Piece by Kate Antoni, FG London Correspondent
A lot has changed in East London since my granny lived above Petticoat Lane market, when the square mile was dead to the world after 3pm on a Friday and despite being able to find a round the clock salt beef bagel (pronounced beigel if you’re my mother) you couldn’t find a pint of milk for love nor money. I remember when the big Marks & Spencer opened in Finsbury Circus, how we rejoiced at the novelty, it opened on a Saturday! Slowly, what had been a largely commercial and in places industrial setting started erring into the residential. Gentrification and regeneration have ensured that the city is expanding, homes are being built where no one wanted to live, community gardens are cropping up and in the early evening young professionals are practicing tai chi. Investment has allowed for an influx of swanky bars and new developments, food markets and vegan cafes. Interestingly, what was once considered niche is now mainstream -parties in carparks and warehouses, for example. Fifteen years ago these places were likely illegal but now they have an instagram and dish out pay slips.
Skylight at Tobacco Dock falls nicely into this newly formed category of millennial hangout spots. Sitting on the top floor of an old car park, you feel like Alice going down the rabbit hole as you walk down the grassy looking Astroturf. Following the signs, you’re directed to a staircase (the lifts are out of bounds) and you ascend into the unknown. It’s salient to mention that though I’m terrified of heights (fun fact), the set-up is such that I didn’t feel nervous as the solid concrete steps don’t allow you to peer down into a vortex. On reaching the top there’s a basket full of blankets, that you’re encouraged to use (we didn’t as it was the hottest day of the year). Then it’s off to explore. Arranged over three floors with strategically placed flights of stairs, there are ramps at sympathetic gradients and no sharp drops. The views of the London skyline are breathtaking, but you don’t feel unsafe – important for a carefree afternoon, especially if you’re planning on indulging in a tipple or two.
We sat on the top deck which offers cocktails (the bars below have wines and beers) and ordered from the menu. I had a “that’s peachy” which is rum based with peach bitters, this could have been sweeter in my opinion. My cousin ordered a mojito – which she agreed could have been sweetened also. The cocktails are priced at £9.75 each which is pretty standard for central London. A bottle of prosecco will set you back £32 – bargain in my opinion – though I’m not necessarily the go to for financial advice.
We then shared said bottle of prosecco over the delicious brunch offering. Being Greek, we decided to reminisce over the Yiro breakfast offering, what fun! I chose the yiro breakfast, from the newly launched brunch menu. Greek sausages are on offer. These are often called bastourma – fat, spiced with cumin and coriander, fabulously meaty and usually made from beef. My dad likes to remind us that they were once made from camel meat and because I have the pleasure of knowing this, now you do too. Topped with a fried egg, roasted mushrooms, sliced tomatoes and piled high with tztatizki – a Greek dip that comprises of yogurt, shredded cucumber, garlic and lemon. It was tasty, filling and delicious – everything you need in a deeply satisfying brunch dish. Accompanied by halloumi fries which were heaven on a stick and potato fries which sent us on a nostalgic journey to Greek holidays and nibbling by the Marina.
We also shared a chicken souvlaki – not because we were hungry but because we are shameless pigs with no will power. After we’d eaten everything in sight there was the option to play boules or croquet but being naturally uncoordinated and sloth like (blame the weather?) we decided to sunbathe and enjoy the view instead. It was so hot that I couldn’t have imagined a better way to spend the day, sunbathing, taking in the view, sipping cold prosecco whilst eating delicious food and catching up with a friend. Skylight is open on Thursday and Fridays from 13.00 till 23.00 and at the weekend from noon. Definitely worth a trip!
https://www.skylightlondon.com/\
Tobacco Dock, Pennington St entrance, St Katharine’s & Wapping, London E1W 2SF, United Kingdom
