Corner Kitchen is the project of two mothers from the area; who wanted to create ‘a place for everyone’. Corner Kitchen has several functions; a café and family space during the day time, come evening it’s a wine bar and pizzeria – catering for everyone’s needs.
As you walk into Corner Kitchen, it’s a warm open space with different styles of seating throughout and a fantastic bar across one wall. We are seated in a booth towards the back and find myself marvelling at the oak table and dark leather booths.
We’re handed a menu; simple but a fantastic mix of Italian food. The starters provide a choice of either the sharing starters in which you have a selection of dishes such as stuffed olives, bruschetta or burrata. Whilst the sharing boards give you the option of a combination of the above; anti-pasti mix, Italian meat board or even an Italian cheese board – all served with pizza bread.
We decided on the anti-pasti mix; our love for burrata swayed our decision, alongside the recommendation of a member of staff.
It wasn’t long before it arrived; the portion size taking us both aback. There is plenty to share – and as a starter it could easily feed 3-4 people. The burrata, as expected, was delicious with the salty pizza bread and Padron peppers – whilst the olives were delicious on their own.
Neither of us could finish the starter, not because it wasn’t delicious but because we were aware we had heavier main course on the way.
We also decided to share a carafe of the house red; because we couldn’t resist cheese and red wine combination. The Sfuso – Nero D’Avola was aromatic and full-bodied with notes of mulberries, cherries and blackberries. As far as house wine goes; it was brilliant.
For our mains we were spoilt for choice, but eventually settled on the salmon and spinach gnocchi and the chicken, pesto and mozzarella pizza. They arrived shortly after our starters were cleared; fast service but enough time to pause.
The portion sizes, again, were substantial.
As we are both confessed cheese lovers, the cheesy smell heaven for us. Prior to ordering we’d both agreed to share our mains; neither of us could wait to tuck into the gnocchi.
The salmon gave the creamy gnocchi a smoky taste, which was delicious, and the spinach added a fresh element. The combination was delicious and incredibly moreish.
The pizza was fresh; the combination of flavours worked well and the slightly thinner base meant that it wasn’t overly filling.
We agreed that out of the two, it had to be the gnocchi that stole the show. It’s definitely a must order on the menu!
Despite being full – my friend nor I could resist the temptations of a salted caramel sundae or the tiramisu cheesecake. Both were good; the perfect sweet touch to finish off the meal.
Corner Kitchen is a local-run place which provides a great place to take children during the day or catch up with friends in the evening. It’s managed to create a space which can be adapted to any situation, and one in which people can enjoy.
A: 58 Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate E7 0QH
W: http://cornerkitchen.london/
T: 020 8555 8068