{"id":138,"date":"2017-08-22T16:47:18","date_gmt":"2017-08-22T15:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/wp\/?p=138"},"modified":"2018-02-20T15:56:55","modified_gmt":"2018-02-20T15:56:55","slug":"arthur-hoopers-borough-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/index.php\/arthur-hoopers-borough-market\/","title":{"rendered":"Arthur Hooper\u2019s \u2013 Borough Market"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Borough It\u2019s a bright English summer day. A perfect time to enjoy the delicious and colourful delights of the celebrated Borough Market. It was first mentioned in 1276, although the market claims to have been around since early in the 11th<\/sup> century, and possibly even before that. During the 19th century it became one of London’s most important food markets due to its convenient location near the Thames. The present buildings were designed in 1851, with additions in the 1860s and the 1930s.<\/span><\/p>\n

The surrounding streets have cobbled pavements and hints of earlier times. Arthur Hooper\u2019s is in the thick of this vibrant neighbourhood but its interior lends itself more to cool wine bar than Dickensian chop shop. It has high tables and stools near the entrance, allowing views across the street to the market. There are quieter tables, and striking steel-caged, back-lit bottle shelves and charcoal black walls which combine to create a soft and restful, yet thoroughly contemporary, ambiance.<\/p>\n

Arthur Hooper\u2019s offers small European plates along with a thoughtful and reasonably-priced wine list, with many of those bottles also available by the glass or carafe. We ordered a carafe of Merlot\/Grenache by Les Vignes de L\u2019Eglise in Languedoc in south-western France. It\u2019s the first wine on the menu but in my opinion wines from that region are often great value for money, and this proved to be the case here. This had a light cherry-red hue with plenty of juicy berry and plum. It has medium tannins, so perfect for pairing with diverse small dishes.<\/p>\n

\"arthur A Bloody Mary was my guest\u2019s cocktail of choice. It comes bereft of the usual garnishes but this Mary is no timid or shrinking violet. It packs a punch from a generous hit of chilli, pronounced vibrant and worthy by a man who appreciates a good tomato-based libation.<\/p>\n

But the food is the star here. It\u2019s a restaurant which is blessed by its enviable location. There is the best of produce just a few yards from the kitchen and Arthur Hooper\u2019s takes advantage of that. The menu changes with seasons and availability. We enjoyed cured and hot-smoked pork belly in glistening pink and white ribbons. This is a perfect sharing dish for those who might only want a glass of red and a plat pour deux<\/i>. The flavourful fat was a perfect partner for my French wine.<\/p>\n

Meaty and hearty<\/h4>\n

For those looking for a more substantial meal then Lovison Pork Sausages with polenta and a dish of Saut\u00e9ed rosemary new potatoes must be a contender. The sausages were dense, meaty and hearty, and were complemented by the tenderness of those spuds.<\/p>\n

\"Borough Clams with nduja should be a signature dish here, although I note that Hooper\u2019s might periodically offer mussels cooked in the same fashion. This is the dish that reminds the diner to order more bread! Nduja is a spicy, spreadable pork salumi from Italy. Yes, it\u2019s delicious on crackers but here it\u2019s used to melt into and season the shellfish and broth, which cries out for bread-dipping. A winner!<\/p>\n

Tor goats\u2019 cheese is unpasteurised with ash coating, and comes from Somerset\u2019s Whitelake Dairy. It\u2019s matured for 2 to 3 weeks and has a distinct yet not overly \u2018goaty\u2019 flavour with a beautiful firm texture. No serious cheese-lover should miss this, simply served with a little chutney and some toasted bread.<\/p>\n

Harissa butter beans with charred tenderstem, ricotta and nigella seeds was another well-flavoured and textured dish. Tenderstem is a member of the brassica family of veggies, a cross between broccoli and Chinese kale. I think it originated in Japan. One can enjoy both florets and stems which are, well, tender!<\/p>\n

\u00a0Ever-changing dessert menu<\/h4>\n

\"Borough<\/h4>\n

Ricotta Cheesecake with cherries was my guest\u2019s choice from the ever-changing dessert menu. The savoury dishes were substantial but there is always room for a sweet somethingorother to go with an espresso at the end of a delightful lunch.<\/p>\n

No, Arthur Hooper\u2019s isn\u2019t about fine dining but it is definitely the place for the best of foods, affordable wine, great location and ambiance, and friendly staff. I can highly recommend them for the very best of fun and casual dining. The diners might be casual but that food is as well-crafted as any restaurant sporting drifts of starchy tablecloths and equally starchy waiters. I\u2019ll be back to make new culinary discoveries and to linger over another carafe of red.<\/p>\n

Opening times:
\nMon – Thu: 11am – 11pm
\nFri – Sat: 11am – midnight
\nSun: 11am – 5pm<\/p>\n

Arthur Hooper\u2019s
\n8 Stoney Street
\nBorough Market
\nLondon SE1 9AA<\/p>\n

Phone:020 7940 0169
\nEmail: hello@arthurhoopers.co.uk<\/p>\n

Visit Arthur Hooper\u2019s here<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Restaurant review by Chrissie Walker \u00a9 2018<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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