Restaurants

Arcola
27 Arcola St, E8 (020 7503 1645)

Pre-theatre
Istanbul Iskembecisi, 9 Stoke Newington Rd, N16
If you have time, try the Mediterranean theme park kitsch-palace that is LMNT, in nearby Queensbridge Road (number 316); otherwise, head for Istanbul Iskembecisi (12noon-5am). Its name means tripe house, but this Dalston restaurant serves superb Turkish cuisine. Try the soup of finely chopped tripe with salt, vinegar, lemon juice and pepper; to follow, levrek (sea bass) is good, or go for shish kebab.
(020 7254 7291) Feature continues

Interval drinks
Marquis of Lansdowne, 48 Stoke Newington Rd, N16
It’s a typical London pub: peeling bottle-green exterior and weathered lettering, but worth crossing the road for, jostling with the oldies propping up the bar, and supping a bargain.

Post-theatre
Mangal, Arcola St, E8
Time Out’s theatre critic Rachel Halliburton says: ‘There’s a famous kebab shop opposite the Arcola called Mangal [5pm-3am] where you can have anything from quail to veg kebabs. You see it cooked in front of you over hot coals and you can bring your own bottle. I would say it’s the one place I make sure I go after a play.’ (020 7275 8981) If you’re up for one more, head straight to the Dalston Jazz Bar at 4 Bradbury St, N16, afterwards – it’s open till 3am, on Friday and Saturday till 5am.
(020 7254 9728)

In-house eats
No café, but themed snacks are served to tie in with the production. ‘For “Broadway in the Shadows” (a collection of New York stories), we’ll probably do tapas; “Family Affairs” is a Russian play coming up, so we’ll serve things like vodka and pickled cucumbers. We’ll probably serve Budweiser for the American play and get some ales in for “King Arthur”,’ says Philip Arditti, associate producer.

Can I bring my own sarnies?
‘We don’t allow food, but drinks are okay.’

Where do the cast/crew go?
Mangal (see above). ‘It’s very famous, probably more famous than the theatre.’