FOOD & DRINK
The New Kids on the Block This year sees two new fun venues in Stamford, both from established hospitality businesses
Twelve All Saints Wine Bar Words & pictures: Victoria Magnall
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TAMFORD was treated to an early Christmas present at the end of last year, when The Wine Bar owners, Alex Way and Stephen Miskell, launched their sister bar, Twelve All Saints. A true labour of love, the team built the new bar themselves, using trade specialists for only one day. Named after its location, the vista is one of the most sought after, captured by local artists, photographers and tourists to Stamford. The inspired interior is already attracting a contemporary mix of clientele, choosing to either start or finish their evening with something a little more out of the ordinary. The clusters of pendant Edison light bulbs create an authentic vintage glow...no Instagram filter required for photos taken here! Spread over three floors, with individual rooms and quirky seating, customers are treated to an enchanted evening of decadent relaxation (often staying a lot longer than intended!) There is a real sense of theatre as the mixologists create their menu of masterpieces. From a vibrant Cosmopolitan to an irresistible Espresso Martini, the list of enticing concoctions is endless. The opulent experience does not end there; eye-catching copper vessels are now synonymous with All Saints and add to the ambiance of the venue...where else can you sip your Brockmans and tonic from a copper tumbler?! It is also apparent that the vast array of up and coming craft beer is appreciated by beer fans as their Facebook feed illustrates. Already having played host to birthday parties and festive gatherings, the venue lends itself equally to those wanting a quiet drink or groups looking for a lively meeting place to start their evening. There is a true clandestine vibe that identifies All Saints, something that enterprising bar owners far and wide are trying to establish yet very rarely achieve. Having attracted a great following on social media, customers constantly tag their fun images across Instagram and Facebook and it is easy to see why the new ‘Way-Miskell’ venture is proving to be yet another success story. Like a perfectly mixed cocktail, ‘All Saints’ is a blend of urban chic with a twist of Gilbert Scott. • 12 All Saints’, Stamford, PE9 2AB 01780 765335
Willoughby’s Lounge, Bar & Kitchen Kate Cadman opts for a Porn Star Martini with her pizza!
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NE of the latest nightspots to open its freshlyredecorated doors is Willoughby’s Lounge, Bar & Kitchen on Broad Street. Following a 19-month complete refurbishment of the old cinema building (and former nightclub), Central, the venue unveiled its new look at the end of January. “We took the building right back to its bricks and gave it a complete refit which included a brand new staircase,” explains Owner, Alex Pistolas. “Willoughby’s Lounge, Bar & Kitchen now offers a completely different The Porn Star Martini experience to the former nightclub. We are running a special meal offer from 5pm-10pm - a pizza and a cocktail for £10.95 - which is served upstairs in our Lounge area.” “We are aiming to give the people of Stamford something a little different,” adds Tracy Spring, who is the Bar Manager and has worked at the venue for 18 years. “Our cocktails are made to order using only fresh juices and our premium line spirits are aimed at customers who enjoy a high-quality drink like your gin connoisseur.” To help check out the newly-created menu, I took along some of the town’s fiercest food critics - my children! Before deciding on food choices, however, I just had to test out one of the highly recommended cocktails - a Porn Star Martini! The drink was presented beautifully and tasted exquisite. Between the four of us we shared two of the traditional, Italian-style, dinner-plate-sized pizzas (Margherita and Vesuvio, the latter, a spicy option
made with double pepperoni, fresh red chilli, mozzarella and tomato). The medium thickness dough bases were very obviously freshly prepared, with a gluten free option if required. A mix of sides and starters included soft doughy, warm bread, a tub of mixed olives, a pot of chips, a very fresh tomato and red onion salad dressed with a good splash of balsamic vinegar and ‘to die for’ dough balls. The array was devoured pretty swiftly with high praise from each child. I too was delighted with the good strength of chilli on the spicy pizza and the succulent salad side. Every morsel bar a few slices of pizza were consumed speedily and the leftovers were efficiently boxed up for us to take away. The atmosphere in the versatile, cavernous venue, which has space for 105 covers, was upbeat and appealing. We sat in a ‘booth’ which gave us the feeling of privacy whilst still being part of a bigger party atmosphere. The decor is an interesting fusion where glitz meets an industrial, functional interior. The waiting staff were attentive serving our drinks and food order quickly and efficiently and checking on our progress in a friendly yet non-intrusive way. Willoughby’s Lounge, Bar & Kitchen is open Wednesdays to Saturdays, serving food from 5pm10pm. Fridays and Saturdays the building morphs into a nightclub with a live DJ from 12pm - 3pm. At present, there’s no entrance fee for the Club. • To make a booking contact Willoughby’s Lounge, Bar & Kitchen: 01780 482662 STAMFORD LIVING MARCH 2017
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