Rok Smokehouse, Islington

What.../ Rök's opening in Islington follows the huge success of its first restaurant on Curtain Road, Shoreditch.  Whilst London has its fare share of American and even Asian barbecue restaurants, it's Rök's Nordic inspired array of smoked, pickled and cured dishes that have drawn a loyal following for their menu. Tell me more…/ The owners have taken over a Grade II listed building on Upper Street, turning it into a 60-seat restaurant and bar open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.  Restaurant design is more Skandium than Ikea, with simple yet stylish touches throughout. On the menu.../ The kitchen is headed up by executive chef Matt Young who has overseen the development of the food at both sites. The food is bang on-point, both in terms of interesting flavour combinations and execution in the kitchen.  Start off with a few utterly delish pickles and some Cobble Lane charcuterie whilst you sip on your craft beer or Matt Whiley designed cocktail. Next stop has to be an incredibly flavoursome and tender Beef with rich cow's curd & a subtle herb vinegar to cut through the fats, accompanied by the super-savoury Blackened cabbage with Nori Rice, macadamias & Västerbottensost cheese.  Other stand-out dishes include the Guinea fowl with pickled mushrooms & sea purslane and the utterly delicious dessert of Smoked peach with frosted almonds, cream and Laphroaig Whisky honey. We went and here's why you should go…/ Forget what you think you know about Nordic cuisine and get yourself smoked, pickled and cured at Rök – trust us, you won't regret it! How much…/ Around £30 for food, £4 for beers and £9 for cocktails. Where.../ 149 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 1RA http://roklondon.co.uk/islington