James Cochran Is Opening a Pub in Islington

He’s launching The Brave with the team behind The Hemingway and The Hunter S

James Cochran only closed his restaurant 12:51 a few months ago but he’s already got another project in the works, and it sees him return to Islington. The Brave is opening on Essex Road (taking over The Engle Field site) this December and it’s being billed as a “fresh take on the British pub“. Cochran will be showcasing his Scottish-Caribbean heritage and his love of produce from the British isles with his menu, which includes the likes of:

• jerk spiced scotch egg with scotch bonnet jam
• Guinness and cheese toastie with bread and butter pickles
• buttermilk fried chicken with hot honey glaze
• beef fat hash brown with aged beef tartar, confit egg yolk and crispy seaweed
• cheese doughnut with walnut ketchup
• Mangalitza brawn with gherkin ketchup, gem lettuce, pork scratchings and anchovies
• roast spiced Orkney scallop with tikka masala sauce, roe and coconut
• coal roasted Harrietsham leeks with confit onion and truffle hollandaise
• roast haunch of Aynhoe venison, venison sausage and slow braised venison pie with neep & tattie hash browns, xo sauce, grilled hispi cabbage, roast onions and chicory salad
• chocolate mousse with bay leaf ice cream and Armagnac prunes

Speaking about the opening, Cochran says, “We’re creating something really special here at The Brave. It’s not just a pub – it’s a place where people can enjoy quality food and drink in a warm, authentic environment. My dad used to take me to the pub when I was a kid and I have happy memories of that time, so this feels full circle for me. And, given all the love we received from locals when we closed 12:51 this summer, it was a no-brainer for me to open something five minutes’ down the road.”

Key Information

Opening date | Thurs 5th December 2024
Address | 340-342 Essex Road, London N1 3PB
For more information | @thebravelondon