Marksman Public House Opens New 30 Cover Upstairs Dining Room

On 23 September 2015, Tom Harris and Jon Rotheram, chefs with over 30 years of experience between them, opened their new restaurant dining room upstairs at Marksman Public House (www.marksmanpublichouse.com).

Following on from the success of the ground floor pub that reopened after extensive refurbishment in May 2015, comes part two in their plan to create a new pub dining experience in East London. While downstairs remains a traditional pub environment, for drinks, food or both, upstairs offers an entirely different ambience with more restaurant-like service, and a stunning interior.

The menu, prepared by Tom and Jon, remains focused on the best of British food and drinks, and will change daily to reflect seasonal produce. It includes cooked hams, salt beef and pickled fish as well as always offering a seasonal curry, served with sourdough roti and house chutney. Other dishes include Raw Dexter, Horseradish and Walnuts, Grilled Clams, Parslay and Salt Lemon and Chicken and Girolles Pie.

Designed by Martino Gamper in collaboration with Tom and Jon, Marksman upstairs is unexpected, surprising, and in many ways the alter ego of downstairs. Away from the hustle and bustle of the traditional pub environment diners are drawn upwards by first the tease of a beautifully patterned staircase floor, and then the light that bounces from the walls - giving a brightness that sits in stark contrast to the dark wood paneling that defines downstairs.

The stairs open up onto a room characterised by big windows, wooden tables, soft lighting and more iconic flooring. Everything in the room has been designed and made by Studio Gamper; from the tables and chairs to the floor, ceiling and light fittings. The ceiling, along with the floor, is a particular feature of the room having been upholstered in beautiful bespoke fabric. Made in collaboration with the London Cloth Company, a micro-mill based in Clapton, it gives warmth and softens chatter.

As with the downstairs pub, Sunday Lunch will be a huge part of the offering, and all the heroes from the downstairs menu will be able to be enjoyed upstairs too, which is good news for fans of the popular Beef and Barley Buns, the Fried Potatoes and Burnt Onion Mayonnaise and the Brown Butter and Honey Tart. This is a choice about how, rather than what, people like to eat.

Sundays will also see the launch of a takeaway offering, allowing customers to pick up baked goods and coffees on their way to the famed Columbia Road flower market.

The wine list focuses on old world wines, and is carefully curated so as to allow everyone to enjoy great wine along with good food.

Marksman Public House is a free house, so a wide selection of beers and ales both bottled and on draught are on offer along with a small cocktail list reviving drinks of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. This list has been created in collaboration with celebrated mixologist Talented Mr Fox and includes the aptly named Tom Collins (with Gin) or Jon Collins (with Vodka) as well as a Corpse Reviver for those in need of a real wake up.