2 White Church Lane,
Whitechapel,
London,
E1 7QR
(020) 8616 0776
The ViewLondon Review
You will find students alongside suits and musical talent at this quirky East London venue.
The Venue
Housed in a converted church opposite Aldgate East tube station, Carnivale is undeniably unique. From the cosy – and sometimes packed – upstairs area, full of old-fashioned tables and chairs and lashings of dark wood to the quirky photographic artwork, album-covered walls and armchairs downstairs, this venue is creative and comfortable. Even the unisex toilets, with their vintage cabinets complete with sinks and classic mirrors, leave an impression. The stage area is used for a variety of performances, ranging from East End cabaret nights to comedy and showcase acts, all of which have free entry.
The Atmosphere
The venue appeals to both students at neighbouring universities – especially as they hold showcase nights linked with the London School of Music – and city folk who work nearby. This rare combination leads to an unpretentious atmosphere, which is a change from some of the surrounding try-hard East End establishments. Staff are friendly and helpful.
The Food
The simple menu offers a mixed bag, whether you're after quick bite or more-formal dining experience. All dishes are good value.
From the starters, the bruschetta could do with more olive oil and basil, but it's still tasty. The sliced olives and mozzarella enhance the dish and are a nice addition to the red onion and tomato pieces. The avocado and mozzarella salad also works well as an appetiser. Comprising of avocado, mozzarella and two small tomatoes, it’s drizzled with balsamic vinegar and is a simple but effective dish.
The mains vary in taste and suitability. While many tuna steaks are too rubbery or hard, Carnivale’s certainly isn't. The fish tears away on your fork easily and tastes very succulent. This is complemented by a red onion and mushroom sauce, which would be more effective as a simple smooth sauce without whole vegetables. In addition, the distinctly fresh asparagus spears and smooth onion mash work well. While the fish dish is perhaps a little over-complicated, the halloumi salad is the opposite. The dish is simply cheese on a spinach base and nothing more. While the cheese is nicely grilled, so it's not crispy and overcooked, it's very salty. If you're on a diet, beware – you get the equivalent of a block in this dish. The lemon and pine nut dressing is less drizzled and more poured. While this leaves the spinach very oily, the sharp, zesty flour take the edge off the very salty cheese. The fries are a good side dish if you have a salad, they're chunky, hand-cut and melt in your mouth.
For dessert, the tiramisu is a good choice. This isn’t freshly made, but delicious all the same. The coffee flavour is strong and very moreish.
The Drink
Drink prices at the venue are standard for the area. Draught lagers include Becks Vier, Kronenbourg and Guinness, as well as Pilsner Urquell, Erdinger and Bombardier. Pints cost around £3.50-£4. Bottles include Bulmers, Sol and Crabbie’s, alongside Black Sheep and the organic Honey Dew. Expect to pay around £15 for a decent bottle of wine. The rich-tasting yet easy-to-drink Malbec red goes well with most dishes.
The Last Word
Friendly and good value – this one-of-a-kind venue is definitely worth a visit.
Carnivale has been reviewed by 9 users