With full of expectations I wanted to visit 69 Colebrooke Row. Tony Conigliaro’s own things enjoys an excellent reputation so I was happy I found the time to visit this place. I enjoyed a drink early that evening at Zetter Townhouse and talked to Maxwell, the bartender at the time, if there is any chance to get a place on a Saturday night at around 21.00. „The bar is small“, he said, „but there is always room for one“, he added. So with full of hopes I walked through a cold London night from the cosy townhouse up north to the bar with no name, as its called too. After 20 minutes I arrived at the corner of 69 Colebrooke Row.
69 Martini
Once inside, the cards didn’t look too good and it seemed I was unlucky. I walked up to the bar and Rosie, the shorthaired blonde host/bartender in a white jacket welcomed me. The whole staff is dressed in white jackets with white shirt and tie. Normally a bit stiff but it suits this place. At first Rosie pointed me to a high bar chair at a wall next to the bar that was very exposed and just stood there all by itself. I told her, wow I am quite exposed here and I think she felt that I was not too comfy sitting there all by myself so she offered me a double space at the bar which I thought was a very nice gesture. The whole time I was there, I was very well looked after and all the staff were extremely friendly and hospitable. The bar itself only sits 5 people in total and the rest of the place is not big either. A few tables tightly arranged, even a piano functions as a table. It can really get cosy in there. Black and white tiled floor, carbon filament lamps installation at the ceiling but in general dimly lit. There is not much else to say about the interior but I felt comfy and it was interesting follow all the chit chat, laughs and gestures of people. If you are alone in a bar you can concentrate well on all the details and people watching is a delight. Water arrived at my table and as I mentioned many times, an absolute must in a cocktail place like this. Listening to some jazz tunes it was time to attend to the menu. It is small but it does not need to be bigger because what is served here is outstanding. Some of the most innovative compositions I have seen so far. And they taste. My gosh they really taste. They are not fancy or anything but the complexity, the roundness, the balance; they were just phenomenal. I started off with a drink called “Rain”. Just by reading it I had to taste it. Distilled Kaolin clay, Ambrette seed, Vetiver served straight from the bottle. It really tastes like fresh fresh rain, a hint of clay, boozy, a dry sweetness, mellow and earthy.
Stylish lamps
I was convinced it cant get any better that night. But I was wrong. I continued with the Santeria. Havanna Seleccion del Maestro Rum infused with Rooibos Tea, Lapsang Syrup and smoked with Voodoo Incense. Taste wise again an interesting combination of chocolate notes, smokiness and tea flavours. All this are unpretentiously presented; filigree glasses, clear lines, purist style. I finished off the night with a composition called Manhattan Steel Corp. As a fan of Manhattan it was clear this would be my knock off drink for tonight. A distilled Manhattan with Maraschino and dry essence. It is indeed a distilled Manhattan, a small quantity of Maraschino and the dry essence, grape seeds in high proof alcohol which are reduced. You think why steel but you can feel a slight metallic flavour on your palate. An excellent cocktail! Very pleased, with a hint of tipsiness and a big smile I was walking out of 69 Colebrooke Row. A visit to remember.
Images © 69 Colebrooke Row
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