The Jewish delicatessen has long occupied a comfortably cosseted space in gastronomic popular culture, evoking as it does impressions of big servings of protein-rich and carb-heavy platters served in an equally homey setting.
In many ways, the newly opened Monty’s Deli cleaves close to that ideal, not the least of which is its name, which almost springs right off a ‘Seinfeld’ episode.
Architects Dan Marks Studio have imbued an old bakery in London’s East End with a comforting mix of old and new – the slick counter and banquette seats are perfectly set off by black and white harlequin floor tiles, globe lamps, linoleum tables and faded remnants of the original Victorian tiled walls.
As with any delicatessen worth its salt, the best seats in the house are on the high stools at the counter, watching the line cooks carve whole joints of hot pastrami and salt beef onto rye bread slathered with mustard and pickles, and bagels baked on hessian wrapped cedar planks. If there is a slight sense of dislocation, it’s not just because the setting is so perfectly judged, but also because owner Mark Ogus is an American who cut his teeth, as it were, on Jewish delis across the pond and so, knows his latkes from his cholents.
An unexpected bonus is that Monty’s serves a Shabbat dinner every night comprising chopped liver, challah, chicken soup and lokshen. Oy vey.
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
227-229 Hoxton Street
-
ICON 4x4 goes EV, giving their classic Bronco-based restomod an electric twistThe EV Bronco is ICON 4x4’s first foray into electrifying its range of bespoke vintage off-roaders and SUVs
-
‘Dressed to Impress’ captures the vivid world of everyday fashion in the 1950s and 1960sA new photography book from The Anonymous Project showcases its subjects when they’re dressed for best, posing for events and celebrations unknown
-
Inside Camperlab’s Harry Nuriev-designed Paris store, a dramatic exercise in contrastThe Crosby Studios founder tells Wallpaper* the story behind his new store design for Mallorcan shoe brand Camperlab, which centres on an interplay between ‘crushed concrete’ and gleaming industrial design
-
For a taste of Greece, head to this playful new restaurant in London’s ChelseaPachamama Group’s latest venture, Bottarga, dishes up taverna flavours in an edgy bistro-style setting
-
A buzzy Korean pop-up becomes a permanent fixture in East LondonChef Joo Won has turned his Calong pop-up permanent in the arty enclave of Stoke Newington
-
New London restaurant Alba is a sun-soaked affairIts name meaning ‘sunrise’ in Italian, Alba is a new Amalfi-inspired restaurant set to shine in Knightsbridge
-
Now boarding Air Anya: Anya Hindmarch’s ode to aviation’s golden ageAnya Hindmarch’s new London concept store and travel accessories collection celebrate the glamour of 1970s air travel
-
‘A place for carnivores’ – Ibai is a London restaurant that celebrates Basque Country beefA Clerkenwell restaurant where unhurried steak is the star of the show
-
La Môme London finds its home at The Berkeley hotelAll the razzle-dazzle of Cannes and Monte Carlo is wrapped up in this one fabulous dining room and terrace in London
-
The new dawn of the London sandwich shopThe appeal of a quick meal between two slices of bread has long held sway in the UK. We look back on the rise of the sandwich shop and explore the new wave of London venues that are making it a more stylised experience
-
Must-visit cinemas with award-worthy designThere’s more magic to the movies at these design-led cinemas, from Busan Cinema Centre’s ‘flying’ roof to The Gem Cinema Jaipur’s art deco allure
