If three years ago you told me that a restaurant serving only desserts were going to be the new craze, I’d have probably told you it would never work. However with the ever-growing food scene and selection of exotic cuisines available we’ve already come to that point where Peruvian food is the norm and croughnuts are old-fashioned – London now has to think of new ideas and it’s latest seems to be dessert and cocktail bars/restaurants. The question I want to know however is, can places like these really survive focusing on just sweet desserts? If you’re like me – I never skip the sweet course at a restaurant and I’m not sure I could really replace my dinner with dessert either.
Basement Sate opened in the Summer of 2014 and is the brainchild of Cathleen McGarry – the co-owner of the world-renowned Sherry Butt cocktail bar in Paris. The interior here is half speakeasy and half New York cocktail bar. Personally I’m not a huge fan of its decor as it all feels a little bare, although I’m sure once it’s busy and bodies surround the room the vibe is completely different. The most important thing however is the food and drink – which doesn’t disappoint. A Her Cocktail got us in the mood (and a little fuzzy) as this strong concoction was a delicious mixture of Irish whiskey, dry vermouth, amontillado sherry and luxardo maraschino. Some savoury light pastry fingers with humus and guacamole was also an attractive start to help prep our sweet tooth. You’ll have to forgive my photos too, it’s pretty dark in this basement.
The one bad thing (if there were one) about a visit to Basement Sate – is getting carried away. There are so many tantalising sounding cocktails on the menu and delicious array of desserts that you simply want to try it all. Our favourite cocktail ended up being the Turtle Avenue – a mixture of rum, spiced pineapple syrup and coconut water. Imagine a pina colada, but fresher. The lime zest on the top gave it a very moorish flavour and made it even harder not to drink this stuff by the vat load. A playful Kinder Surprise dessert was a chocolate sphere filled with chocolate brownie, tonka whipped cream, hazelnuts and a sumptuous praline foam. As far as desserts go this one was pretty delicious – all it needed was for that sphere to be much easier to break open – whether that’s in the form of a softer chocolate or a hot chocolate sauce over the top, It doesn’t matter – but I think an element of theatrics could play a huge (HUGE) part at this place from staff interaction and playful additions.
Constantly referring to my Kevin Spicy cocktail as a Kevin Spacey, it was strangely not very spicy at all – even after our waitresses pre-warning. That said the flavour was spot on, I’d just like a little more chilli, don’t be shy, Basement Sate. Yet another dessert and what turned out to be the show-stopper was the delicious Break an Egg. Lime and passion fruit curd with coconut mousse, crumble and passion fruit jelly. Desserts here are made for sharing, except the only problem is, you won’t want to share any of them. Especially this refreshing and indulgent dessert which I think, must have been made with me in mind – I loved it.
We admittedly came here very early and didn’t party the night away, but I’m assured that come the late evening, this place is the buzzing cocktail heady dessert bar people flock here to divulge into. When it comes to décor and a door which actually has a sign above it, Basement Sate isn’t helping itself, but when it comes to cocktails and desserts – they certainly know what they’re doing. If you’re in need of a few desserts and far too many cocktails then this is the place for you, although just remember – you may want to Google map the entrance first because I’m not sure a hazy eye at 11pm would have any luck finding this place. Pssst – It’s the orange door which reads “This is not a brothel, there are no prostitutes at this address”.
7/10
I was invited to review
