This time last month I started my quest to dispel any myth that London was dull and lacked imagination when it came to hip and trendy watering holes. It was more a case of finding out where these illicit, hidden venues were located. I started off by introducing you to Mark's Bar at Hix in Soho. A very cool and stylish cocktail bar laced with a New York feel to it.
Today I am going to possibly surprise you by bringing to your attention a bar/restaurant in South London - and yes before you ask, South London does boast a selection of modish establishments.
Serving Number Two:
The Lost Angel
Address: 339 Battersea Park Road, London, SW11 4LS.
Telephone: 0207 622 2112.
How to get there: Queenstown Road and Battersea Park rail stations.
Opening hours: Tues and Wed: 5pm - 11pm, Thurs: 5pm - 1am, Fri: 4pm - 2am, Sat: 12pm - 2am, Sun: 12pm - 11pm. Closed Monday.
Happy Hours: Tues and Wed 5pm - 8pm, Thurs all night and Friday 5pm - 9pm.
Music: On Fri and Sat DJ's play from 9pm and on Sunday's they have acoustic live music.
Door Policy/House Rules: Over 23's at the weekends.
The Lost Angel venue has a history. Back in the 1980's this Battersea Park Road milieu was a pub with it's very own on site micro-brewery. Now however it is split into three parts: the bar, the restaurant and the garden, courtesy of award winning designer Lee Broom who created the concept for The Lost Angel, sister bar to Lost Society. Broom said: "We wanted to pay homage to the old pubs of London whilst creating a design that was a nod to everything eccentric and British." So think trumpets as light fixtures, stuffed pheasants, a white telephone box, a piano, a forest indoors, a fireplace outdoors and all looked on by a ten foot portrait of Her Majesty The Queen.
Although this place is predominantly a bar, The Lost Angel serves some awesome food. A year ago Head Chef Jindra Vrbka created a surprisingly diverse menu, with an assortment of food for all occasions. They serve traditional pub food, snacks, canaps, a buffet, an a la carte menu, along with cracking roast dinners on a Sunday.
I popped in to LA on Wednesday and it was steak night. As I was only staying an hour or so I kicked things off with a bottle of Singh, a Thai lager, whilst my work colleague ordered a pint of real ale. We chose to share some bar snacks and the breaded squid with aioli and the baked camembert in a box with toasted Tortana bread were superb. Cocktails were up next and the LA cocktail menu was brash and loud and did not disappoint!
They have a selection of classic, contemporary and the bartenders own choice of cocktails. My colleague opted for a classic, a 'Raspberry Cosmopolitan' with Belvedere Black Raspberry Vodka, Cointreau, fresh lime and a touch of cranberry, flamed orange. I went for something completely different, a house special called 'The 69th Rockstar.' Tequila reposado infused with chili and thyme, parsley, and fresh passion fruit muddled with agave and passion fruit syrups, Velvet Falernum, and pineapple juice. Long and sexy spiciness!
At £7.50 each they were both good value and they really hit the spot!
Just to prove what a diverse operation they have at The Lost Angel, they also run cocktail classes, so you too can learn how to make great cocktails in a fun and informal environment.
The wine list, although not extensive is interesting, and conservatively priced. The wine is from £14.90 a bottle, with a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc at £27.00 and an Australian Black Shiraz at £19.90. Champagne and dessert wines are also available.
Overall a terrific venue, offering a sublime selection of food and drinks at reasonable prices. Although Battersea is probably not a place you would normally expect to find a 'sexy bar,' they certainly have one! Battersea itself may be a little bleak and out of the way, but in The Lost Angel you have a truly exquisite, almost wacky venue, and it is without a doubt well worth a visit. The atmosphere is laid back with a fun edge and the staff are polite, friendly and very knowledgeable.
I will introduce you to more 'sexy drinking establishments' over the coming months........so stay aboard to see if I can locate you, your very own guilty pleasure!
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