Updated 20/5/13 with opening date for Copa di Cava and soft launch offer
Those partial to a drop of sparkling wine will be interested to learn of not one, but two dedicated Cava bars opening in the capital in the next couple of months. In the bars and taperias of Barcelona, good quality Cava flows as freely as water, but in the UK, ‘Spanish Champagne’ hasn't enjoyed that much of a profile beyond being a supermarket bargain.
That is set to change, however, and Aqua Nueva are leading the charge with their Cava bar which launched a few weeks ago. The restaurant, located just off Regent St, features fifteen award-winning Cavas from producers such as Castillo Perelada, one of Spain’s largest, and Alta Alella, who make all their wines from organically produced grapes.
Next in line is the Camino group, who will open their fourth London restaurant by St Pauls in May. Their Copa di Cava bar will be located in the brick vaults beneath the main restaurant and will feature twenty-five varieties (take that Aqua Nueva!), including the finest brut, reserve and grand reservas. Having successfully launched a dedicated sherry bar at their Kings Cross restaurant in 2010, convincing Londoners to sit down for a glass of reasonably priced Cava should be a breeze by comparison.
Cava is best enjoyed with something to eat, of course, and both these Cava spots will be offering tapas menus. At Aqua Nueva, chef Alberto Hernandez will produce a daily changing menu of dishes such as seafood tartar and grilled cuttlefish, and at Camino, a wide selection of charcuterie and seafood will be on offer. All of which sounds pretty good to us.
Copa de Cava opened Monday 20 May 2013 at 33, Blackfriars Lane, London, EC4 with 50% off food for the first week.
