The Promise of Spring
Friday 13 March 2026
83 Dalston Lane, London (map)
This week marks Spring Equinox, the point from which the days will be longer than the nights. Last Friday, we celebrated the new season - more light, plants in bloom, and the hope of renewal - with our second supper club of the year, ‘The Promise of Spring’.
About the event
Last Friday, as we arrived at our home on Dalston Lane to set up, we could already feel a noticeable shift compared to our last event on 31st January. The sky was still bright outside and, though cooling now, the air was warm and calm. The transition to Spring was officially underway, and we were excited to celebrate with our lovely guests and volunteers.
On the night, we were joined by three new volunteers - India, Reece, and Natasha - along with long-running supporters Eve, Alan, and of course Andi and Simon. As always, we had a feast from City Harvest - aubergines, beef, pastry rolls, cauliflowers, mushrooms - and everyone set to work preparing the food and setting the table, adorned with tulips and candles. We welcomed a full house of eighteen guests, and soon there was a warm, familiar buzz across the room, with people enjoying vermouth spritzes and non-alcoholic aperitifs. Everyone took their orders, and the vegetarian option of cauliflower steaks was the most popular order, while those who chose moussaka reported that it was delicious too.
Of course, no Mike’s Table would be complete without a raffle, including a pair of cinema ticket for Rio Cinema, a body wash set, and a handknitted bunny by one of our volunteers Eleanor’s mum! Afterwards, we all enjoyed Lou’s chocolate and olive oil sponge with berry jelly and cream - what a treat!
Overall, we had a wonderful, heartwarming evening. This was topped off by one guest coming into the kitchen to tell the team that it had felt like a family home. This kind of feedback is why we do what we do - to make a welcoming, inclusive space to share delicious food and good conversation. Thank you to everyone that joined and supported, and who make putting on nights like this possible!
The Menu
Thank you to our friends at City Harvest, who donated a wonderful range of unique, high-quality ingredients for our chefs to craft a delicious meal. The food is always within its use-by date and would otherwise be thrown away. Here’s the menu from the night…
Welcome Drinks and Nibbles:
Vermouth or non-alcoholic amber digestif with soda water
Tomato and oregano biscuit bites and selection of crips
Starters:
Roast Vegetable Tart (VG)
or
Cauliflower, chickpea, potato and lemon Soup (V)
Main Courses:
Moussaka
or
Cauliflower Steak with tahini sauce and chickpea and mushroom pilaf and with pico de gallo (VG)
Dessert:
Chocolate and Raspberry Midnight Cake with cream (V - VG version available)
The Team
Kitchen: Andi, Simon, India, and Alan
Front of House: Eve, Natasha, Eve, Georgie, and Louise
Our Partners
As ever, we couldn’t do it without you:
Carers Network HostNation Medaille Trust New Art Studio Nova New Opportunities Prisoners Abroad Refugees At Home
Many thanks to our Food & Drink Donors:
City Harvest Uncharted Wines
Kind words from our guests
“What you’ve created here feels like a family home.”
"There aren’t many restaurants where you walk in and end up hugging everyone."
“The organisers are such lovely people! They have a real gift for making everyone feel welcome and for creating a truly convivial atmosphere so that nobody feels awkward or left out. Imagine sitting down at a long table with a bunch of perfect strangers! For many people including myself this sounds awkward, bordering on scary. I’ve no idea how they do it but minutes later everyone becomes relaxed and chatty! Something in the air, perhaps?”
