Artesian at The Langham has been named World's Best Bar three years in a row, so clearly they're doing something right when it comes to cocktails. But now this world class cocktail lounge has a bar food menu to match.
We reported recently on the arrival of the SNAX tapas menu, created by the hotel's Executive Chef Chris King, in consultation with Michel Roux Jr. Frankly the pictures looked amazing so on a wet and windy Bank Holiday Monday evening, we popped along with food blogger and author Niamh Shields, of Eat Like A Girl, to check it out. The place was completely wedged - clearly being top of the prestigious bar list is good for business.
Although he's often to be found touring the world, talking at cocktail conventions and seeking inspiration for new drinks, Artesian's Head Bartender Alex Kratena was in situ on the evening we were there. Kratena's cocktails are extraordinary concoctions - visually stunning as well as good to drink. We worked our way through a decent portion of his recently launched Surrealism menu - which the SNAX menu was devised to match. Personally, we haven't had an evening like this since we went to The Fat Duck years ago. We were blown away by both the cocktails and the food. From using Guatamalan volcanic rock as a drinking vessel to pair with Guatemalan-sourced Zapaca rum to Japanese Bloody Mary macarons, the whole experience was enormous fun.
Take a look at our gallery below to see what we tried and make a beeline down there - they're gunning for a fourth year running at the top and judging by what we enjoyed, they'll be hard to beat.
The SNAX menu and Surrealism cocktails are currently being served at Artesian at The Langham, 1C Portland Place, London, W1B 1JA
