ROUGH Night Out: RHYTHM KITCHEN WALTHAMSTOW

If you're looking for a Caribbean-inspired dining experience, then you need to check out Rhythm Kitchen in Walthamstow. Just a short walk from the station, this restaurant offers a modern take on traditional and classic dishes, crafted with the finest ingredients. The Walthamstow location focuses more on the dining experience, while the Stratford branch offers a more simplified takeaway menu.

Rhythm Kitchen has a very welcoming atmosphere. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the warm staff and the mellow music playing in the restaurant made us feel at home. The restaurant itself has a cool shack canteen vibe, making it perfect for any occasion – whether it's a romantic date, birthday, or to catch up with some mates.

The menu is full of delicious staples, such as jerk BBQ meat and fish dishes, fritters, roti wraps and feast platters perfect for larger groups. There's also a vegan section with mouthwatering dishes like plantain lasagne and ragga stew, as well as a kids' section.

Visiting on a work night meant I needed a good drink, and although I'm tee-total, the sugar rush from one of their many mocktails hit the spot. The coconut peppered shell on prawns, deliciously creamy mac and cheese, jerk wings, and plantain fritters served with tamarind sauce were beautifully presented and all pretty damn good. The plantain fritters deserve another mention, as they were sweet, crisp, and doughy - perfect as either a dessert or a savory bite.

I wore my greedy predictability like a badge. Of course, I ordered an oxtail dish - their braised oxtail cooked in a rich sauce with butter beans, carrots and dumplings - and it was as meaty and hearty as expected. Would I order it again, along with their side of rice and peas, creamy mac and cheese, and steamed vegetables? Absolutely! I also managed to sample some of their jerk beef ribs from my plus one's plate - slow-cooked Jamaican style, melt-in-your-mouth beef and packed with flavour.