Anspach & Hobday Brewery - The Last Word

Wednesday 11th December - This isn't the first time I have written about Anspach & Hobday and it won't be the last, as I have been following their journey from home brewers to Bermondsey pros since March when I first met Jack (Hobday) handing out beer samples on a snowy Southbank.  I ran into them a couple more times at various pubs / breweries before attending a private tasting event run by the guys to celebrate their IBC Silver Medal win (for their Porter) with their team, and reveal their new branding.

Since then Paul (Anspach) & Jack have finally found a site to brew in, and it couldn't be better placed. They have set themselves up in an archway on Druid Street, just round the corner from four other top breweries (Kernel, Partizan, Brew by Numbers, and new kids on the block Fourpure) who together now form the "Bermondsey Beer Mile".  Maltby Street Market and the delights of Bermondsey Street are a short walk away, and they have Bea's of Bloomsbury and St.John's Bakery for neighbours. Saturdays in Bermondsey (when all the breweries, archways and markets welcome the public) are truly unmissable now - if you keep going to Borough Market instead, you are out of touch.

And so this brings me to last Wednesday, when the boys invited friends, family and some beer lovers over to 118 Druid Street for the Anspach & Hobday Brewery Commissioning.

I brought along 2nd-placed Lauren (who was on the Southbank with me 9 months ago) to check out their new premises, and we arrived bang on 6pm.  I was surprised to see that they actually have proper windows and a door, having spent a fair amount of time in open industrial archways this year - it would have been an unpleasantly cold evening without them.  The impressive space used to be a gym, and they have kept the leftover mirror wall to make it feel even bigger.  Benches and tables were laid out and attractively adorned with flowers and empty A&H bottles/candles.

We only had an hour before we both had to go our separate ways, so we wasted no time in getting a drink.  Paul was starting everyone off with tasters of their Christmas special - a 7% Pfeffernüsse Amber (spiced amber saison) inspired by the popular festive Pferffernüsse biscuits, which were readily available for comparison. Aroma - Christmas Spice including ginger, cinnamon & clove. Palate - Warming spices, fairly dry with a touch of biterness, but still light and fresh.  We were both very taken with it, and went back for several refills - hopefully it isn't a one off!

We moved on to the 6% IPA, brewed with American hops and British, German & Belgian malt. Aroma - Sweet orange, with a touch of grassy and resinous hop aroma. Palate - Caramel and toffee malt with citrus notes and a firm, balancing bitterness.  Another great brew, especially when paired with hoppy sausages!  Various food pairings turned up throughout the evening, including cheese, A&H smoked ale sausages and giant pretzels.

That left the 7% Smoked Brown and the award winning 6.7% Porter.  The Smoked Brown is the beer that drew me in all those months ago, so it is great to see it properly bottled up. Aroma - Bavarian smoked cheese, oaky vanilla, forest fruits. Palate - Hazelnuts and dark berries with an oaky mid palate and gentle smoke.  Many smoked beers take it too far to the extent that I can only think of salmon, but they have got the balance just right here. 

Finally there is their flagship Porter. Aroma - Freshly ground coffee, dark chocolate and dark berries. Palate - Smooth with a perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness.  Complex rich and roasty. Any beer brewed in a tiny kitchen that comes away from the International Beer Challenge with a Silver Medal deserves some attention.  In fact, with several great beers, stylish branding, and a great location, you are going to want to keep your eyes on Anspach & Hobday.  The brewery should be officially launching early next year, opening up to the public on Saturdays & Sundays in keeping with the new Bermondsey brewery tradition.  See you there!

I had in fact triple booked myself that evening, but luckily I managed to squeeze two events in.  I sent List regular (and contributor) Jane to cover the new pork restaurant Blackfoot in my absence - stay tuned for a write up on that soon.  Meanwhile, I grabbed a lift to the second location with Su-Lin, who rocked up to Anspach & Hobday with a congratulatory Christmas cake.  

We were due at 7.30pm just over the river in Wapping for an evening of music, mixology and dining harking back to the golden age of swing & jazz at Trinity Presents "The Last Word".  Before you read the rest of my post, just head over here to reserve a table / book dinner at one of the last few dates of 2013 (19th-21st Dec) - trust me.  Dinner bookings must be received 48 hours in advance so get moving.

Had I not turned up with professional drinker Su-Lin, I might never have found the entrance to The Last Word, which was held at The Studio in a quiet backstreet in Wapping, near the Tobacco Dock. She assembled a dream team of food & drink enthusiasts that I was honoured to spend an evening with, including Simon Difford (Difford's Guide / London Cocktail Week), Ms S and Mr G aka The Cocktail Lovers, Clinton & Kate from Imbibe, Mark from Bar Magazine, Elsa from The London Sinner, Gavin from Blood, Sweat & Fashion, and Craig & Gareth representing Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur and Cellar Trends

We made our way into the the main bar which was decked out like a 1920s jazz club. Producer Zane informed me that The Studio (which used to be a nightclub) is used every day as a photography studio, so they painstakingly take it all down and put it all back up again each time - truly impressive! The decor and the overall atmosphere reminded me of the fantastic film sets of Punchdrunk's current show, albeit on a much smaller scale.  This was pure escapism.

We started with a welcome Prosecco cocktail, the first of many superb drinks from mixologist Deano Moncrieffe and his bar team, which eased us in as Benoit Viellefon & His Orchestra completed their soundcheck on stage.

Before too long, we made our way to our tables where we served up a sublime sharing feast of 12 dishes by the acclaimed Disappearing Dining Club, who are doing lots of exciting things across London at the moment.  The dining area was beautifully lit, smartly separated from the bar by a thin black curtain so that you could continue to enjoy the jazz with some privacy.

At this stage, we were brought The Last Word, the eponymous cocktail for the evening, made with Tanqueray Gin, Green Chartreuse, Luxardo Maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice.  It was first tasted in the 1920s at Detroit Athletic Club (which Mr.Moncrieffe named another drink after for the evening).  It is a great vehicle for the Luxardo cherry liqueur, and was garnished with a Luxardo cherry - marasca cherries steeped in maraschino syrup.  I was lucky enough to walk away with a whole jar at the end of the evening.  Look no further for an easy Christmas gift for cocktail lovers - buy them here.

We were spoilt for choice on food.  Three starters included a delicious Black Bean and Smoked Sweet Corn Ceviche.  Of all the wonderful mains, the standouts were Brick Lane Warm Smoked Salmon, Pickled Kale & Swede Mash, and a Venison Stew with All Spice & Juniper.  Red and white vino flowed throughout as well, leading me to confess to Simon Difford that I am a huge fan of his cocktail tomes, and admit to Clinton from Imbibe that his magazine mysteriously turns up through my door every month thanks to a previous tenant.  

The standout dessert was a wonderfully realised The Last Word jelly complete again with a special Maraschino cherry.  That said the Chocolate Brownie with Maraschino compote and nougatine chantilly trays wasn't half bad either.  Cocktails continued to turn up, and I thoroughly enjoyed both the refreshing Gypsy Gin (Tanqueray Gin, Pink Grapefruit Juice, Tonic Water, Almond Syrup, Lemon Juice) and a very drinkable Whisky Flower (Johnnie Walker Black, fresh lemon juice, elderflower cordial, egg white).

The Last Word Jelly

With a drink in hand, I went on a wander with Su-Lin to discover two hidden bars in the studio.  One is more functional for overflow on a busy nights, but turn the right corner and you will find Whiskies & Cigars, possibly the smallest bar in the world!  Situated near to the outdoor smoking area, there is space for maybe 2 people at this bar - you may never leave once you have found it.

Smallest bar in the world?

We found our way back to the main bar for a last couple of drinks & some dancing in front of Benoit Viellefon and his talented band, who made it all look too easy.  Django would have been impressed as they coasted through jazz & swing standards from Caravan to It Don't Mean a Thing, keeping us very entertained with friendly chit chat in between songs.  There is different music every night, and I was assured that all the musicians are top notch.  If gypsy swing is your thing, make sure you also checknout my local, Le QuecumBar in Battersea, for an authentic gypsy jazz live experience in a lovely setting.

Benoit Viellefon & His Orchestra

To finish, we had a round of Filthy Swings (Don Julio Reposado, raisin water, fresh lime, agave syrup and chocolate bitters).  I might just have to buy a bottle of either Mozart or Aztec chocolate bitters, as they always seem to take cocktails to another level.  We also tried the special cocktail for the evening, made by one of our party - Gareth from Luxardo created the Zadar (a delicious boozy blend of whiskies and maraschino), named after the capital city of Dalmatia where maraschino was first produced by a Venetian merchant back in 1759.

A round of Filthy Swings

I stayed as long as I could before scampering off to catch the last Overground from Wapping.  The atmosphere and service was so consistently wonderful, I can't think of a better place to have a classy Christmas party this year.  You can just turn up for drinks (reserve a stage-side table for £6), but you would be a fool to miss out on the full Disappearing Dining Club experience.  Dinner (which includes the prosecco cocktail) will set you back £36 - a bargain considering the setting, and the 12 dish feast that awaits you.  Cocktails are mostly £10 and a range of spirits, wines and beers (including some London Fields Brewey offerings) are also available.

There are only three dates left in 2013 - 19th, 20th and 21st December - reserve a space now!

If you really can't make it, fear not - they are returning in April with "Death in the Afternoon".  Booking opens for that on January 31st.  

Whilst I'm plugging boozy things, I recommend that you check out Bring A Bottle - a very handy new price comparison site for alcohol of all shapes and sizes, perfect for last minute bargain hunting for Christmas and NYE.  It's free to use and leads you straight to the top drinks savings at supermarkets and other retailers

Two very new brands that won't be up there yet should be on your Christmas wish-list:

Moonshine Kid - Dogs Nose Dry Hop Gin - created by "Talented Mr.Fox / Moonshine Kid" Matt Whitley, this has only gone on sale this week (just under £30) and is a delicious, innovative gin.  Email Matt at bringmeliquor@moonshinekid.com to order.  Read more here.

Cleveland Bay Vodka - a brand new British vodka distilled using small copper pot stills by the entrepeneurial James Luwagga.  Cleveland bay is citrusy and slightly earthy on the nose with hints of pepper.  Very smooth when it hits the palate, with a creamy long lasting flavour thus culminating in a slightly floral finish.  I took James up on his recommendation, and drank it with Copella apple juice which was excellent, before drinking it neat on the rocks.  I don't often drink vodka (with the exception of Zubrowka) and I definitely don't drink it neat, but I could happily sip on Cleveland Bay all evening.  It would also make a very quaffable Martini.  Maybe Cleveland Bay (along with Chase, Sipsmiths and Vestal) will lead a vodka revolution next year.  Find out more on the website.

Cleveland Bay Vodka

London Cocktail Week

Tuesday October 8th - Two months have passed since the madness of London Cocktail Week.  Over 150 bars around London joined in the £4 cocktail fun, and you could barely take a step in Seven Dials without arriving at a pop-up bar of some kind.  I had hoped to head out a few times to take it all in but Team List only managed two trips in the end.  That said, 13 bars should be enough for one post... 

Day 1 started at the London Cocktail Week hub in Seven Dials.  Luke and I collected our £10 wristbands (which give you access to everything going on around the city) and marched off to a vaguely Vegas themed pop-up bar run by Portobello gin for our first drink.  We were handed two very ordinary Tom Collins which were severely lacking gin, so we drank up and ran away before any Elvis impersonators turned up.

Portobello Gin Vegas Bar

Our shaky start continued as we ducked into Detroit Bar over the road on Earlham Street.  Here we were served a bizarre cocktail which included Benedictine and apple, and tasted fairly medicinal. It felt like Detroit was on its last legs, so I wasn't surprised to hear that it was closing down.  In fact, it has now been replaced by Earlham Street Clubhouse, complete with NY pizzas by the slice, petrol beer bumps and booths with phones - read more here.

The now closed Detroit Bar

After two dodgy drinks, we decided to escape Seven Dials and give Soho a try.  We poked our heads into Kettner's but noone wanted to serve us so we didn't stay long.  Kettner's is a true Soho classic which was opened as a restaurant in 1867 by Auguste Kettner (chef to Napoleon III) across four Georgian townhouses.  Oscar Wilde and Agatha Christie were known to dine here, and Edward VII built underground tunnels to Kettners from the Palace Theatre so that he could discreetly entertain his mistress Lilly Langtry in what is now The Apartment, an attractive private dining room with a secret entrance on Greek Street.  

The Apartment at Kettner's

If you fancy exploring Kettners and partying like it's 1929, get yourself tickets for the next Herr Kettner's Cabaret.  I may well pop back in the run up to Christmas for their Tuesday Gin, Fizz and Jazz nights.

Just as we were moving on we were joined by Will who was keen to catch up and glad to hear that we hadn't had much success so far.  He had sensibly not put on his wristband, pointing out that it wouldn't be ideal walking around work the next day looking a little groggy with a London Cocktail Week bracelet still attached.  We consulted our Soho map and decided to tick off a few more reliable bars that hadn't yet made The List, starting with Zenna, an Indian themed cocktail bar below The Red Fort restaurant on Dean Street.

Zenna claim to have the world's spiciest cocktail, The Illiana, which comes with a Fire Extinguisher soda siphon of ice cold gin fizz to put out the flames.  I can't see it on their current menu though so things might have changed.  We were served a tasty Spicy Sapphire made with chilli vodka which we enjoyed drinking at the bar with the entertaining bartenders.  The attractive alcove in one corner would be perfect for parties, and Zenna has an enticing snack food menu which includes Soft Shell Crab and Salmon Tikka.

Zenna

Our fourth bar of the evening was The Player which was opened by Dick Bradsell in 1998 and rescued by the Rushmore Group (Milk & Honey, Danger of Death) in 2001.  It was pretty busy when we arrived so we set up camp at the bar and waited for an opportune moment to place our order directly with the bartenders.  The £4 concoction on offer here was The Journey, a fantastic drink made with Mezcal, Bacardi and Martini which came with some back story about how the big brands were once small companies working hard to get their products around the world.

The Player Bar

The Player is home to The Slider Bar which gives residencies to some of London's Street Food heroes. Lucky Chip were here a couple of months ago, but now the Breddos Tacos boys are running the kitchen.  Make sure you get a Breddos Chilliback (shot of tequila chased by pickled habanero juice) when you order one of their delicious sliders.  

If you've always been annoyed at pubs holding the monopoly on quizzes, head to The Player on the second Monday of every month  for their Popbitch Popquiz.

We pressed on and paid a quick visit to the Blind Pig upstairs at Social Eating House.  Team List were the first people through the doors when this opened back in April (read more here) so it was nice to see Kyle and his team mixing up drinks for a full house a few months later on.  We had a very drinkable Pisco Sour which had a glow stick around the rim.  We were hit with a service charge which was obviously minimal but seemed slightly ridiculous in the context of London Cocktail Week.  

The Blind Pig at Social Eating House

Our penultimate stop was Central & Co on Great Malborough Street, an all day brasserie and bar which opens for breakfast at 8am on weekdays and 9am on weekends.  This was my favourite discovery of the evening - upstairs is a stunning space at night, with candlelit tables and an open frontage looking out onto the edges of Soho and Mayfair.  The drink wasn't half bad either - a Tequila Old Fashioned with black pepper and a cinnamon & orange peel garnish, just right for an end of the night drink (even if we we went somewhere else afterwards).  Flatmate Maggie turned up here late doors as usual to pick up a couple of Team List points.

Central & Co

Central & Co was really on The List because of the downstairs bar, & Co., which was sadly too quiet to make use of whilst we were there.  All spirits are unmarked so you order spirits based on their flavour profile and drink them straight or enhanced using liqueurs, vermouths and bitters.  You never find out what you were drinking, even when you pay the bill!  It is a bold concept which I admire, but from what I have heard it hasn't quite taken off yet.  I really hope that it does as there are so many copycat cocktail bars around and it is refreshing to go somewhere that isn't pushing a particular brand at you.  Go and check them out!

Experimental downstairs bar "& Co" at Central & Co

Last but not least on Day One was The Bar at the Courthouse Hotel next to Central & Co.  The venue used to be the Great Malborough Street Magistrates Court, and the bar uses the original cell blocks as 'cosy' VIP rooms!  We all squeezed into one (with Maggie relegated to the toilet seat) and finished of the night with a refreshing Courthouse Bar Margarita.  We were the only people in the bar so atmosphere was lacking, but we had a good time anyway.

The Bar at the Courthouse Hotel

Before we left, we had a quick snoop around the Silk Restaurant which is set up as a courtroom.  The quirky setting features the original judges bench, dock and witness stand that were present for the trials of Oscar Wilde, Mick Jagger and John Lennon.  It was pitch black and we couldn't find a light switch which fittingly made us feel slightly like criminals, even though the staff assured us we could look around!

Silk Restaurant

Day Two - Wednesday October 9th - After missing a fruitful first day, List Leader Natalie was keen to get involved and maintain her 50 point lead over the rest on the Team List Leaderboard, even though she was feeling under the weather.  She planned not to drink - let's see how that goes...

I started off in Seven Dials again with much better results the second time.  I came across a Sailor Jerry stall handing out free cocktail shots to wristband owners, and a little further up the road a similar Disaronno station run by two very entertaining (and rowdy) bartenders.  My team-mates were still a way off so I popped my head in to the Euphorium Bakery courtyard that had been transformed into a pop-up Bloody Mary garden

Sailor Jerry & Bloody Mary Garden

I eventually got the call from Natalie and marched out of Seven Dials towards Goodge Street, our hunting ground for the night.  Our first stop was Berners Tavern, Jason Atherton's stunning follow up to Social Eating House in the London Edition Hotel.  London Cocktail Week exists so that you can march your way into places like these and order a £4 cocktail without fear of being turned away (would snobby Sketch ever get involved, I wonder?).  The enormous dining room and bar is a sight to behold - high ceilings, packed in paintings, epic chandeliers and a terrifyingly tall back bar.  We sped through a refreshing Caorunn gin-based concoction before Luke arrived (yes, ailing Natalie gave in to the booze immediately), and decided to press on in the name of research.  I need to return to Edition at some point to check out the secluded Punch Room Bar, a "reservations only, fumed-oak paneled den" that has been been getting very complimentary write-ups

Berner's Tavern

Our second bar of the evening was The London Cocktail Club, one of my favourite "chains" which now has 5 sites around the city.  Every time a new customer enters the Goodge Street "punk gin palace" branch, the bartenders shout hello across the room, a lovely touch.  We were served immediately although I would happily watch their pyrotechnics and extreme garnishing for a good long while.  The cocktail of the week was a G&T topped with a sachet of Cherry Heering jam for us to add in.  It sunk pleasingly to the bottom of the glass which you could choose to reach with a straw.  Quick and easy to serve, and great fun for the customers, a perfect London Cocktail Week drink.

Cocktail No.3 was "Celtic Stairs", again made with Caorunn Gin, at Bourne & Hollingsworth, a nutty little bar that looks like your Grandma's living room with the exception of the DJ table (I look forward to a rush of angry comments on my generalisation about your hip elderly relatives).  It was quite possibly the best drink of the evening - an Autumnal mix of of apples & pears with warming All-Spice liqueur and Caorunn Celtic Gin, sharpened with lemon juice, and finished with redcurrants and rosemary.  The B&H team were also behind the brilliant Kitchen Party Popup that ran for a couple of months in the middle of the year - read more here.

Bourne & Hollingsworth

We didn't have to travel far for our fourth drink of the evening.  Next door to Bourne & Hollingsworth, Bam-Bou describes itself as a Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese restaurant, but those in the know head up to the third floor to find The Red Bar which is home to over 60 Japanese whisky blends & single malts.  We were treated to a boozy Zacapa Aged Rum based libation served from a barrel which wasn't to my taste but was still well worth the £4 investment.  It's a beautiful place to hole up for a few drinks away from the crowds.  

The Red Bar at Bambou

By the time we were onto our 5th bar, pharmacist Natalie's illness was a thing of the past - take whatever medical advice you fancy from that.  It was a short walk to Oskar's Bar, tucked away beneath the much lauded Dabbous restaurant (read more on the food here).  The charming Maitre D' led us away from the stunning food, down to the stylish downstairs bar.  Here we were presented with a Reincarnation - a very drinkable mix of Sauvignon Blanc, Beefeater and some less alcoholic ingredients, which is a twist on their Reincarnation of Anthony Edwards cocktail made with Sauvignon Blanch, Cachaca, lime, honey and sorrel juice.  The drinks list is full of tempting, playful creations including IKEA Sours, That Other Drink with Mezcal, and 2 Blueberries 1 Cup - there is even a section dedicated to Beer & Cider cocktails, which always gets extra points from me.  If that's not enough to tempt you downstairs, then the Bar Snack menu created by head chef Ollie Dabbous should seal the deal - who wouldn't want "Lard on Toast with Black Truffle"?

Oskar's Bar underneath Dabbous

Our final stop was Rev JW Simpson, which we paid a visit to after a recommendation by the Bourne & Hollingsworth guys.  We intended to go to one more place afterwards, but we got sidetracked by a highly entertaining arrogant punter, who thought he was devilishly charming and witty, but was actually an offensive prick.  Anyway, we humoured him and Natalie managed to coax a free drink out of him for our troubles.  Luke and I meanwhile ordered their exciting London Cocktail Week special, a DIY Belvedere Vodka Martini that came in a bucket with various tinctures and garnishes to play with.  This was the most inventive drink that I had all week, and was a great way to finish off the evening.

DIY Martini at Rev JW Simpson

London Cocktail Week is a truly magnificent event, and it is it is a real labour of love for the Difford's Guide team behind it - it will hopefully continue to exist and grow for many years to come.  Simon Difford has grand plans for the future, starting with many more participating bars and more LCW hubs next year.  He has also teamed up with London Wine Fair to bring us the first ever London Wine Week from 2-8 June in 2014 - book that week and 6-12 October off from work now!

Bermondsey Street

Guest Post - SE1 resident and Team List regular Jane gives her top tips for eating out in Bermondsey:

I first got to know Bermondsey Street back in 2010 when Lee (currently team lister no. 6) moved here, before which I hadn't known what I'd been missing. After an unrivaled first meal at Zucca, we contemplated our opening local challenge - to complete the, then substantially smaller, restaurant list that Bermondsey Street provided. Three years later I'm a local resident and the Bermondsey Street phenomenon has evolved to include an even more exciting array of restaurants and cafes, which seems to have filtered into the surroundings with nearby Maltby Street market, Tozinos, 40 Maltby Street, the Bread Pedlar and a whole host of local breweries. A good website for keeping up to date with changes to the Bermondsey scene is London-SE1.co.uk. 

Zucca remains the stalwart of Bermondsey Street, providing fresh Italian dining in a clean cut, modern environment. Within weeks of opening this restaurant had gained top notch reviews from the best in the industry and had also topped the trip advisor London restaurant rankings. I've eaten here at least three times now and am never disappointed. The menu is changed daily and usually consists of the signature dish, yes it's zucca (pumpkin), a range of starters, a couple of pasta dishes and delicious mains of meat and fish. It feels like the prices have slightly risen over the years but the food's so good it's nothing to complain about. I'm told a new pizzeria and gelateria called Farina is being opened next door by the same owner, Sam Harris, in the coming year. I'll definitely be one of the first in.

Zucca

Jose and Pizarro are two equal favourites on the same street both run by the former Brindisa chef, Jose Pizarro. I think Señor Pizarro outdoes Brindisa in style and atmosphere with both restaurants and the food is outstanding too.

Jose Pizarro

Jose is a small (but perfectly formed) tapas and sherry bar, which is consistently overflowing of a weeknight. It has a busy, authentically Spanish feel. The no bookings policy means you might be hard-pressed to get an inch of space (let alone a chair) but that just adds to the charm. Tapas is reasonably priced at under £9 a dish and is original and seasonal. Pizarro is the restaurant counterpart to Jose, offering full Spanish mains and you can book in advance. The food and atmosphere here is similarly high quality, I particularly like the tables made from reformed sherry crates.

The latest addition to Bermondsey Street is Casse-Croûte, a french cafe-style restaurant. Following on from the authentic Spanish and Italian food in Jose, Pizzarro and Zucca, Casse-Croûte has a truly French vibe. Owner, Herve Durochat, greets local friends with kisses on both cheeks and exclamations in French, whilst the menu on the blackboard is written in French only (although the waitress was very obliging in explaining it to us). The popularity of this restaurant from day one means booking ahead is a must and on arrival you'll find your name scrawled across your tablecloth, a great touch. Meals are affordable and delicious, all of a French style. We visited shortly after it opened and couldn't resist ordering a full three courses despite intentions to be restrained. I'm hoping this will become a new regular for me.

The Garrison is a popular, longstanding gastropub of Bermondsey Street offering British-french cuisine in a friendly environment. Although it does feel decidedly more restaurant than pub... We were lucky enough to be seated at table sixteen which comes with small drawers filled to the brim with notes and doodles from previous customers - providing entertainment for the rest of our meal. I've only eaten here once; the food was acceptable but for me The Garrison doesn't match the quality or charm of the restaurants above. The restaurant also has a small cinema on the lower floor which you can rent for private viewings but also has free films on Sundays.

Antico is another Italian on Bermondsey Street. It offers some great deals for lunch and early dinner and I believe is also on the Taste card. I've eaten here a few times and particularly enjoyed the Sunday brunch. Others have been disappointed with the heat and acoustics (very 'buzzy') of the place but I like the atmosphere when full. The service and food is good but for Italian on this street I'd always preference Zucca.  Underneath Antico you can find 214 Bermondsey, a specialist gin bar - read more here.

Village East offers an English-French menu and has been here for some time. It has a good bar with cocktails, is open late and has a decidedly city-ish clientele. My dining experience here was satisfactory for the money (around £16 for a main) but did not stand out.

Tanner & Co has recently opened in the former premises of Delphina. Whilst I haven't managed to make it to eat here yet, I did pop in for a quick drink the other day. The place is decked out like an old school gym with ropes hanging from the ceiling and vault horses for seats. Drinks include the standard cocktails, beers and wine and the food is of a reasonable price.

Last but not least, B Street Deli opened at the end of November. As well as offering up cheeses, hams and pastries throughout the day it's open late into the night (11pm) for drinks and platters. The drinks selection, chosen by their head provisioner, is very interesting. We tried a couple of good red wines but also a Pineau and a fantastic Cognac, aged for 35 years, from Grande Champagne. They also stock the excellent local Jensen's Gin and Volcano Coffee, based in SE21, which makes a nice change from the now ubiquitous Monmouth. I'd thoroughly recommend a stop by for a glass of wine and a cheeseboard to be followed by some of that delicious Cognac.

If you enjoyed this, why not check out these Bermondsey related List posts:

Breweries and Bar Tozino
Maltby Street Market
214 Bermondsey Gin Bar