You Call The Shots

"You Call The Shots is primarily a bar where trendy friends moonlight as Sazerac enthusiasts and new flirtations are fired up over tea lights and a £20 bottle of Rioja. It’s also a classy spot for European-leaning small plates. The devilled crab doughnuts are masterful and the potato pavé is an impressive feat of carbohydrate-based architecture. Waltz in for a 1am margarita on a Friday night or keep an eye on the menu for when an interesting-sounding guest chef comes in." - jake missing, sinead cranna, daisy meager

"You Call The Shots describes themselves as a ‘good time bar.’ And we agree that cheeseburger hot dogs and cocktails do sound like a good time. The Hackney spot is from the same team as The Prince Arthur and there’ll also be interesting snacky bits on the menu like a mini devilled crab donut, and salt and lime corn. There’s talk of residencies in the future, so keep an eye on their Instagram for up-to-date information. We recently checked out You Call The Shots. Read our first thoughts here.    " - sinead cranna, rianne shlebak

"You Call The Shots is a classy, casual bar on Hackney’s Morning Lane that understands our two personalities. The one that demands another excellent margarita at 1am on a Saturday, and the one that sincerely considers starting a collection of kitsch, vintage floral plates. It’s primarily a bar where trendy friends moonlight as Sazerac enthusiasts and new flirtations are fired up over tea lights and a £20 bottle of Rioja. But the European-leaning small plates are less stomach-lining afterthought, and more devilled crab doughnut show-offs and impressive, towering potato architecture. The hefty cheeseburger dog is, frankly, a bit of a freak—but exactly the kind of freak you fancy after drinking enough Negronis to sedate Stanley Tucci. Just know the menu will probably change as they invite different guest chefs in. Food Rundown video credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley Mini Devilled Crab Doughnut This fried and stuffed crab fest is the kind of two-bite wonder that laughs in the face of a bag of Pipers crisps. The mix of brown crab and mayo really hits the spot if you’re getting involved in one of the sweeter cocktails. A notable bar snack. photo credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley Pistou Chippers Despite sounding like the sheriff protagonist of a cartoon Western, this is a potato masterpiece topped with a seriously zingy basil sauce. A full 10 points to the confit potato base for its excellent crunch factor. photo credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley Prawn Guanciale Someone give these prawns a hug. They’re a bit sad and need a sharp or spicy sauce soulmate stat. photo credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley ‘Fish & Chips’ Never have quote marks worked harder. Really, what you’re looking at is an epic singular confit-style chip with a little cod hat and—sincere apologies to our seaside ancestors currently rolling in their graves—it’s a delicious, delightful medley of saltiness and dense, crispy potato. photo credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley Cheeseburger Dog A blessing for the indecisive, a positive plot twist for dish mash-up sceptics, and one of the few dishes we genuinely think might have been dreamed up by a dog. Yes, this hot dog burger hybrid has proper KO meat capabilities, but the crispy shallots, pickles, and glossy brioche roll keep it firmly out of the gimmick category." - Heidi Lauth Beasley