Award-winning restaurateur Markus Thesleff is bringing experimental cocktails to London’s Notting Hill through Mexican Japanese-inspired bar Viajante87. Set to open in late November, the house joins sister lounge Los Mochis in delivering Baja-Nihon power via all components, together with cocktail, design, and bar bites.
Bar Director Panos Kanatsoulis (previously of Mr Fox Bar, The Clumsies in Athens, and Zuma Dubai) designed the cocktail menu at Viajante87 with a devoted mixology lab sprawling throughout the basement (with solely a handful current in London), it would concentrate on a zero waste drinks philosophy, cutting-edge cocktail creations and experimental crafting methods.
The late-night vacation spot will concentrate on 100% agave-based signature cocktails alongside all of the classics. Heading up the Agaveria might be Siri Johansson, (previously Bungalow 8, OKKU Dubai and Vivir Tequila) and Paolo Silvestri (previously of LPM London & Dubai, Corrigans, and Hu Tong). Mixed with Panos’s 11 years of hands-on expertise, the extent of talent and experience displayed within the elevated drinks providing will push the boundaries, with progressive serves together with the Frida (La Familia tequila additional anejo, citrus sherbert, chamomile-oregano syrup, rosemary bitters, plum liquor, and champagne), the Cherry Blanco (tequila blanco, bitter cherry marmalade, clarified coca-cola), and the Viajante Martini (tequila reposado, bell peppers, fermented mead, inexperienced tea sherry).
Viajante87 focuses on showcasing sustainability and zero-waste wherever doable, as such, waste and off-cuts might be repurposed and recycled inside the drinks program. The Smoked Earth cocktail represents this, utilizing The Misplaced Explorer mezcal Espadin, lacto-fermented kitchen veggies (carrots, candy potato, pink cabbage, beetroot, purple corn), jalapeno, sansho berry pepper, coriander seeds, wasabi distillate, fleur de sel.
Taking a cue from sister restaurant Los Mochis, the ‘bar snacks,’ makes use of seasonal, sustainable merchandise and consists of amongst others a trio of crispy rices topped with the likes of spicy salmon, guacamole & recent truffle, and habanero teriyaki duck; a variety of kushiyaki’s, a tasty wagyu sando in addition to a chef’s number of sashimi.
Positioned down a discreet road, subsequent to Los Mochis, the subterranean enclave options banquettes snaking round the principle room with velvet stools hidden in darkish, intimate corners. The 1,500sq ft Agaveria-cum-Izakaya will convey a brand new idea to the West London panorama, the place Tokyo meets Tulum, embodying the famed unique bars of a bygone period. ‘Viajante’, which interprets to ‘explorer,’ will convey to life this Pan-Pacific spirit, taking every visitor on a timeless journey, the place the cocktails are nice, the persons are higher, and the vibe is excessive.
Designer Hamilford Design has delivered the identical degree of consideration to the interiors, by sourcing high-quality supplies to create a classy design softened by low mood-lighting, oozing modernised glamour. All eyes might be drawn to a novel hand-carved totem, a 20. ft backlit bar of recycled glass, all surrounded by a characteristic wall made completely out of carved cork accented with artwork items by the gifted Mexican artist Oms Rocha. A one-of-a-kind masks will function the centrepiece of the bar by the acclaimed Mexican artist Tellache, creator of the enduring Los Mochis mural.
Music will play an integral position at Viajante87, the place a 2am licence and in depth DJ programme of tribal home beats impressed by international journey will create a cool environment for not solely discerning drinkers but in addition music lovers.
“I really feel that West London has been lacking one thing like this, so when the chance arose to open a really particular cocktail-based hideaway, we leapt on the likelihood,” mentioned Thesleff. “It has allowed us a brand new channel for creativity while preserving the vibe excessive and music key. We’ve taken the weather that we all know work and utilized them to a various cocktail providing targeted round our Agaveria, opening up the chances of what we’re in a position to do. The way in which folks eat spirits has modified, they need someplace enjoyable, darkish, and complicated the place they will let unfastened, that is the proper antidote.”
Positioned at Basement 87 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JZ, Viajante87 is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm to 12am and Friday through Saturday from 5pm to 2am. For extra info, head over to the bar’s official web site.
