Hotels near Rootdown

Cocktails come in interesting combinations - coriander, basil and chilli margarita, anyone? - at Rootdown, a Clapton restaurant and cocktail bar with music... and a social conscience. Very much part of the local community, the kitchen is available to fledgling food start-up businesses in Hackney. Self-taught head chef Ben Lourdjane draws on his North African heritage to give the modern European dishes on the menu - which change every three or four weeks, depending on what produce is in season - an edge. Typical dishes vary from polenta with girolle mushrooms and asparagus to pan fried pollock served with green beans, courgette and peas. Founded by Ben Scales, a former underground music promoter, Rootdown offers monthly music events paired with the food, so you can enjoy Balearic beats with a Spanish tapas menu and imagine you're in Ibiza.