Forman’s

Probably the best smoked salmon I’ve tasted in a while. Very subtle smoke flavour that didn’t over power the fish. Amazingly friendly staff that made every effort possible and even talked through the smoking room which can be seen through the port holes from the first floor of the restaurant. (Visit — 04/​10/​2014 Brunch)

I live in Stratford so I’m so happy when I find good food in the area that isn’t in the Westfield and I don’t have to go central for. The first time we came here we brought family from out of town and I got reservations the Friday before which made me a bit skeptical but i was so impressed.
It’s a bit difficult to find but once you do you’re greeted outside and asked if you have a reservation. Inside there’s pop art on the wall and a modern feel in the lounge. The view of the Olympic stadium is actually kind of shocking how close it feels. We were seated in the intimate dining area and there were only a few other tables full and some people came in trying to get a table and they were turned away as the tables were booked for later on. I liked that small feel of the restaurant which is something hard to find in London.
They serve all English wines except for the champagne which I think is pretty cool. I had the smoked salmon and crab salad to start and the salmon was so delicious as they smoke them in house. For my main I had the filet with truffle dauphiniose potatoes and creamy celeriac mash. The filet was tender, the potatoes were rich and creamy and the mash tied it all together. For pudding, we shared the cheese board and they serve it with seeded crackers and chutneys. There isn’t a choice for the cheese which is always hard because my husband isn’t a fan of blue or goats cheese or basically soft cheeses in general but I was a happy bunny.
On your way out you need to check out the view of all the salmon in the smoking process!
The next time we came here on a double date as we had such a great experience the first time. This time I had the pâté parfait with the hazelnut salad and it was creamy and the flavours paired perfectly. For the main, I had the turbot with clams and scallops and chorizo foam and everyone at the table was jealous of my food. It was absolutely delicious. We each had a dessert but all I can remember is the golden syrup sponge which is actually baked in the syrup tin, yum.
The food is amazing, the atmosphere is great and I can’t wait to come here for brunch in the summer on the balcony over looking the canal and stadium.

Breakfast was really 5 stars good — salmon was massive and tasty, fried breakfast had great quality meat and two types of bacon. Price was good — 20 quid for two quality breakfasts and coffee. The only reason this gets 3 stars is that the coffee was terrible — let down the whole experience for us.

The coffee was terrible, but the food was brilliant. I had hot smoked salmon with eggs hollandaise (the ‘Forman’ on the menu) and it was perfect. Would definitely visit again, but I will avoid the coffee!
Having visited a few more times I thought it only fair to bump up my review. On the occasion that me and my partner treat ourselves to breakfast/​brunch here it has always been a pleasure. The food is always delicious, beautifully presented and the staff are welcoming, friendly and good for a giggle.
The last time we visited we had missed the brunch menu (oops. Lazy Sunday!) But we had a fish platter to share, which was divine. I had one of their ‘Fish Island ice tea’ cocktails and it was delicious! Good stuff. Love this place for a weekend late (or very late) breakfast. Needless to say I have avoided the coffee since the first visit ;)

H. Forman & Son is a longstanding traditional salmon smoking business that was located just across the borough boundary in Stratford and whose owner negotiated a fair arrangement when evicted by the Olympic Park and was able to relocate to his large purpose built smokery along with a brand new ultra-​smart bar-​restaurant just in time for the Olympics and who is rightly known to have some good supporters such as Mayor Boris who probably doesn’t cycle to this one! It’s actually the nearest building to the Olympic Stadium even though it’s on the west bank of the River Lee, so it’s just outside the Olympic Park which means it can be open for business and to everyone on an ongoing basis.
There is a roof terrace bar with an amazing view if the weather holds — see any of the great pictures taken of the Olympic opening and closing ceremony fireworks. There is a large tastefully modern restaurant (which could feel a little bit corporate) but which trebles up as a jazz bar and art gallery to diversify their offering. They serve modern British food with English sparkling and still (£25+) wines try the platter of smoked salmon for two at £18. Yes it’s not exactly cheap but not more than West London prices for similarly classy in décor, with an interesting menu and very welcoming staff. If you ask nicely when they are not too busy, a waiter may take you down to see the fascinating smokehouse. They only use very fresh Scottish Salmon, trim it by hand, smoke it lightly and sell it to top London restaurants. You should taste it and then pinch yourself or look outside the big windows to realise exactly where you are: Not in Mayfair but E3. East London won’t be the same again, for sure.

Forman’s is spot on. it supplies the best salmon and smoked bacon to café around east London and they’ve set up a high-​end private member club for the Olympic period.

I visited the restaurant and art gallery with my partner who had visited before and recommended it and we were not disappointed. I suppose it is down to expectations if you like your restaurants plush and opulent you should try somewhere in the west end but if you like the East End, love industrial and natural together, like art and taste you will probably like Formans. The food was incredibly tasty, quite the best food I have tasted in a long while and there was attentive service and good English wine (oh yes!) and no it is not a fish restaurant but the smoked eel was fantastic and smoked salmon as good as it gets, the sea bass was very good, the lamb rump the best piece of salt marsh lamb I have ever tasted and the syrup sponge just too good for words! Why not 5 stars? Well the atmosphere was a little flat the night we were there only 2 people apart from us there! I was also told that the menu was the same as the one back in the autumn not a very adventurous or seasonal approach. Would I go again? Oh yes and not just the food the art gallery is brilliant. If you are willing to give it a try you might enjoy it.

I visited Forman’s with a group of friends and was very disappointed. Firstly, despite being a fish smokery, it is not a fish restaurant. There were only two fish starters and two fish mains. The eel starter was the only dish which was well received. Everything else was either average or outright bland and uninteresting. At half the price it might be acceptable but this place is not cheap. The restaurant is quite small but has very high ceilings was too cold for comfort. The chairs are metal and very uncomfortable and the location is terrible. Hackney Wick is an industrial wasteland, far from everywhere. Forman’s only grace is its staff who were universally friendly, attentive and helpful. However that is not enough to save it and we will not be returning.

Forman and Sons however, is distinctly urban. It sits in an industrial complex directly across from where they are building the Olympic village. Not exactly windswept dunes, but, in its own way still an oasis in a very urban landscape.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
A Smokehouse Open Day at Forman and Sons
The twitterverse has been kind to us recently. We found out about the Wahaca Qype event on there and soon after also heard about an open day at a local smokehouse, Forman and Sons.
Having lived in Scotland for 5 years, I had images of the Achiltibue Smokehouse circulating in my head. We visited there a few years ago and were captivated by the lush surroundings.
Forman and Sons however, is distinctly urban. It sits in an industrial complex directly across from where they are building the Olympic village. Not exactly windswept dunes, but, in its own way still an oasis in a very urban landscape.
The smokehouse has been in business since 1905. In the entryway there is a wall-​sized photo of Harry Forman the founder of the business. He was the one who developed the «London Cure’ which uses less smoke than other smoked salmon you find.
They have a diverse offering of fine meats, cheese, chocolates and patisserie items which you can buy online.

This was opened as a temporary art space during the Hackney Wick (Ed) festival. It is big and corporate. It is strange how cheap floor tiles can make ruin an art space in the same way that a nice concrete floor can make it.
I feel a bit bad criticising the space as it is not a normal art gallery and the staff from Forman’s (a fish factory) who were working there were so nice and proud. Unfortunately the building as a whole (and the resturant on the second floor) suffers from Ikea syndrome; everything has been done a little too cheaply…
Price — £ free with a great view from up high of the Olympic area