The Coach Clerkenwell is one of a group of pubs taken under the experienced wing of former Racine head chef, Henry Harris. Under his guise, the kitchen team have developed a menu that harks back to Harris’ French bistro routes and features ingredients that are thoughtfully sourced from independent and family-run producers.
Guests can choose to dine in The Garden Room, set just behind the pub, or the dining room upstairs to enjoy the a la carte menu. The former sits on the ground floor and offers a light and spacious room with high ceilings and a terrace, while the latter is a slightly more formal setting with Tiffany green walls and parquet flooring. Both are privy to plenty of natural light and smart, elegant interiors.
The menu is speckled with French and British influences. Starters include endive, Roquefort, pear and walnut salad, Cornish scallops with beurre blanc and a charcuterie plate, while main courses are similarly gutsy and comforting. Dishes include Morteau sausage with mousseline potatoes, 48-hour salt marsh confit lamb with tarbais beans and rosemary jus and beef short rib pie. It’s rib-sticking stuff.
The dessert options are sparing but promise to please. Choose from a chocolate fondant, sticky toffee pudding or a greengage financier. There is also a selection of ice creams or a cheese board on offer, if that's more your thing.
On Sundays, the restaurant serves a classic roast menu including seven-hour shoulder of Cotswold lamb, Landais duck leg, 48 day aged Hereford sirloin and pork belly.
It also offers an extensive list of sparkling, red and white (mostly) French wines to pair with your meal, but if it’s just a pint and a bite that you’re after, then the pub downstairs does that, too. Pop in for one of their draught beers or ales and a bar snack to boot.