It’s a long way from the Beaufort Bar to Bethnal Green, but former head bartender Chris Moore has ditched the formal luxury of The Savoy in favour of this relaxed neighbourhood hangout on the former site of the Albion pub. Low-lit, with bare bricks and a hip-hop soundtrack, the vibe is urban-cool but with a Francophile drinks list that’s big on Calvados and Normandy-style cidres.
Vermouth, French regional wines and eaux-de-vie all feature on an accomplished line-up of cocktails that includes some telling twists on the classics – perhaps a decadent Truffled White Negroni made with Star of Bombay Gin, Lillet Blanc, Escubac, Suze and seasonal truffle.
Original mixes such as Straight Outta Bethnal (Trois Rivières Ambre, Suze, lime and Rouge Bitters) and Just for Clarity (Grey Goose vodka, Beurre Noisette, fino sherry and toasted hazelnut bitters) are also worth a punt, while the hugely popular Champagne Piña Colada (Bacardi Heritage rum, rhum agricole, pineapple, coconut sorbet and Moe¨t & Chandon) is fast-becoming a modern classic.
The French theme continues in the kitchen, which cooks up quiche Lorraine, baked Camembert and saucisson sandwiches with Comté and cornichons, as well as pastries and brunch offerings from 11am.