| Cuisines | Italian |
| Dining style | Casual Elegant |
| Phone number | +44 20 7792 1066 |
| Website | www.essenza.co.uk |
| Dress code | Smart Casual |
| Payment options | AMEX, MasterCard, Visa |
| Location | 210 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 1NR |
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4.4 based on 28 reviews
Essenza
| Cuisine type | Italian | |
| Price range | £26 to £40 | |
| Neighborhood | Kensington and Chelsea |
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Thu 3/4
2 guests
7:30 PM
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+44 207 792 1066
About Essenza
It’s no great leap to surmise that Essenza means 'essence' in Italian. What you get in this smart, intimate neighbourhood trattoria is the essence of fresh, seasonal, Italian cooking. This boxy little spot is simply trendy, with persimmon banquettes, white table cloths, wood chairs, a smart little bar, and it is packed to the gills with similarly smart and trendy Notting Hill locals who all seem to know the waiters and each other. The menu roams the regions, featuring excellent standards like starter of caprese or beef carpaccio, home made pastas like fettuccine with porcini mushrooms and bacon sauce, main course of grilled selection of shellfish, and dessert of chocolate and coffee tiramisu. The mostly Italian wine list features a couple of nice grappas, too. Express Business Lunch and thoughtful Children’s Menu are welcome extras.
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food (3)
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Menus
- Express Lunch
- Childrens Menu
- A La Carte
- Wine List
Starters
| Deep Fried Whitebait | ||
| Home Made Fresh Vegetable Soup | ||
| Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil Salad | ||
| Bruschetta | with rocket and cherry tomatoes |
Main Courses
| Spaghetti | with fresh squid, white wine and garlic sauce | |
| Veal Escalope | with lemon sauce, served with mash potatoes | |
| Grilled Chicken Fillet | served with spaghetti napoli | |
| Grilled Fillet of Sea Bass | with French beans |
Bolognese
| Bolognese | £7.90 | Minced beef and tomato sauce |
| Aurora | £7.90 | Tomato sauce and a touch of cream |
| Burro e parmigiano | £7.90 | Butter and parmesan cheese |
| Pomodoro e mozzarella | £7.90 | Tomato and mozzarella cheese |
| Carbonara | £7.90 | Bacon, egg and a touch of cream |
| Pesto | £7.90 | Green sauce with pine nuts, rockets and basil |
| Vongole | £10.50 | Fresh clams |
| Pollo e pomodoro | £9.50 | Sauteed chopped chicken with tomato sauce and cream |
Fish and Meat
| Calamari fritti | £9.50 | Deep fried squid |
| Vitello alla milanese | £9.50 | Deep fried veal escalopes with breadcrumbs Served with fries |
| Fettina di vitello | £9.50 | Sauteed veal paillard with roast potatoes |
| Filetto di spigola in padella | £9.50 | Sautéed fillet of sea bass with French beans |
Antipasti / Starters
| Minestrone | £6.40 | Homemade fresh vegetables soup |
| Scamorza affumicata, con vegetali grigliati | £10.90 | Melted smoked cheese from Abruzzo and grilled vegetables |
| Bruschetta con funghi e mozzarella | £9.60 | Char grilled Italian bread with mushrooms and mozzarella |
| Burrata | £12.50 | Hand made mozzarella, from Puglia, with a touch of cream |
| Calamari, e gamberoni fritti | £12.80 | Deep fried squid rings and prawns served with sweet chilli sauce |
| Tartare di tonno | £13.50 | Fresh tuna marinated with olive oil, lemon |
| Carpaccio di Manzo con rucola parmigiano | £11.90 | Thinly sliced raw fillet of beef with rocket and cherry tomatoes |
| Bresaola, con rucola e parmigiano | £11.30 | Air dried cured beef with rocket, cherry tomatoes and parmesan |
| Cappesante alla griglia | £14.90 | Char grilled Scottish King scallops with courgettes and red peppers |
| Cozze e vongole saltate in padella | £13.10 | Sauteed fresh mussels and Royal clams, with white, tomato and garlic |
| Prosciutto e mozzarella di bufala | £11.90 | Well seasoned, traditional dry cured ham wit buffalo mozzarella |
Paste
| Spaghetti aglio, olio, e peperoncino | £12.50 | Spaghetti with garlic, extra virgin olive oil and chilli |
| Penne all'arrabbiata | £12.60 | Pasta quills with tomato sauce and chilli |
| Linguine con pomodori arrostiti, pesto di rucola, e pinoli | £12.90 | Linguine with roasted tomatoes, rocket pesto, pine nuts and oregano |
| Tortelloni fatti a mano con ricotta e spinaci | £14.60 | This pasta is carefully hand folded and filled with ricotta cheese and spinach Served with tomato and basil sauce |
| Penne all'amatriciana | £12.70 | Pasta quills with bacon, onions and tomato sauce |
Paste
| Spaghetti alla carbonara | £13.40 | Spaghetti with bacon, egg and a touch of cream |
| Penne mari e monti | £13.50 | Pasta quills with bacon, courgettes, aubergines, mushrooms, shrimps and fresh mussels |
| Fettuccine alla Bolognese | £14.70 | Hand made wide and flat pata with minced beef and porcini mushrooms |
| Fettuccine ai porcini e pancetta | £14.60 | Hand made wide and flat pasta with bacon and porcini mushrooms |
| Risotto alle cappesante | £15.50 | Risotto with saffron, shrimps, courgettes, and Scottish king scallops |
| Linguine alla marinara | £15.10 | Linguine of pasta with prawns, clams, mussels and seafood |
| Spaghetti alle vongole | £16.50 | Spaghetti with fresh Royal clams |
| Spaghetti all'aragosta | Spaghetti with fresh lobster | |
| Gnocchi ai quattro formaggi | £13.60 | Hand made ravioli, filled with ricotta, gorgonzola, parmesan and goat cheese, in butter and sage sauce |
| Tagliolini al tartufo | £17.20 | Hand made pasta with fresh shaved seasonal truffle, available as starter and main course portion |
Fish and Shellfish
| Calamari alla griglia con peperoncino, rucola e pomodorini | £21.60 | Char grilled fresh squids with chilli, served with rocket and cherry tomatoes |
| Grigliata di crostacei | £23.10 | Chargrilled, scallops, monk fish, king and tiger prawns |
| Guazzetto di pescatrice con gamberoni | £22.90 | Sautéed monkfish, king prawns with tomato and shallots |
| Trancio di tonno scottato in padella | £19.10 | Tuna seared with chilli and extra virgin olive oil, served with fried courgettes |
| Spiedini di pescatrice con calamari e cappesante | £21.60 | Skewers of char grilled monkfish, squids and scallops |
| Spigola alla griglia | £22.50 | Whole sea bass, char grilled with extra virgin olive oil and herbs served with steamed broccoli |
| Sogliola di dover alla griglia | £31.40 | Char grilled whole Dover Sole |
Beef, Veal and Chicken
| Manzo alla griglia con funghi porcini e puree di patate | £24.00 | Beef fillet char grilled with porcini mushrooms sauce, served with mash |
| Vitello al marsala | £19.20 | Veal escalopes sauteed with aromatic wine served with mash |
| Vitello crema e funghi | £19.20 | Veal escalopes with cream and mushrooms served with peas |
| Vitello alla pizzaiola | £19.20 | Veal escalopes, with tomato sauce and capers, served with French beans |
| Saltimbocca alla romana | £20.20 | Veal escalopes sautéed, topped with prosciutto and sage, served with peas |
| Vitello alla parmigiana | £21.20 | Deep fried veal escalope in breadcrumbs with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese Served with white spaghetti |
| Ossobuco alla milanese | £27.30 | Oven roasted veal ossobuco, served with saffron risotto |
| Pollo ala griglia | £18.30 | Grilled breast of chicken topped with roast potatoes, rocket, artichokes And cherry tomatoes |
Side Orders
| Spinaci, saltati / bolliti | £4.10 | Spinach, sautéed or steamed |
| Patate / arrosto / fritte / puree | £3.70 | Potatoes, sautéed or deep fried or mash |
| Napoletana | £4.30 | Spaghetti with tomato sauce and garlic |
| Zucchine | £4.80 | Deep fried courgettes |
| Vegetali grigliati | £4.70 | Char grilled aubergines, red peppers courgettes, radicchio, Belgium chicory |
| Rucola con parmigiano | £5.10 | Rocket salad, parmesan flakes and cherry tomatoes |
| Insalata verde / mista | £4.00 | Selection of green or mixed leaves |
| Piselli / bolliti / con pancetta | £3.60 | Steamed peas or sautéed with bacon |
| Fagiolini all' agro | £3.90 | Steamed French beans |
Dessert
| Tiramisu | £5.80 | Homemade, pasteurised eggs, cream, Pavesini biscuits, chocolate and coffee |
| Panna cotta | £6.90 | Homemade creamy dessert, with Strawberry, Choccolate or Caramel sauce |
| Black choccolate souffle | £6.90 | Full of chocolate, served with vanilla ice-cream |
| White choccolate souffle | £6.90 | Full of chocolate, served with Chocolate ice-cream |
| Cheese | £5.70 | Selection of Italian cheeses served with biscuits |
| Ananas | £5.70 | Fresh pineapple served with lemon sorbet |
| Affogato | £7.30 | Vanilla Ice cream, espresso and a touch of amaretto |
| Ice cream / sorbet | Selection of chocolate, vanilla and lemon sorbet (per scoop) |
White Wines
| Chardonnay, Serbato Batasiolo Docg | From Piemonte 12.5 %vol.; Grape variety 100% Chardonnay. Dry, refreshing with balanced fruity aftertaste, pair it with white pasta, fish, antipasti and veal |
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| Pinot Grigio, Castel Firmian. Doc | From Trentino 12.5% vol.; Grape variety 100% Pinot Grigio. On the palate it is rounded and with a lively crispness on the finish |
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| Sauvignon Blanc, Castel Firmian, Mezzacorona. Doc. | From Trentino 12.5 % vol.; Grape Variety 100 % Sauvignon Blanc. Dry citrusy but still quite rounded palate with a mineral delicate finish |
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| Gavi di Gavi, La Meirana, Broglia. Docg | From Piemonte 12.5% vol.; Grape variety: 100% Cortese. It is dry and crispy with a hint of ripe pears and a complex array of green and red apples |
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| Albarino, Valminor. Doc | From Spain: Rias Baixas: 12 % vol.; Grape Variety: 100% Albarino. A fresh bouquet of peach and apricot lead to a rich and full palate with a hint of lemony acidity. Clean and well balanced with a dry, concentrated finish |
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| Greco di Tufo NovaSerra, Mastroberardino Docg | From Campania: 13 % vol.; Grape Variety: 100 % Greco di tufo. The cru of the Greco di Tufo, blessed by the vineyard location A wine of good acidty, mineral. and with flavours of ripe fruits. It has a great structure and a distinctive sapidity |
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| Cervaro, Castello della Sala, Antinori. Igt | From Umbria 13% vol.; Grape Variety: 80% Chardonnay 20% Grecchetto. Fruity, rich, dry and complex, possibly the best chardonnay of Italy |
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| Batar, Querciabella. Igt. | From Tuscany: 13.5% vol.; Grape variety: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Blanc. A biodynamic and 100% vegan. Peachy, floral and honeyed with hints of fresh grass and mint. Generous, rich and expressive yet focused and precise |
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White Wine Half Bottles
| Pinot Grigio, Castel Firmian, Mezzacorona | From Trentino:12.5% vol.; Grape variety: 100% Pinot Grigio. Dry and full |
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| Gavi di Gavi, La Meirana, Broglia. Docg | From Piemonte 12.5% vol.; Grape variety: 100% Cortese. It is dry and crispy with a hint of ripe pears and a complex array of green and red apples |
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| Puligny-Montrachet, Vincent Girardin. Apmc Igt | From France. Burgundy–Cote d'Or. 13.5% vol.; Grape Varieties:100% Chardonnay. From a famous vineyard, offering succulent peach, summer flower aromas and a balanced mineral content. Nicely tuned, with understated oak and a long citrus finish |
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Rose Wine
| Cotes de Provence, Chateau de Pampelonne | From Provence 13% vol.; Grape Variety: 10% Tibouren, 30% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, 20% Syrah. A rose' with structure and elegance, the palate is dry with spice and raspberry fruit and a clean and fresh finish, ideal as an aperitif and accompanied with seafood appetisers, light soups, pasta dishes, baked fish and white meat |
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Red Wines
| Aglianico Beneventano, Bellamico. Igt. | From Campania 12.5 % vol.; Grape variety: 100% Aglianico. This wine flourish in volcanic soil and it has a firm and good flavour with a softy dry finish |
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| Merlot, Castel Firmian, Mezzacorona. Doc. | From Trentino: 13% vol.; Grape Variety: 100 % Merlot.Elegant, dry and velvety with soft rounded ripe plum fruit flavours. This wine is bursting with flavours of cherries, almonds, herbs and spice, pair it with grilled meat cheese, salami and prosciutto |
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| Chianti Classico, Peppoli, Antinori. Docg | From Toscana 13.5% vol.; Grape Variety: 100% Sangiovese. Well balanced, elegant with a good structure and rich in aromas |
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| Dolcetto d'Alba, Cascina Morassino. Doc | From Piemonte 12.5% vol.; Grape Variety: 100% Dolcetto. A delicious full juicy red, with a redcurrant flavour on the palate and a most attractive roundness on the finish, pair it with white, red meat and cheeses |
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| Le Volte, Tenute dell Ornellaia Igt | From Tuscany 14.% vol.; Grape variety: 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Sangiovese. Juicy blackberries and cherries with notes of wild herbs and spice. Vivacious and refreshing this is a complete pleasure to drink from release |
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| Il Bruciato, Bolgheri Guado Al Tasso Doc | From Toscana 14.0 % vol.; Grape variety 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon. 30% Merlot, 20% Syrah. On the palate it is full-bodied, smooth and with a long finish. A wine of great balance, possibly one of the best of the Antinori's, family my favourite wine from Tuscany |
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| Sito Moresco, Langhe. Gaia. Doc | From Piemonte 14.5% vol.; Grape variety: 35% Nebbiolo, 35% Merlot, 30% cabernet sauvignon. A wine produced by a legendary wine maker, loaded with red fruity aromas: a fruity, full elegant taste. It has a good balance in the mouth; fresh and fruity finish with very fine silky tannins |
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| Chianti Classico, Riserva, Tenuta Marchese Antinori | From Toscana 13% vol.; Grape variety: 85% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a full bodied wine, rich complex, with aromas of cedars, tobacco, plums, morello cherries and chocolate with a hint of liquorice on the finish |
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| Barbaresco, Cascina di Morassino, Docg | From Piemonte 14.5% vol.; Grape variety 100% Nebbiolo. From the area of Langhe, east of Alba, where our truffle come from. A wine less known then Barolo of soft tannins with bouquets of rose, violet, liquorice, cherry, fennel and truffle |
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| Amarone Classico Costasera, Masi Doc | From Veneto 15.% vol.; Grape variety: Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara. Proud, majestic, complex and exuberant, a gentle giant. A benchmark of the Amarone category, which together with Barolo and Brunello makes up the aristocracy of the Italian wine world. Very well balanced, fruity taste with hints of coffee |
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| Barolo, Batasiolo Vigneto corda della Briccolina. Docg | From Piemonte 14.5 %Vol; Grape variety: 100% Nebbiolo. A wine of a good year, from an excellent wine producer, harmonious, well rounded, elegant and balanced with plum flavours With a bouquet. reminiscent of faded roses, with a earthy but velvety sort of taste |
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| Brunello di Montalcino, Pieve Santa Restituita. Gaja. Docg | From Toscana Vol.14.5 %; Grape Variety: 100% Sangiovese. A wine form a legendary winemaker, full bodied yet refined, sweet tannin extraction, it is all about mineral contrast, depth and constant surprising terroir, induced flavours, with a wonderful long finish |
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| Barolo Riserva Essenze, Docg | Fom: Piemonte; Grape Variety: 100% Nebbiolo. A deep ruby red tending to garnet, a complex nose that includes ethereal, with hints of violets and blackberry jam, licorice and cloves. On the palates it is dry, full-bodied, with silky tannins and a lovely chocolate, berry aftertaste. Vintage 2001 Gold Medal Decanter World Wine Awards 2015 Vintage 2001 Silver Outstanding Medal International Wine and Spirit Compet |
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| Tignanello, Antinori. Igt | From ToscanaVol.13.5%; Grape Variety:75% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a wine aged for 14 months in small french oak barrels. The wine has a plum/cassis smoky nose, is full bodied, rich and complex, with exceptional structure and lengthy finish. It has the weight and fullness of Cabernet and the elegance and finesse of Sangiovese |
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| Ornellaia, Tenuta dell'Ornellaia. Doc. Superiore | From Toscana Vol. 13.5%; Grape Variety: 60 % Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot. A lively dark ruby. It is a vibrant effort bursting with expressive aromatic, and layered, well-delineated fruit, showing much purity, on the palate and closing with a long finessed finish |
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| Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri | £250.00 | Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. From Toscana Vol.13%; A legendary wine, it boasts an opaque purple ruby colour leading to a pinky purple rim. The nose is ripe and intense with black fruits, coffee, roasted meat and lovely toasty oak. The palate is elegant and supple, rich black fruits once more concentrated medium body, ripe integrated tannins and a delicious balancing acidity. A wine that is drinking beautifully now |
Red Wine Half Bottles
| Chianti Classico Riserva, Marchese Antinori, Docg | From Toscana: 14 % vol.; Grape variety: Sangiovese. Elegant with a nice finish |
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| Barolo Batasiolo, Docg | From Piemonte:14.% vol; Grape Variety: Nebbiolo. Dry, full bodied but soft, imposing elegant, engagingly complex austere and velvety |
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| Tignanello, Antinori Classico, Igt | From Toscana Vol.13.5%; Grape Variety: 75% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine has a plum/cassis smoky nose, is full bodied, rich and complex, with exceptional structure and lengthy finish |
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Red Wine Magnum 1.50cl
| Castello d'Albola Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG | £95.00 | From:Tuscany; Grape Variety: 100% Sangiovese. A very even garnet red. Very attractive nose. It has a lovely perfume, cherry and a hint of rose, together with hint of vanilla. Very silky attack with good concentration immediately evident and feeling very integrated. In the mouth, it builds and builds, developing a certain spiciness and increasing in rusticity |
| Le Volte dell' Ornellaia | £140.00 | From:Tuscany; Grape variety: Merlot 50%, Sangiovese 30% e Cabernet Sauvignon 20%. The cuvée brings together the best terroirs of Tuscany and combines the Mediterranean expression of opulence and generosity with structure and complexity. The softness of Merlot, the firm structure and depth of Cabernet Sauvignon supported by the vivacious personality of Sangiovese, create a unique blend |
| Barolo Riserva Essenze, Docg | £280.00 | Fom: Piemonte; Grape Variety: 100% Nebbiolo. A deep ruby red tending to garnet, a complex nose that includes ethereal, with hints of violets and blackberry jam, licorice and cloves. On the palates it is dry, full-bodied, with silky tannins and a lovely chocolate, berry aftertaste. Vintage 2001 Gold Medal Decanter World Wine Awards 2015 Vintage 2001 Silver Outstanding Medal International Wine and Spirit Compet |
| Barbaresco Ovello Cascina Morassino | £280.00 | Fom: Piemonte; Grape Variety: 100% Nebbiolo. A massive wine of great structure. A deeply perfumed nose, a firm dryness on the palate and it finishes with great elegance and length. Alfredo is the finest barrel of each vintage personally selected by Roberto Bianco from his Ovello single vineyard. A massive wine of great structure Aged for 12 months in barriques plus 10 months in large Slavonian oak barrels |
| Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri | £720.00 | Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.; From Toscana Vol.13%. A legendary wine, it boasts an opaque purple ruby colour leading to a pinky purple rim. The nose is ripe and intense with black fruits, coffee and roasted meat. The palate is elegant and supple, rich black fruits once more concentrated medium body, ripe integrated tannins and a delicious balancing acidity. A wine that is drinking beautifully now |
Prosecco
| Prosecco Zonin |
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Champagne
| V. Testulat |
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| Taittinger, Brut Reserve NV |
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| Ruinart Blanc de Blancs |
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Aperitfs, Spirits
| Aperol Spritz | £8.90 | |
| Bellini, Peach and Prosecco | £7.90 | |
| Bloody Mary | £8.30 | |
| Negroni | £8.30 | |
| Martini, White | £4.90 | |
| Martini Dry | £4.90 | |
| Martini Red | £4.90 | |
| Cinzano | £4.90 | |
| Punt Mes | £5.30 | |
| Pernod | £4.90 | |
| Campari | £5.90 |
Vodka
| Smirnoff | £5.00 | |
| Stolichnaya | £5.20 | |
| Grey Goose | £7.20 |
Gin
| Gordon gin | £4.90 |
Whisky
| Bells Finest Old | £4.90 | |
| Glenlivet 18 yrs | £8.60 | |
| Glenlivet 12 yrs | £7.80 | |
| Oban 14 yrs | £7.90 | |
| Glen Grant 10 yrs | £7.10 | |
| The Famous Grouse | £5.20 | |
| Jack Daniels | £5.30 | |
| Southern Comfort | £5.30 | |
| Jameson | £5.30 | |
| Johnny Walker Black | £6.00 | |
| Canadian Club | £4.90 |
Soft drinks/beer
| Sparkling/Still Water |
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| San Pellegrino |
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| Peroni/Moretti Beer |
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| Coke, Diet Coke |
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| San Pellegrino Lemonade/Orange |
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| Lemonade, Ginger Ale, Soda, Tonic |
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| Apple, Orange, Pineapple, Tomato, Grapefruit |
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| Cranberry |
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Reviews and ratings
4.4
Excellent
Based on 28 reviews
Noise level
Moderate
4.3
Food
4.4
Service
4.1
Ambiance
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