We reckon everyone should have a sexy wine bar up their sleeve for when the moment strikes. It should have a buzzy atmosphere no matter what time of night it is, there has to be flickering candles on the table and alongside a banging wine list, you’ll want to be able to dip into delicious little morsels on sharing plates.
Well, The Drop wine bar has all of that and more. It’s situated in the absolutely gorgeous Coal Drops Yard (which if you haven’t visited yet, you’re seriously missing out on). Our prediction is that this is going to be a HOT area of London this summer so get in now for bragging rights.
First things first, you MUST start with a couple of oysters. They have a shucking station outside for all your shellfish needs and no matter which variety you go for, it will be accompanied with a tangy shallot dressing. If you like them fat and huge, Carlingford is for you. Want less of a mouthful? Try the Jersey oyster.
From here you could quite happily just work your way through the wine list (the orange wine is some of the best we’ve ever tried!), grazing on impeccable bar snacks such as truffle crisps, beer sticks and a selection of charcuterie and pongy cheese.
OR you could do that AND dive into the small plates. The rarebit might not be much of a looker but don’t let that stop you – it’s one of their specialities and it’s so damn good. We love the pickles on the side.
When you’re ordering something as simple as a tomato salad, the produce really has got to be top notch. Here we had a gorgeous selection of super ripe orange, green and red tomatoes of all shapes and sizes dotted with soft goats curd, black olives and micro basil. Summer vibes on a plate. Alongside that, we tried a pile of purple sprouting broccoli with softened kale, smoked aubergine and a sprinkling of pine nuts. There are only three larger plates to choose from, but we kept things light with chunks of lemon sole, broad beans, peas, mint and the most wonderful smack of wild garlic pesto. Be sure to leave room for dessert – the flourless chocolate cake is topped with the most decadent scoop of salted caramel to ensure you roll all the way home. So much for keeping things sexy.
Aside from this, they do some really cool things here, celebrating lesser-known wine regions, allowing you to try loads of fab new stuff by the glass. April was all about Portuguese wine but this Tuesday 14th May sees The Drop launch the Fizz, Tikka & a Chaat Drop-In. Casual and un-ticketed the night starts from 6 pm with head chef Karan Ghosh serving traditional North Indian street food, including chicken tikka skewers, lamb kofta and ragda pattice; mashed potato cakes or ‘pattice’, topped with a traditional stew of spiced chickpea ‘ragda’.
The Drop-In will feature a carefully selected list of alternative sparkling wines. The Drop team believes that contrary to popular belief, the acidity and sweetness in certain sparkling wines can provide the perfect match for spicy street food dishes. Forget predictable Champagne, The Drop’s list will include a floral, fruity Austrian Pet Nat from Fuchs und Hase; the Malibran Sottoriva – a unique, unfiltered Prosecco; and the elegant Sextant L’Ecume, a lightly sparkling, juicy and lively red. Others from Portugal, Spain and France will also feature. Try by the glass, bottle or in a flight of three.
June 11th will feature English wine, paired with some of Britain’s best produce to coincide with British Wine Week; and rosé with Provençal inspired dishes on July 9th.
The main a la carte menu will not be available on event evenings, however there will be a vegetarian option available.
To join the Fizz, Tikka & a Chaat Drop-In, turn up to The Drop, Coal Drops Yard, from 6pm on Tuesday 14th May.
