My still-working friend was at a meeting at Euston Tower and suggested a bottle of fizz late afternoon at the “Champagne Bar”:http://searcysstpancras.co.uk/champagne-bar/ at St Pancras – better still he was offering to pay as it had been my birthday whilst he was on holiday (a small price to pay in return for listening to tales of California).
At 4.15pm, it was very quiet. The bar, which I’ve been to many times, never fails to impress. It’s on the upper floor mezzanine opposite Searcys restaurant. There’s a variety of seating with squashy sofas, tables and chairs, seats at the bar. But my favourite are twelve stylish, booths which line the length of bar with their Art Deco lamps and marble tables tops. Although only one was taken, each had an ice bucket filled with ice at the end.
We used the ‘press for champagne’ button and were presented with both the drinks and snack menu. In addition, there was a separate list of 10 champagnes which were discounted by 30%, 40% or 50%. Needless to say, the most heavily discounted still ranged in price from £110 to £150. However, five were £70 and just under and I asked the waiter which of those he’d recommend. Without hesitation, he suggested the Pol Roger Reserve Brut (NV). Now, in my time, I confess I’ve seen a fair few bottles of fizz opened but never in the style the young man used. He simply loosened the wire cage but left it on the cork, tipped the bottle 30 degrees and used the wire to grip whilst he twisted the bottle. I have yet to try this at home.
As S-W Friend had not had time for lunch (it wasn’t like that in my day), we nibbled on a plate of Artisan British cheeses (Ragstone, Stilton, Wigmore, Keen’s cheddar). It was a good selection and came with interesting biscuits, celery, grapes and chutney – but it should have for £19. The “bar menu”:http://searcysstpancras.co.uk/menus/#menu-3 also has a range of other sharing plates, small plates and nibbles at prices which will make you question whether you are really hungry – The British Isles Board: oysters, lobster, dressed crab, prawns £68.
Our glasses were frequently topped and the service was excellent. On one occasion, S-W Friend mentioned my birthday which the waiter assumed was that day (and we didn’t abuse him) and he returned with two thumb-nail size pieces of cake on a plate adorned with ‘happy birthday’ in chocolate icing. SW Friend thought it might have been slightly more generous bearing in mind the cost.
Just before we left, the Eurostar train which had been in the platform right next us, left bound for Paris. We both thought how nice it would have been to hop over to Paris for dinner!
In the winter months, it can get quite cold but they provide blankets and heaters.
It is decadent but lovely – especially when someone else is paying!
