As pub names go, this is a seriously yummy sounding new February offering in Clerkenwell from first time landlords Marc Dalla Riva and Matt Rixabout. This Yorkshire duo have taken over and revived the beautiful old Queen Boadicea on St John Street to create a utilitarian style alehouse meets gin palace.
It’s actually named after a song by Jake Thackray, and is all about good British booze - real ale, gin and whisky - and honest cooking. There’ll be rotating guest ales, own-brewed Blacksmith Best Bitter plus unusual gins such as London’s Sipsmith, Berkeley Square and Hayman’s Old Tom. Whiskies will include Dalmore 18 year old, Auchentoshan Three Wood and Lagavullin.
The menu from head chef Chris Barber, features a pared down selection of unpretentious and affordable bar snacks - much of which come fresh from an enticing deli counter at one end of the bar – plus daily changing roasts and hotpots. Get set for Black pudding scotch eggs, Artisan cheeses and British cured meats - ordered and served within minutes.
More substantial offerings include Roasted tomato soup, Potted duck and pickles, Fresh crab salad, Roast pork belly with sage and onion stuffing, sprout tops and roasties, Salmon fishcakes with spinach and chive butter and Calf’s liver, bacon and bubble and squeak.
In antithesis to quintessentially British nature of the drinks and grub, the décor is of a spare minimalist aesthetic - truth be told, a bit of a departure for a London boozer – but happily not scrimping on the comfort factor. And alongside some cool live entertainment from up-and-coming bands, slightly more in keeping with our hostelry heritage will be that time old tradition of the weekly pub quiz.
The Blacksmith & The Toffeemaker, 292-294 St John Street, EC1, 07958 958 351
