Conveniently located between Barbican and Farrington stations Lino is a bar, restaurant and private hire space housed in a converted Linoleum factory and promising a new, innovative approach to drinking and dining in the city. Everything in the restaurant is based around recycled, reused and reloved products from the food through to the décor. Sustainability is at the heart of Lino’s ethos and the team work tirelessly to salvage rubies in the rubble and provide a quality dining experience that people can enjoy with a clean conscience. Baking, fermenting, pickling and curing are just some of the methods employed by the chefs to ensure that nothing goes wasted that could otherwise be enjoyed.
The venue’s interiors are warehouse style with exposed brickwork, pipes and pendant lighting adding to the casual and informal atmosphere. Tables are well spaced and a large accessible bar area makes this a popular stop for post-work drinks.
In keeping with current trends, the menu is split into small and large plates with a strong focus on local, ethically sourced and seasonal ingredients. From the smaller dishes diners will find the likes of sauerkraut and cheddar croquettes with truffle mayonnaise; grilled Cornish mackerel with Porthilly oyster mayonnaise and pickled cucumber; and ‘wonky’ butternut squash noodles, seaweed broth, seasonal greens and cashew. From the more substantial options, highlights include Middle White pork chop with LINO barbecue sauce, hispi cabbage, bacon crumb and smoked apple; spiced aubergine, crispy chickpeas, black rice and hung yoghurt; and beer battered haddock with triple cooked chips, peas and warm tartare sauce.
Dessert choice is limited but enticing. For something sweet diners can choose between a nectarine and croissant frangipane with crème fraiche ice cream and a chocolate and peanut tart with raspberry sorbet or for a savoury option a selection of Neal’s Yard cheeses comes accompanied with seasonal chutney and levain crackers.