Viajante (bar)

An apt precursor to the full gastronomic monty at Viajante is an ‘unconventional cocktail’ at the Viajante bar. It’s a seductive room within the Edwardian former town hall: sexier & more sophisticated than the restaurant, truth be told, & rapidly becoming as much of a destination. The chandelier art installation, in particular, is something to behold. An exceptionally well-made three-gin martini or classic martinez is the match of any served up West, while the ‘crazy’ signature cocktails – such as the spiced old fashioned with saffron tapioca garnish, or Genghis Khan with sea buckthorn, chartreuse & a gold leaf garnish – prove that Nuno Mendes isn’t the only one in the house with flair. There’s even a ‘cocktail tasting menu’ to match some dishes. Otherwise, a list of Asian & Spanish-inspired ‘tapas’ doesn’t stint on flavour; seek out the shrimp pot stickers & fish tacos.