RESTAURANT: Palmeira, Leyton High Road
We’ve long been fans of the authentic Portuguese cafe Palmeira on Leyton High Road, with its £2 strong americanos, £4.50 draught pints of Super Bock and £3.95 house vino. Its lunches are good too (read our review here). So we were stoked to see that it’s taken over the vacant Sangria unit next door and turned it into Palmeira Restaurant. Within its simple, rustic interior it serves decent tapas, including lamb cutlets, octopus a la gallega, calamares and fried cuttlefish with mayo. Other speciality dishes include bacalhau, a signature sirloin steak and a curious-sounding swordfish with passion-fruit and fried bananas. Find out what we rated in our full review published today here. Dishes from £5. Follow @palmeira.restaurant, 232 High Road Leyton E10
SHOPPING: Joan The Store, Hainault Road E11
This beautifully restored Victorian shopfront was previously a secondhand furniture store. It’s about to open (tomorrow, December 2nd) as Joan, a stylish independent boutique showcasing emerging and established brands including By Far Shoes, Maryam Nassir Zadeh and a fave of ours, Alighieri. Peeking through the window we glimpsed womenswear, accessories, scented candles, objets and more in its minimal interior. 1 The Pavement, Hainault Road E11, follow @joanthestore
CAFE: Mola Break, Leyton High Road E10
It’s back: the Curved Brick clapboard building has turned an interesting double shade of salmon pink/French gray and just reopened as Mola Break. Inside it’s slightly bigger than we remember – with an extra room, and more tables – and coffee from both Caravan and Muswell Hill roastery Fireheart. There are fresh loaves from Walthamstow bakery Today, Turkish gozleme with spinach and feta or potato (£4.50), and various salads for lunch. Plus rather soothing ambient music. And naturally a loaded counter of baked sweet goods, from pastel de nata (£1.70) and donuts to Muffins, Danish and croissants. Friendly staff and a drip of customers on today’s visit bodes good things. 477a High Road E10 5EL, Follow @mola_break
POP-UP: No.1 Church Lane E11
This cute creative space by Leytonstone tube has enjoyed a few incarnations, including the site of the original Filly Brook, and it’s now just relaunched after being empty for three years. The venue will host pop-ups for local businesses and makers, and community events in association with Places for London, the TfL Property Company, the excellent Good Shepherd Studios (home to lovely cafe Back To Ours) and We Flock CIC. First up is an artisan chocolate pop-up from local makers Eonce Chocolate, based in E11, for one week only. 1 Church Lane E11, opening times vary
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STREETFOOD: Smok’d Kitchens at The Birds
Continuing the theme of quality new arrivals on the stretch of road that includes the brand new Mum Likes Thai Food (read our review here) and Homies on Donkeys (reviewed here) is this new smokehouse pop-up that celebrates all things BBQ with ribs, brisket, pork belly and burgers. Go for lunch to enjoy a £10 deal that includes morsels like baby back ribs or buffalo cauliflower with fries and slaw or salad. 692 High Rd Leytonstone, Follow @smokd.kitchens
Know of a new opening? Email info@leytonstoner.london
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