Viajante 87

Listen to us when we tell you: Go try Viajante 87 as soon as you can. This newly opened experimental bar is by Los Mochis and the agave-based drinks menu is crafted with a zero waste approach. ‘Waste’ from Los Mochis restaurants is used as the inspiration for each cocktail and is used to infuse the tequila or mezcal, added to the cocktail itself, or to create a garnish. The bar gives the impression of a speakeasy, located in the basement of 87 Notting Hill Gate. The decor is elegant and dark, making each guest feel like a VIP as they sip on their drink and nibble on the bar snacks. 

While you can get overwhelmed by the menu, the bartenders and staff are all incredibly knowledgeable and will manage to find the perfect drink for you. Each cocktail is based on a classic cocktail, just with added twists and the Viajante flair. Every drink has a unique palette and presentation, however we would recommend the Smoked Earth. The name does describe the flavours perfectly: a savoury cocktail with beautiful smokiness. If you are searching for something sweeter, you could try the Lana in Tulum, with a lovely freeze-dried strawberry garnish adding that extra zing. 

Although the kitchen is not fully renovated yet, we did get a small taste of what is going to be on offer such as the guacamole with homemade tortilla chips, truffle guacamole on crispy rice, and baked crab taco-maki. We can confirm- the food tastes even better than it sounds.  

Viajante 87 is great for one on one drinks, whether it is for a special occasion or even just a treat-yourself-moment.

Ambience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Value:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Range:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overall: 10/10

Address: Basement, 87 Notting Hill Gate, London, W11 3JZ

IT London

Words by Hannah van Houweninge

Last week we had the absolute privilege of trying out the new cocktail menu at IT London. The bar is perfectly situated in Mayfair, and a five minute walk from Green Park Station. The setting itself is beautiful, with the round bar being in the centre of the restaurant. The in-house DJ plays upbeat music creating a social vibe without disrupting your conversation.

Now onto the most important part: the drinks. The new cocktail menu is expertly curated by Mattia Lufrano who combines classic cocktails that everyone knows and loves with Mediterranean twists. Mattia’s recommendation would have to be the Milk and Cereals cocktail. This cocktail reminds him of his breakfast of choice when he was young- the star of the show being… Cheerios. Don’t let the cereal-cocktail put you off. This beautifully made drink includes Wisemen Kentucky Whiskey, hazelnut liqueur and caramel tea to make a lovely smooth drink experience. The cocktails range from £18-26. The steeper price is 100% validated by the incredible attention to detail and stunning craftsmanship. Even the ice cubes are engraved with IT’s logo. 

If you still can’t wrap your head around the cereal-concoction, perhaps try the Chocolate and Coconut Negroni. This lovely twist on my favourite cocktail order has coconut infused Whitley Neill Gin and dark chocolate liqueur. Who wouldn’t love this?

IT London is great for a special night out such as an anniversary or birthday drinks.

Ambience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Value:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Range:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overall: 9/10

Address: 28-29, Dover St, Mayfair, London W1S 4LX

Christina’s Shoreditch

In the heart of Shoreditch is Christina’s; a luxurious bar on the ground floor of the Mondrian Hotel and with their new cocktail menu, it should be at the top of your “to visit” list!

The bar itself is beautifully decorated and on opening the menu, it’s sure to be love at first sight. The new selection of drinks has been curated by the head bartender, Kevin Price Houghton, and focuses on using smaller producers, most of which are UK based. Kevin has also worked with less traditional ingredients such as alexander seed and rosehip. His goal was to make these unusual ingredients more ‘relatable’ by using them in classic cocktails.

The perfect example of this is the Hogweed Martini; a beautifully smooth cocktail, with the added twist of the hogweed, as well as a pickled radish garnish. If you are in the mood for something slightly sweeter though, the Rosehip Cosmo is also a great choice; especially as it has a tangier fruitiness compared to the ‘normal’ cosmo we are all used to. The cocktails range from £13-£15, so they’re slightly on the pricier side, but worth every penny for their flair and character.

The menu also has a great selection of mocktails (£10 each) for anyone who wants to enjoy something delicious without the alcohol buzz. If you’re in the mood for something warmer though, they offer a large array of coffees, lattes, and teas. The tea company used, Nemi teas is also based locally in London. 

Once drinks are ordered, you might be feeling a bit peckish and Christina’s has various artisanal toasted sandwiches and nibbles to choose from. Prices range from £4-£10 and for any fellow vegetarians out there, the Korean Fried Cauliflower (KFC) is mouth-wateringly delicious!

The bar is calmer during the day and can be used for working lunches if you need to get out of your WFH office set-up. Then from around 6pm onwards, it starts filling up, and the music picks up the pace. Currently, on Thursdays and Fridays, there is also a DJ that starts his/her set at 8:30 pm. What more could you ask for in a bar? It covers all bases.

Christina’s is ideal for: Girl’s night, anniversaries, dates and after work drinks.

Ambience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value:  ⭐⭐⭐
Range:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overall: 9/10

Words by Hannah van Houweninge

3D Recommends: Café 1001, London

Photo credit: designmynight

The sun is finally making more frequent (and very hot) appearances, which can only mean that we will be eating and drinking outside more often.

This week, we tried Cafe 1001 on the corner of Dray Walk and Brick Lane in East London located inside the Truman Brewery and loved it for its relaxed, urban vibe.

What does Café 1001 offer?

Dray Walk itself is a buzzing street filled with a variety of food trucks, independent shops and art galleries. For the next few weekends during summer, there will be different pop-up shops and record fairs as well as DJs or live music. You can sit inside if the weather takes a negative turn or alternatively, sit outside along the street (perfect for people watching if your date is late!) The bar menu is pretty standard with a selection of different wines, beers and cocktail options.

What really stood out was how well-priced all the drinks were. These days, drinsk can be so expensive in venues but here, a bottle of wine ranged from £24-38 and there was an Apérol Spritz special for 2 for £12. Perfect in the sunshine! Next door to the bar is a takeaway pizza restaurant if you are hungry, serving divine homemade sourdough pizzas between £8-15 that you can bring to your table.

Café 1001 is Ideal for:

First dates, starter drinks with friends, mid-week lunches or post work drinks.

The outdoor setting is filled with laughter and chitter-chatter of the other tables, but isn’t too loud to disrupt conversation. Cafe 1001 is even dog-friendly in case you want to bring your furry friend to break the ice! 

Ambience: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Value: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Range: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall: 8/10. We certainly plan to go again after a snoop around the shops, spoiling ourselves with an Apérol Spritz (or two)!

Address: Inside the Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL

Instagram: @cafe_1001

Lincoln Plaza

Hilton hotel lovers and London travellers can rejoice together at the chance of spending your time in the city at the Lincoln Plaza.  Settled humbly in the Canary Wharf, you’ll find it quite stress-free to navigate London after exiting. A DLR Station is a mere three-minute walk away while taxis and other modes of public transportation are easily caught. Lincoln Plaza takes their position in London seriously and offers its guests a charming place to rest their heads. 

Canary Wharf holds a special place to London as one of the busiest docks in the world. Goods are constantly being transported in and out; the process is quite a sight to see. While the area is filled with giant warehouses and industry buildings, it also has modern upgrades like bars, shops, and parks. As such, Canary Wharf is a popular area for locals and visitors alike. 

The industrial theme of Canary Wharf found its way inside the Lincoln Plaza. You’ll be instantly captivated by the tasteful interior design mix of contemporary and classical featured in the main lobby and shared spaces of the facilities. The rooms are no exceptions though; you’ll notice a blend of functional and fashionable neutral tones will provide a calming environment while the comfort of the Hilton serenity bed will effortlessly lull you to sleep. Additional amenities include Wi Fi, 24-hour fitness centre, pool, sauna, and scheduled fitness classes.

After you’ve fit a great night’s sleep and your daily workout in, head to the onsite dining options to replenish your body.  Lincoln Plaza’s standout eatery is Mr Todiwala’s Kitchen, a Pan-Indian—inspired restaurant headed by celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala. Smaller, casual eats can be purchased at the Food Store Grocer or the Food Store Restaurant; both fabulous for the everyday meal need. Nightlife enthusiasts can enjoy a creative cocktail at either the Food Store Bar or Jack Speak Bar. Lincoln Plaza has everything set up to ensure you don’t have to leave if you don’t want to.

But, if you do happen to have an urge to get out into London, which is definitely recommended, Lincoln Plaza can help you plan your destinations. The hotel sits in a very convenient location: 15 minutes to the city centre via train, walking distance to the Canary Wharf Shopping Centre, and more. Location is everything and the Lincoln Plaza has it. Whether business, tourism, or just sheer fun is the reason for your travels to London, allow Lincoln Plaza to be your host.

Address: 2 Lincoln Plaza, Isle of Dogs, London E14 9BD
Phone: 020 7987 1157

108 Brasserie

The chic residential area of Marylebone hides away a delicious secret. 108 Brasserie is located just off Marylebone High Street at the top of Marylebone Lane. Aiming to bring the Marylebone neighbourhood some hearty yet uncomplicated food combinations, 108 Brasserie serves dishes for all three meals in a tranquil environment meant to spark culinary creativity. This hip space features two distinguished seating areas: the bar and the dining room.

The bar presents a flavorful and extensive drink menu coupled with small plate offerings. Whether wine, cocktails, or beer strikes your tipple fancy, you’re sure to have plenty to choose from. Plus, those looking for non-alcoholic alternatives without sacrificing taste or quality should check out the Juicery menu for enriching and nutritious freshly juiced blends. 

Using their spirits knowledge, 108 Brasserie crafted their very own gin aptly called 108 Gin. It is distilled in-house and endearingly nicknamed “Isabella” by the staff. Guests can engage with the distillation process, ask questions, and even sample a taste neat or in a cocktail. The gin is rich in bright, light botanicals with a smooth, simple finish.  Take a bottle for the road to relive your time here. 108 Brasserie sure does seem to have it all. 

For the full dining experience, ask to be seated in the Brasserie. Here, you’ll discover a menu filled with seasonal, modern British and international dishes created with the freshest ingredients on the market. Stop in for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and/or dessert. From eggs benedict three ways to intricate fish-focused plates to decadent chocolate indulgences, 108 Brasserie can cater to your hunger and cravings without a second thought.

Reservations are of course encouraged, though 108 Brasserie will do their best to seat every pop in. 108 Brasserie has brought to life a friendly, relaxing atmosphere for everyday gatherings around food and drinks. Just remember to ask for Isabella by name.

Address: 108 Marylebone Lane, London W1U 2QE
Telephone: +44 207 969 3900

Burns Night at Duke's Hotel

“Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin'-race!”

In case your Gaelic isn’t as fluent as mine, a translate of the rousing opening lines of Burns’ “Address to a Haggis” is: 

“Good luck to you and your honest, plump face,
Great chieftain of the sausage race!”

Duke’s hotel, one of my favourite Mayfair hotels, has some lovely treats with which to banish the January Blues, and celebrate the birthday of the Bard of Ayrshire, Robert Burns. Duke’s has teamed up with The Exceptional Scotch Whisky and cigar makers Hunters and Frankau to put together some great fun for Burns Night 2020. Hunters and Frankau are the exclusive UK distributor for all Havana cigars in the UK.

On 25th January, birthday of the Bard, they are hosting a Burns Night supper in GBR (Great British Restaurant) – the restaurant at Duke’s. Their famous Head Bartender, Alessandro Palazzi, has created a new take on an Old Fashioned. The inspiration was from a memory of homemade boozy cherries in his grandmother’s larder, he told me. The central spirit is The Exceptional Blended Malt, one of the featured whiskies of the night. Alessandro muddles orange peel at the same time as the brown sugar before adding the sugar syrup and the bitters that he makes himself, the whisky and then finally a garnish of two glossy cherries in Kirsch.

Once you’ve supped on your Old Fashioned to the sounds of a live Bagpiper, supper awaits. Executive Head Chef, Nigel Mendham, has created a four course menu to enjoy paired with counterpart whiskies. It gives a contemporary twist on Scottish dishes to make them light and delicious, without losing the traditional taste elements that make up a proper Burns’ Night supper. Alongside the haggis, of which I am very fond, the salmon from loch Duart is amazing and the cranachan is divine.

For cigar and whisky fans, there are two whisky and cigar pairing evenings on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 January in the Drawing Room at Duke’s. Starting at 6pm with Alessandro’s fabulous Old Fashioned, there follow three expressions of The Exceptional whiskies and canapés – the Grain, the Malt and the Blend. Each is excellent and beautifully balanced, the Grain having marmalade and crème brulee flavours, the Malt being a fuller bodied whisky with lots of dried fruit flavours and the Blend a perfect balance of young and old whiskies with complex fruit and oaky flavours. However cold it might be, Duke’s cosy walled cigar terrace is always kept toasty with heaters and snuggly blankets so you can enjoy a Monte Cristo Number 2 in comfort. The whisky does its bit too, warming you from the inside out.

I think these are great value for an evening of fun at Duke’s. The Burns supper is £65 per person and the whisky, canape and cigar nights are £55. Worth every penny.

Address: Duke’s London, 35 St. James’s Place, London SW1A 1NY
Telephone: +44 (0)207 491 4840

By Caroline Hampden-White

The Bloomsbury Hotel London

If you’re fancying a little London getaway or perhaps traveling on business, The Bloomsbury would love to house you for the duration of your stay. Nestled among the calmingly chaotic heart of London, the hotel sits between Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road, and Clarkenwell. You might notice the presence of the 1930s neo-Georgian building immediately; Sir Edwin Lutyen, one of the country’s leading architects, is to applaud for the meticulous attention to detail and engaging design.

To match the personality of the structure, The Bloomsbury has been appropriately dressed with bright yet comforting tones and décor to match the original time period. Unravel yourself in a small piece of history and unpack in your spacious accommodations.  Rave over the intricately patterned wallpaper, collapse into the plush duck-down duvets, or work off some jet-lag in the fitness centre. The Bloomsbury has taken care of all the big luxury elements but refused to stop there. All rooms include Temple Spa bathroom amenities, flat screen TV, high-speed Wi Fi across the entire property, and room service. For business travelers or those needing to host an event, theater-style meeting rooms are at your disposal, with reservations of course.

Guests continue to be spoiled on premises with delightful food and drink options. The Coral Room is coloured accordingly and is new to the Central London drinking scene. The vibrant bar draws inspirations from the 1920s and offers a dynamic menu for afternoon and evening tipples. For calming poetic vibes, sink into your chair and sip some tea at the Dalloway Terrace. The secret garden atmosphere is blooming in warmer months and heated during winter for a year-round dining experience. Choose from light breakfast or brunch menus and have a look over the wine and cocktail list. Take a moment to set yourself free among the crowd of literary Bloomsbury. The Bloomsbury Club Bar pays tribute to those that rejected the Victorian ideas of religion to explore their own spiritual meaning. With cocktails created with tarot cards in mind, choose from one of the fourteen to reveal your future.

While The Bloomsbury makes it hard to leave, they do encourage you to get out and explore the Bloomsbury region and the rest of London. The surrounding 18th century neighbourhood is riddled with museums, cafes, bookstores, and other historically-based adventures. With plenty of train stations and other means of public transportation easily accessible, the entirety of London is at your fingertips. Let The Bloomsbury hotel be your guide.