Barworks co-owner Marc Francis-Baum and Phillip Way, co-owner of Flying Horse Coffee have partnered with celebrity chef Gizzi Erskin, as Creative Food Director, to create Mare Street Market in East London, which opens on Wednesday.
Situated between Broadway Market and Netil House, the 10,000 sq ft site features three dining spots dedicated to home grown, quality food and drink, curated by Erskine.
The Deli and Off-Licence will become the locals’ go-to for picking up delicious tartines and salads, a rotating daily roast sandwich or ragu special, a raw seafood bar, as well as the finest craft beers and a wine list written by award-winning Ruth Spivey.
The communal ‘Open Kitchen’, set to showcase some of the countries best produce, will be serving light and flavoursome rye biga pizzas, with a unique dough developed by Breadstation. ‘Farmed and Fired’ plates will sit alongside, including rotisserie chicken and straw fries and crudite and walnut bagna cauda, and an ice cream menu with ice cream from locals Hackney
Gelato, whilst the weekends will see an egg brunching menu. ‘The Dining Room’ has a wood-fired produce-led menu, bringing modern British cooking to the market’s Dining Room, with dishes like Steak tartare, Bone Marrow Marmite and Cured Yolk Toasts and Lamb cutlets with Flageolet Dauphinoise and aims to host the finest roast in Hackney.
Erskine said, “As a Hackney resident, I’ve invested many years in forging relationships with some of the best producers in Hackney, and its terrific to finally be able to host all of the talent under one roof. Marc and I have the same creative vision and being invited into the project was a serendipitous meeting of minds. I’m proud as punch to be bringing the food to Mare Street Market!”
Executive Chef Tim Mawn, previously of Caprice holdings, is overseeing the project and Gizzi has appointed Phil Smith, formerly of Bibendum as Head Chef. The 50-cover modern brassiere is decked out with vintage lamps and art-deco furniture from Shoreditch interior designer Pure White Lines.
Visitors can enjoy a fresh cup of artisan coffee from the Flying Horse Coffee shop as they peruse the creations from florist Rebel Rebel. Workwear clothing brand, M.C. Overalls – who designed bespoke uniforms for all the staff – will also offer a capsule collection in the market’s pop-up shop during opening months.
Baum said, “Mare Street Market has been a complete labour of love for myself and our amazing team. From finding the space over four years ago, to assembling a group of collaborators and partners to open the doors this month; we are thrilled to have repurposed this drab former job centre into something for the whole community to enjoy.
'The space, of course, needed great food, but more than just cooking it, curating it. It needed a certain style and understanding of the area, and that brought Gizzi and myself together. We hope Hackney and beyond will love the space as much as we do.”
Former Rough Trade East Manager Noreen McShane will set the soundtrack to the space with her new venture, Stranger Than Paradise. Featuring a vinyl record store and in-house podcast studio, her team will curate and produce live content bringing the freshest tunes and expert commentary on the market’s very own local community show, Mare Street Market ‘On Air’.
With a wide-ranging events programme still to be announced, there’s plenty to keep customers busy. And, with a completely cashless payment system, Mare Street Market is set to become Hackney’s ultimate one-stop shop.