“Asking for Janice” seems to mean take it easy, enjoy a few drinks alongside some dishes of crafty comfort food and set your concerns on pause for a while, or so my experience played out when I finally got round to paying a visit to this highly recommended little bar.
I really enjoyed my dinnertime visit to AFJ. A number of foodie folk whose opinions I respect had been upping the thumb about the place to me since it opened. They were right too.
This casual bar and restaurant is a welcome addition to the cluster of food and drink options around Smithfield Market. I loved sipping my Beast of Bourbon cocktail (Woodford Reserve, sweet vermouth, crème de mure, £9). The stout salt squid (£8) was pretty yummy too as was most everything else I nibbled. I wasn’t too sure about my grenadine-y seasonal pickles (£3) though.
Gin aficionados will go gaga for Janice’s vast selection. Fans of lowbrow and Pop Art (not to mention scaled back/pared down interiors) will enjoy the background while getting their drink on.
Ask for Janice is located at 50-52 Long Lane, EC1A 9EJ. Find out more at askforjanice.co.uk.