The team behind The Lexington have taken over The Three Crowns, one of Stoke Newington’s most iconic pubs. After a five-month refurb, they’ve restored this once renowned gastropub to its former glory, complete with a renewed focus on food and drink, an exceptional Sunday lunch, and drawing on their long-standing experience with grassroots live music and late nights.
Their brand-new kitchen is serving a modern British menu focused on locally-sourced and seasonal produce, born from the creative mind and expertly prepared by head chef Ousmane Gaye, who cut his teeth in some of London’s most exciting kitchens. He started out at the Hilton, East-West and a long stint at Roast in Borough Market before moving on to Holborn Dining Room, Asia de Cuba and Plaquemine Lock.
Ousmane and landlord Stacey Thomas have been working together to perfect the menu, eating their way around London for inspiration. The result is an exciting menu packed with flavours influenced by Ousmane’s heritage, travels and work.
Ousmane grew up in Senegal and said, “I started cooking as a young boy. We used to cook a lot of fish fresh from the sea. I’ve cooked in restaurants of so many nationalities, so my cooking is a fusion of African, French, English and Asian cuisine, and I’ve been lucky enough to be trained by some of London’s best chefs.”
Stacey added: “We are so lucky to have Ousmane. It’s an exciting new chapter for The Three Crowns. I used to eat here a lot when it was the only gastropub in the area. Once again, we have a restaurant to rival the best.”
Food and drink won’t be the only thing on the menu. With a team behind one of London’s most beloved and iconic music venues, you can expect plenty of live music and late nights. Friday and Saturday nights will feature DJs in the main bar bringing the party to Stoke Newington once the sun goes down until 2 am. In the basement, The Waiting Room will remain an important cultural space dedicated to grassroots artists, DJs and promoters, of all genres, at the earliest stages of their careers.
