Chef Leandro Carreira at Climpson’s Arch

Arch 374 Helmsley Place,

Hackney, London E8 3SB

Climpson’s Arch is well known as showroom for the great young chefs. Right now is in charge of the kitchen one of the most talented chefs of his generation, Leandro Carreira. Leandro, who was born in Portugal and has previously worked in the kitchens of Mugaritz (chef Andoni Luis Aduriz), Viajante (chef Nuno Mendes), Koya (chef Junya Yamasaki) and Lyle’s (chef James Lowe), is at Climpson’s Arch creating bold and intense flavours inspired by his Portuguese heritage. Leandro’s perfection in cooking and ability to create perfect balance of flavours and textures, is enforced by his strong charismatic temperament creating dishes which are soulful, intense and utterly delicious.

The soft sweet cloudy bolo do caco filled with intense sweet peppers and the beautiful saltiness of anchovies was a great start, followed by the amazing crispy grilled pig’s ears which found a fabulous balance with the freshness of tinny sliced apple. The perfectly cooked grilled beef was fantastically built up with the umami of the clam juices and the freshness of the radishes and the perfectly soft and delicious octopus was amazingly paired with king cabbage. Another great combination of flavours followed with the perfectly grilled lamb covered with beautifully fresh Marinda tomatoes. The unforgettable dinner finished with a soaked brioche served with sour caramel and hazelnuts (sorry, photo is missing). It was a really fabulous and memorable meal which I am very much looking forward to repeat.

Leandro is cooking at Climpson’s arch till September 2016 and I am sure you don’t want to miss him!

by Andreja Lajh