After a full day of tasting on Tuesday, I headed to Shoreditch to check out a new cocktail bar, Callooh Callay. It was included in The Independent’s Top 50 bars recently, so I went along to see what all the fuss was about
The inspiration for the bar comes from Lewis Carroll’s poem ‘Jabberwocky’ by Lewis Carroll Callooh Callay originally featured as part of his novel ‘Through the Looking-Glass’. However, I felt more like I was in Narnia having to walk through a wardrobe to get to the ladies. I have to admit the loos were the highlight of my visit with the walls entirely covered by old cassette tapes.
Sean Ware, winner of 42 Below Cocktail World Cup 2008 is mixing the drinks. I recommend the Tahnee’s Margarita, a blend of Cazadores Blanco, agave syrup, lime, crème de peche and raspberries (although not cheap at £8.50 – considering how fast I drunk it).
Marco Schnepf (Greenhouse, Smith’s of Smithfields and Gordon Ramsay’s Maze) heads up the kitchen but it’s just bar snacks to soak up all the booze so don’t expect any Michelin-starred cuisine. Go for the mixed platter for 2 for a tenner which, included cute spring pea tarts (more seasoning please), potato and leek croquettes with smoked paprika dip and a couple of other light bites.
It’s a pretty cool and quirky place to hang out and the drinks menu in the form of a newsletter is a nice touch. But you can say goodbye to the best part of £25 for three drinks so not one for the budget-conscious.
65 Rivington Street, EC2A 3AY
