Peg is fantastic. We visited this new Hackney spot on a Wednesday night, ready to dive in to the Japanese- influenced menu. As by today’s London standard, sharing plates are presented in quick succession from the open kitchen. We did our upmost to try them all.
From the team behind Bright and P.Franco, we expected to enjoy Peg, but the plates really did pack the punch! Complimented with a vast selection of accompanying wine and staff that have a concise knowledge of the offering, Peg is a satisfying experience.
The corner site on Morning Lane has a simple interior. An open, bustling kitchen, warm grey walls and worn white timber floor. Recycled plastic forms the white and metallic- speckled surface for the sharing tables, allowing the pastel-coloured small plates and napkin holders to pop as they are placed on top.
The space has high stools, long tables and window ledge seating. A concrete fronted counter forms a small dispense bar to the rear, with white wine bottles cooling in a sink full of ice, and wine taps offering the varied by-the-glass options. A record player is perched on a shelf above, vinyl stacked and on rotation.
The menu is not available online, only present on two peg-boards above the kitchen. One reads “Grill” the other “Plates” with minimal descriptions below.
We order: Meatball, White Asparagus, Ferments & Pickle, Fried Chicken, Mizuna & Turnip Salad and Fried Chickpea Tofu. Tofu- not normally something that I get excited about- but this was possibly the best dish I’ve tasted this year in London.
We would go back for that alone. We tried to order more. They had sold out. To finish we shared fresh rhubarb with homemade milk ice-cream.
Peg have created something special and fresh. With every mouthful you have hints of Japan, but we wouldn’t call this a Japanese concept- but inspired by.
Definitely a restaurant we will visit time and time again, for that tofu if nothing else.
