Sesta: First Look At Hackney Restaurant Replacing Pidgin

Last week Hackney locals were saddened to discover neighbourhood institution Pidgin was closing its doors. However, some of the team are opening an exciting new foodie spot in its place: wine bar and restaurant Sesta. 

Pidgin Is Closing – But Sesta Is Opening In Its Place

Opening this September in Wilton Way, Sesta is the brainchild of culinary duo Drew Snaith and Hannah Kowalski. The pair worked together at Brunswick House, then again at Pidgin, where Snaith was head chef and Kowalski was general manager. Sesta is their first joint venture, a relaxed eatery centred around seasonal British ingredients.

The menu will offer creative takes on British and European classics, with nods to Snaith’s travels in Southeast Asia and a focus on live fire cooking. Starters will include dishes like braised beetroot with blackcurrant molasses and sunflower seed cream; and smoked eel and lovage quiche, ahead of mains including cider flambee mussels, mutton bacon ribs, and Cornish brill with aioli. There will also be large sharing cuts of meat on offer, such as slow grilled stuffed duck, and morteau sausage, plus snacks of Doddington cheese scones topped with rarebit, and nduja scotched olives.

Many ingredients will come from Shrub, a company which connects restaurants with Sussex farms, and dishes will change according to the seasons.

 

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On the drinks side, there will be a focus on natural wine – particularly from France and wider Europe. Kowalski has curated the list, spotlighting small producers with impressive green credentials. Alongside this, diners can enjoy cocktails such as a Mezcal Negroni, made with Belsazar rose vermouth, Campari and lime; and Blackberry Juice made with gin, homemade peanut syrup, lime and Thai basil oil. Sesta will also make spirits in-house, such as a blackberry liqueur from foraged blackberries and coriander seeds. 

The intimate eatery will seat 26 inside, with cosy interiors and works from local artists lining the walls, plus a small terrace for al fresco dining.

Pidgin is one of east London’s most beloved restaurants. It opened in 2015, going on to gain a Michelin star under head chef Elizabeth Haigh. However, last week its current owners announced the venue will be closing after nearly a decade, writing on Instagram: ‘Pidgin will take its final flight on Sunday 18th August and we will bid you all a very fond and grateful farewell.’

Sesta will open this September, website coming soon.