It wasn’t glorious. Not even a bit warm, like the opening day of the Camden Town Brewery’s Bar back in March. Normally a west-facing evening sun-trap, last night there was just a ray here, a ray there, in between the howling winds and dark thunder clouds rolling ominously behind the arches of Kentish Town West.
Yet it didn’t stop hundreds of hedonistic folk, in coats hinting at spring not summer, jubilantly entering the festival spirit. Yes, it was the first night of Streetfeast, the enterprising independent market that has abandoned Brick Lane for a few weeks on our more obliging patch.
And Wilkin Street Mews is a natural for a market – cobbled, urban, hidden away, with a mix of architecture nestling in its industrial spaces and a sort-of half view across the incessant building works to Talacre Gardens.
There were maybe ten food stalls overall. So first we tried a couple of pieces of woodfired Homeslice Pizza (£3), one margherita, one with walnuts and parma ham. Not bad at all.
Based in Brockley, ‘you’ll find us anywhere east, normally,’ said the beardy one (rather than slice-holding Andrew Ridgeley looky-likey, pictured).
The boys also told us they’d soon be found down the road from the manor in the former filling station opposite King’s Place (Guardian HQ and arts centre).
Best, however, were the Kimchi Cult burgers. Kimchi is a sweet slaw made from fermented cabbage that, in the house special (£6.50), is served in a brioche with bacon, cheese and succulent Norfolk beef ‘from the butchers in Walthamstow’. Owner Kevin, inspired by his love of Korean street food, is serving a top burger that left the chic Byron van, positioned at the top of the street, rather quiet.
We washed this party of carbs down with a few pints of always excellent Camden Hell’s Lager, as the mixed crowd of locals and foodie-types squatted in the brewery on makeshift seats, or braved the winds in the mews. But methinks it was a hit.
Next week? We simply have to hit the Horn OK vegetarian Indian street food. And that delicious looking pulled pork and mac ‘n’ cheese. It would, in fact, be great if portions were smaller, so we could try more from each stall. And, if there’s any justice, it can’t be as cold. We’re owed an Ibizan style sunset, at the very least.
Words & Pictures: Stephen Emms
Streetfeast runs for two more weeks, every Friday evening, in Wilkin Street Mews adjoining Kentish Town West Overground.
1 thought on “Review: First night of StreetFeast, Kentish Town West”
It’s a shame that Street Feast is moving on after it’s four week residency at the Camden Town Brewery. I’ve been down there the last two Fridays and it’s been excellent, although it was absolutely rammed on Friday night and it took far too long to get a beer.
Any idea if there will still be any food stalls there in future weeks?