Factory Floor Feasting: Slowburn's Unconventional Dining Experience
In an era where restaurant concepts constantly push boundaries, Slowburn in Walthamstow has carved out a genuinely unique niche. This isn't just another dining establishment - it's a weekend dinner party hosted within a fully operational denim factory that transforms each Friday evening.
From Denim Production to Decadent Dining
The space at 114b Blackhorse Lane leads a double life. During weekdays, it functions as Blackhorse Lane Ateliers, buzzing with sewing machines and denim enthusiasts crafting selvedge jeans. Come Friday, the denim-heads depart, tables and chairs emerge from storage, and chef Chavdar Todorov fires up the kitchen for weekend service.
The atmosphere remains authentically industrial, with the best seats positioned beside gigantic washing machines, paper patterns for jeans adorning the walls, and the distinctive scent of starch lingering in the air. This innovative approach to space utilisation makes perfect business sense in London's challenging hospitality landscape, offering a template for dual-purpose venues that could inspire similar pop-ups nationwide.
A Menu of Global Flavours and Hearty Portions
Chef Todorov launched Slowburn in late 2020, initially delivering meals locally during lockdown via motorbike. Over five years, he has refined his distinctive style: hearty home-cooking elevated to restaurant quality.
The menu celebrates vegetables while accommodating meat lovers, featuring sharing plates that comfort and surprise in equal measure. Standout dishes include:
- Crunchy-shell black bean tacos made with crispy gyoza skins and vibrant coriander salsa
- Compelling purple sprouting broccoli with creamy Thai-style red curry sauce and peanuts
- Deeply indulgent Pitchfork cheddar and brown butter agnolotti with parsnip crisps
- Perfectly charred sweet potato with cavolo nero chimichurri
For carnivores, the hilariously decadent rosti topped with ox cheek and tail contains more meat than potato, shrouded in parmesan shavings. The venison haunch steak balances light and offaly flavours, lifted by tart cranberry and ancho chilli salsa.
Essential Visiting Information
Slowburn operates exclusively from Friday to Saturday, with a particularly compelling lunch offering at £26 per person. The vegetarian option includes two starters and three mains, while meat-eaters receive two starters, two mains, and a quarter smoked chicken.
The drinks menu complements the food perfectly, featuring a decent wine selection, refreshing spritzes (the elderflower version comes highly recommended), and contemporary cocktails.
This wonderfully unhinged dining experience represents the best of London's creative spirit - a true factory reset for your dining expectations that proves extraordinary venues can produce equally remarkable food.
