Amongst the hustle and bustle of LA’s long adored Original Farmers Market, a highly anticipated British venture, Market Tavern, makes its public debut on August 10. An English duo consisting of the acclaimed musician and bar impresario, Gary Twinn, and Chef Brendan Collins of Fia, Birch, and Waterloo & City fame have teamed up to shake off the misconceptions about British cuisine and bring exciting new tastes to Los Angeles. Despite extra delays due to COVID-19 closures, the team is excited to welcome customers to their sizable patio to dine outside in a safe manner. Twinn looks forward to introducing locals to a premiere English experience.
“My vision was to combine the contemporary London gastropub experience with the sex appeal of a hip LA eatery, throw in a bit of rock n’ roll music, all the sports TV you can handle, and situate it at my favorite place to hang out – the Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax,” said Twinn. “It’s basically my fantasy pub brought to life, with California’s best chef in the kitchen.”
For Culinary Director Brendan Collins, it’s the perfect opportunity to showcase the very best of classic British food with his inimitable technique and style, incorporating his love of California with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Fans of Collins and newcomers will be delighted to learn he plans to bring back his Sunday Roast, the longstanding UK tradition of enjoying roasted meat and hearty sides with friends and family on Sunday afternoons. The Roast menu will be served from 12:00 – 4:00 pm every Sunday. Options include Roast Beef and Horseradish, Half Roast Chicken with Sage and Onion Stuffing, and Lamb Leg and Mint Sauce. Trimmings include peas, carrots, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, roast potato, Yorkies, and gravy.
The renowned chef further proves his dedication to showing Los Angeles diners the versatility and exciting flavor profiles of his home country by devoting part of his menu to “British Bites,” which will be reserved for lesser known, more adventurous UK entrees and desserts. Expect choices like Pickled Eggs and Tartar Sauce, Marmite on Toast, and a Prawn Sandwich, with cooked prawns tossed in a tangy mayonnaise dressing, all sandwiched between toasted bread.
“Whatever the occasion, Market Tavern is the perfect place to gather. It has everything I love about a good pub – the food, the ambiance, a great pint, and a friendly face,” said Collins. “I was thrilled when Gary approached me to partner in making new British California classics, and I immediately knew it was going to be a place my mates and family can enjoy as well. ‘It’s bloody great,’ as my granny would say.”
Standouts on the menu include the Drunken Short Ribs meant to be shared by a larger party, baked to warm, tender perfection and served with peas and carrots from Weiser farms. The Grilled Lamb Shoulder is a melt-in-your mouth cut served with a light mint sauce and riced cauliflower, which is best paired with a side of marinated baby artichokes with bacon vinaigrette. Other hearty mains include the Truffle Burger with caramelized onions and truffle cheese; Bangers and Mash served with onion gravy and, for vegetarians, the option to substitute Beyond Sausage. And of course, the menu will include the British staple of Fish and Chips with hand cut potato chips, beer battered local rock cod, and house made tartar sauce.
The pub menu rounds out with starters and salads, pizzas, desserts, and savory pies. Customers will have pie options like Steak and Ale, Impossible Shepherd’s, and Billingsgate Fisherman’s, all served with minted new potatoes and seasonal greens. Signature desserts include Knickerbocker Glory, with vanilla ice cream, tart meringue, fresh strawberries, and strawberry curd or Sticky Toffee Pudding, Chef Collins’s take on the decadent, date-filled sponge cake topped with caramel ice cream.
The 3,400 square foot space boasts an expansive patio, gorgeous tile flooring, and zinc countertops, while the walls and booths are awash with splashes of deep greens and blues. The bar serves as the centerpiece of the restaurant, where the barstools present the ideal spot to watch Saturday Premier League football and provide front-row access to an exciting beer and wine program helmed by Beverage Director Melissa Kelly. Continuing her and Gary Twinn’s innovations at E.B.’s Beer and Wine and Bar 326, Kelly will emphasize local partnerships with California beer and winemakers but also stock Market Tavern with the greatest American craft beer and specialty imports from across the pond. Look out for some delicious house cocktails and specials too. Market Tavern is proud to debut the Market Tavern Lager, a light and crisp pour developed in partnership with Figueroa Mountain in Santa Barbara. Other notable US inclusions on the beer menu include Two Hearted Ale, a flavorful, hoppy double IPA out of Bells Brewery in Michigan, and Cut & Dry, an Irish stout by MacLeod Brewing located just over the hill in Van Nuys. Specialty imports from afar include the balanced Old Speckled Hen, an English Pale Ale out of Greene King, England, and from the world’s oldest brewery in Germany, Weihenstephaner, a refreshing Bavarian wheat beer called Bayerische Staatsbrauerei.
The interior atmosphere is a unique cross between contemporary and vintage Farmers Market style, with one wall dedicated to a giant mural and collage that pays homage to 60s and 70s British music and movie greats such as The Rolling Stones, The Clash, and Michael Caine. Other areas feature portraits of musical giants like Bob Marley and the Sex Pistols, shot by iconic photographer Dennis Morris. Twinn himself spent decades touring as lead singer with rock groups Supernaut and Twenty Flight Rockers and continues to perform with his band The International Swingers; a collection of Twinn’s personal photographs hanging with the stars will transport guests to a retro era of cool, experienced with a British Invasion soundtrack unlike anything else in the neighborhood.
Note that due to Los Angeles County COVID-19 dining restrictions, Market Tavern is only open for dining on the patio. The safety and health of customers and employees is of utmost importance to Market Tavern leadership, and management is operating in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Los Angeles Department of Public Health. Rigorous sanitation practices are in place, in addition to proper distance measured in between tables.
Market Tavern will be open from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm Monday through Saturday, with a happy hour from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. Market Tavern will host the British Roast every Sunday from 12pm to 4:00 pm.
For more information about Market Tavern visit MarketTavernLA.com or follow along on Instagram @markettavernla and Facebook at facebook.com/markettavernla.
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published 8/11/20
