New Favourite Hangout… presenting No. 11 Pimlico Road.

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Kesh

Londoners rejoice, we’ve found you a bar and restaurant which is every bit as sexy in their menu as they are in their décor and ambience and the best part is, it’s no pop-up, it’s here to stay.

Independently run, No. 11 Pimlico Road oozes style and cosiness and we mean cosy as in your new home from home. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you could pretty much make it your second home with its epically cool ambience and stunning decor. So roll up and make yourself at home here at No.11 Pimlico Road. They will do all the hard work, serving up their expertly crafted cocktails with a food menu which is every bit as delicious and made with love.

Frost were lucky enough to enjoy a cocktail masterclass with No.11 Pimlico Road’s head bartender, Elvis, and it’s certainly evident why their cocktails are of such a high standard after you’ve seen the passion which goes into crafting them. Not only did he take us through a step-by-step guide of how to make them, but we also got a little cocktail history on rums, tequilas and setting fire to oranges… yes there’s an art to that too. After getting a little historical run down on our favourite drinkies, we had the pleasure of trying out a few of the cocktails, made by our own hands with a little support from Elvis himself.

Their latest addition to the cocktail family and my personal favourite, is the Peanut Butter Rum. This hug in a mug is the most indulgent and delicious warmed alcoholic beverage i’ve ever tasted and I will go as far to say that it is worth the journey to No.11 Pimlico Road solely to taste this festive mug of joy. If you’re a fan of Harry Potter this is exactly what one would imagine a butter-beer to taste like, well an adults version. With it’s vanilla fused Rum, Cointreau and actual Peanut Butter, this is guaranteed to warm up any chilly night and will leave your tongue wagging for more.

If you’re a fan of the traditional cocktail, which we learnt is a composition of sugar, spirits, water and bitters, in other words, The Old Fashioned, well fear not as Elvis has taken the traditional and infused it with a little innovation to come up with The Tequila Old Fashioned. The result, a really clean, fresh take on an old great.

Coming soon… The Passion Fruit Mojito. So, if there’s any reason to wish this summer months back, it’s to try this summery creation and it was while trying to master this cocktail where you really notice the level of hard work and effort which goes into making and creating these cocktails, so next time you’re wondering why your cocktail order takes a little longer than other drinks, it’s all about quality and attention to detail.

As a testimony to any great bar I naturally ordered a Dirty Martini being a classic but hard to get the balance right, i’m happy to say No. 11 Pimlico Road passed with honours. It’s plain to see that everyone in the No.11 Family have a deep passion and love for the business and once you’ve visited, we’re sure you’ll be in love too. The upstairs area can be rented out and unlike many hire out rooms in bars today, there is a soul to No.11 which is bound to bring a unique magic to any event hosted here. The theme of this place is relaxed and light so kick back order that Peanut Butter Rum and thank us for it after.

Location:

11 Pimlico Road

London SW1W 1NA

http://no11pimlicoroad.co.uk

Tanqueray London Dry Gin Review & Cocktail Recipes

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Frostie

We are quite particle to a Gin & Tonic at Frost. In fact, we love cocktails with gin in them, it is the perfect spirit for cocktails. We are quite fussy about quality but Tanqueray London Dry passed our taste test. It is a vibrant gin which is both sweet and savoury. It has a blend of four of the finest botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica root and liquorice. It is a superior and high-quality gin. Frost loves.

Tantalise your taste buds with adventurous umami cocktails

When you think cocktail, do you think of a fruity and sweet concoction? Well think again with three delicious, yet savoury cocktails from Tanqueray London Dry Gin.

Over the last year, any cocktail bar worth its salt has featured savoury cocktails on the menu, allowing adventurous drinkers to enjoy the flavour sensation is known as umami – translated from Japanese as a ‘pleasant savoury taste’, which is actually one of the five basic tastes (along with sweetness, sourness, bitterness and saltiness).

Tanqueray London Dry Gin (70cl £21.50, stockist suggestion Waitrose.com) has an elegance and versatility of flavour that makes it the perfect spirit for cocktails – both sweet and savoury, as well as vibrant gin and tonics. The sophisticated flavour profile is achieved by the blend of four of the finest botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica root and liquorice.
Impress your friends and join trend-setting mixologists with these piquant potions that you can make at home.

Beetroot Shocker

Ingredients:
50mls Tanqueray® London Dry Gin
15mls Lemon Juice
50mls Beetroot Juice
Pinch of Celery Salt
Top with tonic water

Method – shake first four ingredients with cubed ice and strain over cubed ice in a hiball glass, top with tonic water and garnish with a Lemon wedge and a mint sprig
Units – 2.1

Peppered Apple Martini

Ingredients:
35ml Tanqueray® London Dry Gin
15ml Apple liqueur
30ml cloudy apple juice
3 x fresh basil leaves
5ml lemon juice & 5ml sugar

Method – add all ingredients to shaker and shake with cubed ice, double strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a floating basil leaf and fresh cracked black pepper
Units: 1.5

Tanqueray Snapper

Ingredients:
35ml Tanqueray® London Dry Gin
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
Dash Tabasco sauce
4 dashes red pepper sauce
Pinch salt and pepper
Pinch white pepper
Squeeze half fresh lemon
100ml tomato juice

Method:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice, then roll back and forth to mix. Strain over fresh ice into a Collins glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel and celery stalk.
Units: 1.3

Celebrate Alice in Wonderland’s birthday with Chambord Pop-Up

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Kesh

Fancy venturing down the Rabbit Hole to try out something new?

In the same year that Queen Elizabeth II celebrates becoming the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Lewis Carroll’s infamous Alice in Wonderland turns 150 years old and from today, Chambord are hosting an end of summer croquet and cocktails pop-up. Chambord Chapter Eight: Games will give the public a chance to put their croquet skills to the test while sipping on a delicious Chambord cocktail and sampling the delights French-American burger legends, Le Bun, are serving up. Best of all, you get to enjoy this experience on a transformed rooftop terrace in London Fields fit for a Queen, and did we mention Flamingo Mallets…? So if you fancy trying your hand at your best ‘Aspinall’ Peel or Forward Balling technique the party will be in full swing from 10th-13th September.

Grab your tickets here

http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chambord-chapter-eight-games-tickets-17937705159

Tickets are five pounds and include complimentary Chambord Cocktail and Flamingo Mallet hire for Croquet so grab some friends and have a FlaminGO

Chambord Chapter Eight: Games

Proof, Field Works, Martello St, London

Summer Cocktail Recipe Ideas

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Frostie

Want some great summer cocktail recipe ideas? You are in luck, read on….

Gallo Family Vineyards Wimbledon Apple-scato

Ingredients:
2 ounces of Gallo Moscato
2 ounces of Apple Juice
1Ž4 ounce of Honey
1 1Ž2 ounce of ginger beer
Candied ginger
Sliced apples to garnish

Directions:
1.Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice.
2.Shake to blend and chill.
3.Strain into tumbler
4.Garnish with sliced apple and candied ginger

Celebrate the World Cup with a Monks Maracana created for Bénédictine by Shaker BarSchool. Enjoy a delicious mix of both spicy yet fruity flavours, inspired by the lively and exciting lifestyle of host city of Rio de Janeiro!

Samba down to muddled limes, fresh passion fruit and the herbal notes of Bénédictine, to create a cocktail that is exciting and passionate, perfect to indulge in during the football madness.

Ingredients:
50ml Bénédictine
3 Lime wedges
1 large fresh ripe passion fruit
1 spoon castor sugar
Ice: Crushed or cracked ice
Garnish: Lime twist and passion fruit half
Glass: 12oz Rocks

Method: Muddle limes, squeeze in passion fruit pulp, pour Bénédictine, add crushed ice, churn, top with more ice and garnish!

If you’re having a party this weekend and need inspiration for the most fabulous cocktails then read below for Dewintons latest recipes. Their in-house mixologist spends all day mixing, shaking and pouring cocktails, either straight into a Martini glass or served on the rocks with a twist of orange or for a little more flamboyance add a Maraschino cherry!

Sloe Gin Fizz

Delicious Sloe gin shaken with gin, fresh lemon and sugar syrup and topped with Soda

Served in tall over lots of ice!

Bramble

Fresh blackberries shaken with a large measure of gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup and served over crushed ice laced with creme de mure

Tranquility

Fresh raspberries and raspberry liqueur shaken with a slightly smokey whisky

Served straight up and sprayed with a large lemon twist

Honey & Lime Daiquiri

Sumptuous honey shaken with fresh lime juice and rum

Served straight up

Zanzibar

Fresh lime crushed and combined with a chilli & ginger syrup topped with a large measure of rum and ginger beer

Served tall over lots of crushed ice

Make it an ‘Al Fresco’ Summer at Gaucho Piccadilly’s Rooftop Terrace

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Kesh

With the summertime quickly creeping up on us, (wishful thinking), there really is no better place to enjoy the warm rays than in the privacy of your own little Rooftop Terrace. Right at the top of the sexy and stylish Gaucho Steakhouse, retreat to the daylight and grab a breath of fresh air whilst enjoying a cocktail.

The Roof Terrace is open now for all to enjoy, and if you’re planning a little summer soirée, you’ll be pleased to know that the booths are available for private bookings but get in there quickly because there’s no doubt that they will be booked up soon! We hope you all get to experience the luxurious cocktails among this private little sanctuary Gaucho have created away from the hustle and bustle and fear not, it can never rain on your parade out here as Gaucho rooftop comes with fully retractable roof and outdoor fireplace.

www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk

Gaucho Piccadilly,
25 Swallow Street,
London,
W1B 4QR

Phone Number:

020 7734 4040

Opening Times:

Monday – Saturday: 12:00 – 00:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 23:00

An evening fit for a foodie! L’atelier des Chefs launch Mobile Kitchen

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Kesh

One of the best things you’ll find about being a writer is the occasions when you get to review a restaurant or get invited to an event which involved food and drink but unlike the usual, L’atelier des Chefs wanted us to cook our own dinners and what a treat it was!

L’atelier des Chefs are the guys that want you eat well but learn while you’re doing all the eating. Their service have two static Kitchens located in the West End of London where they offer events a public cooking classes. ‘Mobile Kitchen’ is now L’atelier des Chef’s latest offer with a chance for you to bring your kitchen to a venue of your choice be it a hotel, outdoor space or your workplace making it an ideal team building or party opportunity. With no limit to how many guests you can have, this is also perfect for a super special date too. The highly trained chefs well then teach you to make a variety of dishes and cocktails too! All abilities welcome, you can get as interactive as you want and with the chefs providing everything you need, this takes the stress out of possibly having to cater your own dinner party! Your guests will be blown away and very very jealous.

We checked out the launch which was hosted at the iconic Oxo building. With St Pauls in the background as the sun was setting, It was such a perfect and unique ocation for a cooking event and not so daunting for those who would feel a cold sweat at the thought of being in a professional kitchen. On the menu was something with everything from Sushi to Seabass Ceviche, there was even a mixologist who taught you to make your own cocktails which was followed by a desert menu which featured, Crêpes, Chocolate Truffles and Mille Feuille to name a few. A personal highlight was actually getting to make the Sushi and finding out all the tricks from the pros something I will definitely be trying out at home and that’s exactly what made the experience so versatile and great value, you get to utilise those skills back in your own kitchen and you might surprise yourself and find that you could be the next Gordon Ramsay… well not quite but by the end of the night, you will definitely feel like a pro.

What was all the more special and brilliant about this event like was that it was such a social and interactive experience giving us a chance to fully revel in our good efforts! I found myself quite the Sushi making master but equally having a laugh at a failed Mille Feiulle after a few cocktails was definitely a good talking point. So swap the sadly catered food at the Christmas Party for a Mobile Kitchen event and who knows who you’ll bond over a burger with… one that you’ve made yourself!

All of the recipes we made can be found at http://www.atelierdeschefs.co.uk/en/recipes.php as well as details on their other cooking classes at the cookery school with prices starting from £15

And if you’re running to your phone to book a Mobile Kitchen event contact Veronica Suess on 020 7659 9961

Happy Cooking!

5cc Singer Tavern launch new Old Street location.

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Kesh

At a loss for what to do this weekend? Well 5cc the uber secret cocktail club have bars tucked away in a host of hip venues in London and they’re just about to add a new location to the mix. Singer Tavern: 1 City Road is a Grade II listed pub bang in the heart of Old Street, but behind the traditional façade and down in the basement, lies the newest venue kitted out with the best of East London’s design inspirations.

If you’ve serious about your cocktails make sure you hot tail it down here to try a smashing selection of traditional cocktails and also innovative twists on classics which pack a serious punch. Perfect for after work drinks or a hot date with large booths and hidden little nooks. Watching the skilled barman mix up the drinks is a spectacle itself. All of the cocktails are served in different glasses with their own panache and edge.

I tried the Old Fashioned, Margarita and Montgomery Gin Martini, a few times, which was by far the freshest Martini i’ve tasted in a while. Other than whats on the menu, the highly skilled barman aim to please by making whatever you like however you like. Thumbs up all round. This is a hidden gem in the heart of the city. If you’re looking to escape the corporate bar vibe this joint has some serious soul.

As well as Old Street, 5CC have locations in Hoxton, Exmouth Market, Bethnal Green and Farringdon all with different menus.

For more info check out, 5cc-London.com

Hakkasan Chinese New Year Menu Review | The Best of London

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

We have reviewed Hakkasan before and are never disappointed. This michelin-starred restaurant feels like the centre of everything. People talk about Hakkasan in hushed tones in office, they pull happy faces when you say you have been, talking about how delicious the food is. Hakkasan on Hanway Place, the original Hakkasan, is the place to see and be seen. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to relax however. There is no pretension for all its class and the staff are very friendly and know their stuff. Hakkasan is, without doubt, the best of London. Hakkasan is where to go for traditional Cantonese cuisine.

For Chinese New Year, the year of the sheep, Hakkasan will be honouring the Chinese “Wishing Tree” tradition by collecting wishes from around the world as well as offering a nine dish festive feast perfect for family and friends. The wish collection and signature menu will be available to guests from Sunday 8th February to Sunday 1st March.

This nine dish menu starts with small eats to start.

Dim Sum, Spicy lamb lupin wrap and Golden fried soft shell crab with red chili and curry leaf.

The starters are stunning. The Dim Sum is always brilliant. Scallops, crab meat, prawn: they are just heavenly. The spicy lamb lupin wrap is perfect, there is a good heat from the sauce and the lamb is expertly cooked. It has a delicious soft texture. The fried soft crab with red chilli and curry leaf is superb. The crab is amazing and the curry leaf goes well, a wonderful and original dish.

To go with our food we have a Kumquatcha, a specialty cocktail representing good fortune, prosperity and happiness, I have a virgin one and my colleague has the real deal. Both taste amazing. A brilliant combination of Germana cachaça, Campari, Kumquat and lime.

The mains include a number of signature Hakkasan items like their Spicy prawn, Stir-fry black pepper rib eye beef with Merlot and Grilled Chilean sea bass in honey, We also have Stir-fry Lily bulb and garlic shoot and Abalone and dry scallop fried rice,

The spicy prawn has generous and delicious prawns in a yummy sauce, the Stir-fry black pepper rib eye beef with Merlot is just perfect and Grilled Chilean sea bass in honey is definitely one of the best sea bass dishes I have ever had. The Stir-fry Lily bulb and garlic shoot is as tasty as it is original and the Abalone and dry scallop fried rice is the best rice ever. I still have dreams about it. There is no bum note in this menu: all of this food is just one mouth-watering dish after another.

The desserts are as amazing as the other dishes. Stunning in their originality, a Kumquat Wishing Tree: chocolate, caramelised macadamia and cocoa rocks, and delicious chocolate treats hanging off a Kumquat tree end the meal. The dishes are out of this world. Not all Asian restaurants do dessert well. I am glad to say that Hakkasan is definitely an exception.

I also have another mocktail. Hakkasan do mocktails very well. Perfect if you don’t want to drink. If you eat from the Chinese New Year signature menu you will receive a red envelope with special gift of a complimentary cocktail or mocktail. More reason to indulge.

Hakkasan’s limited edition menu created by Michelin-starred Executive Head Chef Tong Chee Hwee includes a selection of its acclaimed signature dishes as well as a contemporary interpretation on authentic Chinese New Year fare.The Chinese New Year menu is available for £88.88 per person. A la carte items will be individually priced, starting at £12.88.

For more information on Chinese New Year at Hakkasan, please visit hakkasan.com.

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