Elliott Kaye has just announced a follow-up to Norman’s, the new-wave caff he founded in Archway in 2020 with Richie Hayes – and it’ll be a little different to its predecessor. Named Marrion’s, it’ll be a neighbourhood bar opening on Morning Lane in Hackney come September, designed to be a multi-purpose space for those in the area and beyond. It’s inspired by venues like The Odeon in New York, a classic bistro that’s been feeding Manhattanites since 1980. “I wanted Marrion’s to be somewhere I’d actually want to go – somewhere you can have a drink, eat something good and feel at home. Nothing too fussy or pretentious,” Kaye – who worked at Lyle’s, The French House and Leroy before co-founding Norman’s – said in a statement.
Marrion’s will open for dinner and drinks from Thursday to Saturday, and for Sunday brunch. Dishes have big comfort-food energy: devilled crab rarebit, moules frites, prawn cocktail and a cheeseburger, plus sandwiches – including a very of-the-moment tuna melt (see: Dover Street Counter). For brunch, expect reprisals of British classics: boiled eggs with anchovy soldiers, smoked ham with sage-fried eggs, and baked eggs with vodka sauce, buttressed by filter coffee by Dark Arts.
Cocktails will lean uncomplicated. The house Martini will change monthly, kicking off with the Puritan, made with yellow chartreuse. Spanish vermouths will be poured over ice and a sharp wine list will include glasses starting at £5 each and bottles at £30. Just one beer will be on draught: Victoria Malaga lager.
The design leans into the neighbourhood feel, with wooden tables, counter seating that allows diners to peer through a hatch into the kitchen and vintage mirrors. Staff will be clothed in pieces by understated Danish fashion line Another Aspect.
Marrion’s opens on September 10 at 177 Morning Lane, E9 6LH.
