The director's cut

Hackney Empire artistic director

Hackney Central, Amhurst Road E8. Tel: 020 8986 5111. Rail: Hackney Central

The cheeseburgers in here are the first thing that sprang to mind. They do a good burger, but I love cheeseburgers, and I demand that they put some strong cheese on it.

I'm ashamed to say that is one of my favourite dishes. They do a wide range of food and they're just round the corner from the Empire. It's a great treat to find somewhere with that kind of quality.

The House, 63-69 Canonbury Road N1. Tel: 020 7704 7410. Tube: Highbury & Islington

It's a converted pub, and the last time I went there, I had foie gras and confit of barbary duck, and I have to say I loved it. It's very upmarket and my treat on the way home when I've done well. I'll probably be eating there next week.

Fang Cheng, 239 Mare Street E8. Tel: 020 8986 0072. Rail: Hackney Central

Particularly at lunchtime, they do great quality Vietnamese-Chinese food, and my particular favourite is tofu and aubergine. They make it with love. It really is as good as anything in the West End.

Hai Ha, 206 Mare Street E8. Tel: 020 8985 5388. Rail: Hackney Central

It's opposite Fang Cheng and is a really handy restaurant for us at the Empire. It's reasonably cheap, you bring your own wine, but it's good Vietnamese-Chinese food. Fang Cheng has a wider, more classical menu, whereas Hai Ha is more fast food with quality. My favourite is the Vietnamese duck and rice.

Tops, 303 Mare Street E8. Tel: 020 8525 1959. Rail: Hackney Central

My favourite fast food is their Caribbean rice and peas. I have that twice a week and, as a matter of fact, I've just had one now.

The refurbished Hackney Empire opens tonight with a screening of Buster Keaton's The General.