Baltic, the Southbank restaurant opened by Jan Woroniecki (owner of Ognisko, South Kensington) will launch a new bar on Wednesday 28th October. To coincide, the restaurant will usher in a menu from newly appointed Head Chef, Piotr Fortuna bringing with him culinary traditions and influences from his hometown of Krakow, Poland.
Piotr’s new menu will include dishes such as the classic Bigos or ‘hunters stew’ made with Venison, beef, Polish Sausage and topped with sauerkraut; Lamb Bozbash, a braised lamb shoulder with Okra spiked with Coriander seed and fenugreek, and Kwasnica a broth of sauerkraut and roasted pork belly. Diners may also sample traditional offerings such as Pierogi, Flaki and fresh herring fried with lingonberries from the new menu.
The bar
The bar will be made from hot rolled steel, lit with amber light boxes and lined with banquette seating backed with distressed mirrored panels. There will be an ostrich-skin covered wall and the bar will be stocked with large demijohns, displaying Baltic’s house-infused vodkas.
Vodka will lead the drinks list at the bar, with signature cocktails including Spiced Pear Mojito – house infused Pear wódka churned with fresh lime and mint cinnamon syrup, pressed apple juice, Angostura bitters topped with soda water £8.50; Beetroot Martini – wyborowa wódka shaken with beetroot & lime juice, soya sauce & spices; and the Baltic Manhattan; Caramel infused Vodka stirred with Old Forester Bourbon, Martini Rosso and Angustura Bitters, a classic cocktail with Baltic’s twist.
Cocktails will be followed by an extensive list of Baltic’s famous Vodka Martinis based on some of the best Polish distillations. A menu of vodkas infused in-house with fresh fruits, herbs & spices will list unique flavours such as Dill, Rhubarb & Apple and Horseradish. Baltic’s predominately European wine list, featuring a strong selection of Hungarian and Georgian wines, will make the perfect foil to Piotr’s menu, with many bottles also available by the glass and carafe.
Baltic restaurant
Built in the 1780s and originally used as a factory making church artifacts, the restaurant was renovated by Seth Stein Architects in 2000. Elements of the building’s history still remain, with its grand front doors and caryatids. Emeco chairs, imported from Pennsylvania are also steeped in history – originally designed for use in American submarines during WW2. Baltic’s elegant aesthetic is complemented by an intricate instillation of drying roses by the artist, Rebecca Law and an Amber chandelier.
Baltic Bar & Restaurant, 74 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8HA