Ember Yard

Ember Yard is the fourth restaurant to be launched by the Salt Yard Group in London and uses both Italian and Spanish cooking traditions. Spread out over two floors in the heart of Soho the venue's Mediterranean style is evident across the space and within the food and drink menus.

Decor here is far from Spartan but has a warm yet clean, crisp feel to it. The plain wooden tables are all laid out for meals, brown leather benches create seating against the walls and there's a stunning bronzed jamon-shaped tap complete with hoof downstairs.

Due to the license it's necessary to purchase at least one plate of food, thus we opted for bar nibbles which were utterly delectable and very moorish. Cocktails are a serious affair at Ember Yard, the drinks tending distinctively towards apéritifs or digestifs, with either long refreshing serves or short booze-packed classics. We tried a Vintage Negroni made with Tanqueray No.10, smoked Campari, Antica Formula, grilled orange and smoked ice and A Moorish Goes To Manhattan using date infused bourbon, Antica Formula and walnut bitters.

Both cocktails were balanced and flavoursome, making for slow-sipping accompaniments to the food and staff were attentive. Overall a lovely venue, perfect for sharing a meal and some cocktails with friends or settling into a corner table with a date.