The background

Duck & Waffle is a City stalwart, known for its breathtaking views from the 40th floor of Heron Tower and for its 24-hour service, bringing champagne, cocktails and comfort food to a mixed crowd of well-heeled businessmen, celebrating groups and courting couples. Despite having the best views in London – views that never get old – and a well-established reputation for food and drink that manage to live up to the restaurant’s setting, Duck & Waffle isn’t somewhere that rests on its laurels. The restaurant just launched a new winter cocktail menu of delicious concoctions set to warm the cockles until spring breaks.

We’ve Got the Beet served at Duck & Waffle

The food and drink

Start with something from the new cocktail menu while taking in the sparkling city below. The cocktails at Duck & Waffle are known for being ambitious and sophisticated and for making use of the expert restaurant kitchen to create new flavours and ideas.

The winter menu includes the waffle on the rocks, a cocktail that distills the restaurant’s signature dish that combines waffle-flavoured vodka with St Germain elderflower liqueur,  Drambuie scotch, lime cordial and maple syrup; the nutty and moreish pecan old fashioned, which combines pecan and vanilla-infused Woodford Reserve bourbon, Amontillado sherry, maple syrup and orange bitters; the sparkling and layered autumn royale made from Monkey Shoulder scotch, peach and chestnut liquor, Martini Fiero, champagne and honey; and the striking and savoury we’ve got the beet, crafted from Woodford Reserve bourbon, beetroot shrub, Barolo Chinato and coriander syrup. The lavender blues offers a delicate, floral concoction made from Bombay Sapphire gin, lavender, Triple Sec, blueberry cordial and lemon while the striking and complex sparkle in the sky is crafted from an intriguing combination of clarified milk punch, tarragon and orange-infused Woodford Reserve bourbon and sparkling winter essence.

It is a wonderful selection and perfect for matching to the food menu. A waffle on the rocks with a plate of duck and waffle makes an indulgent and comforting treat. Or try combining the nuttiness of the pecan old fashioned with one of the truffle-inflected dishes at Duck & Waffle, including the delicious mushroom and truffle risotto, or crispy polenta with truffle mayonnaise. Other menu highlights include the corn ribs with a spicy, sticky sauce; maple-glazed cornbread with harissa yoghurt and twice-baked cheddar souffle with added winter truffle.

For those who don’t fancy a cocktail, Duck & Waffle has an extensive wine and champagne list including a vast selection of Taittinger.

The bill

A three-course meal for two with cocktails, around £150

 The verdict

Duck & Waffle is always a good time and the restaurant’s rejuvenated cocktail menu and constant ambition in bringing diners new things always makes it worth visiting or revisiting.

duckandwaffle.com