Location: 16 Old Compton Street, W1D 4TL
Website: www.bincho.co.uk/whisky-joint
To Visit: Open as restaurant, every day between 5pm and close. No
bookings
To Note: Walk past the charcoal grill and its delicious smells towards
the back then down the stairs
Mizuwari, which translates as “mixed with water”, has officially opened
its doors; or at least the stairs that lead down from the back of Japanese
grill restaurant Bincho Yakitori. Situated beside LAB on Old Compton Street,
you need to walk to through the restaurant to the stairs to find this “1950’s Japan”
inspired whisky joint. The room can hold about 40 people and is kitted out with
low wooden tables and stools to match the wooden screens on the walls, set off
by large swords as decoration.
This is the work of Suntory, and shows off their three expressions Yamazaki,
Hakushu and Hibiki. And this is all they will be serving. But if you think that
whisky is not “your thing” think again as their list of cocktails is very
impressive from a simple twist of elder-flower and soda to a tea-ceremony type
drink with wasabi paste. And if you are whisky-mad and this is your “died and
gone to heaven” place, why not consider their bottle keep service? Buy your
bottle now and it will be waiting for you with your name on each time you
return. Just try not to over-do it with the most expensive option at over £500
a bottle! They also have decanters of water purified to an ancient recipe with
high grade Japanese charcoal, the same as used upstairs, to water down some of
those high abvs.
So if you are a fan of whisky, if you are a fan of cocktails or even if
you are just a fan of some innovative (in London) Japanese cooking don’t forget
the newest hidden drinking den.
(Pictures courtesy of 360 Communications, the brill PR team behind Suntory UK)
