Tasting Britain
TastingBritain.co.uk - 68 and Boston, Soho, London
Based on the former site of the gay bar, Green Carnation, 68 & Boston is quite possibly the best bar Iâve seen in Soho (yes, thatâs a big claim I know, hear me out). Why such a claim? Because it does so many things, does them so well AND does this at a reasonable pricepoint (considering the area). 68 and Boston is essentially two different concepts in one building (and what a fun building it is - full of secret spaces, quiet rooms and low light enclaves - it felt a bit like a house party in an extremely wealthy personâs house).
On the ground floor lives â68â, an all day wine bar with what is a pretty exciting and eclectic selection of wines, ALL priced at £20. Above that lives âBostonâ, a late night cocktail bar which packs an equally economical, equally respectable cocktail menu (insofar as things that are kinda designed to get you drunk can be "respectable"). Iâll tell you about each separately...
68 is partly the brainchild of Denise Medrano aka. wine blogger The Wine Sleuth (and official Wine Bar Manager). The name? There are apparently 67 wine producing countries in the world - 68 want to be the â68th placeâ for wine. Preferably discovering new wine - which they make quite easy! The menu always features 10 reds, 10 whites, 2 roses and 2 sparklers. Theyâre all available by the glass (and the bottle). They also have wines on tap (which I missed the chance to try, being far too distracted by their selection of redsâ¦)
As for Boston? Luca Cordiglieri, president of the UK Bartenderâs Guild, and formerly of The Dorchester, Harvey Nichols (etc) has lead the way on this one. Bartenders in white tuxedos serve up an assortment of delicious, predominantly oldschool recipes (read: high on alcohol, low on mixer, prepared in the classic (and not the âmolecularâ style)). Theyâre very keen on Malbec, white port, riesling, sherry - things that make a cocktail taste more exciting (whilst also maintaining a high ABV - see previous point...). The decor supposedly takes its cue from the aesthetic of Boston, USA but as you can see from the dark, chandelier lit interior, it looks more like a traditional high end cocktail bar.
Memorable stuff? Many things! Squid Ink Martinis made with En Ramo Fino sherry (pretty intense), and Lorosco's Reserva Carmenere - one of my favourite wine discoveries of the last few months. Excited? I strongly recommend you head on down...
TastingBritain.co.uk - 68 and Boston, Soho, London
Based on the former site of the gay bar, Green Carnation, 68 & Boston is quite possibly the best bar Iâve seen in Soho (yes, thatâs a big claim I know, hear me out). Why such a claim? Because it does so many things, does them so well AND does this at a reasonable pricepoint (considering the area). 68 and Boston is essentially two different concepts in one building (and what a fun building it is - full of secret spaces, quiet rooms and low light enclaves - it felt a bit like a house party in an extremely wealthy personâs house).
On the ground floor lives â68â, an all day wine bar with what is a pretty exciting and eclectic selection of wines, ALL priced at £20. Above that lives âBostonâ, a late night cocktail bar which packs an equally economical, equally respectable cocktail menu (insofar as things that are kinda designed to get you drunk can be "respectable"). Iâll tell you about each separately...
68 is partly the brainchild of Denise Medrano aka. wine blogger The Wine Sleuth (and official Wine Bar Manager). The name? There are apparently 67 wine producing countries in the world - 68 want to be the â68th placeâ for wine. Preferably discovering new wine - which they make quite easy! The menu always features 10 reds, 10 whites, 2 roses and 2 sparklers. Theyâre all available by the glass (and the bottle). They also have wines on tap (which I missed the chance to try, being far too distracted by their selection of redsâ¦)
As for Boston? Luca Cordiglieri, president of the UK Bartenderâs Guild, and formerly of The Dorchester, Harvey Nichols (etc) has lead the way on this one. Bartenders in white tuxedos serve up an assortment of delicious, predominantly oldschool recipes (read: high on alcohol, low on mixer, prepared in the classic (and not the âmolecularâ style)). Theyâre very keen on Malbec, white port, riesling, sherry - things that make a cocktail taste more exciting (whilst also maintaining a high ABV - see previous point...). The decor supposedly takes its cue from the aesthetic of Boston, USA but as you can see from the dark, chandelier lit interior, it looks more like a traditional high end cocktail bar.
Memorable stuff? Many things! Squid Ink Martinis made with En Ramo Fino sherry (pretty intense), and Lorosco's Reserva Carmenere - one of my favourite wine discoveries of the last few months. Excited? I strongly recommend you head on down...