Lounge 12, Manchester House.

It's been nearly a year since I ate at Manchester House, we are due a return. In the meantime we were invited to the Lounge Bar on the twelfth floor to sample a few cocktails and snacks from the new menu they have up there and to give our opinions. This food has no connection to chef Aiden Byrne's restaurant downstairs as he hasn't got the time to check everything here as well (he doesn't want to put his name to food he has no control over, which is fair enough). It's more in the way of dips and small snacks to go with your drinks. I think they should expand it though to include more tapas style dishes, but these are a pretty good start. (See our review of Cloud 9 Bar in Prague here for the sort of thing I mean.

We like that there's no dress code unlike Cloud 23. Dress codes never remove the 'troublesome' element in my experience, in fact just the opposite. (An impromptu visit to Cloud a few years ago was unsuccessful as they refused me entry for trainers, I've never forgiven them for it!) The cocktail menu has been redesigned and simplified but is still extensive. Cocktails; Mine. A Smoky Old Fashioned. A mix of Woodford reserve bourbon, maple syrup and Jerry Thomas bitters, smoked with oak chips and served over an ice ball.

Hers; a Raspberry Mojito. A popular fruity variation on the classic recipe with Havana Club Especial gold rum, raspberry liqueur, lime juice, sugar and fresh raspberries, topped up with cloudy apple juice.

Black Olive Tapenade, Aubergine Caviar, Pickled Red Pepper, Orange and Cardamom Green Olives, Basil Pesto.

Mango Mojito. A more tropical variation on the original, with Sailor Jerry spiced rum, mango purée,lime juice, sugar, mint and soda water. And a Mint Julep; The classic recipe with Woodford Reserve bourbon in place of the cognac and Crème de Peche with touch of brown sugar for sweetness.

Please note we generally do not to review 'comped' meals or drinks on this website such as this one, but we will occasionally preview and photograph select restaurants and bars when invited. 
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