World’s Best Bars, Sweden comes to London, Risque Rum, plus the latest foodie news!
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News & Events…
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 World’s 50 Best Bars UnveiledArtesian at the Langham has fought off global competition to take the top spot at the prestigious World’s 50 Best Bars 2012. Announced by Drinks International Magazine, the coveted awards uncovered the hottest places to drink around the globe. Under the expert guidance of mixologist Alex Kratena, Artesian has become renowned for its innovative yet accessible cocktail list as well as its achingly stylish décor. Also flying the flag for London in 3rd place is Nightjar in Shoreditch, which earned its position with a menu of rare and revived cocktails and its classic speakeasy style. See the full list by visiting: http://worlds50bestbars.drinksint.com
Rekorderlig Cider is transforming the urban jungle of Brick Lane into a beautifully Swedish winter forest with sky scraping pine trees and wild foliage to complete the idyllic scene. Native Swedish bites will be served from the depths of the forest plus Scandinavian DJs will replace the call of the elk with the hippest tunes this side of the Northern lights. There will also be a choice of unique Rekorderlig cocktails created by award winning mixologist Michael Stringer. Tickets are £5 and will be sold on the door as well limited advance tickets sold through: www.facebook.com/RekorderligUK
East London’s Brazilian haven, Floripa, is bringing a touch of South American cool to our Sunday afternoons with the launch of its new film club. The lively bar and restaurant will be screening a series of Brazilian and Jazz classics such as The Aristocats and Kansas City as well as new releases. To add flavour to this weekly instalment, the kitchen is rustling up traditional Brazilian and English roasts and those who stay on after the film will be treated to live Jazz sets. Entry is complimentary from 3pm. http://floripalondon.com/events
Keeping to the Swedish theme, VisitSweden is set to transform East London’s Truman Brewery into a traditional ‘Red Cottage’ to showcase Sweden’s artisanal produce from the regions of West Sweden. The three-day pop-up will feature a bookable free lunch at 1 Corbet Place, between 12pm – 2pm on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th October. The ‘Red Cottage’, a dramatic reconstruction of the traditional red & white cottages found all over Sweden, will be transformed every day to showcase food from a different region. To reserve a free lunch, email: rsvp@redcottagesweden.co.uk
Michelin starred chef Atul Kochhar has joined forces with some of the country’s leading chefs to create a series of fusion menus to be served at the stylish Benares Bar in Mayfair. The latest to join him is Dhruv Baker, a former winner of Masterchef who earned rave reviews for expertly marrying spices with great British produce. Dishes will include seared pigeon breast with a spiced pea puree & tamarind sauce and Mussalam lamb with saffron pomme anna. Costing just £21 for three courses, there aren’t too many other places you can have two award winning chefs cooking for you for such great value. www.benaresrestaurant.com
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New Openings…
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 Bounce, EC1Designed by award-winning interior designer Russell Sage (of The Zetter Townhouse and The Savoy fame), Bounce is built on the very same site in Holborn where the game of table tennis was actually invented by Jaques & Son. Featuring a stylish and edgy interior, the open plan venue offers a rustic Italian menu cooked in an impressive 7ft wide open counter wood-burning pizza oven. Drinks come courtesy of an equally striking 40ft bar laid out in an arc around the playing area, whilst 17 table tennis tables – including an Official 2012 Olympic table – ensure that everyone gets a chance at the action. www.bouncelondon.com
The award-winning team behind cocktail bar Callooh Callay has turned its hand to food with the opening of Beard to Tail. Open from 9am-11pm daily, the restaurant and deli offers all-day dining from inspired breakfasts and fat sandwiches to serious dinners. As the name suggests, the extremely carnivorous menu makes use of the entire animal, with an emphasis on grilling, roasting and slow cooking. Those already familiar with the legendary cocktails of Callooh Callay will be pleased to hear that the drinks haven’t been forgotten, with a bar serving up craft beers, interesting wines and creative cocktails. www.beardtotail.co.uk
Having built up a successful advertising empire, Edwin Chan decided to indulge his passion for French wine and French cuisine. Unbelievably, despite his Chinese background, he did this in 2007 by heading to Lyon to open his eponymous and now highly successful wine bar. No less intriguing a choice, Edwin has chosen Shoreditch for the second brand of his informal French concept. Reflecting his love of the grape, the wines are privately sourced, with 3000 bottles from 70 different producers across France. Similarly, the concise menu brings together classic French and Lyonnais dishes including, Salade Lyonnaise, Saucisson brioche, Quenelle de brochet, Andouillette and Escalope de foie gras. 18 Phipp Street, EC2A 4NU. www.edwinsfrenchwinebar.com
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Pig & Butcher is the latest venture by the team behind the award-winning Princess of Shoreditch and The Lady Ottoline in Bloomsbury. The Pig & Butcher’s menu is inspired by the Mediterranean ethos of simply cooked quality ingredients and sharing style dishes cooked over wood and charcoal on a Robata grill. With an onsite butchery meticulously preparing, curing and smoking the meat, carnivores will be in heaven with dishes such as Pig’s Head Salad, 35 day aged Hereford Sirloin and Chart Farm Venison. Seafood is also sourced from our shores, with fresh fish delivered from Cornwall. In keeping with the best of British theme, the beer list features over 25 craft beers and hand pulled ales from local micro-breweries. |
Try This Week…
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Cadbury Dairy Milk with Oreo One word – genius! Bringing two chocolatey favourites together for the very first time, Cadbury Dairy Milk with Oreo is the ultimate guilty pleasure. Featuring pieces of Oreo biscuit surrounded by a tasty creamy filling and covered in smooth Cadbury Dairy Milk milk chocolate, the combination of a crunchy and smooth texture and sugar-rush inducing sweetness combine to create a truly irresistible taste sensation! Widely available for around £2.25
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At the ripe old age of 59, legend of the … ahem… gentleman’s movie industry, Ron Jeremy has decided put his name to something that his mother can be a little more proud of with the launch of his own rum. Look beyond the risqué marketing blurb however, and what you have is actually a very good rum. Ron has partnered with another legend, albeit from the rum world, 72-year old Cuban Master Distiller Francisco ‘Don Pancho’ Fernandez, to create a dark rum with its roots in Panama. Aged for 7-years, Ron de Jeremy displays excellent balance in delivering classic rum characteristics, including oak, ripe fruit and delicate spices. Ron would probably prefer you to drink it ‘naked’ (rubbish pun, I know!) but the rum also stands up to mixing in classic cocktails. Available for around £29 from 
