Claw pops up at the Three Compasses in Dalston

Walking from either Dalston Kingsland or Dalston Junction you end up at The Three Compasses around the same time. Claw’s popup takes place at the shiny red pub, which looks like a beacon welcoming you inside, with huge claws on either side of the entrance, until the end of January 2016.

The pub is one of those lovely unassuming East End boozers with no fuss and no frills. The booths aligning the right hand wall are cosy-looking, as are the little nooks that a few small tables are slotted into. The lighting is low and people are chatting at a low hum. The bar is busy and the barmen flash their charming hipster smiles at us as we walk in and take a pew.

This launch is about crab, and crab only, and we were served the Arancini Rissotto Balls, Mozzarella, Lemon Aioli as well as the Samphire Crab Burger, which included Devonshire handpicked crab, pepper salsa, samphire and Claw Sauce, all in an organic brioche. Diners were fighting for these, though they were slow coming.

The beer on offer is the ideal accompaniment to the wonderful fishy crab and delectable melt-in-your-mouth arancini – perhaps even the perfect pairing. Try a pale ale or a Camden Hells on draft for this. Claw’s unique menu includes burgers with Devonshire crab, freshwater shrimps, Isle of Mull scallops, as well as mac and cheese, and more delicious veggie options too. 

The weekend brunch menu and Crab Marys were displayed on a black board, and will be including lobster BLTs, smashed avocado on toast, bottomless coffees, Bloody Marys and more. 

Claw’s aim is to bring back the humble crab to British plates, and so far they are doing a very good job. Make sure to check them out at the Three Compasses before their residency ends.

Hannah Lovell

Claw is at The Three Compasses, 99 Dalston Lane, London E8 1NH until 31^st January 2016, for further information visit here.