This month #MyBestMealIslington is the Elk in the Woods, a little gem in the quaint and super charming Camden Passage, the gorgeous little alleyway in Islington with quirky shops and a weekend vintage market (check out my previous blog About Town: Welcome to Islington: Camden Passage ) The Elk in the Wood offers some very interesting twists on classics dishes including unusual cocktails, with a pared-down woody decor, all very in theme with the name. The menu selection is good for meat-eaters (Moi) perhaps a bit less for vegetarians. I had The Butchers Board - chargrilled sirloin steak with bone marrow butter, rosemary and garlic roast lamb ribs, meaty gravy, and pork and apple sausage minus the chips and it were Humongous, I couldn't finish it: I was so stuffed that, incroyable, I had no room for a cocktail ( I know I should have had the cocktail first, right?!). I would advise booking ahead if you are going for an evening meal as it is not a big place and it gets busy. The staff are very friendly, attentive enough but not overbearing and don't rush you to finish quickly. The Elk in the Woods is definitely a place for a good breakfast though, with things on the menu like duck egg with asparagus, sausage and dippers, and elk bloody-mary made with bloodshot vodka, smoked bacon and gherkin dippers. I ate here another time before: I really fancied an English breakfast and wanted to try the incredibly popular Breakfast Club, it was Saturday however and there was a massively long queue so I went to The Elk instead. I had a lovely chargrilled avocado filled with goat's curd and poached eggs sitting in one of the outside tables, watching people go by, feeling very "cafe culture" daarling! The food is not particularly expensive ( it is Islington!) and it has a cosy atmosphere and they cater to gluten-free. The reviews on Trip Advisor do not do it justice at all. I'd come here again and definitely recommend it as #MyBestMealIslington #CamdenPassageChallenge; what makes it a particular gem for me is that, as a business owner/entrepreneur, I'm always on a lookout for suitable places to have breakfast/ brunch/ lunch/ coffee meetings with clients ( Small Bizs/creatives raise your hands here), places that are not too busy and packed ( so people cannot read your laptop screen and/or listen to your conversations), that are not impersonal but friendly and relaxed and that can positively represent your brand and within close proximity of a tube station: the Elk is one of those. During the week - daytime - is not too busy with opening hours very suitable for reasonably early meetings ( 9.00 am - 11.00 pm) and they have good wifi ( do be reasonable though: don't just have a meeting for hours on one coffee - they are running a business ..). My lovely followers, occasional readers, and fellow entrepreneurs: which one is your best eats - #MyBestMealIslington #CamdenPassageChallenge? #tagafriend with #MyBestMealIslington and vote/recommend your favourite. Go and check out this little gem and let me know what you think; go on, you know you want to ... x DISCLAIMER: Since the publication of this blog The Elk In The Wood has unfortunately closed down.