Montcalm East unveils playwright-inspired F&B venue

Montcalm East has unveiled Marlowe Bar & Restaurant, a new culinary experience inspired by the English playwright Christopher Marlowe.

Nestled between Shoreditch and the Square Mile, Marlowe pays homage to the vibrant history and diversity of the city, referencing the days when Hoxton and Shoreditch thrived as the bustling entertainment neighbourhoods, rivalling the glamour of the West End’s Theatreland.

The interiors are a nod to Marlowe’s era with a decor of rich velvets, bold prints and wooden panels with dimly lit candle lighting that cast a warm glow over the dining areas. The rose that bears Marlowe’s name, the Rosa Christopher Marlowe, is also seen adorning every table and gives the restaurant its logo as part of a geometric rose motif that echoes the botanical themes of the restaurant design.

The venue comprises three different spaces: the ground floor Café is an all-day haven, serving from breakfast to dinner; the restaurant, located on the first floor, exudes timeless charm and understated sophistication; and the cocktail bar exudes the vibrant spirit of Shoreditch and muse Christopher Marlowe, with a fusion of classic cocktails and signature concoctions.

Marlowe offers a modern British menu featuring a diverse selection of dishes. With meat sourced from small family-owned farms specialising in heritage breeds, dishes include Lyons Lyons Hill Farm sirloin steak served with a duck egg, bone marrow butter and shallots; Lyons Hill Farm beef cheeks and bone marrow flatbread topped with Ogleshield cheese and tomatoes; and Huntsham Farm Middle White pork belly with tomato, baby gem lettuce on toasted brioche. Seafood is responsibly caught from day boats and ports along the South Coast with the menu featuring Peterhead cod, marrowfat peas, white wine and caper sauce topped with Brixton Beer batter scraps; Salt cod fritters and Cornish smoked mackerel, pickles, poached eggs and sourdough.

The restaurant will also be open for breakfast with pastries, croissants, granola and yoghurt alongside more substantial dishes, Severn & Wye smoked salmon, scrambled egg on sourdough toast and Buttermilk waffle with creme fraiche and berry compote.