Tredwells launch Ableforth’s Summer Terrace in Covent Garden

A Marcus Wareing outpost, Tredwells is probably better known for its dining, but as it turns out the bar has plenty to offer. Making use of Ableforth’s range of award-winning craft spirits and liqueurs, the venue has launched a new summer range, adding five cocktails to the existing menu.

We are taken through the menu by bar manager and creator of the new cocktails Nick Chang, who is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, dealing with both our drinks requests and my queries on how to improve my Old Fashioned making without missing a beat.

A Summer Cup Fizz is everything that you’d like a Pimm’s to be and never really is. Made here with Ableforth’s Summer Fruit Cup, lemon, sparkling wine and orange bitters, it is wonderfully refreshing. The Sloe Aviator, consisting of bathtub sloe gin, vodka, violet, lemon and egg white is about as sophisticated-looking a cocktail as I’ve seen, and the taste matches up to this – the violet not overpowering, as is so often the case – making this drink a definite highlight.

Rambunctious – Rumbullion, rhubarb syrup, lime, soda, rhubarb bitters – is also excellent, vaguely reminiscent of rhubarb sweets without any of the cloying sweetness. The Tom Collins is perhaps the least impressive of the range, but that is not to say it’s not good, rather the other cocktails are simply a bit better.

Along with the drinks, we try a range of bar snacks, all very reasonably priced between £3.50 and £5.50. Triple-cooked chips are as you would expect such fare to be in this sort of place; that is, exactly as they should be. They are served with a hollandaise mousse that also functions as an excellent dip for the Smoked Potato and Gruyere Croquettes, which themselves are crisp and moreish.

Sweetcorn Fritters with Sriracha Mayonnaise are light and devoid of any greasiness, whilst Chargrilled Friggitelli Peppers with Cheese are nice, although nothing especially memorable.

Tredwells has slick service, knowledgeable and friendly staff, great food and excellent drinks. We highly recommended a visit. 

★★★★★

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Jack Lury
Photos: Matthew Pull

To book a table at Tredwells, 4A Upper St Martin’s Lane London WC2H 9NU, call 020 3764 0840 or visit the website here.