With some welcome and exciting news, My Partner in Crime and I make our way to the bar at Dishoom in King’s Cross, as someone has told us they serve the best old fashioned in London… It’s 6.30pm on a Thursday and the queue is outrageous. We don’t do queues. So we opt for going into Grain Store next door for some cocktaily libations.
I’ve heard positive things from a foodie friend in the know about Grain Store, but have never been as King’s Cross and I rarely meet… The atmosphere is lovely. It’s buzzing and busy but not overly crowded or overly loud. I hate loud. I always have hated loud and I always will. To me, there is just no point in being somewhere you have to shout. The fit-out is gorgeous too – open and bright and wood and all things good.
The special on the menu board catches my eye, the Chestnut Army and Navy: gin, chestnut syrup, lemon juice and chestnut bitters. Although the first sip is not particularly chestnuty, the chestnut comes through on subsequent sips. This drink is delicious. It’s tart and intriguing and the perfect way to spend a Thursday evening.
My Partner in Crime opts for a little springtime number, the Pea Shoots Sour – gin, pea shoots syrup, lemon juice, egg white, dry vermouth and absinthe. It is utterly delightful. It’s fresh and grassy and has a gorgeous zing. We proclaim it to be one of the finest cocktails we’ve had in a long time.
I need another, and the sesame martini catches my attention. Yes, yes and yes! Beefeater gin with sesame vermouth. The nose on this cocktail is fantastic as is the fat sesame flavour. Another interesting and extremely well-executed drink. Sometimes outrageous and interesting cocktails don’t always come off well, however, all of our cocktails are the finest we’ve had in a long time. Bravo. My PiC orders the Campari Cooler which has Campari, carrot, lemon and orange blossom and it is the pinnacle of refreshment.
The staff is lovely here and look after us very well. No ego. Charm and smiles. That’s what we want.
