Hoxton Apprentice

Like the idea of doing good just by eating out? Much like Jamie Oliver's Fifteen round the corner, the Hoxton Apprentice is a charitable venture that trains the local community's long-term unemployed. There's nothing worthy, mind you, about the décor -a sexy, modern dining space set over two floors of a high-vaulted former primary school. The food, too, is simple, and easy on the pocket. A pleasing menu of European favourites is split into small and large (you choose whether to have a dish as a starter or a main) servings of 'bowls / breads' (including baba ganoush), 'colds' (bruschetta of the day), 'hots' (fillet of beef with dark ale jus, roast pumpkin and roast plum tomatoes), and tasty sides. Good brunch and roasts. There's a nice little pavement terrace for sunny afternoons, and service is really friendly.