I had never heard of Assouline before hearing about the Swan Bar that offers some bodacious cocktails at the Maison Assouline store. I figured being that we weren't far from the location after afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason on Piccadilly, we would take a gander over. We were very pleased.
The Maison Assouline is a very stylish bookstore with its own line of books, gifts, and other types of collectibles. All the books for sale appear to come from the Assouline line, comprising both the latest releases and other rare editions of classics as well.
If you go past the main row of bookshelves and around the corner, you will see the exquisite and cool Swans Bar. The primary reason for our visit, and a glorious visit it was. Elegant and sophisticated, Swans Bar offers a menu for both food and drink. But we were there for the skilled cocktails we heard being crafted there.
For my money, the Dirty Gibson and the Milky Plane were excellent choices that allowed me to live my best life as we made our way around London. The Dirty Gibson was first as I usually kick things off with a gin-based cocktail, which the one was quite succinct with intense flavors between the honey-balsamic onion and cocchi. It was subtle but complex, intriguing but explosive with the flavors that penetrated the palate. Certainly memorable. The Milky Plane went in a different, bolder, richer direction, comprising Michter's Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Montenegro, Amaro Santoni, milk, with a strawberry. It was extraordinary and satisfying to where I could have sat at our table for hours and done nothing else all day in Central London, and that would have been fine with me. read more