Leading bartender Simone Caporale has begun a residency as “master of mixology” at the Libare bar at Italian restaurant Sartoria in London.
Simone, who was previously at the award-winning Artesian bar at London’s Langham Hotel, has created a range of cocktails to be served in the bar alongside a menu of cicchetti snacks.
It has been developed in partnership with Sartoria’s chef patron Francesco Mazzei (pictured with Simone below) and is running to November 30 every Wednesday with Simone in residence.
Simone has taken inspiration from the rich history of Savile Row, where the restaurant is located, and its strong tradition for the tailor-made experience. He has reinvented the classic Dry Martini exclusively for Sartoria as the elegant Savile Row Martini.
Pictured below, the drink has botanical notes of vetiver, orris root, musk and cedar wood, designed to reflect the bespoke fabrics seen in Savile Row’s tailors, and a smooth texture to mirror on the palate the experience of a tailored suit on the body.
Another creation is the White Spritz which combines prosecco with flavours of blood orange, adding a Venetian twist to this classic cocktail.
Style and innovation are combined in Monte Pimm’s, which sees a delicately bitter amaro mixed with seasonal fruits and Chinotto soda.
Francesco’s ciccheti include courgette croquettes, tagliolini gratin with chanterelles and truffle, calamari with courgette and chilli jam, and aubergine croquettes.
Simone said: “I am delighted to be working with Francesco and the whole team at Sartoria on presenting this exclusive and unique collection of cocktails. I have been greatly inspired by the timeless style and bespoke tailoring of Savile Row, and it is an honour to create a collection that captures the essence of this experience, whilst also reflecting the culinary excellence of the restaurant.”
Francesco added: “I am thrilled to be hosting Simone at Sartoria, and to have this collection of cocktails appearing exclusively in the Libare Bar. It has been a pleasure developing the menus together, in a partnership that celebrates the unique character of Savile Row, the essence of Sartoria, and our shared Italian heritage.”
Originally from Como in Italy, Simone moved to London in 2009 to pursue his career as a cocktail bartender, starting at Roast in Borough Market. He then moved to Artesian where, along with head bartender Alex Kratena, he was responsible for the bar being named World’s Best Bar for four consecutive years at the Spirited Awards in New Orleans.
Simone and Alex left Artesian last year to pursue other projects including the new global drinks network P(our).
