Friday 16th October 
In today's Weekly, just before tier 2 restrictions come into place, we finally swing by one of the area's longest running Portuguese restaurants, shelter from the rain (again) at Gravity Well taproom, admire the flowers at Edie Rose - and offer up some weekend walking inspo both nearby and a short train ride away.

1. A dive into Oceano



We've eyed up Leyton's long-running Portuguese restaurant, near the Coach & Horses, for as long as we can remember. The other day we actually popped, in spur of the moment, for dinner. Here's what happened.

2. More rain at the Well?



We returned to Gravity Well Taproom on yet another apocalyptic rain-soaked evening - and bagged the last table-for-two by the window. Boy, it sure fills up quickly in there. Despite the drizzle, punters kept pouring through the doors and had to sit outside on the wet benches. Time for some outdoor cover (and even heating) perhaps, especially with the new tier 2 rules? Read more about Leyton Midland's new brewery taproom here.

3. What else has been happening?



Edie Rose's flower shop is magical at the best of times, but right now it's looking especially fine. The display of dried flowers is stunning (the bloke and I argued over which to pick, above) and we left with yet another houseplant companion, too. Those Abraham flat bay windows, right? How Edie Rose came to Francis.

It was all socially distanced but still busy at the Heathcote and Star last night. We took advantage before the new restrictions of booking a table for 5 so we could all share Krapow's amazing small plates and our favourite spicy Gai Yang chicken thighs 

And another dinner at Masala India seemed long overdue earlier this week (yep, it appears we can't stop eating now the weather's turned). It's pretty impressive how they've got their spacious back garden room covered and heated for the lockdown winter, although on this occasion, chilled to the bone, we sat inside with our BYO vino and ordered the usual super-tasty Tiffin boxes.

What else? It's so cold and wet that we can't resist Zaxx, either. Yet another bowl of chicken gochujang hit the spot on a grey, rainy lunchtime.

Speaking of lunch, have you been to Darkhorse in East Village recently? A leisurely Friday afternoon the other week - heck, those pork chops! - confirmed everything we loved about it in the first place.
 

4. Take the Overground to Gospel Oak for some art (sponsor)

 

Kentish Town contemporary art gallery Zabludowicz Collection is finally back open with a show to get tongues wagging - an immersive exhibition by American artist Trulee Hall. At the heart of Hall’s practice is an exploration of feminism and sexuality in the form of a humorous "erotic grotesque", so expect "glory holes, peeping toms, sexy bodies, and a phallic serpent or two." Wowsers. It's free entry but there are the usual Covid restrictions: more info here. Jump off at Gospel Oak Overground and it's only a ten-minute walk to the gallery.