They already have the keys to The Cagodan Arms, The Botanist and The Chiswell Street Dining Rooms, but it was always going to be hard dissuading brothers and partners Tom and Ed Martin from opening more of the same thing. So it comes with little surprise that the ETM Group owners, the company which oversees operations at the afore-mentioned venues (and a few more, at that), have decided to add another string to their bow. Though perhaps ‘empire’, would be more apt.
For in the very near future, the brothers will be launching another public house, The Angel & Crown - situated on St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden. It will be their very first West End venture. Althought the exact date is yet to be confirmed, the 3,500 sq ft two-storey venue - which will have sixty covers and be open seven days a week - will be open to the public as of early December.
Inside? Apparently, the 18th Century structure will have a typically traditional pub on its ground floor, while the floor above will cater for the restaurant side of things. Up there, expect to be served an all-day menu of fresh, seasonal British grub, with fish, they say, coming directly from Billingsgate market. And if you’re wondering about the booze, they've thought ahead about that, too. On offer will be a range of winter ‘warmers’, cask ales, wines, spirits and hot ciders - a list which 'reflects the history of the pub'.
The Angel & Crown will follow in the footsteps of some popular elder siblings. To take just two, The Botanist in Sloane Square sees its all-day modern brasserie culinary fare grow in popularity each year, while the Cadogan Arms – fit with pool tables - has found that its recent refurbishment has left it even more frequented than before. With just over ten years in the business of opening and owning traditional public houses around the historical city of London, The Angel & Crown – the pair’s ninth joint venture - is sure to make an indelible mark on the public house scene.
Angel & Crown, 58 St Martin’s Lane, Covent Garden, WC2N 4EA
