OJT EATS | Oriole
This week, we're off to the new 2nd iteration of the cocktail bar Oriole. After closing up shop in Farringdon, and having a brief pop-up across the road of their new place as Prelude, it has now re-opened in Covent Garden. As before, there are sets of live music but what's new is that this place has a fully fledged food menu; you can even book in for a dinner and show option. We weren't that hungry so just went down for drinks and some bar snacks.
We love us some padron peppers and these were good ones. They were surprisingly large but super well roasted and nicely seasoned. Perfect with a couple of drinks.
And right on cue, the drinks arrived. This was the Aomori which was gin, quince rakia, meadowsweet and Fuji apple. Super refreshing, slightly sweet and the fact that it came with a big chunk of candy floss on top was a bonus!
The other drink we ordered was the Arcadia which we were told was the Oriole signature that had been on the menu since the beginning. Once it arrived and after we'd eaten the delicious chocolate floating on top of the ice, it was easy to see why. Made with bourbon, maple syrup, peanut butter, rowan berry and grapefruit juice. Incredibly velvety and smooth with a sweetness from the maple syrup. Definitely worth ordering!
Now onto a bit more food. Shiitake mushrooms with an egg yolk. Super tasty and once you cut into that yolk, you get this lovely unctuous sauce. Definitely a step up from your normal bar finger food!
If you are looking for finger food though, they can also oblige. These truffle parmesan fries were excellent. Super truffle-y and with a good layer of parmesan on it. The fries were also crispy and fluffy inside. These are perfect alongside a few drinks.
The original Oriole was voted one of the best bars in the world and if our first visit to this new version was anything to go by, we would not be surprised if this iteration will end up on the same lists.
Oriole, 7-9 Slingsby Pl, London WC2E 9AB
Cheers, JL