Is Murray Hill the new destination drinking spot? Yves Jadot and Jason Hicks, the proprietors of Raines Law Room and Jones Wood Foundry, have launched two new concepts inside the William hotel on East 39th Street. Each spot has a British theme: The 104-seat Peacock’s modeled after a nineteenth-century English gentleman’s club, with a menu of toasts and bar snacks like warm Scotch eggs, Welsh rarebit, and sticky-toffee date pudding. And downstairs, the Shakespeare reflects a sixteenth-century British countryside pub, offering heartier dishes like traditional roast chicken, lamb shepherd’s pie, and a beer-focused beverage program. Robert Aikens, most recently of Stephan Starr’s Dandelion in Philly, is the executive chef of both kitchens. Note that while both restaurants open today, they’re phasing in lunch and dinner menus over the coming weeks (for now, you can order toasts and beverages). Check out the space, a few of the dishes, and the menus, straight ahead.
The Peacock’s 104-seat space includes a library bar, a lounge, and two adjoining dining rooms.Photo: Melissa Hom
Afternoon tea will be served — and there’s also an outdoor garden.
Photo: Melissa Hom
Reid & Taylor Studios designed the space.Photo: Melissa Hom
Roasted-carrot and beetroot salad.Photo: Melissa Hom
Potted smoked-trout-and-horseradish paté.Photo: Melissa Hom
House-blend burger.Photo: Melissa Hom
Pumpkin on toast and English Cheddar.Photo: Melissa Hom
The Shakespeare seats 66.Photo: Melissa Hom
The drunker you get, the more you feel like you’ve time-traveled.Photo: Melissa Hom
Even the pub’s wall coverings are English.Photo: Melissa Hom
The Peacock: Lunch [PDF]
The Peacock: Library [PDF]
The Peacock: Dinner [PDF]
The Shakespeare: Toast [PDF]
The Shakespeare: Lunch [PDF]
The Shakespeare: Dinner [PDF]
The Peacock, 24 East 39th St., 646-837-6776
The Shakespeare, 24 East 39th St., 646-837-6779
