Pitching itself as ‘an alternative drinking and dining destination in King’s Cross’, this gastropub comprises two imbibing areas, each a standout in this rapidly changing locality.
Offset from the restaurant that takes up most of the ground-floor space, a holding bar has a counter lined with taps of Otter, Peroni and Sharp’s Doom Bar; Pimm’s by the jug (£11.50) is a popular alternative. Upstairs, a pretty walled garden adjoins an evening-only lounge bar with low seating, cocktails and regular DJ sets.
To complement the Mersea Island wild oysters and whole baked Tunworth cheese, the dozen wines by the glass range from an entry-level Cantiga Viura (£2.90/£15.50) to quality Chablis, Sancerre and an unusual Hatziadakis Cuvée 17 from Santorini in the £30 bracket.
The upstairs cocktail list has its own recherché menu featuring Trealy Monmouthshire air-dried ham and Barkham blue cheese.