Darkhorse, review: Unexpected, but a very a hot tip

Darkhorse is exactly that – a thoughtful, ambitious and ultimately impressive food and drink spot in an entirely unassuming part of London.

This hidden gem can be uncovered in the newfound suburbia of the former Olympic Athlete’s Village – it may only be a 10-minute walk but this is a world away from the hipster hangouts of Hackney Wick.

A mixture of the best-loved and under-explored bits of both Italian and Spanish cuisine, Darkhorse's food is low on clichés, high on ingredient-led intrigue.

Its fresh burrata is served with Bertha grilled grapes and Pedro Ximenez sherry balsamic vinegar – a prime example of Darkhorse’s penchant for marrying an Italian light-touch with a delicious Iberian twist.

It takes little encouragement to accompany this with a well-chosen wine and spirits list, served by knowledgable, passionate staff.