Lost in Tokyo – don’t send out the search party just yet…

I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for a cellar, basement, anywhere that involves a descent to a drink, bar. This is one of the latest to hit the Northern Quarter and had me at the title. 

  
Three visits in and I’m sold. From the mix of intimate tables and booths (Lord am I a sucker for a booth), the pretty low-lit lanterns and the elegant but verging on tongue in cheek touches to the cocktails, the hideaway on Stevenson Square delivers classic NQ with a different enough twist to keep things fresh.

  
And speaking of such things, I shall return to the cocktails.

I am by no means a cocktail bore. My general philosophy has always been why ruin a perfectly good spirit or glass of champagne by adding all and sundry. However, I have had my head turned a little here.

Tapping into the new penchant for  vanilla vodka, Memoirs of a Geisha not only delivers beautiful flavours but a prop no Japanese Doll should be without – a pretty, paper fan (step aside, ironic umbrellas).

 
Whilst I would also recommend the Asa Akira (a picture, a peg and some prosecco – it’s all there) and the Spirited Away, I am by no means finished with making my way through the menu 
  
Having previously visited with a drinking partner who was drawn in by the Japanese Lager on offer, it wasn’t until my third visit with my imouto that i realised that to buy two of these wonderful creations, is to pay just £10. 

I’m advised that the bar also does a mean line in Japanese whiskies. All I can say on this front is they do sell them, yes. I’ve not had them and this isn’t a press release. 

I can’t describe the soundtrack really. Rock-y? Pop-y? I recall Queen and Michael Jackson. Unexpected, but I don’t know exactly would have fulfilled my probably cliched expectations; the Kill Bill soundtrack? The Vapors’ anthem for onanism?

To conclude, and paraphrase my latter, lazy Japanese-related reference, will I return ? I really think so.