EACH week Pillow Magazine asks someone from our network of creatives to open up their little black book and reveal the secret side of London that you only know about if you’re in the know.
Name: Lee Urch
Age: 39
Job: Head Chef at The 3 Crowns
Tell us a bit about The 3 Crowns: A newly refurbished public house and kitchen just north of Old Street Roundabout. We opened The 3 Crowns to be a fun local that you can enjoy a casual drink or come in for a nice meal. So we have a lively pub upfront, outdoor on street dining, a sit down kitchen and we’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Which area of London do you live in? Farringdon
Why do you love it? I can walk everywhere, close enough to walk into the west or east end and the local neighbourhood is full of London history and architecture.
Best place to have a coffee: Purfrock on Leatherlane do the best take away espresso in very nice paper cups
Best place for a great breakfast: If I’m feeling healthy then the Modern Pantry in Clerkenwell is great. We do a great ‘Full Crown’ for those in need of a fry up fix.
Most amazing place to buy vintage clothes: I’m not much of a clothes shopper but I did get a great gold shirt for a 70s party at Beyond Retro
Best market: I think central London really suffers from a lack of decent food markets but a trip down to Tayshaws on Maltby Street on Saturday morning does the trick.
Best quirky/independent cinema: Rich Mix in Bethnal Green or the Barbican for a good comfy seat
Best fashion boutique for amazing clothes/jewellery: You’re more likely to find me in a record shop than a fashion boutique. Brill music on Exmouth market is great for classic soul and reggae. It also does great coffee so you can have your caffeine hit whilst browsing the racks.
Most amazing club night that Pillow Mag readers will love: Well for me you still can’t beat a stupid Sunday night down at Horsemeat Disco – zero attitude and the odd bit of Donna Summer
Favourite place for reasonably-priced/mid-price dinner: Hey – I’m more than reasonably priced! I do like get stuck into the bar menu at The Quality Chop House on Farringdon road though.
Your favourite secret place for cocktails: I’m a one cocktail only man – so anywhere that does a decent Negroni. Quo Vadis do a killer if your feeling flush.
Best pub: Well other than The 3 Crowns… For a quiet pint the Mitre off Hatton Gardens. For weekend madness the George and Dragon on Hackney road
Greatest place to check out art/exhibitions: More of an art exhibition in magazine form ‘Misery Connoisseur’ my magazine collection lives on my coffee table and is full of weird and wonderful art from artists based all around the world. Check it out here www.miseryconnoisseur.co.uk
Your ultimate Secret London recommendation: If you’ve never done it a great central escape is a walk around Temple and a snooze in Lincoln’s Inn Field.
For more information on The 3 Crowns – Public House and Kitchen visit the3crowns.co.uk.
Anything else you wanna tell Pillow Mag readers? Yea, come down and see us at The 3 Crowns. The food is great and sometimes we do a street BBQ, best enjoyed with our great drinks menu. There’s more, but best you come down to The 3 Crowns and check it out.
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