0
Shares

Quirky and romantic - we Test Drive LASSCO Bar & Dining

bar lasscopicThe bar at LASSCO Ropewalk

What can you tell me about LASSCO? 

Well first things first - it’s not LASSCO, it’s LASSCO Bar & Dining. LASSCO is the name of the venue, an architectural salvage warehouse, and believe us, it makes for a great atmosphere inside. The whole place is absolutely heaving with little curiosities, vintage furniture, ceramic lampshades and colourful wall tiles, all priced accordingly.

In fact, everything (and they do mean *everything*) is for sale. So, if you take a particular shine to your dining chair or table, it’s yours, for the right price - though this does occasionally lead to front of house having to ask the timberyard backstage to quickly whip them up some new furniture. Overall, the whole hodgepodge interior decor makes for a truly welcoming, quirky atmosphere.

Where should we have a drink first?

Definitely the LASSCO bar. Not only is it a memorable experience, draped in naval flags and jammed full of mismatched tables and stools, but there’s also an extremely decent cocktail list inspired by Bermondsey’s chequered past. We also rated the (very affordable) wine list, and fell particularly in love with the heady, leathery Spanish Marenas, priced at £5.75 a glass.

boar lasscopicWild boar with almond paste

What kind of food is it?

Local, local, local - in only a way that a restaurant on Maltby Street can be. Our stuffed olives originated in Brindisa, and the honey drizzled on our beets and pine whipped Crozier Blue starter was harvested from hives in Bermondsey. Craft beer comes from so nearby that bar manager and co-founder Jerome rolls in each keg by hand, while gin is brewed by Jensen’s, just a few arches down. “Every other supplier that we use is within a ten minute walk of the restaurant,” says chef James.

What should we have?

From the prixe-fixe menu, we tried the outstandingly fresh Rye Bay scallops (which had been caught that morning), which were a treat with some earthy white truffle. We also loved the wild boar, meltingly soft and just the job for a bracing February evening, braised in PX sherry and served with a sugary smudge of Marcona rouille almond paste.

Finally, it’s not often we can find the fortitude to power through a third course in its entirety but we made an exception for the salted, flourless chocolate cake. It was gooey, rich and Seriously Good, especially with a scoop of of slow-melting vanilla from nearby Ice Cream Union, swirled through with olive oil.

choc nancypicSalted chocolate cake

Overall thoughts

With their laid back staff, buckets of vintage paraphernalia and great, fresh food cooked damn well, we loved LASSCO. With its low candlelight, conversation-starting decor, it'd be a great choice as a first date restaurant, particularly the ambience-heavy bar.

LASSCO Bar & Dining is at 41 Maltby Street, Bermondsey, London SE1 3PA. It's open Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm – 10pm, and Sunday 11am – 5pm. The prix-fixe menu is available in the evenings, with two courses £25 and three courses £30. Find out more about LASSCO Bar & Dining.

Hot Dinners was invited to LASSCO Bar & Dining. Prices correct at time of writing

0
Shares
0
Shares