Control Room B at Battersea Power Station
A review of the cocktail bar Control Room B in the newly renovated Battersea Power Station. Continue reading Control Room B at Battersea Power Station
Tag: uk
The London Bar at Gatwick Airport
I had to fly last minute from London to Glasgow. I was in Gatwick South terminal on a Saturday night. I had come through security but I hadn’t had dinner or a much needed martini. So off I went in search of something to quench my thirst. The expensive caviar bar downstairs in the south terminal sadly doesn’t do martinis, although it has some exquisite … Continue reading The London Bar at Gatwick Airport
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier… Drunk
Who would serve a jug or pitcher of martini at a party? Oh wait, only Kim Philby, one of Britain’s most notorious traitors. I’ve just read a book entitled “a spy among friends” by Ben MacIntyre. It was the first book I’ve read in a long time that I struggled to put down. It documents the story of Harold ‘Kim’ Philby as he worked … Continue reading Tinker, Tailor, Soldier… Drunk
The Tsukemono Gibson Martini
“Tsukemono Gibson sounds like some sort of Bond Girl.” This is a very simple variation on the classic, elegant Gibson Martini. The only difference is that instead of a pickled onion garnish I’m using a gentler, more subtle addition: Japanese Tsukemono pickles. I served a Gibson martini with Tsukemono as an accompaniment once which is what gave me the idea These pickles are easy to make (recipe … Continue reading The Tsukemono Gibson Martini
Bar Arabica, Borough Market, 2/5
A relatively pleasant martini was let down by bad service and poor value for money. It wouldn’t take much to perfect their martini but some of the fundamentally poor elements of the restaurant will be more difficult to rectify. Nestled under a railway arch in Borough Market, I had high hopes for this Levantine restaurant. However, the service wasn’t particularly attentive, the portions … Continue reading Bar Arabica, Borough Market, 2/5
MEATMission in Hoxton
A trendy-gritty burger bar with a creative menu and sinful atmosphere. A sister of Meat Liquor, MEATMission excels at ‘the dirty burger’ concept. Expect greasy, gluttonous, satisfying burgers in good quality buns (or wrapped in lettuce if requested) to the backdrop of dark decor and an imposing musical selection (you might find it too noisy but I enjoyed it). Their drink selection is also … Continue reading MEATMission in Hoxton
Happiness Forgets in Hoxton 4/5
“Great cocktails, no wallies.” A dreamy basement cocktail bar in central London with attentive, knowledgeable staff. The low level lighting is sublime but it means that my photos are a bit rubbish. Just trust me and pay them a visit if you’re anywhere near Hoxton square in London. A classic martini wasn’t even on the menu – they have a wide range of other … Continue reading Happiness Forgets in Hoxton 4/5
Satan’s Whiskers, Bethnal Green 4/5
This is possibly the best value for money martini in London, served in a trendy, speakeasy setting in Bethnal Green. A consummate cocktail bar, the staff pay particular attention to the quality of their martini, keeping the gin and glasses in the freezer. This is much more than can be said of most cocktail establishments serving martinis in the city, which frequently seem to … Continue reading Satan’s Whiskers, Bethnal Green 4/5
The perfect martini setting
As I have already implied, the act of drinking a martini is almost sacred. If you’re going to consume such a large amount of alcohol in one drink you’ve got to make it count. As such, in addition to the drink itself, the temperature, the accompanying nibbles, etc, you should also consider the location. Unless your temperament suggests otherwise, you wouldn’t want to have one … Continue reading The perfect martini setting
The Martini Socialist 