Half Cut Market launched back in 2021, at the top of York Way in that halfway point between Caledonian Road and Kentish Town
It started as a bottle shop, deli and wine bar, with a rotating line-up of guest chefs, but has now settled more firmly into wine bar territory, though you can still buy bottles to take away (and there’ll still be be the odd pop-up). As part of this, there’s a new permanent head chef, a very lovely young chap called Aidan Richardson (only 28!) who’s just launched his first menu.
Eat This
Aidan used to work at Brat amongst other places, so no surprise to see a few Basque touch points on the menu. We’d definitely recommend the Basque saucisson and the bread with smoked butter to start.
Other highlights from the short menu include the smoked ricotta and courgette on toast; the beef tartare crostini with lard and greengage; spring cabbage with Comte custard; and the standout piri piri grilled monkfish. Slightly less successful was the pork collar with roasted beetroot and plum relish, but this was more than made up for by the incredible chocolate and cherry eclair for dessert. One of the puds of the year so far!
Drink This
Wine is a big part of the Half Cut experience of course and there’s an excellent line-up of bottles to choose from. The list is firmly in natural / low intervention territory, curated by Half Cut co-owner Holly Willcocks, who also heads up the wine program at Mountain in Soho. We started with a fresh UBE Miraflores from Jerez, moving on to a light juicy red, the Espera Palheto from Portuguese winemaker Rodrigo Martins. So good we got a second bottle. There’s a decent selection of cocktails too, including the punchy pineapple picante.
Why Go
The Half Cut team have created a proper vibey neighbourhood spot, with a top line up of wines and a great new talent in Aidan in the kitchen. It’s worth coming by for the chocolate eclair alone.
Key Information
Address | 396 York Wy, London N7 9LW
For more information | halfcut.world