GŎNG: Western Europe’s Highest Hotel Bar

Nothing gets you in the mood for an incredible bar like grand surroundings, and that’s precisely what GŎNG, the sophisticated Asian-themed cocktail bar nestled on the 52nd floor of The Shard, offers. Looking out from one of the most iconic buildings in the world, the Shangri-La in The Shard is London's tallest hotel, and it houses GŎNG, Western Europe's highest hotel bar.

Designer André Fu drew inspiration from 'dougong,' an ancient Chinese architectural element featuring interlocking wooden brackets. This concept marries the historical and the modern, much like London itself, resulting in a stunning, oriental-inspired interior. Rich cinnabar red lacquer panels, bespoke mauve carpets, and antique bronze cabinets come together to create a unique, visually striking yet intimate atmosphere.

Competing with the easy-on-the-eye interior however is, of course, that perfect river-facing view. The setting is unrivalled for both sunset admirers and late-night revellers, whether at the champagne bar, the cocktail bar, or even the dramatic infinity skypool, mesmerizing views of the city below are everywhere.

But what's a remarkable setting without extraordinary concoctions? GŎNG Bar has recently introduced its "Hues of Culture" cocktail menu, a celebration of colour’s significance in history and culture. You can choose from ten carefully curated cocktails, each representing a unique artistic expression inspired by colour psychology and history, for example, Vermilion Sling capturing the red of the Forbidden City, or Silent Blues inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Hokusai’s Kanagawa Wave.

The cocktail menu is guaranteed to pique your curiosity, with various innovative and charming servings like miniature hot air balloons, vintage bottles, and even previously crushed Peruvian ants as garnish!

GŎNG provides an unforgettable and definitive luxury cocktail experience, bringing together stunning interior, glistening sky-high views, art, culture, gastronomy, and mixology to continuously impress and surprise.

Visit the website here
Level 52, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London

L'Atelier Robuchon: Back With A Bang

L’Atelier closed its famous two Michelin-starred Covent Garden site back in 2018, just nine months after the founder and one of the most decorated chefs of all time, Joël Robuchon, sadly passed away. Well, now it’s back.

Now in Mayfair, Italian born Andrea Cofini takes charge as Head Chef having previously headed up Robuchon Shanghai and the sister L’Atelier in Paris since joining in 2014, both of which hold two stars. Accomplished in the Robuchon style, the new Clarges Street L’Atelier carries the same three principles as before – excellence, simplicity, and consistency, principles that apply to every stage of dining here.

First, the hospitality, where from the first step into the restaurant to the last step leaving, the hospitality and attention to detail of the staff brings a friendly and peaceful feel to the countertop open kitchen experience. The charming art deco dining room is beautifully designed, but it’s the cuisine that is front and centre, and the absolute star of the show.

Classic French gastronomy meets touches of Asian influence from Cofini’s Shanghai stint. Expect to see kambu, seaweed, special vinegars and alike, as well as world renowned Robuchon favourites like the purée de pomme de terre, AKA the best mashed potato in the world, sea bream carpaccio and roast quail with foie gras. Seasonality is highly valued too, so expect an array of different dishes.

Let’s not forget that Robuchon bucked the trend in French fine dining with this theatrical chef’s workshop, where à la carte ordering isn’t frowned upon, and guests aren’t limited to the tasting menu. It is still very much there, with the Discovery menu offering a mouthwatering journey from caviar to lobster, to sea bass, right through to lemon and cucumber jelly and roasted figs with mascarpone foam. However, you could also opt Les Langoustines with langoustine ravioli, black truffle, and foie gras sauce, followed by Dover Sole and the simply named, Le Chocolate for dessert – with crémeux Araguani and cookie crumb. It’s an expansive selection, with the quality of a tiny, set menu.

Other Robuchon trademarks are back too, like the champagne trolley offering Laurent Perrier delights and even premium English bubbles, and the extraordinary breadbasket with salted brioche, bacon and mustard twists, squid ink rolls and more. Finally of course, the sommelier option is there and well worth going for, with beautiful pairings to elevate each dish to that next level, if that is even possible.

L'Atelier Robuchon is a dazzling and theatrical ride. As comfortable and perfectionist in uncomplicated flavours as it is in open-minded invention, it celebrates its award winning past but as always, looks to the future.

6 Clarges St, London W1J 8AE
robuchonlondon.co.uk/latelier

To read more restaurant reviews, click here.

Galvin at Windows: The New Autumnal Barolo & Truffle Menu

After the sun-kissed panoramic views of summer, the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane ushers in autumn in style, with Head Chef Marc Hardiman and the team at Galvin at Windows putting on a spectacular five-course Barolo & Truffle tasting menu.

This autumnal dining escapade features a lineup of opulent dishes, each paired with thoughtfully selected Pio Cesare wines. The Italian Vineyard, celebrating 140 years master winemaking, offers wines that perfectly complement Chef Hardiman's innovative culinary creations. From the rich and deeply flavoured Barolo Ornato 2016 to the Barolo Mosconi 2018, each sip takes the dining experience to sky high heights… beyond even the 28th floor!

They’ll be poured out in accompaniment of dishes like slow-cooked beef cheek ravioli with 5-year-aged Parmesan cream and white Alba truffle, as well as the Pheasant Farci au Gratin, finished with celeriac, blackberry and, yes you guessed it, more truffle. And if that's not enough to tantalize your palate, there's the Scottish Highlands venison Wellington with glazed chestnut, red cabbage ketchup, and sauce Périgueux, a symphony of flavours that promises to transport you to culinary heaven.

The Barolo & Truffle menu at Galvin at Windows is available for £299 per person, and with limited availability, you'll want to secure your reservation early. To sweeten the deal, the first 70 bookings will receive a complimentary glass of Louis Roederer champagne, adding an extra touch of elegance to your evening.

This special menu is available for just five weeks, from Friday, October 13th, to Saturday, November 18th, so mark your calendars because it's a limited-time opportunity to experience the ultimate in autumnal decadence.

For more information or to book, click here.
22 Park Ln, London W1K 1BE

Armand de Brignac Assemblage No.4: Champagne Artistry

Champagne is already the most exclusive club in the drinks industry, so to produce a bottle that stands out for its prestige and elegance in an area built on just that is quite the achievement. A bravo then, to Cattier’s spectacular Armand de Brignac Assemblage No.4.

With 250 years and 13 generations of experience and expertise, the Armand de Brignac label needs no introduction, releasing a select number of exquisite cuvées at the pinnacle of quality and taste. Only the finest vineyards, the freshest press and unparalleled craftsmanship will do, and that’s no different with their latest release – 7,328 bottles of Blanc de Noirs.

A rich and intense expression of Pinot Noir bringing together a trio of vintages from 2013 to 2015, the signature metal bottle housing it is finished with the iconic French pewter Ace of Spades label and unique disgorgement date, setting up grand expectations for the liquid within. These build when you learn what goes into this meticulous release, from the sourcing of the best Premier and Grand Cru Pinot Noir, to the balancing of the vintages, to the 7 years of resting in some of Champagne’s deepest cellars.

We’ve been lucky enough to taste it, and it exceeds those lofty expectations. Intense minerality hits the nose alongside wafts of blackberry and plum before dark fruits flood the mouth on the palate. This lively exploration unfolds with a somewhat tropical stone-fruit note and vibrant citrus, before a gorgeous, honeyed finish that winds long into the distance. Unparalleled complexity, depth, and freshness.

As with every Armand de Brignac release, collectors and connoisseurs will have their interest peaked by this bottle. First, it will be available as an exclusive with Harrods as part of a special edition set featuring all six cuvées in a lacquered gift box for a total of £6,400. Then, you can find it paired with the Brut Gold for a luxury twin pack for £1,385, before a final solo release in 2024 at retailers worldwide for £1,055, where the world gets to taste the artistry. Well, 7,328 people anyway.

So much goes into a Champagne like this, so if you’re interested in the process or fancy purchasing, find out more at www.armanddebrignac.com.

For more wine content, make sure you click here!

The Harvest Mule Cocktail

It doesn’t get much more autumnal than this bold and boozy mix of whiskey, cider, ginger beer, and cinnamon. You could make this and stay true to the famous Moscow Mule by sticking with vodka, but we much prefer getting whiskey involved for a soul-warming autumn cocktail. The cider brings a hearty sweetness and those unmistakable apple flavours which complement naturally with the warm spice of ginger beer and cinnamon. Many different whiskies pair well with warm spices and apple flavours too, especially Irish whiskies to cut through gentle spice, and bourbon with its vanilla notes. Not only is it seasonal, sweet, and soothing, but with the fizz of ginger beer and chilled temperatures, it’s surprisingly refreshing too. It’s the complete package.

Ingredients (for 1 jug/pitcher)
60ml whiskey/bourbon
60ml apple cider
60ml ginger beer
Cinnamon for rim
Optional garnishes: cinnamon stick

Method
1.      Ideally, for a Mule you’d use a copper mug for that extra cold absorption, but it doesn’t matter if too much if not!
2.      Wet the rim of your mug/glass and roll in cinnamon. If you’re really feeling Fall, then adding in nutmeg or pumpkin spice also goes nicely.
3.      Super simple this – pour whiskey in, followed by cider and lastly, top up with ginger beer.
4.      Give everything a long stir with big blocks of ice. Of course, stir with a cinnamon stick if you’ve got one to hand!

For more autumnal cocktail recipe, how about our Spiced Rum Hot Toddy and Autumn Sangria.

7 Perfect Tonics for a G&T

Gin is the star of the show when it comes to the iconic G&T, no one will deny that, but with just two ingredients, it’s essential that you’ve got the right tonic too… after all, it will be making up most of the liquid in your glass!

Gone are the days of one simple tonic on supermarket shelves, because these days there all kinds of wonderful botanical innovations to take your G&T in an endless number of directions, but today we’re focusing on classic Indian tonics to make a classic G&T.

With such a subtle concoction, something as simple as the wrong tonic can ruin a G&T, so take a look at our go-to options below, sorted in price order, and see which suits your G&T serve best!

And once you’re done, you of course need a showstopping gin to go with, which it just so happens we have recently been hard at work on with The Best Gins for a G&T.

Morrisons Indian Tonic Water

Most supermarkets do their own tonic, with mixed success, but the best is Morrisons. At 80p a litre, it provides surprising balance for a budget, no-frills tonic. There’s plenty of fizz, a little sweeter but very little botanical flavouring so if you’re trying a premium gin, maybe treat yourself to something a little more refined but on the daily, this is reliable.

Size: 1L
Find here: 80p for 1

Franklin & Sons Premium Indian Tonic Water

This Victorian brand are true pioneers in this space with a range that is an absolute joy to explore, each beautifully bottled, natural, and expertly made. Their premium Indian Tonic is pure natural botanicals with gentle citrus flavours, cinchona bark extract and sparkling spring water, and stands up very well to juniper-forward gins for a classic G&T profile. You can discover some of their other fantastic flavours here.

Size: 500ml
Find here: £13.50 for 8

Double Dutch Indian Tonic Water

This smooth operator includes a welcome pink grapefruit touch to its citrus profile, unfolding into classic quinine with a hint of juniper too. There’s a bit more to this than most tonics, so you’ll need to pair it with a bold, flavourful gin because it runs the risk of overpowering a delicate number. It’s delicious with a lot of character for a tonic and well worth trying.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £18.95 for 24

Classic London Tonic Water by The Artisan Drinks Company

A quintessential tonic water with impressive softness and clean character. Three natural citrus flavours enhance the subtle botanicals of your paired gin, which for this tonic should be drier, premium gins. Stylish label, stylish tonic.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £19.99 for 24

Fentimans Connoisseurs Tonic Water

If you’re into delicate, nuanced, and ultra-premium complex gins, then Fentimans could be a good way to go. The quinine and citrus have been dialled down so the gin won’t be overpowered, so if you’re fed up of tonic botanicals making it difficult to explore your gin, look no further.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £19.99 for 24

Fever Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water

One of the more popular tonics for good reason, Fever-Tree has an expansive range but at the heart of it is their flagship award-winning Indian Tonic, infused with high quality quinine from the ‘fever’ tree in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nothing artificial, pure crisp and fresh tonic perfect for pretty much any gin – Hayman’s and Hendrick’s both work a treat though.

Size: 150ml
Find here: £5 for 8

Schweppes Signature Collection Crisp Tonic

Finely balanced quinine bitterness with light effervescence – just what you want from a classic tonic. You’ll be able to find this in supermarkets now and then, but if not then the Schweppes regular tonic isn’t a massive drop off either – both are good, but the Signature does have a refined elevation to it. It goes with lots of different gins, but London Dry like Portobello Road and Gordons works a dream.

Size: 150ml
Find here: £8.73 for 8

To find your perfect gin to go with, check out our selection here! And for more tonics with innovative flavours, go here.

The Dalmore Cask Curation Series Begins

In 1835, a young Manuel María González Ángel began a long and fruitful career in winemaking, working his way from trader to leading producer. Four years later in 1839, in an altogether different landscape, the Dalmore was born in the Scottish Highlands, and has been releasing complex and visionary drams since, pioneering multi-cask maturation.

This edition of rare whiskies celebrates and unite two master makers in different countries: González Byass of Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, and The Dalmore on the banks of Cromarty Firth, Scotland. These two experts in whisky and wine have shared a century long shared pursuit of the perfect liquid, and this collection celebrates that artistry.

As you could perhaps guess from this, the opening chapter will be The Cask Curation Series Sherry Edition, strictly limited to only 150 sets of three whiskies worldwide, each presented in bespoke leather travel case hand-crafted in Florence and setting you back £30,000.

The Dalmore picked out the perfect casks for their precious Single Malt and after a combined cask maturation of 80 years spent under the watchful eye of the winemakers at González Byass, three exquisite whiskies were bottled:

The 26 Year Old, finished in rare González Byass 2002 Vintage, Cask No.4, with its aroma of orange blossom honey, apricot, Madagascan vanilla and cacao…

The 28 Year Old, finished in rare González Byass 30 Year Old Matusalem Sherry Cask with its palate of sherry-soaked raisins, Old English marmalade, marzipan and liquorice…

And The 43 Year Old, finished in very rare González Byass 30 Year Old Apostoles Sherry Cask, with its finishing notes of fresh baked brioche, grilled pineapple, and blood orange with long cinnamon finale.

There will be another chapter every year from now until 2026, each celebrating The Dalmore’s relationships with some of the world’s finest makers of wine and spirits. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves and skip to the end of the book, because this chapter, The Sherry Edition, launches on the 3rd October 2023 and is available worldwide in a select few outlets.

For more information, head to www.thedalmore.com

Black History Month in Focus: Wine

There is still plenty of room for growth and awareness of black-owned wine brands in the wine industry, despite slow progress. Just 1% of wine producers in the US are still black-owned, and as an industry steeped in history, inheritance and the importance of connections, it is a difficult club to break into.

We think winemaking would be all the better and richer for a more diverse and inclusive philosophy, and supporting black-owned brands producing exceptional wine is one of the best ways to contribute.

There are plenty of black winemakers with inspirational stories making wines that attract major recognition, but we’ve included seven below from across the world, who have helped mould a brighter and more inclusive wine landscape. Cheers to that!

Amandla - Praisy Dlamini

Meet the South African powerhouse behind Amandla, Praisy Dlamini, a multi-lingual agricultural ace and the first woman CWG Protégée. With her all-female, all-black squad, Amandla is shaking up the Western Cape's winemaking scene with Amandla, after rising up the ranks of Distell and Anchor Yeast. Translating to ‘power’, Amandla have a vibrant portfolio, many of which you can find brightening up supermarket shelves in the UK – make sure to try their jammy Shiraz Zinfandel.

Click here for more information!

Theopolis Vineyards – Theodora Lee

Theodora Lee, AKA Theo-patra, Queen of the Vineyards, is a dynamo of the wine world. Her Theopolis Vineyards in California's Yorkville Highlands produces handcrafted wines that have earned high praise, with ratings soaring as high as 94-96 from Robert Parker. A lawyer turned winemaker, she's embraced her passion for wine, especially Petite Sirah, and crafted so many award-winning bottles. From her beloved Petite Sirah to Pinot Noir, her wines shine, consistently winning gold medals and accolades. Not only does she make incredible wine, but she's also an advocate for black women in the wine industry, organizing events that celebrate their contributions.

Click here for more information!

Abbey Creek Vineyard – Bertony Faustin

Bertony Faustin, Oregon's pioneer, broke barriers to become the state's first recorded black winemaker in 2008. His journey wasn't your typical grapevine tale, it was a symphony of passion, perseverance, and family legacy. Taking over Abbey Creek Vineyard, he transformed it into a hub of life, music, and exceptional wines. Faustin didn't just stop at winemaking; he ventured into filmmaking with the award-winning documentary "Red, White & Black," shedding light on diversity challenges in the wine industry. Beyond the bottle, he's building bridges, fostering community, and championing diversity and inclusion.

Click here for more information!

Longevity Wines – Phil Long

Phil Long and wife Debra turned Longevity Wines from a garage hobby into a thriving family-owned winery, with love baked into every aspect of it, even the name which celebrates their enduring love for each other. Located in California's Livermore Valley, they're making waves in the wine world, from their cozy tasting room welcoming all to exceptional wines, like their crisp 2019 Chardonnay which received rave reviews across the industry. Sadly, just a few days after being named Livermore Valley’s Winery of the Year, Debra passed away in 2019 but Phil and his son continue to draw on the inspiration of their love story to take Longevity from strength to strength, including a 2019 partnership with Bronco Wine to get Longevity to the world – what a story.

Click here for more information!

Brown Estate – Coral, David, and Deneen Brown

The Brown siblings, Coral, David, and Deneen, turned their parents' Napa estate into a wine wonderland, and the Valley’s only black-owned vineyard. Taking the reins, they decided it was time for Brown Estate to create its own magic in a bottle. From Zinfandel to Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, their wines are a flavourful symphony. Their 2017 Big Dam Cab is a standout, aging gracefully in French oak, revealing a remarkable complexity that'll keep you sipping and smiling. Established officially in 1996, they've grown considerably since, accruing a loyal and diverse following, and have recently opened up their Brown Downtown tasting room in Napa, bringing their passion to wine lovers far and wide.

Click here for more information!

La Fete du Rosé - Donae Burston

Rosé has long been targeted only at white women, but wanting to change that, Donae Burston met with the owner of Domaine Bertaud Belieu, the oldest vineyard in Saint Tropez and La Fete du Rosé was born. Originally from Baltimore, Donae worked in the luxury spirit industry for nearly 20 years, seeing up close how brands market to people of colour, and now he gets to take this experience to the world of Rosé. Light, smooth, and fruit-forward, the brand has now rolled out across America and even has its own giveback scheme, donating to programmes that fund travel opportunities for underrepresented youth.

Click here for more information!

Mermosa - Desiree Noisette

Desiree Noisette is the unstoppable force behind Mermosa Wines, Florida's first black woman-owned wine brand. She's not just ‘Head Mermaid’ at Mermosa; she's an attorney, artist, business dynamo, wife, and mum. In 2017, she went all in, selling her home to start Mermosa, inspired by ready to make cocktails at after work drinks. They now sell this signature serve, as well as a range of sparkling wines in 16 US States. The story of her ancestors is a must read too, so make sure to read that on the link below!

Click here for more information!