New Opening: Tonic and Remedy

When I heard earlier this year that my good friend and cocktail maestro Jeremy Pascal was helping to create the libation list for brand new bar Tonic and Remedy, then I was naturally very keen to see what concoctions he might create. After all, this is the guy who was one of the winners of the Benedictine competition last year, and put together the admirable menu for Sixty One Marble Arch. I was excited, to say the least.

 

Fast forward to May this year and my excitement has reached its peak, since I am standing on City Road, facing the brand new glass façade of M by Montcalm. This is a trendy addition to the Montcalm hotels, and certainly looks the part, with its sleek, chic exterior and gorgeous lobby with swooping staircase leading up to the bar. A retro flashing sign the colour of Jessica Rabbit’s lips announces that this is where Tonic and Remedy resides, so we stepped inside.

The cocktail list aims to restore, revitalize, and reignite a passion for mixed libations. Creativity and innovation are paramount, without compromising on balance. It’s no wonder the signature drink is named The Apothecary, and in a moment Jeremy is whipping one up for us.

The bar itself is very glamorous; a long impressive curve with outrageously comfortable padded bar stools that you won’t want to leave. The back bar is resplendent with every kind of spirit, tonic, liqueur and infusion imaginable (and some you won’t have even considered). But we can’t keep our eyes off of what is happening in front of us – there are flames, there is Benedictine, there is rosemary – and then a long pour into a shining copper-coloured metal beaker. It’s a short drink, strong and bold, and is topped with diamonds of crushed ice and a sprig of rosemary.

We take a swig, and I am once more reminded why Jeremy’s cocktails are so exciting. It is, as my drinking companion remarks ‘like no cocktail I’ve tried before’. There’s no point of reference like ‘it’s similar to this’ or ‘tastes like a pimped up version of this…’ because it’s wholly unique. There’s a herbaceous nose from the Benedictine, and a delicious, complex sweetness from butterscotch and peach jam, as well an extra kick from Drambuie. It’s absolutely delicious.

Next Jeremy delivers a Lady Marmalade, and stunning she is too. Made with vodka, Cointreau, house-made grapefruit marmalade and Campari, then topped with champagne, it’s elegant and exotic at once, what with those delicately fizzing bubbles and a sunset hue to the drink. It’s also delightfully refreshing while also having that luxury of champers.

Another absolute favourite is the Myst-erios Sazerac. I adore a good sazerac, and this is a lighter version, delivered with all the theatre and innovation that you should expect (we won’t spoil the surprise). It’s powerful and fresh and comes with an accompanying cloud of candy floss to add sweetness – and is one of my favourites.

Next up we have something a little medicinal, in the form of the Bar’Rock’Ka. A powder looking suspiciously like Lemsip is poured into a beaker, and then the special cocktail of gin, green chartreuse and other healing potions are added to make a frothy drink that does have a restorative hint to the orange fizz. And, make sure that whatever you do, you don’t miss the Ernest Especial, which is an incomparably delicious drink of Havana Club, celery, peach, agave, fresh lime, absinthe and black pepper. As devilish and enthralling as the man himself.

Now, if you’re thinking that all these drinks might leave you rather tiddled, then you’d be right – but fear not, because the accompanying restaurant means you can line your stomach, and experience the delicious menu that takes feel-good food and delivers them with major panache, in a relaxed setting. We sat by the window and looked out over the city as we dined on fabulous smoked eel pate served with fluffy scones and a deliciously more-ish salad of Oxford blue cheese, crunchy pear and the seductive sweetness of candied walnuts. My main was a perfectly cooked steak, served charred on the outside and quivering within, with golden shards of crunchy chips and a sumptuous garlic sauce, while my vegetarian partner had wolfed down her tart with such gusto I could only assume she’d adored it. The cooking is fresh, delivers just the flavours one wants, and yet has that hint of quality and flair that makes you remember the meal fondly for weeks afterwards. We washed the whole thing down with a delightful ‘Le Petit Clos’ Pinot Noir from Marlborough – fruity, not too heavy, and with a rich, jammy finish. It was, in all, a completely fabulous evening.

Am I glad and slightly relieved that Tonic and Remedy is as accomplished and wonderful as I’d hoped? Of course. But I’m not surprised either. All I can say is that the menu needs to be experienced, and then you too will be extolling the virtues of these inventive, exciting and wholly unexpected cocktail treats.