruits – and then miraculously turning it into our own home-made muesli. Which we did the other idle afternoon: for the base, the naked barley flakes (a snip at £1.99), add an instant nuttiness, then combine with whatever you fancy: we chose dried cranberries, hazelnuts, sultanas, pumpkin seeds. Delish, and well-priced, too. Open Wed-Sun, 654 High Road E11, Follow @wildgoosebakery
2. E11 Yard Sale is this weekend
The friendly Sunday rummage is back for its sixth outing. A whopping 92 stalls have signed up, so you can have a good couple of hours’ mooch before a well-earned pint. Here’s the skinny: local residents are invited to set up a stall outside their homes, the simple aim being to recycle and bring the community together. Many locals also raise money for charity in the process. Last year was a glorious day for it, so let’s hope the weather holds. Sunday 20th Sept, 11am-4pm E11, follow @E11yardsale for more
3. And next is the Cann Hall Jumble trail
If you can’t get enough of other people’s second-hand stuff, then on the 27th September it’s time for yet more E11 folk to flog their pre-loved bits and bobs. The Jumble Trail is almost identical to the Yard Sale but in and around the south Leytonstone Cann Hall Road area, conveniently near (for a post-trail libation) boozers like the Leytonstone Tavern and the new Rookwood Village, which we really must check out soon. Sun 27th, 11am-3pm, For more info see Eventbrite
4. We have been unfaithful to Perky Blenders
Apologies to our favourite Waltham Forest bean-purveyors – we will always love you – but we currently have a crush on Wood Street Coffee, embarrassingly located just down the road. We blame the aforementioned Wild Goose actually, as their shelves are literally heaving with the stuff. A heady aroma is unleashed upon sticking one’s snout into the stylish packet to inhale upon opening; and unlike some posh coffee, the depth of flavour bears out with the brew itself (our Aeropress definitely does it justice). Try the rich ‘espresso’ variety, with its notes of chocolate and a touch of acidity. Follow @woodstcoffee for more.
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5. The portions at Bread & Oregano are enormo
So we finally had more than a coffee and croissant at Leyton’s new all-day cafe and restaurant (see main pic, above). A little too hungrily, we opted for the open souvlaki: at £9.80, eat-in, it was decent value for dinner but an overwhelmingly huge plate of three meaty gyros (both chicken and pork were charred and juicy) on a mountain of pale chips, plus a tomato and red onion salad. The tastiest thing may have been the fresh baked flatbreads, golden and crisp, with yogurt on hand to lubricate it all nicely. We were, however, a little uncomfortably full afterwards (we should probably have ask for half of it to go), so next time we may opt for the wrap, about three quid cheaper and, we hear, just as delicious. Follow @breadandoregano, Open daily till late, 3 Hainault Buildings, 1, E10 6RT
6. There is actually a local development called Champagne Garden
I mean, we know Francis Road has got a bit fancy in recent years, but a new development of “luxury townhouses and apartments” called Champagne Garden? How we howled (and how our local WhatsApp groups pinged) when the boarding went up and was swiftly spotted. Or maybe it’s another entry in the London Mural Festival currently taking over our neighbourhood? In which case: how brilliantly witty. Here’s hoping.
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