Homegirl London’s Restaurant Review: Perilla. This restaurant was opened in Newington Green, Stoke Newington N16 in November 2016 by Ben Marks and Matt Emmerson. They offer a new and refreshing approach to fine dining using humble ingredients. Set in a relaxed space with rustic decoration, it’s a beautiful place to enjoy a delicious meal with your lover or foodie friends. If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Stoke Newington or places to eat in Newington Green book yourself a table at Perilla.
“Treat yourself to the inventive and thoughtful set menu, and you’ll savour humble ingredients as you’ve never tasted them before,” Homegirl London
Perilla Restaurant Menu
I dined here with Homeboy and a couple of foodie friends just before Christmas and loved every mouthful. I didn’t have my camera with me on that occasion so Homeboy and I popped back for lunch so I could take some snaps. Ben Marks (previously Claridge’s, The Square and Noma) creates a seasonal menu which is a modern interpretation of classic European ingredients. You can choose from the a la carte menu or tuck into the five-course set meal in the evening. During the day, the menu is three courses plus bread to start with.
Seaweed Bread with Wild Garlic Butter
The set menu does have variations, they tailor this for fish eaters, and there is also a vegetarian version. On our lunchtime visit, the offering consisted of a delicious seaweed bread with a crunchy crust and wild garlic butter which was a gorgeous green colour. My starter was a bowl of grilled lettuces with ewe cheese sauce. Some of the leaves were slightly charred, and there was a refreshing juice at the bottom of the bowl. Meanwhile, Homeboy tucked into a pot roast of broccoli with hung yoghurt and pickled cucumber. This was my main dish, and it was outstanding. With crisp kale on top, followed by a row of sliced cucumber which had been pickled, then broccoli, it was yummy!
Pot Roast Broccoli
Homeboy’s main dish was roast cod with mussels. This was wrapped in a braised green leaf and folded into a very neat parcel. When you cut this parcel open, the contents seemed to expand, and all the succulent cod and mussels flowed out. If you are ordering a main from the a la carte menu, the options included cuttlefish bolognese and chicken with wild garlic and puntarella (chicory).
Cod and Mussels in Braised Greens Parcel
We both finished with the blood orange custard, which was very pretty. It included olive oil which seems to be the trend for desserts right now. Other desserts were poached pear with sour apple and soft herbs. Otherwise, you can go for the Stichelton cheese (raw milk traditional English blue cheese made on the Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire by Joe Schneider). The set lunch menu is £25, while the five-course evening menu is £38. Starters are £7-9, mains £11-16, desserts £7 and cheese £10.
Blood Orange Custard
Drinks-wise, we ordered the homemade lemonade and ginger beer which were very refreshing. The European wines are thoughtfully selected to complement the dishes, which included white, red and fizzy. Cocktails have a focus on gin from small-batch distilleries and their own infusions.
Perilla Restaurant Interiors
The restaurant is located on a corner of Green Lanes and Newington Green. The building has large wraparound windows which are perfect for people watching. The interiors are rustic and minimal, which have been designed by Red Deer Architects.
Restaurant Interiors
Walls are exposed down to the plaster while the floor has been peeled back to showcase the original yellow and black terrazzo tiles. The décor is adorable and reminds one of a Tuscan farmhouse. It isn’t a large space; there is room for 44 diners and an additional 14 at the bar and counters overlooking the street. If you’re dining solo or want to be social, you can sit at the communal table.
Perilla Restaurant Information
Restaurant Exterior
To find out more about the restaurant, go to the Perilla Dining Website. The restaurant address is 1-3 Green Lanes, Newington Green, Stoke Newington, London N16 9BS. You can get there by travelling to Canonbury Station, or you could walk from Dalston Kingston which are both on the London Overground. Bus options are 341 or 141. Check the website for up to date opening times. It is advisable to book a table which you can do online. It’s a great restaurant to visit if you love exciting food. Check it out, and you can thank me later!
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London and one interiors photograph courtesy of the restaurant. Thanks: Homeboy for dining with me. Thanks to the PR for sending me information and photographs on request.
