The quest for the ‘Dalston Melon’
Tucked away among the chimneystacks of Dalston is a remarkable oasis of green. An urban farm grown entirely in pots and raised beds making use of every inch of space to grow trees, vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers for the Brunswick East restaurant below.
Japanese Wineberry
A Japanese wineberry pushes for space, hops scramble along ropes reaching for the skylights of a roof and sunflowers attract the honeybees from rooftop neighbour Dalston Bees. There’s even a tiny greenhouse squeezed into a corner nurturing what grower Joe hopes will be the first ‘Dalston Melon’.
Could this be the first Dalston melon?
Workers from the surrounding creative businesses pop out of their workshops and offices to take a break among the plants which have turned a barren hot roof into a restful garden full of life and colour.
Sunflowers and vines
The produce makes the short journey down to the courtyard café where head chef Tarsh plans her menus around the seasonal availability. Chefs shin up a rickety staircase to forage from a flat roof which is entirely dedicated to herbs, common and exotic. Green waste is returned to the roof garden where it is composted to feed the beds once again.
Picking herbs for supper
The Sky Farm captures the imagination, energy and commitment of the team at Brunswick East. There is no effort spared to make the impossible possible. With no lift, tonnes of soil were winched up to the roof by the bucketload and infrastructure built.
As part of their 10th anniversary celebrations, Joe and Tarsh conjured up a secluded and romantic dining space on the roof, complete with kitchen. They made it look effortless but everything was carried up and down by hand. With so many fresh and vibrant flavours to choose from, the special menu was a delight of seasonality, creativity and beautifully presented dishes, which we were honoured to have paired with our wines and spirits.
Supper in the sky at Brunswick East
Happy Anniversary Brunswick East!
The best table in town