Little Bat – Neighbourhood Bar and Kitchen

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Pan Am

“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat! How I wonder what you’re at!” – Lewis Carroll

The weird and wonderful musings of Alice in Wonderland have been an inspiration to many in the past. Never going out of fashion, things have just got a little more ‘wonderfuller’. From the utterly genius team who brought us Callooh Callay in Shoreditch, their latest offering comes to us in the form of Little Bat. Located on a residential street off the hustle and bustle of Upper Street, Little Bat is a haven of calm serving up an abundance of innovative and scrumptious cocktails worthy of any Alice In Wonderland tea party. As well as their award winning cocktail menu, this bar does not fail to serve up an assortment of dishes which could whet the appetite of even the most discerning diner.

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Franklin Whey + Bombay Cocktail

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Bathtub Sour + Hedgerow Smash

It’s rush hour outside but inside, the laid-back, super chill vibes of Little Bat really do take the stresses of the day away. The lay out of the place has been created with feng-shui in mind with moodier, more intimate areas of the bar adorned with comfy booths, to light and airy areas. There is something in here to suit everyones taste from the foliage to the darn impressive cocktail list. We headed first to the sours and worked our way to Whisky. I must admit, someone had recommended the Pan Am to me before I had visited, good shout. I’m not usually a fan of rum, but cocktail mastermind Barney Toy has created the Pan Am with sherbet in mind and this is sherbet in liquid form. I would happily have had seconds or thirds of this but a good start all the same. In fact, we then tried all of the sours on the list and each and everyone is surprising and subtle in it’s own way. Don’t be fooled, they’re all boozy, but with these cocktails each robust and rounded flavours from every ingredient comes through. The Bombay Cocktail was also surprising, the presence of Chardonnay in a cocktail is enough to send anyone into a mental hangover but again, this cocktail is more healthy green juice than booze coma with cucumber making it one of your five-a-day. Don’t quote me on that one! The only mistake was completely self-inflicted, hastily moving onto the Whisky cocktails before we had tried dinner, we recommend you stick to the sours or collins first. Be warned, they pack a punch. There are a mix of different strengths when dealing with the Whisky cocktails, but perhaps try a Franklin Whey before a Hedgerow Smash for example. The clue is in the name.

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When it comes to what culinary delights were served up, Little Bat really did good when sourcing their kitchen controllers. From smaller plates to larger plates, we recommend the Lobster Mac n Cheese, The Jerk Chicken and even their Green Bean salad was divine. The quality really does come through in all the elements that make up Little Bat and with the majority of the cocktails priced at £8 it just goes to show that sometimes the best things are in ‘Little’ packages.

For more info check out;

www.littlebatbar.com

@LittleBatBar

Julia Grinham On Upper Street And Handmade Shoes | Interview

Julia Grinham - Upper streetWhat made you start Upper Street?

It all began when I was at dinner with my sister and co-founder Katy and I noticed that she was wearing a fabulous pair of heels. I asked where she’d bought them, imagining that she had splashed out on a top designer ready-to-wear brand but I was really amazed to find out that she had designed them herself and had them custom made in an independent offline boutique. Of course, I was so jealous as I am one of those women who always goes shopping for a shoe that only seems to exist in my head, and I really wanted to design my own shoes too – how amazing would it be to have a pair of shoes that were completely unique and also perfect for me?.. This for us was our “aha!” moment and we decided to create a service in an online environment that enabled women across the world to design their own beautiful shoes from the comfort of their home, and have them delivered to them in just a few weeks.

What was the hardest thing about setting it up?

With neither Katy or I coming from a footwear background, we had a huge learning curve in terms of product development and managing the craftsmanship of the shoes to ensure that they are both exceptionally beautiful and extremely comfortable to wear. We knew we couldn’t do this on our own so brought some really experienced professionals to design the range and help find top suppliers. As our business has evolved we’ve been able to establish our own workshop. That certainly wasn’t easy but means that today everyone within the business – from customer services right through to the person who beautifully hand packages each pair of shoes – each shares the same passion of making that individual customer experience really special.

Tell us a bit about the company

Upper Street is a luxurious online made-to-order shoe label that is revolutionising the way women shop for shoes. Women can choose from hundreds of different styles, colours, materials and heels to create over 4 million unique designs. Styles can be created online using innovative 3D shoe designer technology or via a personal appointment in the Shoe Lounge at Upper Street’s North London townhouse. Shoes are hand-made, lovingly packaged and delivered to customer’s doors within 3-4 weeks

What makes your shoes different?

When we first launched, there was nowhere else women could design their own high quality,
beautifully made shoes online. Having shoes made to order in places like Mayfair costs a fortune, and for us it was important to make our shoes more accessible, whilst still giving a luxury product and experience. Over time, the online shoe design market has become more competitive, but Upper Street still stands head and shoulders above those competitors for a number of reasons; the high quality, beauty and comfort of our shoes; the uniqueness of our true-to-life and easy to use 3D Shoe Designer; and our obsessive attention to customer service. Key to this is the personalisation of the whole experience which includes beautiful packaging, a handwritten note in the box, personalised swatch books, free studio appointments, special orders, full design advice, free alterations and a no-
quibbles returns policy.

Do you think made to order is the way forward?

We believe so. Fashion is now so accessible and available, that people are realising that real luxury is having your own personal stamp on what you wear. And this is where Upper Street comes in. We provide the tools, in a very easy-to use website, that let the customer’s imagination run free. It also means that consumers don’t have to be tied to the latest fashion trends. If navy blue is not seen on this season’s runways it doesn’t matter, you can still create navy shoes.

How much do the shoes cost?

Design your own Upper Street shoes cost between £195-£350. Luxurious gifts are available in a range of values and packages, the perfect present for shoe lovers

Do you get any unusual requests?

Yes plenty! We’ve helped a bride design shoes in animal print as she was getting married in a zoo, 4” heels in the customer’s football team colours and one of the most unusual was a pair of shoes which were screen printed with dinosaur motifs for a museum opening. We also worked on a charity project with Save the Children last year where we created shoes for a number of celebrities; the designs took inspiration from their childhood dreams. We created some fantastic Wizard of Oz-inspired ruby slippers for Helena Bonham Carter. That was fun!

What business tips can you give to others who want to start a business?

My advice would be, don’t underestimate how much energy, time and resource you will need to
build a consumer brand. Focus on building relationships in the industry with people who can help you understand its nuances, find the right resources, and also explore who you can partner with to reach new audiences more rapidly. We’re a premium, experience led business, so finding the right brand to align with is absolutely crucial so that we build long-term value.

What is the best and worst thing about running Upper Street?

It’s rewarding to create something that makes a difference to people at an individual level. The process of designing your own shoes makes women feel amazing. I get an immense sense of pride when I read all the lovely emails we get from our customers. Many are really emotionally charged ,- we get heart-felt essays! Being surrounded by beautiful shoes every day isn’t bad either!

The most challenging thing is that it can be hard to switch off from the business and there have been times when I’ve let my passion for Upper Street overflow into my personal life. I’m much better these days at separating my time between work and my private life and turning off the iPhone! I guess that’s become easier as the business has become more established.

What’s next for you?

2013 was a really great year and 2014 is going to see Upper Street go from strength to strength with several new product launches and an exciting new concept retail store later on this year.

 

Restaurant News: VIVO – An All Day Italian Dining Experience in Islington

If you are anything like us you love Italian food and are always looking for somewhere new to go. So we are pretty excited that a new Italian bakery, Vivo, is open on Upper Street in Islington.

restaurant new, new Italian restaurant open in Islington, Vivo

Vivo, a vibrant Italian bakery, is now open in the heart of bustling Upper Street in Islington, North London. Inspired by the traditional gastronomia and pasticceria of Italy, Vivo is an all day casual dining affair serving authentic and regional cuisine. The neighbourhood restaurant is an informal venue for both locals and visitors to the area. Vivo is the first venture from brothers Will and Ben Thompson who have drawn upon their travel experiences and passion for Italian food and culture for this exciting project.

 

The focal point of Vivo is a striking, 14 metre granite counter with a separate drinks bar, from which orders are taken and the food and drink served.  Dishes include freshly baked ciabattas and focaccias; torte rustica (Italian savoury pies), authentic Roman pizza ‘al taglio’ (rectangular slices); speciality cheese and meat boards. Guests looking for heartier dishes can opt for hot signature favourites such as beef or vegetarian lasagne and pork cannelloni. A selection of Italian desserts, pastries and sweets are also available such as Gianduja, hazelnut and raspberry tart and Strawberries and prosecco tiramisu. The varied menu makes Vivo the perfect destination for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

 

In keeping with continental cafe culture, coffee supplied by renowned Neapolitan roaster Kimbo is a key staple at Vivo. Guests can also choose from a selection of wines from various Italian regions as well as Prosecco on tap and a range of Italian beers, spirits and cocktails. Customers visiting during the early evening can enjoy aperitivo hour: complimentary snacks served to accompany drinks.

 

Vivo’s interiors balance modern, monolithic features with rustic earthy tones. Design features include the use of split face timber panels, dark granite surfaces, Portland stone walls and a combination of oak and York stone flooring. The ground floor caters for up to 50 covers with a mix of communal and individual tables whilst the open air roof terrace (seating 35) offers the perfect setting for al fresco dining in the warmer months.

Co-owner Will Thompson says, “The Vivo concept has developed from a love and study of Italian cuisine. We have travelled extensively throughout Italy, discovering unique regional dishes served in traditional ‘gastronomia’, high-end bakeries and Pasticcerie in the cosmopolitan, style conscious cities of Milan, Turin and Rome”.

 

Offering a delicious slice of Italy in the heart of North London, local restaurant Vivo is a colourful addition to the London foodie map, now open on Upper Street, Islington.

 

www.vivotaste.com