I don’t know why you would, but if you had to break down your last great night out into its constituent parts and rank them on a pleasure scale, we reckon cocktails and dessert would come out pretty near the top. Sorry all you famous executive chefs, but the barman and the pâtissier are the real stars of the show. Dubliner Cathleen McGarry, owner of the much-loved Paris cocktail haunt Sherry Butt, has decided to cut to the chase with a new London venue that specialises in the 3Ds: drinks, desserts and dancing.
Basement Sate is located on Broadwick Street in bustling Soho, and employs the talents of Provençal pastry chef Dorian Picard (of Gordon Ramsey’s Maze) and mixologist Byly Tran (Prescription Cocktail Club). Over indulge in either maestro’s creations and the interior has plenty of cosy, dark wood snugs in which to recover; fine leather furniture comes courtesy of Fleming and Howland. With all that sugar coursing through the veins, however, it’s more likely you’ll want to take advantage of the dancing facilities. A Martin Audio system and DJ residents from London and Paris – playing jazz, electronic hip hop and instrumental through the week and soulful/deep house at the weekends – has you amply covered.
