North London Food & Culture

Community Pinboard: When Does Chicken Shop Open? And Free Booze at Cote!


1. Pizza East/Chicken Shop: To Open August 28. Things are taking shape on Highgate Road as the modern glass frontage of the former Grand Union is transformed via the application of various weatherbeaten, industrial and distressed materials. Local anticipation about Soho House Group’s first foray into the neighbourhood continues to remain at fever pitch, so we’ve done a bit of digging around for the latest. And we can reveal that the opening date is slated for post-bank holiday Tuesday August 28. So take an extra day off and swing by for lunch. We sure will. More info here.

2. Six Quid In Manor. The small cicchetti dishes at The Vine proved an ideal light and delicious option last weekend. Staff at the pub remain faultless in their knowledge of the menu and attentiveness, but a recommendation of Deep Fried Courgettes (£3.50) as “crisp and light, not soggy and greasy”, was totally off: the result was weighted towards the sog and grease. A salad of Dattorini tomatoes and broad beans with mozzarella fought back.

3. Free Family Party. Inspired by the successful Tufnell Park Parents Support Group, a group of Kentishtowners have launched Bloomnest, a parent-focussed web service that aims to help flustered mums and dads. The site promises to become a hub for finding babysitters, free days out, exchange of clothes and toys etc. and they are having a party to celebrate all this industriousness. It’s on Friday 10th August from 10am-midday and is free for all, including the face painting, entertainment and home baked cakes. Bring your little darlings along to Kentish Town Community Centre on Busby Place and there’s even a crèche.


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4. Free Portrait Site Relaunched. Local photographer and artist Jason Wilde has been taking portraits in the area for his ongoing Free Portrait Studio project and has now amassed over 1000. To showcase the work, a new Free Portrait Studio website has launched. Keep an eye on it for where Jason’s pop-up studio plans to crop up next for a chance to join in.

5. Free Kentishtowner Kir at Cote. You can’t say we don’t give good value round here. We’ve arranged for all Kentishtowner readers to enjoy a free Kir Royale (aka the Kentishtowner Kir) when dining at Cote Brasserie in leafy Parkway, Camden. If you pop by for the lunch and early evening menu (noon-7pm) it’s just £9.95 for 2 courses (or £11.90 for 3) – quite possibly the best meal-and-booze deal we’ve ever seen.

It’s available throughout August, all you have to do is tell ‘um who sent you…

6. Your Little Pony. Back by popular demand, the Kentish Town City Farm are running another “Own A Pony” event for kids. Kids will have a chance to learn about how to care for horses, while also getting stuck into some beginners lessons. The fun will kick start on Saturday 11th August and 18th August with prices at about £30 per half day session, for ages 8 and upwards. 10am isn’t too much for an early start either, but you’ll still have to keep the kids happy until then. Call Diane at 020 7916 5421 for bookings.

7. You Must Be Joking. For those of you who haven’t already got your mitts on tickets, the Camden Fringe 2012 has kicked off with a bang. The comedy and theatre festival – now in its 7th year running – boasts an impressive line up of experimental theatre, stand up and improv and will run until August 26th. Prices range from £5 to around £12.50 across venues like the Gatehouse. Visit Camden Fringe 2012 for more info.

Got a story for the Pinboard? Email us at info@kentishtowner.co.uk


5 thoughts on “Community Pinboard: When Does Chicken Shop Open? And Free Booze at Cote!”

  1. “Staff at the pub remain faultless in their knowledge of the menu and attentiveness.”

    Are you serious? On a recent visit to The Vine the staff behind the bar could barely tell their @rses from their elbows and when I ordered food insisted that I give them a table number, when in fact there were no numbers on any of the tables!!

  2. Was wondering what was going on at the ex-Grand Union, so thanks for the update. Will be interesting to see if they manage to get much business. The Vine manages to do so, but the Grand Union never seemed to get much of a crowd despite being pretty decent. It’s hardly the best location, stuck between Kentish Town and the Heath and on a dusty corner on the way down to Murphys yard. Still, may give whatever it is a try.
    By the way, the website is absolutely great.

Leave a Comment

5 thoughts on “Community Pinboard: When Does Chicken Shop Open? And Free Booze at Cote!”

  1. “Staff at the pub remain faultless in their knowledge of the menu and attentiveness.”

    Are you serious? On a recent visit to The Vine the staff behind the bar could barely tell their @rses from their elbows and when I ordered food insisted that I give them a table number, when in fact there were no numbers on any of the tables!!

  2. Was wondering what was going on at the ex-Grand Union, so thanks for the update. Will be interesting to see if they manage to get much business. The Vine manages to do so, but the Grand Union never seemed to get much of a crowd despite being pretty decent. It’s hardly the best location, stuck between Kentish Town and the Heath and on a dusty corner on the way down to Murphys yard. Still, may give whatever it is a try.
    By the way, the website is absolutely great.

Leave a Comment

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