WELCOME to another installment of Hotel Cocktails – in the Shoreditch district of London. Before we venture across the pond, let’s looks at something a BIT closer to home (well… I guess it depends on where you’re reading this from, but for the purposes of this narrative, let’s assume you’re in Connecticut, or at very least, somewhere on the east coast of the USA. OK? OK).
Max Restaurant Group is well known for its charitable endeavors, and as soon as I finish typing this, I’ll be headed to Max Oyster to sample their new Bloody Mary Bar (clearly the best part of any Sunday): drinking for a cause as they raise funds all day for Autism Speaks. Join them at any of their CT or MA locations, OR at the lovely Cooper in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
All good things.
And now, back to our review. Scott and I were in London in February for a couple days, and being aficionados of the Ace Hotel in NYC, we naturally ventured to its London counterpart, and the very chic and on trend Hoi Polloi (an extra cheeky name if you consider the working class roots of the East End), which you, naturally, enter through a flower shop if you haven’t crossed in via the hotel lobby
Few things better than a big city eatery which knows you’ll find it. No need for a sign. Signs are for Applebee’s. The cocktail list was, naturally, intriguing as hell. After much deliberation, I selected a Zhoosy Sour:
Woodford Reserve | Woodford Rye | Choya Yuzu umeshu | creme de banana | yuzu citrus | egg
A flip with whiskey? I’ll take it. Only (minor) complaint is that this is a missed opportunity to showcase a Japanese whiskey, given their immense caliber and all the other ingredients – but I’m going to stop insulting the mixologist now and assume that the Woodford was selected and blended in two varietals for its smoky sweetness to balance the other ingredients. And balance it did. Not a single one of the individual elements was identifiable in this cocktail. Which is perhaps, one of the hallmarks of a well mixed libation.
Vibe of the Hoi Polloi? Not surprisingly, intensely hip and open to whatever you want to make it. Afternoon tea? no problem. DJ and dancing? They have that too. Want to work at the bar? Wifi and lots of power outlets await you. Full dinner service? Well, naturally. Would love to return for dinner the next time we are in London. Cheers to a great experience with, naturally, the best company.
Champs et Frites 