Andy Mossack spends a summer evening on the Cardinal Bar & Kitchen Terrace enjoying Stella Artois infused cocktails and new bar snacks.
Tucked away next to Aldgate Station, the Cardinal Bar and Kitchen Terrace has become something of a cool summer hangout for post work City types and weekenders particularly now the Terrace has opened for its summer residency.
It may be tucked away in a side alley at the back of its home in Hotel Saint, but a combination of Stella Artois and the upcoming Queens Club and Wimbledon tennis championships are more than enough reason to celebrate a spot of al fresco City schmoozing.
Funnily enough, on the evening I visited, the area was swarming with cowboy-clad revellers anticipating a great night in concert with Beyonce at the nearby White Hart Lane Stadium. Rhinestones, boots and hats where out in force and ready to party, clearly intent on celebrating their newly-discovered country music genre.
Good for them, I’ve been a fan for years. Welcome to real music folks.
The Cardinal Bar & Kitchen Terrace has an impressive list of tennis-themed Stella Artois-infused cocktails devised by its resident mixologist. A list that includes Stella’s Grand Slam (£16.50) with Tapatio Blanco tequila, lime juice, agave syrup and elderflower liqueur topped with Stella, or perhaps an indulgent Centre Court (£16) made with Briottet Cream de Bois, vodka, lemon juice and a double cream float amongst others. All of them aces without a grunt to be heard. (Even I’m wincing at that poor pun)
But there’s a bounty of other cocktails embracing just about every mood moment, from tropical island drinks, and straight up sours, to tools-down martinis. Our Dark ‘N’ Stormzy (£12) was a bit of a belter – Gosling’s black seal rum with a spicy homemade ginger syrup, lime juice, angostura bitters and ginger beer.
Even the four mocktails (£7.50 and £8.50) were more than capable of making the grade.
The new bar menu devised by Executive Head Chef Glen Padiyar celebrates some delightful flavoursome snacks that complement the full restaurant menu Anthea Gerrie reviewed recently. A few delightful nibbles to munch on a balmy summer evening.
Pulled lamb sliders (£8), Korean chicken wings (£12) fish tacos with chipotle mayo and pickled slaw (£8).
After some hefty debate we decided on chicken momos (£9), some buffalo cauliflower wings (£9) and the mezze sharing platter (£20).
The four momos reminded me of those deliciously moreish Japanese steamed gyoza snacks which I could have easily devoured another plateful of. The generous plate of cauliflower wings had a satisfying spicy Korean kick to them, while the mezze platter had plenty going on for dipping enthusiasts: freshly fried falafel, and halloumi, and dips of hummus, tzatziki, and imam bayaldi – a delicious Ottoman concoction of aubergine, garlic, onion and tomato. All ready and waiting to be enjoyed with a clutch of warm mini pittas.
All in all then the Cardinal Bar & Kitchen Terrace is an enjoyable outdoor romp to warm up the east London crowd looking for an early party kick off, or dare I say it, even some new born country slickers ready to line dance to Beyonce.
Tell me more about the Cardinal Bar & Kitchen Terrace
The Cardinal Bar & Kitchen Terrace, Hotel Saint, 9-13 Aldgate High Street London EC3N 1AH
T: +44 (0) 203 959 0888 E: reservations@thecardinallondon.com
