Pennethorne's Cafe Bar | Studded Kisses
So it's less than a month until London Fashion Week! During LFW rushing around from show to show can be tough making your hungry and thirsty. You need someone to stop off for a quick snack and drink and I have the perfect place for you! Pennethorne's Cafe Bar, which opened just before the New Year,
is conveniently located at Somerset House.
Pennethorne’s Café Bar is named after Sir James Pennethorne, a 19th century English architect who designed the Somerset House New Wing.
The Cafe Bar is inspired by Pennethorne’s travels across Europe. The menu brings classic flavours from the Grand Tour travels to France and Italy and Spain featuring all-day dining small plates. At the heart of the menu is the bakery, located on site at Somerset House and baking specialist breads and pastries throughout the day. Served morning, noon and night. There is also a takeaway coffee and bakery service if you are really struck for time, all very decently priced.
Upon arrival we were greeted by the manager Florent who made sure we were well looked after!
I went for the
Nutty Martini, as recommended by BarChick, to start off the evening. A beautiful cocktail mixed with Bacardi 8, Frangelico, Pomegrante syrup and Rose bitters. It had beautiful hazelnut aromas and started off the evening really well. Karl went for the That's Amore cocktail (right), mixed to perfection with Martini Rosso, Campari and Sloe gin.
Pennethorne's sell a range of small plates which are perfect if you just fancy a snack and not a full meal. We sampled the mushrooms on toast first which was absolutely amazing. Karl and I practically fought over the last nibble. It was mouthwatering and I know that during LFW or whenever I am in the area I will definitely stop by just for the mushrooms on toast and a Nutty Martini.
Along with the amazing mushrooms on toast, we also tucked into the selections of meat, cheese and the potted spiced aubergine.
I greedily ate the whole slab of Monte Enebro goats cheese to myself and Karl devoured the Berkswell. We then reluctantly shared the Spiced Aubergine.
The Spiced Aubergine is a great mixture with a slight hint of spice which was a pleasant surprise to the taste buds. The good thing about Pennethorne's is that if you can't decide what to have then why not order it all!? The platters and pots are the perfect sharing plates and leave you feeling not too guilty. Although they do taste so good it does leave you feeling like do I HAVE to share?
I loved the chic look to the bar - so trendy and sleek with gold topped tables and high ceilings with long dangling lights. The elegant Victorian style uniforms which the staff wore were also a great touch.
The bar was buzzing even at 6pm on a Thursday evening so I cannot imagine what it is like during Somerset House events. Pennethorne's Cafe Bar is the perfect place to sit back, relax, chat, sip and nibble whatever the time of day.
Roxii Hoare-Smith 18/01/2015
http://www.studdedkisses.co.uk/2015/01/pennethornes-cafe-bar-at-somerset-house.html
