The exploratory summer of booze continues. Claire and I went to Peckham this week, where she recently watched the sun set over London with about 1000 other bitters lovers.
For years now I've been telling barmen in pubs that I'm 'bringing Campari back' - usually in response to their blank looks when I order it. These are often followed by a gradual recognition of what I'm after, and "oh Campari? yeah, my Gran used to drink that. We don't have any though, love."
Sometimes, I get lucky and they dust down a crusty old bottle, buried behind tons of Bombay Sapphire and other nineties favourites before asking the manager how to serve it. Don't get me started on the small measures I've had in huge glasses with enough soda to turn it into something resembling Ribena. But, suddenly, Campari is back and although I am still the recipient of many blank barman faces, it's no longer so hard to actually have a drink of something I fancy, rather than something I don't.
However, long rants about Campari aside, this week we drank Fernet Branca. Apparently it contains "dozens of herbs and spices, picked in four continents" and I can confirm that it goes very well with three sumblime courses of Argentinian food. Which is what we were at Frank's Cafe and Campari Bar for in the first place.
Pop-ups are everywhere in London these days but some of them, like Frank's, get it bang on. It covers off those summer essentials: outdoors with a view, watching the sunset and good drinks, with a vibe of laid-back and relaxed rather than summer cliché.
Additionally there are some very talented chefs doing great things with food - home-made chorizo! bavette with charcoal mash, soft boiled egg, chimichurri and our new favourite, farofa! then dulce de leche ice cream and salted shortbread! Salted shortbread, for heavens sake and all the staff are genuinely lovely.
It's on top of a multi-storey car park in Peckham*. Yet it felt more like a Mediterranean night as courses of fantastic food and glasses of Malbec followed the Fernet Branca, and lights, suspended from wooden beams, twinkled as the communal tables watched the sun set bright pink along the horizon.
*Bonus points for Brits who recognise the yellow car in the last shot.
- Nikon F100 - Kodak Portra 400 NC -
8 comments:
charlotte, this is incredible. the photos & the description of the night. i can't wait to visit frank's soon (and i'm so bummed i missed wed night!)
(also, 3 cheers for fernet)
Hehe that's one of those cars with just the one wheel on the front right?
i get the exact same reaction when i order a glass of sherry in pubs. it never fails to confuse bar staff. fantastic photos, as always, charlotte.
Well its obviously the Trotters! (the car I mean not the pics, they are gorgeous)
hehe, I haven't been living away that long that I don't remember Only Fools and Horses :)
I am glad you are bringing Campari back - such an awesome red drink :O) Loving your blog, so following.
A xx
PS: thought the cars were called Reliant Robin - remember them from the good ol' london days.
and I have the Only Fools and Horses theme tune stuck in my head...
I was discussing campari with my Mum on my birthday and she was horrified when I told her it was your drink of choice. Her exact words were 'it tastes like poison. POISON.' I decided not to mention that I am developing a taste for bitter drinks too...
not too much into bitters myself, but surprised that it's hard to get them in london - here in berlin we're apparently stuck in the eighties, so campari is a staple at bars. (come to berlin! ;))
also: thanks a million for the music and reading tips, they sound perfect, i'm now getting very excited about the hols. glad yous are coming up so soon - ENJOY!
Post a Comment