Public House has décor is something to behold; sort of Southern Gothic meets shabby chic. It could easily have gone terribly wrong, but it really does work.
They’re big on bespoke cocktails, and clearly have taken a lot of time and care in crafting a small and challenging list. I tried a Pinky-And-Brain-Killer, which is a sort of pina colada without the cream. I can’t say it really worked for me – I think it actually needed the cream! Better was the Presidente, made with premium cognac, rum and PX sherry. A real grown up’s drink, though a bit heavy on the sherry.
Well worth a visit.
Public House
Pub in Islington
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Opening Times
| Monday |
Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Tuesday |
Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Wednesday |
Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Thursday |
Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Friday |
Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Saturday |
Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Sunday |
Open 12:00 - Closes 22:30 |
All In London Review
Menu is a little too ambitious, but worth a visit for cocktails and ambience
Once inside, the dimly-lit interior and mismatched chairs and tables (which are for sale, amongst other items of furniture) do give the place an air of coziness. However this is far plusher than the bars that inhabit the German capital; if we were in Berlin there’d be paint peeling off the walls and graffiti all over the tables. There is even a piano which revelers are invited to tinker on should they feel confident enough.
We started off the evening in style with champagne cocktails: sugar, lemon zest, vanilla bitters and of course champagne. We were absorbed by the cocktail list for quite some time as we flicked through pages of mouthwatering creations (with names like American Psycho and Johnny Depp) and we made a mental note to return to it after our meal.
Their current menu is festive - think dishes such as fillet of venison with black pudding terrine, port and cranberry - and I am told that January’s selection will be a more austere one. For starters we opted for the smoked salmon, quail eggs, blue cheese and walnuts (£8.75) and the cold rare roast beef with poached apricot and rocket salad (£9). The combination of the former was rich without being too much for the palate; the latter was a similarly successful combo with the apricot complementing thin slices of beef.
For our main course my companion chose the pan fried monkfish with roast pumpkin, saffron potatoes and almond (£16) whilst I decided on the roast partridge and chestnut tatin with celeriac and apple puree (£17). The monkfish could have been cooked a tad longer, and my chestnut tart could have been cooked a little less, that is not to say we did not enjoy our food.
What I did not enjoy so much however, was my dessert. The brandy panna cotta with satsuma jelly (£6) was shaped into two round lumps which had the consistency and taste of margarine. My companion fared better with her 'Jalouise', a tart with spiced apple and dried fruit (£6) made with a light pastry which I ended up pilfering half of.
Despite the fact that our meal had gradually got worse over the course of the evening, Public House does have an enviable wine and cocktail list. Seasonal concoctions like Santa’s Little Helper made with mint, lemon, vanilla, Port and Calvados can cheer up any gloomy Decembers’ night, and for those feeling the chill I’d recommend the Sazerac, a 19th century recipe with cognac, Bourbon and bitters poured into an Absinthe-rinsed glass.
Perhaps the menu is a little ambitious but Public House does provide a quiet, elegant watering hole in an area peppered with noisy bars and pubs. The pleasant atmosphere and excellent cocktails are enough to make a visit worthwhile.
Reviewed by Leila
Published on Dec 8, 2009
User Reviews
the good londoner
Mar 4, 2014
Anonymous
Mar 9, 2010
This bar seems nice on first impressions - well decorated, nice atmosphere. The bar staff, however, are the rudest and most unprofessional I have come across in a long time. They really let this place down, and have done on both occasions I have been there. There are better bars with much better service in this location so I would avoid this one - all that glitters ain't gold!
Anonymous
Feb 25, 2010
Went a couple weeks back for a girlfriends birthday dinner and had a wonderful time. Menu unrecognizable from the reviewers comments above, was full of hearty, comfort food - perfect on a late january evening. I had Ham Hock terrine and Bouillabaise, both of which were perfectly executed. Great relaxed vibe and very friendly service. Will def be going back. K x
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