69 Colebrooke Row

What Heston B is to food, Tony Conigliaro is to drink; the ex-Shochu Lounge scientist’s kit incorporates centrifuges, cold smokers, pot stills & ‘rotovapours’. The wizard also sets about transmuting Chanel No.5 into a sippable mix – infusing a Champagne cocktail’s sugar lump with a chemistry set of exotic essential oils. It’s a triumph – as is a line-up of vintage Manhattans using aged Buffalo Trace laid down on the premises. Brandy made to Tony’s specification at the Merlet distillery informs his slant on a Spitfire (Cognac, crème de pêche, lemon, sugar & white wine). Conigliaro recently snapped up the title of International Bartender of 2009, so don’t come here to drink vodka & Red Bull. The miniscule speakeasy-style bar pays homage to 1940s film noir, & there’s a selection of Italian aperitivi to nibble.