Yellow Pepper at Eighty Six

Admittedly, I was a bit apprehensive about walking into Eighty Six. After all, I was so used to 86 Fulham Road being my favourite tequila bar in London. Sadly, Cactus Blue closed its doors for the last time during the summer and its loyal customers were left in the lurch as to what might take its place.

Last week, this question was answered as I walked past No. 86 to see that the lights were on inside. And so as quickly as I could, I headed back there to see the transformation for myself and of course to see what delicious treats I was hoping to find on their menu.

My drink of the night was the Yellow Pepper, which contained rose liquor, vodka, apple juice, vanilla, yellow pepper and lemon juice. The rose, apple and vanilla must have worked to soften the flavour of the yellow pepper because the yellow pepper wasn't overpowering at all. If anything it was delicate. My favourite drinks are those that look deceptively simple but are wonderfully complicated when they hit the taste buds and this was one of those drinks. 

The Yellow Pepper hasn't fast become a favourite but it was an exciting departure from the familiar selection on most cocktail menus. Simply delicious.

Yellow Pepper

Dusty Rose at The Botanist

Last week I was just about to step into The Botanist when I was asked what my poison was. I replied King’s Robe. But when the kind gentleman went to the bar, I discovered that the King’s Robe was no more. As much as I was devastated that this delicious rhubarb martni was now a distant memory, I was excited to take a look at the menu and discover something new. I chose the Dusty Rose Martini which consisted of a “large shot of Pinky vodka muddled with fresh pink grapefruit, homemade white rose syrup and a splash of fresh lime juice.”

The Dusty Rose was a refreshing drink. It didn’t pull any surprising punches but it did have a delicious sweetness when it touched the lips. Dangerously, it didn’t have a bite either so was easy to knock back. This drink is a definite recommend if you're looking for something light and not too sweet to drink. The pink rosebud at the bottom is also a very pretty touch.

The antithesis to The Dusty Rose was the Roasted Plum Martini which I tasted at TwentyTen Restaurant at The Wyndham Grand Hotel on Chelsea Harbour. This drink, which consisted of sake, Stolichnaya vodka, roasted plum and golden syrup was confusing. The flavours didn’t blend so easily. They were so jarring that I had to look at the menu to remind myself of the ingredients. Perhaps it was the clash of the sake with the golden syrup that confused my taste buds. It was a pity because this drink was on the verge of being a great martini for Christmas. As much as I tried to enjoy it, I struggled.

Roasted Plum Martini

Black Velvet at The Phene

Sitting in The Phene just before fireworks night in Battersea Park, I overheard a man handing over a Black Velvet to his friend. I was astonished that any pub in London would serve a Black Velvet after an experience long ago at the Hollywood Arms: a barman had tried and failed a few times to make this drink (Guinness and Champagne) and then vowed never to bother ever again, after having wasted half a bottle of champagne with his attempts. The only places where I've discovered expertly poured Black Velvets in London have been at The Wolseley and J Sheekey and both times ordered with oysters.

At the Phene, the Black Velvet was served in a pint glass and the man complained to his friend that they hadn’t poured enough Champagne into the glass. I felt like interrupting and suggesting that they order a half pint next time so that there'd be less Guinness. But I was all too excited to discover that there was a pub in Chelsea willing to make a Black Velvet in the first place. I can't vouch for how the Black Velvet tasted at The Phene but I'm still impressed that they gave it a go. Now to find somewhere in Chelsea that serves oysters along with this smooth drink which is ideally served in a tankard. That would be a real treat.