Last updated: 29 July 2023
Update: Wringer & Mangle is permanently closed. This review remains available to provide insight into what the dining experience was like when it was open.
Published November 2017. After much success of Wringer & Mangle housed in a former laundry in London’s hip London Fields, its sister bar and restaurant has opened with rousing success just a stone’s throw from London’s Liverpool Street.
Wringer & Mangle Spitalfields is the latest addition to the portfolio of successful restaurateur brothers, Jon and Gerry Calabrese who are behind ventures like The Holy Birds and Hoxton Pony.
Venue
The interior is light, sprawling and spacious, the exposed brick and recycled wooden tables complement the very industrial-chic decor. Add vintage laundry accents here and there alongside pops of greenery from the indoor plants and you’ve got a venue that will work from weekend brunch to the office Christmas party.
The floor plan is generous with a separate dining room from a cavernous bar with long communal tables, chesterfields and a wingback chair or two. Tucked around the back of the bar is a small space that resembles a lounge room from 1960s, Mad Men-style. On the whole, the venue feels a little disjointed in parts but it works for city suits and East London yuccies alike.
Food
Head Chef Peter Tomkinson brought his passion and expertise from The Lanesborough to give Wringer & Mangle a laid-back, homely setting offering a simple yet hearty menus.
The modern British cuisine serves staple items you’d recognise with complementary elements packed with flavour. With the team taking great pride in sourcing the best possible local ingredients every day, it’s attention to detail is important here, just like the freshly baked bread which arrives at your table in rustic brown paper bags, still warm and crunchy, served straight from the oven.
My entree was the crispy pig’s head croquettes. I must confess I wasn’t a huge fan of the name, but one must move past that. The panko style crumb is perfectly crisp on the outside and inside the meat is ample and deliciously feathery. The tartare sauce and accompanying apple provides the acidic punch to cut right through the density of the meat.
Out next was the main. Comfort food at it’s finest, a Merlot braised beef cheek is so tender it just melts-in-the-mouth. Served on a bed of celeriac puree, garnished with red cabbage and julienne carrots.
If you’re not in the mood for dinner? Wringer & Mangle offers a brunch menu laden with the usual suspects, many of which I’m very tempted to try one weekend soon.
Drinks
A fully stocked bar, an extensive cocktail menu and an extremely capable crew of award-winning mixologists are on hand to meet your cocktail needs.
Large groups can order cocktails in a self cooling infusion jars for a modern twist on a classic tea and served in vintage cups.
My tip? Go for the the ‘Locals Only’ – a delicious take on an Aperol Spritz made with Vodka, Aperol, Montenegro, Cinzano and Segura Viudas Brut Reserva.
Verdict
Overall Wringer & Mangle is likely to be a winner and as the Calabrese brothers have proven time and time again, do it well and the people will come.
The Essentials
Wringer & Mangle Spitalfields
Where: 94 Middlesex Street. London, E1 7EZ
Information: Menu
Nearest tube: Liverpool St
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