Hopscotch reminds me of drinking in Canberra but it's also a drinking and dining venue along the north section of Brick Lane. It's a quiet area on weekdays and indeed despite the advertisement for 50% off food, there were very few people enjoying its wares. It's unfortunate because the food is very good - and an absolute bargain at half price.
Note that the menu in the front window has prices that are generally £1-2 less than the current pricing on the menu.
- Green peppercorn crab (pickled daikon, coriander, crispy shallot) £11 - juicy crabmeat had been pulled out for us. So spoilt;
- Seared scallops (charred corn, fennel & garlic sausage, chilli butter) £11 - two sizeable scallops with some sausage and on salad;
- Smoked goat flatbread (tamarind, bitter melon, bacon fat gravy, fermented chilli) £9 - smokey, warm and middle Eastern;
- Beef shortrib (masterstock, horseradish, butter-pickled onion) £11;
- Grilled hispi cabbage (miso butter, parmesan, togarashi) £4 - could cabbage be made any more umami? I don't think so. Delicious.
The food is good, the drinks Brick Lane Swizzle (dark rum, banana falernum, lime) £9 is good; I hope they have another 50% off deal. If not, I may end up that way anyway...