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User:Isdewell/Towpath Cafe (London)

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Towpath
Towpath Cafe, May 2023
Restaurant information
Established2010
Owner(s)Laura Jackson & Lori de Mori
Street address42 De Beauvoir Crescent
CityLondon
Postal/ZIP CodeN1 5SB
CountryUnited Kingdom
ReservationsNo Reservations
Websitewww.towpathlondon.com

Towpath Cafe is a seasonal cafe located on Regent's Canal in Hackney, London, UK. This popular spot is open March through November, offering visitors a unique dining experience on the canal walkway.

Location[edit]

City Road Lock, Islington, London

Regent's Canal[edit]

Regent's Canal is an 8.6 mile long waterway that runs through North London.[1] The canal passes through Regent's Park, Camden, Islington, Haggerston, and East London, ending in Limehouse Basin. Built during the industrial revolution, the canals in London were used to transport goods throughout the city.[2]

The path along the canal is called a towpath, hence the name of the cafe.

Towpath kiosk #2, bar

Nowadays, The canal is populated by runners, walkers, cyclists, and house boats.[3]

Cafe Kiosks[edit]

The cafe itself is located inside of four kiosks on the towpath between Whitmore Road and Kingsland High Street in De Beauvoir Town. In 2010, the cafe started out as just three shallow units, but has since expanded.[4] Each kiosk serves as a different section of the cafe: kitchen, bar, seating, and larder.[5] Weather permitting, there is additional outdoor seating available.

Food[edit]

Fried eggs on sourdough with sage

The cafe is known for its diverse menu, which features a fusion of Mediterranean and British-inspired dishes prepared using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. The Towpath Cafe delivers a range of options, including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and pastries.[6] Signature dishes include fried eggs on toast, homemade granola with yogurt and fruit, as well as a selection of sandwiches and salads.[7]

Laura Jackson, co-owner and chef at Towpath, received her diploma from Leith's Cookery School in London. Before starting Towpath, Jackson worked at several notable London eateries such as Melrose & Morgan and Rochelle Canteen.[8]

Lori de Mori, co-owner of Towpath, met Jackson while visiting a hotel called Auberge de Chassignolles in Auvergne, France. De Mori asked Jackson to partner with her to create Towpath.[9] Since then, Lori de Mori has been working front of house while Laura Jackson works back of house. Their partnership is a cornerstone of the cafe.

Publications[edit]

Cook Book[edit]

In October 2020, Laura Jackson and Lori de Mori published "Towpath: Recipes and Stories," a cookbook that details Towpath Cafe's culinary offerings and background.[10] The book features a collection of recipes inspired by the cafe's menu, accompanied by narratives that highlight the cafe's ethos and culinary history. Each chapter is marked by a month, meant to reflect the months that the cafe is open during the year.

"Towpath: Recipes & Stories"

Reviews[edit]

"Towpath is one of the reasons I live in London. It’s a jewel-like, dream of a place. This book is an invite into their magical world." - Keira Knightley[11]

"The sense of place and time, wonder and friendship, the sheer joy of generosity and giving and pleasing are all beautifully woven together. The love and respect you have for each other shines through on every page as you recall adventures and dishes and people and instances galore through the years together creating an idyll on a canal. This book, inspiring as it is useful, is a masterclass in the good things in life." - Jeremy Lee[12]

"When people ask about my favorite restaurants, I instantly think of Towpath. Warm, quirky, intimate, it’s a restaurant you never want to leave. This cookbook is the same: personal, inviting and filled with fantastically appealing food. If I can’t get to Towpath, it’s the next best thing." - Ruth Reichl[13]

Podcast[edit]

Laura and Lori complemented their book release by launching a series of podcast episodes detailing their journey of founding and operating Towpath.[14] Each episode features interviews with individuals considered "friends of Towpath," ranging from food writers to cinematographers, who share their perspectives and experiences.

Episodes[edit]

  1. Part 1: Welcome to Towpath with chef Rosie Skyes[15]
  2. Part 2: On the canal with wildlife cinematographer Sophie Darlington[16]
  3. Part 3: Menus from March to November with food writer Olia Hercules[17]
  4. Part 4: When customers become friends with artist Enrico David[18]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Regent's Canal". canalrivertrust.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  2. ^ "The Regent's Canal at 200". City of London. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  3. ^ "Regent's Canal". canalrivertrust.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  4. ^ De Mori L., Jackson L. (September 2020). Towpath: Recipes & Stoires. London, UK: Chelsea Green Publishing. ISBN 9781645020127.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. ^ "Towpath Café, Hackney". The Next Delicious Thing. 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  6. ^ "Towpath Cafe Review Review - Haggerston - London". The Infatuation. 2022-01-21. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  7. ^ "Towpath Cafe | Restaurants in Haggerston, London". Time Out London. 2020-09-24. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  8. ^ "Lori de Mori and Laura Jackson". thegentlewoman.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  9. ^ "Lori de Mori and Laura Jackson". thegentlewoman.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  10. ^ "TOWPATH". TOWPATH. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  11. ^ "TOWPATH". TOWPATH. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  12. ^ "TOWPATH". TOWPATH. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  13. ^ "TOWPATH". TOWPATH. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  14. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  15. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  16. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  17. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  18. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
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