Bar Review: Revolution, Preston

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Preston Revolution – In Need Of Revolution

I am a fan of the Vodka Revolution chain, in theory. However, everything that could go wrong does go wrong in Preston. Revolution’s recent refurbishment and prominent promotional literature suggested ambitions of a proper cocktail bar – nothing could be further from the truth.

Here’s how to improve:

  • Revolution Preston staff need basic cocktail knowledge. Not pretentious levels of flamboyance, but not knowing a Vodka Martini was embarrassing for someone called Vodka Revolution. Requesting a Caipirinha resulted in nothing but a blank expression. I was served an Old Fashioned so extraordinary unlike one, I’m too embarrassed to elaborate: not ideal when Revolution sells cocktail training to the public.
  • Revolution Preston bars need fresh fruit. Basil & Raspberry Mojito contained no fresh limes, no fresh basil, questionable raspberry puree and unconvincing mint – the sheer audacity of it all! Staff not bothering to muddle limes during manic periods is forgivable, but when there’s nobody else in, it’s painful. Similarly, it was a crime not to receive lime with rum and ginger. Furthermore, G&T’s were missing garnishes, meaning Wetherspoons outclassed Vodka Revolution.
  • Revolution Preston needs stock. I asked for a 15 year Havana: ten minutes later I was poured a seven-year without explanation.
  • Revolution Preston needs to provide hospitality. I ordered a bottle of vodka for £75, providing a healthy margin from £18 trade prices. An ice bucket is provided without tongs, so bare hands were used which was both unpleasant and unhygienic. There was no bar towel to wipe up the ensuing puddle; obviously, limes were a non-starter. No staff were aware to wipe down a table, let alone engage with customers in any manner.
  • Revolution Preston needs to get organised. When making a spirit on the rocks, don’t use one piece of ice which quickly melts. When making three drinks, don’t make the spirit on the rocks first, then take ten minutes making two cocktails and another minute to key it into the till. Please be able to remember three drinks without pen and paper. Likewise, when receiving a large booking, have the cutlery pre-set ready – at the very least bring the cutlery before the food. Furthermore, turn the coffee machine on, or throw it away and give up the pretence of offering hot drinks.
  • Revolution Preston needs table service. If customers are sat with empty glasses for ten minutes, they are likely waiting for another. Proactively provide the bill, and encourage servers to look in the direction of tables occasionally.
  • Revolution needs to clean its lines. Knowing the beer is undrinkable I ordered a bottled beer – it was room temperature. This really was the final straw(pedo).

Vodka Revolution
Review Summary

Atmosphere 4  Cost 3  Quality 2  Service 1

  • Vodka Revolution Preston Review
    Vodka Shots – The Only Safe Bet

    *Since this review was first published, Revolution Preston is unfortunately no longer with us – hence the lack of link*

Bar Review: Keith’s Wine Bar, Aigburth

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Keith’s Wine Bar – Loveable Lark Lane

Keith’s Wine Bar is nestled on Lark Lane – the best street in Liverpool. Lark Lane was a hipster enclave before anybody knew what one was. Keith’s Wine Bar provided the ideal spot to watch artsy students, old-fashioned cabbies who define ‘scouser’ and shadowy alcoholics shuffling about in fine fettle. Lark Lane has managed to avoid Pret-A-Manger and Zizzi moving in, but I fear it’s only a matter of time. Nearby restaurants ‘Belly’ and ‘Meat Factory’ provide a sense of the neighbourhood.

Keith’s Wine Bar is about as unpretentious as a wine bar gets – which is no bad thing. That said, 1/5 score from the Food Standards Agency probably is a bad thing. The holes in the walls were not the idea of an interior design agency. With bohemian artwork and rough wooden tables set with dripping candles teetering from wine bottles, this is as shabby chic as Liverpool gets. For a moment I mentally drifted off to the continent until I overheard: “That’s a boss Pinot, that lad”.

The staff were approachable and provided the natural, witty rapport that Liverpudlians are genetically predisposed to offer. Contrary to reports, Keith’s Wine Bar isn’t dirt cheap, but it’s certainly reasonable. The wine selection is robust, with craft beers also available.

As Keith’s is, of course, a wine bar, I expected the cheeseboard not to be sourced from a dinner lady supplier. There was at least plenty of it, so much so I had nightmares for weeks.

Seek Keith’s out (but don’t tell anyone else).

Keith’s Wine Bar Review Summary

Atmosphere 8/10    Cost 7/10    Quality 5/10    Service 8/10

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Restaurant Review: Australasia, Manchester

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Australasia – Subterranean Spinningfields Chic

After several visits to Manchester’s Australasia, my opinion of Living Ventures (the operating company running Australasia) in general are consistently reinforced. The restaurant provided a solid niche which never failed to deliver. Unfortunately, Australasia’s niche was ‘where to take your soon-to-be high-maintenance girlfriend on a first date’. It’s a tricky genre to capture. Plenty try and fail. Australasia nailed it.

Located at Number 1, The Avenue, Spinningfields, Australasia’s the G-Spot of Manchester’s W.A.G circuit. Australasia’s calming neutral furnishing matched with tranquil, coral-reef finishing was captivating. It’s the kind of restaurant where you want to steal the hand soap and moisturiser. The attention to aesthetic detail running through the fixtures and fittings, to the glassware and crockery is wonderful, although “art” consisting of tiny fish with a knife (no, really) was odd. Australasia calls itself “a stylish sanctuary, hidden under the heart of Manchester”, which I can’t disagree with.

I was greeted with a broad smile and fluttering eye-lashes by a smartly dressed host straight from central casting. Australasia’s bar had elegantly tall, stylishly lit, well-stocked shelves all kept spotlessly clean. The trendily minimal menus listed drinks all sounding sexy and exotic – think lychees, hibiscus flowers and girly purees. I loved the swapping of Prosecco for Australian sparkling Chardonnay and oriental curiosities like jasmine foam and galangal.

I liked the menu. The Mrs loved the menu. It felt like the menu was written by a bitchy marketing manager, and corroborated by focus groups of skinny girls with their boyfriend’s wallets. It’s all pretty pieces of tuna, avocado, scallops and things on little skewers. Perhaps I’m just cynical…

Overall, Australasia provided healthy, small-portioned, sharp-flavoured, beautifully-presented food to peck at; paired with light, citrusy, floral cocktails crafted from premium products. Don’t get me wrong, these are good things. Unfortunately, the clientèle are similarly small portioned, beautifully presented, citrusy and floral – giving a slightly obnoxious atmosphere – sometimes rubbing off on the otherwise well-organised staff.

Australasia Restaurant
Review Summary

Atmosphere 8  Cost 5  Quality 9  Service 8

Australasia Spinningfields Manchester Bar Review
Alan Partridge’s Favourite – Ladyboy Martini
Australasia Spinningfields Manchester Bar Review
“Art”

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Australasia Spinningfields