Sunday 11 February 2007

LAB

LAB (London Academy of Bartending)
12 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 4TQ
Telephone: 0871 4262225

This narrow and smoky bar didn't do much to impress me the first time I visited it. At the end of Old Compton Street it sits oddly amongst a Japanese restaurant, an Italian bakery, a Ed's burger joint and a predominately gay area of town. But if you enjoy a cocktail, uh, that sounded funny after the previous sentence :) -- If you enjoy GOOOD alcoholic drinks, do drop by for a few.

If you are with a small party, I would hang out at the bar to watch the bartenders work it. They don't call this place the London Academy of Bartending for nothing. The basement floor has another bar and a group seating area, but the booth seats are rather uncomfortable. The house music is a bit loud for group conversations to ensue, but I found myself saying quite often to my friends -- "you have to try this drink!".

Our favorites:
Absolutely Crushed -- Large measure of Absolut citron vodka muddled with fresh kumquats, lemon juice, passion fruit and soft brown sugar served frappe and polished with Mandarin Napoleon.

Very Berry -- Large measure of Wyborowa vodka muddled with fresh lime, blueberries, blackberries and caster sugar. Served over crushed ice with a creme de mure float.

Tiramisu -- (Even if you don't like chocolate martinis, this is one you have to try!) A heavenly mix of Patron XO cafe tequila with Mozart white and dark chocolate liqueur, marscapone cheese, charged with espresso and dusted with chocolate.