Wednesday, 24 August 2016

RESTAURANT REVIEW: The Refinery, Bankside



As a huge fan of cocktails I'm always on the lookout for new spots to try new drinks. So when I was given the opportunity to sample a few drinks from the new pop up Bacardi Bar at The Refinery, I was more than a little keen.

The Refinery is popular with the after work crowd, there's a huge indoor area with plenty of seating options and the outdoor terrace, which is in close proximity to the Thames and has a great al fresco vibe. The atmosphere is relaxed, making it a great option for a casual night out.

I sampled a couple of different drinks, the first being the most deliciously fresh Bacardi cocktail. I'm not normally a rum drinker, my tipple of choice is gin or vodka, but I was blown away by this. I like my cocktail to pack a punch and whilst the rum was distinctly present this was easy to drink thanks to citrus flavours and fresh cucumber. It almost reminded me of a gin sour, with slightly less sourness and a hint of sweetness. Unfortunately I can't remember the name but I imagine it's easy enough to spot on the menu.

The second drink I tried was the Garden Collins, a gin based long drink with fresh raspberry, lemon sugar and soda. This was a little like a mojito but with a lot more fruit. This was extremely tasty and the perfect summery drink. Steve had the Hummingbird which is also gin and raspberry based with added lime and elderflower. This cocktail has a nice tartness to it and most definitely a sour edge, I loved it as well.



The Refinery also offers food and whilst it isn't a foodie destination in itself, there are some nice plates on the menu to help line your stomach. I loved the scotch egg with its perfectly runny yolk and crispy breadcrumb batter. The chicken burger wasn't bad either, the meat was succulent and even though it was fried it didn't feel greasy.

There's a few sharing plates including a mezze that comes with a lovely bulgar wheat and feta salad. This is a great option if you're with a group and fancy a little snack without going for a full blown meal. I also enjoyed the trio of chips (sweet potato, BBQ, and parmesan with truffle) something I haven't seen before and think is a great idea.

The Refinery is a great spot to enjoy a few drinks, especially in the summer. The cocktails are strong, reasonably priced, and a little different from your average cosmopolitan. The food menu has some good options and makes for a nice, casual spot for an after work social outing.

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