TONINO LAMBORGHINI VODKA

London, UK

Branded as ‘the’ premium vodka, and belonging to its eponymous parent Lamborghini, the vodka captures the essence of the Lamborghini brand. From the sleek and sharp design of the bottle reminiscent of the crisp contours of the cars, to the smooth crisp taste of the vodka, Tonino Lamborghini comfortably contends in standing as being one of the best vodkas on the market. The Food Grid was invited to sample the vodka at an exclusive tasting held at the Polo Lounge in the Westbury Hotel, where we were treated to a brief bio of the drink, and the plans of its distributor Fantasma drinks to supply it to London’s premier venues such as Funky Buddha and Annabel’s. Soon after being seated we sampled the vodka in three ways. Straight served with ice, in an espresso martini and dirty martini. All were expertly prepared and provided the much needed kick after a long work day. The vodka is light, crisp and smooth and to our relief didn’t have any horrible after taste; in fact it settles very well.  The lack of an after taste, after some research, stands to illustrate the fine quality of a spirit, and Tonino Lamborghini is just that, triple distilled and extracted from the best quality grains which results in the smooth and fine texture the vodka. Initially sceptical to all the hype of the PR company, all reservations were dispelled upon trying it. Entering the market (a new market) under the name of an established brand giant could either be a blessing or a curse in an attempt to live in the shadow of its parent, but Tonino Lamborghini Vodka lives up to the challenge by offering one of the finest vodkas we have tried. Tonino Lamborghini Vodka is now available to try at the Mayfair Club No.41, and we look forward to seeing it around London soon. 
  

www.toninolamborghinidrinksuk.com

We were invited to review Tonino Lamborghini Vodka, and the opinions expressed are our own.

SUSHI SAMBA

London, UK

With a view competing with the best in London, SushiSamba has received a lot of attention this past year with their first European location. Placed on the 38^th and 39^th floor of the Heron Tower, it boasts amazing views of the city. The cuisine is a mixture of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian. The first impression is formed in the lift ride on the way up, which is pretty cool. The interior is a bit all over the place. The main dining room with the hanging lights is quite striking, but the orange tree outside is a tacky disaster. With such a great location, it’s a shame that the interior doesn’t measure up. Nonetheless, it is definitely not a boring place. The best view I thought was from the ladies bathroom, where it is quite surreal to see the Gherkin and Tower 42 from such a perspective while washing your hands.

When it comes to the actual food and drink on offer, I started off with cocktails. They serve a range of classic cocktails with interesting twists, such as lighting a star anise  on fire before stirring it into the Tonka Bean Old Fashioned. The Chucumber with Hendrick’s gin and Pablo Piscobar with citrusy yuzu are both amazing, and highly addictive. I sampled some of the small dishes, starting with a mix of vegetable tempura. The asparagus and mushroom ones were great, but as with most tempura, needed a good soaking in soy sauce to have enough flavour. The glazed pork belly was good and really filling for their small size. I love padrón peppers and always order them at tapas places, as they can never go completely wrong. At SushiSamba they are also tasty, but the Spanish do them better. The fish tacos were nicely presented in very crispy taco shells, but lacked a bit of flavour. In general, I enjoyed all of the food, but it is a little over priced. The incredible view comes first at SushiSamba, and the food is secondary.

110 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AY

MILK TEA & PEARL

I went to try the new Milk Tea & Pearl in Boxpark, the bustling pop-up mall in Shoreditch. They serve authentic Taiwanese bubble tea, a chilled drink that has been around in Taiwan for decades, but is rather new to London.  It can be found on every street corner in Taiwan, and first appeared in London in their store near Oxford Circus. Milk Tea & Pearl now also occupies a small and bright space upstairs in the assemblage of shipping containers by Shoreditch High Street.  There is a shared outdoor seating area for the various cafes around, and it was very crowded and lively even on a weeknight. I asked for the most traditional type of bubble tea, which I was told was the Assam Black Milk Tea with Tapioca Pearls. I also tried a sample of all the different toppings, which were really fun to eat. You use oversized straws to suck the pearls up. They are all natural even though they don't necessarily give that impression with their crazy textures. I was particularly fond of the Lychee Jelly, which reminded me of salmon roe in sushi with the way it pops in your mouth. The tapioca pearls are really chewy, also very fun to chomp on, but it was tiring for my jaw. It was so fun though, so I finished them all. The tea was a refreshing alternative to iced coffee, and if you ask them to go easy on the sugar like I did, it won’t be too heavy. It is still almost a meal in its own right though, but in a good way. There is also a bunch of colourful, fruitier options for the summer that I will try next time I go. Bubble tea is something worth trying, as it is truly a novelty. Part toy, part drink, part dessert, Milk Tea & Pearl has brought something new to London. 

Unit 58 Boxpark, 2-4 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6GY

   We were invited to review Milk Tea & Pearl, but the opinions expressed are our own.

MALTBY STREET MARKET 

Maltby Street Market is a collection of stalls and shops located under the railway arches of Ropewalk in Bermondsey. It is not easy to come by, and it is unlikely to even notice it unless you are already aware of it. I went on a cold Saturday for lunch. Most stalls and bars close at 4 in the afternoon, so one has no choice but to start drinking early. There are the usual stalls of olive oils and sauces to take home, but as with any market, I mainly come for the ready-made and ready to eat snacks. I walked up and down the market to familiarise myself with the options on offer, and recognised a few stalls from Broadway Market. I opted for the Ox Burger by The Woolpack, which is actually a beef burger with braised oxtail on top, making it runny and difficult to eat without the aid of lots of napkins. It didn't look very appetising either; I would have preferred an actual oxtail burger patty, but it was nevertheless good.

We sat down for cocktails at the Little Bird gin bar. The gin is distilled in London, and each individual drink is served in a different glass. This quirky little place has a short and excellent cocktail list, with prices of only £5. A hot water bottle kept us warm under the dark brick arch. The Rhubarb Robin Negroni is refreshingly bitter, the Breakfast Martini is a bit too sweet for my liking, but definitely goes down a treat as well. After drinks we moved onto the Spanish jamon bar: Bar Tozino. It looks very authentic, but still follows London prices. The friendly staff gave us some sides and sherry for free, so I was more than pleased. Bar Tozino stays open later, and is worth the trip on its own, even when the rest of the market is closed. We even watched a vintage dance class performing, hidden within an antique furniture store. The overall atmosphere of Maltby Street Market is friendly and eclectic, and it is worth going there for an experience further to eating.

Maltby Street, Ropewalk, London SE1