Câv is a new bar on Paradise Row in Bethnal Green
It’s been set up by Chris Tanner (Dram London), and Edwin Frost, formerly of Half Cut Market and Shoreditch’s Oranj. Having first opened at the start of March, only serving cocktails and drinks, Câv has now welcomed its first kitchen residency, Tasca, from sommelier Sinead Murdoch and her partner Josh Dallaway, who is in charge of the food.
Eat This
As the name hints at, Tasca’s menu is largely influenced by Portugal and Spain. And true to form, we began with all three gildas – a jamon beurre gilda, courgette and Spenwood cheese gilda, and a classic Cantabrian anchovy gilda.
The rest of the menu is a short series of small plates so you can try a lot of dishes between two. We loved the aged duck empada; scallops in a Bilbaína-style sauce made with burnt garlic, dried chilies, and Tasca’s own cider vinegar; and the Brixham crab with pepper butter and leek.
Best two dishes of the night, however, were the razor clam rice (absolute flavour bomb) and the Cachorrinho, a Porto-originating sandwich stuffed with pork and prawns, Ossau Iratty cheese, and piri-piri oil.
Drink This
80% of Sinead’s wine list features wines made by women and focuses on natural and low-intervention wines produced in Portugal and Spain. There is an especially great Portuguese Pet Nat that makes for a good start with a gilda.
Cocktails are of course a big focus here too, given Edwin and Chris’ backgrounds. The menu is split into three distinct sections: One-Sip cocktails; Signature Cocktails; and finally, Sharers which include 12-15% ABV spirit-led cocktails crafted as an alternative to wine. So there’s Picantes, a House Martini served dry with either Ramsbury gin or vodka, and originals such as the Tu (Bazo), made with The Lost Explorer mezcal, coconut, pineapple, arbol and Sauternes.
Why Go
Good food, good drinks, good people. What’s not to love!
Key Information
Address | 255 Paradise Row, London E2 9LE
For more information | @cav255.london