Gave this another go to see if it could redeem itself, but no, it’s still so-so. My date’s cocktail sounded promising, but tasted mainly of gin, and mine was ‘generic fruity’ — extra marks for the cool decoration in the shape of the Olympic torch, though. On the plus side, the service is attentive without being overbearing and our little bowl of nibbles was replenished as soon as it threatened to get low. I still prefer the Corinthia or the Savoy for expensive cocktails on the Northbank.
Laura N.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Francisco, CA
Where were you Christmas Eve, 2008? I was avoiding the weather, indulging in one of London’s most lavish lobby bars, throwing back Spanish Coffees quicker than the ice storm could cover London in a sheet of ice that mimicked the delicious creamy foam atop my drink. Hey, a lady’s gotta stay warm, right? Not to be confused with Axis or Rotunda Bar, it’s Bond-esq sister venues all nestled within One Aldwich Hotel, this bar is about as far away from a lobby bar as one can get. Vast ceilings, towering pillars, flower arrangements that belong somewhere along an Amazon trek, and a cocktail and spirit list that still has me drooling from halfway across the world. Sure it’s spendy, trendy and all the rage since the day it opened, but not without due cause. I rationalised that it was a glorious Christmas gift to myself and I keep going back for«Christmas» every month. In fact, it’s about time for Christmas in September, me thinks!
Amethy
Rating des Ortes: 5 London, United Kingdom
Shiny, happy London at its very best A brilliant place to treat yourself to an artful cocktail, accompanied by the tastiest fat green, queen olives(served with niftily stylish, perspex cocktail sticks). The décor is gorgeous — flatteringly lit with adorably quirky touches, like the small round ‘man’ with oars in his hands and the red multi-amaryllis be-decked Christmas tree(at the appropriate time of year). Service is swish, elegant and efficient. The choice of cocktails is creative — if you’re feeling cheeky, and/or adventurous try the Lost Cherry with Whitley Neill gin, Noilly Prat, deeply fragrant rose liquor and the eponymous sunken fruit. Definitely high on my ‘must return’ list.