David Carter, founder of SMOKESTAK, has announced that he will open his first permanent site on Sclater St, Shoreditch, in early November.
David launched SMOKESTAK onto the London street food scene in 2013 and has since carved his way through the UK festival circuit, as well as becoming a mainstay at many of the Street Feast sites.
Keeping local and loyal to the Hackney massive, David has secured premises just off Brick Lane; a fitting location for his first permanent restaurant venture. Spread over two floors, the ground floor restaurant will seat 75, wrapped around the large open kitchen.
Space for a further 30 is available on the outdoor terrace, accessible via roller-shutter garage doors; while the cellar-like basement bar will hold a snug 15 for a pre-dinner drink and bar snacks.
Working alongside architecture studios Box-9 and Red Deer, the interiors at the restaurant have been designed to feel like the inside of the smoker, with black carbon stained concrete walls, mild steel panelling and old workshop furnishings; offering a utilitarian feel.
Roller-shutter garage doors will open onto the terrace with the warehouse frontage cascading light onto bare concrete walls. The ground floor dining area wraps around the mechanics of the open kitchen; and a two-metre wide charcoal grill greets you immediately upon entrance, with two truck-size crank wheels used to adjust the grill height over the coals.
The wood burning smoker sits in the centre of the restaurant, and is overlooked by several tables, allowing diners to feel part of the action. Downstairs, the basement bar is akin to a dark hidden cellar, with reclaimed Yorkshire pavement slabs, oak-beam supports and candle lighting.
Leather detailing throughout is provided by Boundary St. neighbour and friend Charlie Borrow, who also custom-designed and tailored black canvas SMOKESTAK aprons with brass buckling to be worn by the team.
