As much as I miss having world-renowned chef Maoz Alonim in Cambridge (I wrote about his previous restaurant here), I know that London – specifically Chapel Market in Islington – is where he’s meant to be. The aptly named Chapel Market Kitchen reflects Alonim’s market-led style – a focus on produce sourced as fresh and local as possible. Add a wonderfully diverse wine list (cleverly described as “unruly”) and this small, vibrant restaurant offers the full food and drink experience.
It’s a sleek, contemporary space with large windows, beautiful artwork and cosy seating areas. The bar is the central hub where guests can watch the chef at work and admire the fresh loaves, oysters on ice and wine bottles on display. The basement kitchen boasts an impressive custom-made grill.