The Modern Pantry, is to launch the Alpha Beta Bar on Monday 16 January at their Finsbury Square restaurant, partnering with award-winning mixologist, Ryan Chetiyawardana of Mr Lyan Group.
Taking inspiration from Head Chef Anna Hansen’s use of globally-inspired ingredients and bold flavours, Ryan has created a cocktail menu befitting the restaurant’s style that pairs perfectly alongside a bar menu made up of a collection of bites and small dishes.
The drinks menu will include cocktails such as, ‘Firecracker Fizz; Compass Box Artist’s Blend Whisky, Lemon, Apricot and Chilli Sherbet fluffed with soda', ‘Sgroppino G&T; Distilled Cream Gin, Strawberry & Cardamom Sorbet blitzed with grapefruit & tonic’, and ‘Dominican Daquiri; Matusalem Rum, raspberry pastis, Pineau de Charentes and yuzu.
The cocktail menu, created by Mr Lyan and his team, includes a selection of inventive ingredients paired with lesser-known spirits, as well as several that have been made in-house. Mr Lyan’s playful take on matching spirits and flavours has allowed the list to offer a variety of tastes to suit all guests.
For the bar snacks menu, Anna has chosen some of her favourite dishes from both sites, as well some new plates which work as complimentary small dishes alongside a cocktail. The bar menu includes, Anna’s signature ‘Sugar-cured prawn omelette with smoked chilli sambal’, ‘Cornish crab rarebit donut, squid ink & Urfa chilli salt', ‘Pan fried manouri, chamomile prune & confit shallot, and ‘Grilled octopus, liquorice & macadamia pesto’.
The U-shaped 18 seater bar located at the front of the restaurant, provides an opportunity to watch the theatre of cocktail making unfold and is an ideal location for all, including Finsbury Square’s local city workers. The name of the bar is derived from the Georgian building it’s housed in.
The Alphabeta Building, which was formerly home to a financial institution until the financial crash of 2008 and has since been remodelled and renamed. With arched windows, high ceilings and whitewashed walls, the standalone wooden beamed bar is a relaxed open space with modern design touches.
The Alpha Beta bar will open on Monday 16 January at The Modern Pantry, Finsbury Square from 12pm until late Monday to Saturday and 12pm to 4pm on Sunday. Reservations will be available by phone and email for groups of 4 or more.