Quintessentially Shoreditch albeit purposely put together that way, The Owl and Pussycat has been reinvented by the people behind The Fellow in King's Cross and it's already packed to the rafters once the working day is done.

The Venue
Shoreditch isn’t exactly short of pubs. Still, The Owl and Pussycat now offers a little more refinement than some its immediate neighbours. Downstairs you’ll find a down to earth boozer with a decent sized bar that only just about manages to deal with the crowds, a good selection of wooden tables and chairs and a sizeable heated beer garden.

However, hidden away upstairs, you will find the pub’s secret asset: a little calm dining room. Here you will find a second smaller bar with a couple of bar stools nestled against it, a large red sofa and a few simple dining tables and chairs. Decked out in a calming blue with a feature wall covered in wallpaper depicting pretty blue birds, it’s a world away from the pub downstairs. Cute touches include lights overhead that look to be made of whisks, fat candles on every table, strange artwork of nobleman with butterflies where their eyes should be and a music stand that holds the restaurant reservations book. How very Shoreditch.

The Atmosphere
The two halves of The Owl and Pussycat couldn’t be further apart in terms of ambience. Downstairs the pub is a manic mass of arms, legs and pints of beer as you squeeze your way to and from the bar. Get there early or you stand no chance of getting a table. Upstairs, however, is like walking into a little oasis of calm. Relaxed and chilled out, the staff are incredibly friendly, efficient and well versed in the menu.

The Food
The menu changes regularly at The Owl and Pussycat with a smaller bar menu offering a sample of what you can order in the restaurant. A starter of lamb’s tongue with swede and rosemary (£7) is an eye-catching option, comprising of the most tender meat you’ll have ever tried. It has a delicate but rich lamb flavour, perfectly balanced by the fragrant rosemary and sweet swede (try saying that five times after a bottle of wine). Alternatively, the safer choice of baked potato and roast garlic soup (£5) is a thick, hearty dish with a floury consistency balanced by a dollop of smooth sour cream and chunks of spring onion, although with a strong undertone of garlic it may not be the ideal choice for first dates.

Mains fare equally well with a perfectly cooked, meaty pan fried hake (£16.50) accompanied by earthy mushrooms and an almost overpowering soft roe with Pernod cream. A heavier dish is the rich, gamey roast pheasant (£18.50) with a hot Horseradish bread sauce, fresh and light watercress, and game chips, which are basically crisps. A side of crisp, fluffy duck fat chips are highly recommended (£4). Desserts are less exciting: a decent apple tart (£5.50) is served with a sweet almost sickly butterscotch sauce and creme fraiche. All in all, it's a little stodgy. Alternatively, the cheese board (£8) is finely balanced in terms of the selection of cheese but only comes with overbearingly sweet, large homemade fig rolls. A few grapes and biscuits would balance it out better.

The Drink
Downstairs the beers, which include four ales served in dimpled old school pint glasses alongside Peroni, Heineken and Becks Vier, reign supreme; upstairs it’s all about the lengthy wine menu. The choice is impressive although there are no descriptions so you have to go with what you know. They’re also priced for different occasions with bottles ranging from just £15 to £68 (or £120 if it’s champagne you’re after). There is also a good choice available by the glass.

The Last Word
The secret’s out so it won’t be long before The Owl and Pussycat becomes one of the must-visit pubs in the area. Try and go before it gets too busy. Oops, too late!

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