Interviewed online about his vast new bar, a Jamie’s Italian one-off, its owner is quoted thus: “Until now, we haven’t taken cocktails super seriously.” Perhaps the usually on-the-ball boy brand was too super busy with other gigs to twig that mixed drinks are lovely jubbly little earners. He may be late to the cocktail party, but thanks to JO’s drinks consultant Simon Difford (he of Diffordsguide), City Road’s ‘loft’ dwelling diggers of all things Oliver will be thrilled to find the likes of Aperol spritz, negroni and Americano - downed daily for a decade in other bars from Clapham to Canonbury - in the Angel. Staffed by inked, hirsute hipsters presumably recruited from Central Casting, a big butch island bar is the hub of this New Yawk-style studiedly cool lounge. Try Venetian life-affirmer, sorbetto (Grey Goose, Prosecco and lemon sorbet) or a limoncello twist on a classic sidecar. Unlike some London bars cashing in on an Italian tradition, the cheeky chappy does not cheekily charge for buffet items during ‘aperitivo hour’ - Monday to Friday from 5pm - 7pm. Nice one!
Jamie’s Italian, 409 St John Street EC1V 4AB 3435 9915 http://www.jamieoliver.com/italian/restaurants/islington image http://www.open.edu/
