Image by Morgan & James photo depository

Being a music fan and specifically a vinyl fan over the last few years hasn’t been easy. Record shops have closed by the dozen and second hand records have been harder and harder to find – unless you go online. But part of the thrill and beauty of records is having them in your hand. Feeling the weight of the vinyl. The smell of it. Seeing the graphic design as it was meant to be seen, not squashed into a small plastic case. And most record collectors will say the same – ideally shopping for second hand records should be done in person, on foot, not online. Luckily for me, and for vinyl junkies like me, places like the excellent Flashback still exists.

Flashback opened in 1997 and use to sell second hand clothes in the basement. Over the years that has changed and now the vinyl is downstairs and CDs and DVDs can be found on the ground floor. I like the fact that the records are in the basement. It adds to the mystique somehow. Makes the search for that elusive LP that much greater. 

Flashback have a stated aim of ‘changing the record shop experience from an intimidating run-in with surly cooler-than-thou staff’ and they have done that. The place is friendly, the staff knowledgeable and most importantly for the digger, the prices, on the whole, are very reasonable.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Flashback | Music, Shopping | Per album € 5
50 Essex Road,N1 8LR | North-East | +442073549356
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 19:00, Sun 12:00 – 18:00

Image by Andrew Sidford

Steaks are a heated topic for many foodies and claiming to know the best steak restaurant is not something I am going to be so stupid as to do, but Garufa is definitely a very good starting point if Argentine steaks are your meat of choice.

The restaurant itself is very nice little local neighbourhood place; a wood and brick interior with black and white photos of Argentina on the walls, friendly staff and good service. The wine list is unapologetically Argentinian and, not surprisingly, heavily balanced in favour of the red drinkers. 

I’ve started with the squid and the chorizo and both have been excellent. As have been the side dishes (they used to do a fabulous butter bean dish but that seems to no longer be on the menu). I recommend getting the chips with garlic and parsley or the butternut squash and potato mash to go with your steak. The steaks themselves are very very good, obviously. Personal tastes come into your cut of choice, but I have had the grilled prime Argentine Sirloin steak every time and have not been disappointed. 

For me the service, the feel, the decor and the side dishes go to make this a (slightly) better restaurant than Buen Ayre – the excellent Argentine grill on Broadway Market – but if you are in the E8 area definitely pay them a visit instead as the steaks are just as a good as at Garufa.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Garufa | Restaurants (Argentine) | Sirloin steak £ 16
104 Highbury Park, N5 2XE | North-East | +442072260070
10:00 – 22:30 daily

Image by Andrew Sidford

Hardly a hidden gem I’ve picked is it, seeing as star chef Yotam Ottolenghi has had a worldwide success with his cookbooks and he can now be found gracing the TV screens, but even so his flagship restaurant on Upper Street in Islington is amazing.

Mixing influences and ingredients to a frightening but dazzling effect (sample salad for example: roasted golden beetroot and pickled red cabbage with pistachios, red basil and verjuice sour cream; sample main: tea smoked lamb cutlets with miso burnt aubergine, pickled Jerusalem artichoke and jalapeno sauce) Ottolenghi somehow makes it all work, look amazing and taste even better. 

Dinner is rightly very popular so I have booked in the past, but whatever time you come (the breakfast has been voted best in London by the Observer in the past) you will not be disappointed. The selection of a three of four salads I had last time I went for lunch was brilliant – the roasted cauliflower with celery, pomegranate seeds, almonds, herbs and cinnamon being the best. 

There are a few other, smaller, locations to what I presume will be an expanding Ottolenghi chain in Notting Hill, Kensington and Belgravia but the Islington branch is the largest and the only one to open for dinner in the evenings. Go, queue if necessary, but go as it really is that good.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Ottolenghi | Restaurants (Middle Eastern) | Mains £ 12
287 Upper Street, N1 2TZ | North-East | +442072881454
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 23:00, Sun 09:00 – 19:00

Image by Deanna Romano

Located along ubér cool Upper St in Islington, the Gallipoli Bazaar restaurant is a combination of Lebanese, Turkish and Mediterranean cuisines – offering a huge variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

The restaurant is one of the ‘Gallipoli’ branded restaurants along Upper Street, and offers a reasonably priced menu with all the traditional favourites such as kebabs, tangines and cous-cous. The set menu is fantastic value at £16 per person, which includes a vegetarian starter followed by any main, dessert and a coffee.

The restaurant is split on two floors, however still manages to illuminate a very warm and inviting feel to its customers. Deep red fabrics line the chairs and sofas, and beautiful coloured glass fittings hang from the ceiling – creating a cosy atmosphere.

However if word gets out it’s your birthday, be prepared to partake in some forced chair dancing whilst gyrating to excitable Turkish music. Fortunately, they sell a good selection of alcohol which makes the chair dancing exercise slightly less horrifying.

To complete your experience, take a seat outside and choose from a variety of fruit flavoured tobacco before lighting up a traditional shish pipe and watch the world go by.

It’s Gallipoli Bazaar’s authentic food and lively atmosphere that keeps the regulars coming back, always ensuring for a romantic night evening or great night with friends.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Gallipoli Bazaar | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Turkish/Lebanese) | 2 course set menu £ 14.50
107 Upper St | North-East | +442072265333
Mon – Fri 18:00 – 23:00, Sat – Sun 13:00 – 00:00