Chef Anthony Demetre and designer Michael Sodeau are opening their first Vermuteria Café & Bar in London’s new flagship destination, Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross. The Coal Drops Yard site retains many original features in its new guise, including brickwork within the arches and wooden beams, and the interior features a range of drinks-related memorabilia and artwork, as well as an impressive collection of vintage Vermouth bottles.
Drawn together by their shared passion for food, drink and cycling, this first incarnation of Vermuteria sees the partners bringing together a café-bar concept with elements of old Vermouth, Amaro and Fernet. It is these elements that form Vermuteria. Great coffee from London artisan roasters using La Marzocco machines, a selection of Viennoiserie, and the all-day menu starting with seasonal breakfast dishes, followed by lunch, a plat du jour, some light cicchetti, cheese, charcuterie and salads to eat in or for takeaway. In that typical European café style, Vermuteria offers all-day dining so a combination of small plates, a Vermouth, a cocktail, a choice selection of wine or beer.
Mixing British and European influences, dishes include Pissaladière, Cervelle de canut, Trapizzino, Chorizo and snails, Pork cheek croquettes with pickled cucumber and nduja mayonnaise, Wild mushrooms and snails on toast, Pig’s ears, and Confit duck leg. Desserts and pastries are a highlight, with classic French-influenced options such as Paris Brest, Rum baba, Cannelé, Kouign Amann and various sweet tarts.
Vermouth takes centre stage in the form of a simple apéritifs, a base for cocktails and pairings with food. There is an extensive collection of Vermouth from vintage bottles, plus many new artisanal crafted Vermouths from all over Europe. “I love a traditional, proper Negroni – and Vermouth is my tipple of choice,” explained Anthony. “I have been experimenting with infusing Vermouths with botanicals to enhance the flavour options, and Vermuteria will feature at least 30 different Vermouths. And the food? It will be casual British with a huge nod to Europe.”
