First impressions is that Redhook is a little find, okay it could have been a little busier but it’s 6:30 on a Monday and not everyone is in cocktail drinking mood. Well not yet…
It’s an atttractive looking, if not safe, little bar with quirky aspects like a random ladder that goes no-where, there’s a jug of iced cucumber and lemon infused water at every table (top marks) and seafood and bottles of Grey Goose vodka on ice at the bar.
I have to admit it is the Grey Goose cocktail martinis that have drawn me here, the quality of the vodka and hint of lemon shines through in such a well made classic tipple, but it was the Pink Ladys that kept me there all night – a beautiful frothy mix of Bombay Sapphire, Calvados and Raspberries.
This is a place for Seafood and Steaks and while I can’t vouch for the steaks (apparently I’m not missing much according to Chris) the seafood is superb!
I’d opted for a little bowl of Cornish Crab linguine and shared some chunky chips. But the attention grabbing giant prawns were where it’s at. The giant prawns, seem even bigger than sister at hangout Giant Robot and every bit at tasty.
We didn’t plan to eat, but the menu with its selection of small and large portions (at very reasonable prices for central London) invites you to try a dish or two while washing down a drink. It offers small enough plates, giant prawns aside, for an afterwork nibble – this place seems perfect for a Farringdon office crowd, that wants to leave space for plenty of cocktail action.
Although I have to confess to ordering a second small plate a few hours later when still sat there sampling more of the cocktails on offer.
The staff couldn’t have been nicer, from the waitress to the cocktail bartender, I felt very welcome and at home during an extended wait for friends. They were very professional yet also warm, charming and inviting.
A place for work drinks for sure, and smart enough to take a client but not it’s quite cosy enough (perhaps a little too shiny and new) for a night out with my hubby. Will pop back in a few months once the dust has settled…
