Food over London: Smokehouse, Islington

Smokehouse @SmokehouseN1
61-63 Canonbury Road, Islington N1 2DG

Not long after leaving the John Salt, Neil Rankin is back stoking the fire at a joint venture between the Pig & Butcher and himself. Rankin (also ex-Pitt Cue Co & Barbecoa) has a vast background in all things barbecue, and armed with his collection of Green Eggs, like something out of Game of Thrones, an offset smoker, and a robata grill they have put together a menu beyond just pulled pork and ribs. With covers for well over 50 this place has far more elbow space than other revered BBQ places like Pitt Cue...and a fair few more beers on the menu to say the least

As well as a focus on food, there is a HHUGGEE beer list, with over 60 either on tap or in bottles. The tasting for these must have been a few heavy nights! A clear emphasis on having a neighbour hood pub feel as well as restaurant. It's not often I see Camden Ink on tap, perfect with lots of meat. Smokehouse has a nice little outside section, would be great on Sundays eating and drinking the afternoon away

Just a snapshot of what they have

I went their on soft launch, even though they weren't quite on their feet, everything I had was fantastic, from the intense, rich shortrib bourguignon and smokey spare rib chops to the Friday pie. The menu is well balanced without the temptation to go for just loads of smoked beef and pork. For starters was smoked mullet, smoked confit duck with blue cheese on toast, lobster frittata. For mains was beef bourguignon, monkfish, peppered ox cheek, and burnt corn.

It may just appear as a side dish, but would seriously come back here and have 2 dishes of lamb stovies. Reminds me of being back in Leith with my scottish family, food that envokes memory is always a winner, especially when it's done this well. For those that don't know stovies are like a thick stew of meat, gravy or dripping, with potato, onions and oregano. Will have take the old man up here soon enough to try.