640 EAST DOCKS IN UPPER GARDNER STREET
Find @640East on Instagram
Providing you with your holy buddha bowl right the way through to your whisky sour, 640 East brings a glimmer of Shoreditch to the North Laine. While it’s not difficult to find your specialty coffee served by a member of the beanie crowd here in Brighton, the boys at 640 East bring modesty with this forward-thinking eatery.
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Starting from an up-cycled shipping container in London’s Canary Wharf, 640 East prides itself in its progressive ethos while being serious about its quality and service. This is more than just an impressive rosetta on your latte and Insta-worthy avocado on toast.
Social, yet un-smothering service
Upon arrival I was greeted with a smile and an un-smothering welcome asking if I was after coffee or dining in. As I was seated I observed the social environment; a group sat in meetings over communal table, couples sharing more intimate tables, all placed with a backdrop of the rustic open kitchen. It was truly warm and inviting.
Diverse, but manageable menu
Before I continue to talk about the food, the coffee cannot go without mention! With all four milk alternatives up for offer, 640 goes one step further in its environmental pursuits in offering oat milk at no extra cost. Save that coinage of yours or put it towards tipping a member of their wholesome team.
Now for the food.
Choose between two parts to the menu:
Bowls- where you can un-ashamedly give into those sweet-tooth cravings with a green smoothie bowl (made from spinach, sweet potato, berries and yogurt), or relinquish your inner carnivore with the crispy pork belly in den miso. I had the Buddha Bowl, which for those who may not know is a brimming bowl of vegetables often accompanied by grains or a plant based protein. Despite its wholesome goodness, you’ll be rubbing your belly afterwards as if you were the Buddha himself- never underestimate the sustenance of those veggies! But these aren’t just any veggies. 640 East’s take on this modern day favourite is made from roasted sprouts, heritage carrots, kale, smashed pumpkin, spinach, grains, and an ambrosial pesto topped with pomegranate seeds. The mellowed flavours were so superb that curbing those cravings after the Christmas period really wasn’t difficult. Eating well and maintaining a social life has never been easier. For those fearful of delving off the beaten track there’s still a good old English breakfast in the form of the ‘640 breakfast’- house-cured bacon, fennel & garlic sausages, grilled tomato, thyme roasted mushroom, house beans, egg and sourdough.
The breakfast menu also promises something for the more cautious palate among us- dishes as simple as jam on toast and bacon brioche buns, to toasted mushrooms on sourdough with pear and cashew truffle. There really is something for everyone!
Cooperative spirit
640 East preserves its industrial branding across each of its four sites while adding a personal touch to each restaurant. This is reflected from the menu, to the crockery, to the special events hosted.
“We cherish our relationship with local providers and other independents”.
Bespoke crockery made by Brighton based pottery studio, Potters Thumb (also providers for The Set and The Little Fish Market), and a local influence from plant-based author Gemma Ogston (@gemswholesomekitchen). Despite starting in the big smoke, 640 really sticks to its guns.
After being blown away by the buddha bowl (which trust me, is far more than just a bowl of earthy goodness) I was keen to know the secret behind it’s distinctive flavours. It was then that I was enlightened into Gemma’s influence on the menu and told to keep an eye out for a future collaboration. I only recently heard about ‘Gemma’s Self-Care Cookbook’ and her 5 day nourish packages, so to hear 640 is collaborating with the locals so soon after opening was really encouraging. What was even more refreshing was the fact Gemma was walking around the restaurant sampling smoothies and speaking to customers later that same afternoon. Her name wasn’t merely thrown around as some marketing ploy- the businesses are authentically collaborating and Gemma has a physical presence in these early days of opening.
Future events include ‘SKINT’ on Monday 27th January and hosted by Head Chef Olly. The event is “inspired by the frugal month of January and what we can forage from the Southern Coastline”. There’s also “Another Supper Club” on Thursday 27th February with a collaboration brought to you by Fu-Fighters (a local business proudly providing products made from no soya, no dairy or gluten) and @gemswholesomekitchen. The girls will be creating a wholesome feast of seasonal small plates.
A trendy all-rounder without the pretence
I find that so many cafes try too hard to appeal to the Instagram generation, and while 640 is undoubtedly cool and serving aesthetically pleasing plates of food, it leaves the pretence of its competitors behind.
All in all, my experience at 640 East was memorable to say the least. For a very well made coffee and nourishing plate of food (which was also one of the more expensive options on the menu) I still only paid a palatable £12. I cannot wait to get back to try more, and with a clearly labelled menu including gluten free and vegan options- I can invite any of my friends with ease!
