What
No. 11 Pimlico Road is a totally independent neighbourhood bar and restaurant with a cool and contemporary interior, proving the perfect atmosphere (all with added in-house DJs) for drinking, eating and unwinding. No. 11 is twinned with No.32 the Old Town, Clapham, which is not only my local but my favourite haunt south of the river- all adding to the excitement of tonight.
Where
No. 11 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8NA
The Experience
On a drizzly and dark (how is it only October?!) evening, I have to say that it would take only a very special occasion to persuade me to shift from the sofa with a cup of tea to a cocktail bar. But having received the beautiful invitation for a Cocktail Making Masterclass with No. 11 Pimlico Road’s one and only expert barista Elvis, I knew immediately that we were in for something special.
After a warm welcome and introductions with the fabulous Melanie Marriott (Managing Director of the Darwin & Wallace Group), we were invited upstairs to the beautiful event space where the tables pushed together and covered with very professional looking cocktail making equipment, exotic fruits and of course lots of bottles! Elvis was an absolute pleasure- articulate and considered, he described our cocktails and ingredients thoroughly, so by the end I felt like I truly understood the reason why each one had been selected for the menu.
The first cocktail was Tequila, orange and rosemary Old Fashioned- a modern twist on the classic and an absolute delight. Clean, simple and timeless.
Passion fruit, pineapple and lime Mojitos were next on the menu. Each cocktail containing TWO WHOLE passion fruits- now that’s a generous helping. They were fresh, girly and absolutely stunning, served in tall glasses with pineapple leaves to decorate.
The brand new, not yet on the menu, Peanut Butter Rum cocktails were the last tipple that Elvis taught us to create. I have to say, scooping peanut butter into a glass didn’t fill me with the upmost confidence for the makings of a sophisticated cocktail. However, it was stunning. By adding hot water (and a generous measure of Cointreau) and topping with thick whipped cream, it was transformed into a warm, fuzzy pleasure, which we all agreed that wouldn’t be out of place on the slopes.
Crostini’s were a moreish accompaniment to the drinks- spicy crab and avocado, olive tapenade and pate with pistachio. Perfect!
The night came to an end- but not until we had booked in for dinner next week and been told all about the opening of No.1 in Richmond… More to follow! It was an absolute pleasure to be introduced and welcomed into the No. 11 family and I am already looking forward to my return to sample more of the menu.
“Be it day or night, coffee or nightcap, come and visit us, plonk yourself in a chair and lose yourself for a few hours”.
“No 11 Pimlico Road were awarded the inaugural Casual Dining Design Award for ‘Best Designed Casual Dining Pub 2014’.
Cost
Our cocktails are yet to be a formal addition to the menu, but as an example:
Aperol Spritz 9.5
Classic Bellini 7
Marmalade Champagne Cocktail 9.5
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