This November, Chris Gillard, who previously helmed the St. John Group as executive chef, will open EartH Kitchen with Auro Foxcroft, founder of Village Underground - the multi-events space for artists and musicians.
The duo will open their new restaurant in an art deco former cinema on Dalston’s bustling Stoke Newington Road, reflecting Gillard’s passion for using the best available ingredients, in line with the changing seasons.
Housed within the cinema’s former foyer, Foxcroft and Gillard are bringing a neighbourhood-style restaurant to new East London multi-arts space Evolutionary Arts Hackney.
In the light-filled, contemporary space, head chef Gillard will place a strong emphasis on provenance and seasonality, with a focus on the quality of ingredients. Simply-prepared plates for dinner will draw on the earthier flavours of autumn produce, including griddled mackerel, beetroot, leaves and horseradish; and pork and duck rillettes, cornichons and toast.
For something larger, there’s griddled ox heart, chips and house ketchup; a tender slow roast lamb breast, with pickled raisins and mint; and vegan dishes including crispy polenta, roast carrots, fennel, radicchio and salsa verde. Gillard will also dish up his take on traditional tarts and puddings, such as steamed ginger pudding, marmalade butterscotch and vanilla ice cream.
With a strong emphasis on music throughout the building, EartH Kitchen will be playing its part in the life and soul of the venue. A line-up of everything from raucous Thursday jazz nights to low-key Sunday DJ sets has been curated by artists involved in the project, and in the evening, EartH Kitchen’s cocktail bar is an ideal spot for those wanting one more for the road.
Manager Toni Castillo, also formerly of St. John, will pour wines from a list with a European focus, as well as mixing classic cocktails that make the most of seasonal ingredients.
Designed by Transit Studio, EartH Kitchen occupies a sunny 150-seat space on the building’s first floor. Crittal windows look out onto Kingsland Road, and a sculptural mirrored ceiling sweeps down over the room, with polished plaster walls and accents of bright colour provided by melamine-topped tables.
Gillard said, “I’ve cooked everywhere from St. John to muddy festival fields, and EartH Kitchen will draw on all of those elements: an emphasis on traditional hospitality, all food made in-house, and a willingness to experiment. We’re looking forward to welcoming apprentices from Hackney City College – EartH Kitchen is a place for training, and for talent to be nurtured, with the promise of a role in the team at the end of it.”
Foxcroft added, “When we saw the space, we knew it would be the perfect place for East London’s creative and cultural scenes to meet. The area has changed so much since I founded Village Underground, and EartH will provide a vital new home for the arts in Hackney and London, with EartH Kitchen at its heart.”