User:Isdewell/Towpath Cafe (London)

Towpath Cafe is a seasonal cafe located on Regent's Canal in Hackney, London, UK. This popular spot is open March through November, offering visitors a unique dining experience on the canal walkway.

Regent's Canal
Regent's Canal is an 8.6 mile long waterway that runs through North London. The canal passes through Regent's Park, Camden, Islington, Haggerston, and East London, ending in Limehouse Basin. Built during the industrial revolution, the canals in London were used to transport goods throughout the city.

The path along the canal is called a towpath, hence the name of the cafe.

Nowadays, The canal is populated by runners, walkers, cyclists, and house boats.

Cafe Kiosks
The cafe itself is located inside of four kiosks on the towpath between Whitmore Road and Kingsland High Street in De Beauvoir Town. In 2010, the cafe started out as just three shallow units, but has since expanded. Each kiosk serves as a different section of the cafe: kitchen, bar, seating, and larder. Weather permitting, there is additional outdoor seating available.

Food
The cafe is known for its diverse menu, which features a fusion of Mediterranean and British-inspired dishes prepared using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. The Towpath Cafe delivers a range of options, including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and pastries. Signature dishes include fried eggs on toast, homemade granola with yogurt and fruit, as well as a selection of sandwiches and salads.

Laura Jackson, co-owner and chef at Towpath, received her diploma from Leith's Cookery School in London. Before starting Towpath, Jackson worked at several notable London eateries such as Melrose & Morgan and Rochelle Canteen.

Lori de Mori, co-owner of Towpath, met Jackson while visiting a hotel called Auberge de Chassignolles in Auvergne, France. De Mori asked Jackson to partner with her to create Towpath. Since then, Lori de Mori has been working front of house while Laura Jackson works back of house. Their partnership is a cornerstone of the cafe.

Cook Book
In October 2020, Laura Jackson and Lori de Mori published "Towpath: Recipes and Stories," a cookbook that details Towpath Cafe's culinary offerings and background. The book features a collection of recipes inspired by the cafe's menu, accompanied by narratives that highlight the cafe's ethos and culinary history. Each chapter is marked by a month, meant to reflect the months that the cafe is open during the year.

Reviews
"Towpath is one of the reasons I live in London. It’s a jewel-like, dream of a place. This book is an invite into their magical world." - Keira Knightley

"The sense of place and time, wonder and friendship, the sheer joy of generosity and giving and pleasing are all beautifully woven together. The love and respect you have for each other shines through on every page as you recall adventures and dishes and people and instances galore through the years together creating an idyll on a canal. This book, inspiring as it is useful, is a masterclass in the good things in life." - Jeremy Lee

"When people ask about my favorite restaurants, I instantly think of Towpath. Warm, quirky, intimate, it’s a restaurant you never want to leave. This cookbook is the same: personal, inviting and filled with fantastically appealing food. If I can’t get to Towpath, it’s the next best thing." - Ruth Reichl

Podcast
Laura and Lori complemented their book release by launching a series of podcast episodes detailing their journey of founding and operating Towpath. Each episode features interviews with individuals considered "friends of Towpath," ranging from food writers to cinematographers, who share their perspectives and experiences.

Episodes

 * 1) Part 1: Welcome to Towpath with chef Rosie Skyes
 * 2) Part 2: On the canal with wildlife cinematographer Sophie Darlington
 * 3) Part 3: Menus from March to November with food writer Olia Hercules
 * 4) Part 4: When customers become friends with artist Enrico David