The folks at Dram & Smoke know how to serve up a winter feast. Thanks to them I had an awesome, warm and filling birthday dinner. Here’s what went down under that Bermondsey arch.
Following a sold out run in 2014, Scottish pop-up Dram & Smoke returned to its former home in a leather tannery warehouse just off Bermondsey Street.
For four weeks, Dram & Smoke will celebrate the best of Scottish produce serving a feast from the kitchen alongside whisky cocktails, great beer and banging tunes. The atmosphere is very much private house party meets candlelit clandestine supper club. Ping pong, foosball and a host of other games are also available for those with fidgety feet and a competitive spirit. Yet, Dram & Smoke still manages to be cosy, with blankets on the chairs and a homely feel given by the big shared tables.
We were welcomed with a warming hot toddy to introduce the brand-new Dram & Smoke five course menu (£40), an impressive mix of winter vegetables, fish and pork with a banging dessert and great Scottish craft beers.
Kick-starting the food feast were Dram & Smoke’s incredible duck doughnuts served with Irn Bru Chilli Jam. The doughnuts have an aftertaste of cinnamon that matches perfectly with the zingy chilli jam, a real match made in heaven. I dare you to find anything wrong with this mighty fine dish – other than you’d want much more than just one, that is.
Up next were the potted smoked mushrooms, with Dunsyre blue cheese and homemade pickles, served on toasted bread croutons. Although not everyone at the table loved the blue cheese, I found the dish incredibly refreshing and special, almost a summer reminder among all that cooked goodness.
After the mushroms a lovely lobster broth played on London’s lobster craze in a tiny shooter glass you were supposed to sip like a hot beverage, the perfect preparation for what was coming next.
The supper club’s main was no joke: an epic carve-at-the-table roast rack of pork gave attendees a true Scottish experience with its side of Stornoway black pudding, chargrilled plums, chestnuts and buckets of crisp cracklings. This was carved at the table by one of the supper club’s guests – the most practical with meat carving – with everyone’s amusement. The pork was definitely one of the evening’s strongest points, both for the serving experience and for its smokey feel.
The best however came for last: Dram & Smoke’s whisky bread & butter pudding with jugs of malted milk custard was without doubt one of the best desserts I’ve ever had in my life, surely a banging way to replace the usual birthday cake. A heart-warming winter treat, I barely left some for the rest of the table.
With food served up at large round 10-12 people tables (plus a banquet table for 20) D&S is all about getting stuck in and hanging out with your neighbours.
Thanks Dram & Smoke for such an awesome birthday present… I even suited up for it!
Venue:
2-3 Black Swan Yard
London Bridge
London, SE1 3XW
Nearest Transport:
London Bridge
Price:
£40 per ticket includes:
- Welcome cocktail upon arrival
- 5 course tasting menu (vegetarian options available)
Tickets:
Available online via DesignMyNight
Opening Times:
Running for 4 weeks (Tues – Sat) this winter from Fri 27th November.
Launch Weekend: Fri 27 Nov – Sun 29 Nov
Week 3: Tues 08 Dec – Sat 12 Dec
Week 4: Tues 15 Dec – Sat 19 Dec
Tuesday Evenings: 19.30 – 00.00
Wednesday Evenings: 19.30 – 00.00
Thursday Evenings: 19.30 – 00.00
Friday Evenings: 19.30 – 00.00
Saturday Evenings: 19.30 – 00.00
Pictures: Dram & Smoke, Manifest London
