Sat in the heart of Hackney, Farley Macallan’s ethos is obvious from the neon sign that sits right behind the bar: it’s ‘reinventing the local’. A coffee shop by day turning into a restaurant at night, the aesthetic is simple, but the food and wine on offer add sophistication. The four-course, wine-paired menu starts with a board of cured meats and cheese, including brawn, bresaola, gratin blue and truffle popcorn. Next up is gravadlax with horseradish, followed by Moroccan spiced breaded lamb ribs with a light, fluffy cream cheesecake to finish. Service is attentive and the staff here are trained well enough to provide context for the choice of wine pairings. Affordable and simple food done very well, Farley Macallan’s menu is certainly a step up from a ploughman’s lunch, without ever feeling pretentious.