Nothing says winter like a trip to the chemist! This time we're swapping colds for cocktails and kebabs as we settle in for a science-fuelled feast at The Alchemist.
After a day trailing the rails and ticking off Christmas lists, there’s nothing better than a wind-down cocktail or two followed by a hearty, seasonal supper.
The Alchemist in Grey’s Quarter is the perfect place to switch off from shopping and soak up the festive atmosphere as day turns to night.
Whether it’s cocktail o’clock with your chums, a Friday feast night with the whole family, or you just want to fill your boots after a day on your feet; it brings cocktails, class and comfort food in equal measure - with a bit of science-fuelled fun thrown in too!
The periodic table-style cocktail menu wins us over instantly - guiding us through the ins and outs of every creative concoction. Can we work our way through them all?
After much deliberation, we opt for a pair of feel-good favourites - the Pot o’Gold (£8.50) and the 5oz of Happiness (£13)! The Pot o’Gold is a rhubarb and grapefruit, gin-infused tipple served with a punchy pineapple booze jelly. A slurp of the jelly followed by a sip of the cocktail is a science experiment worth celebrating.
The fun doesn’t stop there. We’re pleased to see the raspberry flavoured 5oz of Happiness arrive in its very own branded hip flask. It seems The Alchemist is the place to be for striking up a cocktail conversation. Every tipple has a tale and if you’re lucky, you might even see a bit of science in the making as drinks dissolve, smoke and sparkle!
Can the food get an A* grade in the lab, too? We kick things off with the deep fried mac ’n’ cheese (£5.25) and the salt and pepper pulled pork (£6.50). The mac ’n’ cheese balls are everything a cheese-lover ever dreamed of. Perfectly creamy with a crisp coating. The pulled pork pancakes are the perfect sharers, served with smacked cucumber salad.
Next up it’s another build-your-own meal - the beef fillet fajitas (£14), served with sautéed peppers and onions on a hot skillet. Meltin-your-mouth beef chunks wrapped up in a warm tortilla wrap with a slap of guac and sour cream - perfect!
Our dinner date opts for the deconstructed lamb kebab (£17.50) - a posh take on the dish, with rump and shoulder of lamb, hummus, harissa and rice. A side of skin on fries (£3) seals the deal for our Friday night feast in NE1.
There’s no such thing as tiny portions at The Alchemist, so we squeeze in something sweet with a potion or two! Our desserts are delivered in the form of an Espresso Martini (£9) and the White Chocolate Irish (£7). Creamy, boozy deliciousness to give us that warm fuzzy feeling before we venture out into the cold!
Like the sound of a science-fuelled feast this season? The Alchemist’s ‘Spirit of Christmas’ menu brings all your festive favourites to the table; expect everything from turkey roulade and ribeye beef, pear and walnut salad, spiced nut roast and Christmas pud!
Keep us updated on your festive feasting this season. Whether it's The Alchemist, or another city centre spot, keep us updated with your snaps on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!
