Asia de Cuba, everybody’s favourite Chino-Latino restaurant has officially launched its rum bar with its own sugarcane press and a new cocktails and ceviche pairing menu with drinks featuring Havana Club rums.
It’s a lovely bar, as dimly lit and wisely stocked as you’d like a rum bar to be, with more than 50 varieties of rum from 18 different countries. Comfortable too. And situated within the luxury boutique digs of St Martin’s Lane Hotel – just steps from Leicester Square Station (but definitely of another, more relaxed yet sophisticated ilk) – it’s a smart and convenient place for a drink as well.
Taking advantage of its proximity to the Asia de Cuba kitchen, the folks behind the bar have done well to team up for a menu of six tasty cocktail and ceviche pairings.
I got a sample of each earlier this week – didn’t mind trying any of them while thoroughly savouring a few. Faves included the Coconut-Cane (Havana 3 Year Old with lemon, fresh pressed sugarcane juice, Coco Lopez, Koko Kanu, and simple syrup) served a red snapper ceviche (with cilantro, Thai chilli, jalapenos, red onion, lime, plaintain chips, and salt); and the Guarapo (Havana 3 Year Old with fresh orange juice and fresh pressed sugarcane juice) served with grouper ceviche (with mojo aji Amarillo, Fresno pepper, lime, sea salt, red onion, micro cilantro, and extra virgin olive oil).
All pairings are £18 with ceviches served with six canapé style pieces.
I’m keen to return for more ceviche, to explore the mixology knowledge of the bartenders and see that sugarcane press in action again.
Asia de Club is located at St Martin’s Lane Hotel, 45 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4HX. For more information, go to morganshotelgroup.com. For details about Havana Club, visit havana-club.co.uk.
