Food

Graphic Bar Residency At Ask For Janice Review

Graphic Bar has taken up residency in the basement bar at Ask For Janice in Farringdon to present the Graphic Pop Up. The residency began on 6 October and will last for three months.

This pop up is in addition to Graphic Bar which is located in Soho’s Golden Square. Graphic Bar features over 300 gins spanning world-renowned and emerging, local distillers surrounded by urban art. Graphic Bar and Ask For Janice are owned by the Urban Leisure Group.

The basement at Ask For Janice has been decorated to convey an uber-urban look through concrete walls, graffiti and minimalisation to a certain extent. The graffiti reads (‘That’ll Learn ‘Em’). Tables, chairs and sofas fill the space with a bar along one wall. Candles and some music help to create a relaxing atmosphere where you can enjoy a few drinks with mates. The dim lighting makes it difficult to read the menus though.

Throughout the three month residency, Graphic Pop Up will host free workshops and various events including Gin socials every second Tuesday of the month where guests will sample and learn about gin from small producers and premium brands (I may just have to sign up for this…).

The drinks menu looks fabulous and it was extremely difficult to decide on which concoctions to try. The menu is split into house creations, well-chosen classics, a gin and tonic pairings list, and punches served in paint tins.

As Graphic Bar are famous for their paint tin punches we just had to try one. As the name suggests, the drink is presented in a paint can with ice painted the colour of the drink chosen (yellow, green or red each with different ingredients). We had the yellow which was gin, pineapple, cherry and lime. The pineapple was strong which was great, but the cherry couldn’t really be tasted. The paint tins fit the industruial, urban vibe of the venue.

Soho Soda comprised of Hayman’s gin, mixed berries, Cocchi Torino, bitters, prosecco and soda (£8.50) was lovely and refreshing. Roger the Farmhand (£8.50) was Cotswolds gin, lemon, lime, apple, rose and egg white. It was served in a mug with flowers and fruit to present a pretty display.

Another one we sampled was the seasonal Rumple Pumkin – a mix of the East LDN Liquor Company’s Batch #2 gin, Cocchi Torino, Aperol, pumpkin, rosemary and salt (£8.50). It was presented with a branch of rosemary and actually tasted like pumpkin. (See mum I’m getting my veggies).

There is a choice of 16 meals and 3 desserts from the upstairs Ask For Janice. I had the spiced lamb shoulder with summer beans, feta and pomegranate. The meat was lovely and tender. My friend had the hake with Norfolk yellow pea dahl and cucumber raita. The dahl was nice but it masked the taste of the fish a bit too much.

With cocktails starting at £8 Graphic Pop Up is affordable. It opens Tuesday-Friday, 5pm-12.30am until January 2018.

So why not grab a few friends and share some plates over some alcoholic beverages?

Information for Ask For Janice

Address,

  • 50-52 Long Lane
  • Farringdon
  • London
  • EC1A 9EJ.

Website: www.askforjanice.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ask-for-Janice

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ask_for_janice

Twitter: www.twitter.com/askfor_janice

Information for Graphic Bar

Address:

  • Graphic
  • 4 Golden Square
  • London
  • W1F 9HT

Website:www.graphicbar.co.uk

Facebook:www.facebook.com/graphic.bar

Twitter: www.twitter.com/graphicbar

Written by Caitlin Neal