There’s a high probability you didn’t even get a chance to check out Camden’s hip new container park Buck Street Market last summer.
Opening just before the first lockdown, like everything it promptly shut and has since only been able to enjoy intermittent trade.
Unable to welcome you to their place at the moment, one of its top foodie residents, Ethika, has just launched a tasty delivery service.
“The name is derived from Ancient Greek, relating to ethos and the principles that characterize us,” says co-owner Simon Bastable. “Sustainability and community are always at the heart of what we do, and wherever possible we source our ingredients from local, independent and organic suppliers.”
Forced to close again in December, Simon, his wife Rosanna and head chef Gus started looking at how to translate their food offer – originally designed for long lazy sipping and snacking on the roof terrace overlooking Camden High Street – into something easily delivered to locals’ homes.
“Our food is loosely defined as Mediterranean street tapas with influences from all over Southern Europe and North Africa,” he says. “The cocktail menu features eight different twists of the classic Aperol Spritz, with a few classics thrown in there too. Rosanna is Italian and we’ve been lucky enough to spend quite a bit of time there. Going for a pre-dinner aperitivo is one of our favourite things.”
In fact, this kind of socialising – much-missed at the moment – was a huge inspiration for how Ethika works, encouraging people to spend time together lazily grazing on small plates, sipping on spritzes and enjoying each other’s company.
“In these times when you’re spending more and more time at home with the people you live with,” says Simon, “be that family, friends or just flatmates, it’s just as important as ever to make sure some of it is quality time where you turn off the TV, block out all the distractions and just enjoy good food and drink together.”
Order these: Simon’s Top 5 tips
1. Polpette Al Sugo
These are definitely one of our signature dishes and are a must for me: homemade Italian meatballs in tomato sauce with melted provolone cheese grated on top. Delish.
2. Crunchy Polenta Fingers
Staying in Italy, the above meatballs pair really well with these crunchy fingers, which come with a drizzle of tomato sauce and grated parmesan. Polenta is an Italian staple, traditional in the mountainous north: we cook it thick, and allow it to set before cutting it into fingers and frying it into fluffy golden chips, a great alternative to potato.
3. Kimchi marinated tofu with Asian slaw and pickled cucumber
For something plant-based, this can’t be beaten. We make a homemade vegan kimchi and marinate the tofu for 24 hours which is what gives it the super-colourful skin. It’s then grilled and served with the slaw and pickle.
4. Grilled Tenderstem Broccoli
I always want a bit of greenery with every meal and this Turkish-inspired plate hits the spot. The broccoli is lightly chargrilled and served on a bed of süzme (strained yogurt) with mint, chilli, preserved lemon and crispy shallots.
5. Cocktails
We do our own carbonation here, using white wine as a base: once mixed with the rest of the ingredients we seal it in a champagne bottle so the spritz arrives as fresh as if it were served at our bar – simply pour over ice. Try the Nectarine & Basil Spritz: lovely with the Mediterranean dishes. All of our alcohol is either locally produced, organic or Fair Trade certified.
And a final tip? “If you’re ordering for one,” says Simon, “the meal boxes constitute some of our favourite small plate combinations, chosen with dishes that pair really well.”
And even better, Ethika London is offering a 40% discount on their entire menu (orders over £10), including alcohol and cocktails – which means small plates start at just £2.70 – until the end of January. It’s unlimited so you can order as many times as you wish for the discount. They deliver from Buck Street Market, Camden Town NW1 anywhere within a couple of miles’ radius, roughly across to Maida Vale and up to Kentish Town, Hampstead Heath and Tufnell Park. They deliver Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm until 9:30pm and you can find them on Deliveroo by searching for Ethika Camden or clicking here. Follow @ethika.london on Instagram to see more pics of their tasty dishes.
Photos: Richard Budd
