aqua spirit (Bar)

It’s hot outdoors. It’s hot indoors. That tall, dark, handsome plumber comes over to fix the leak under the sink. He taps away while you’re standing there producing more sweat than Drogba playing on his head. The heat sizzles your skin and roasts your insides, there just seems to be no escape, when suddenly PSSSHHHH. The heat is too hot to handle and plumber loses his grip, water spraying everywhere. Finally, relief from the relentless, punishing heat. That crisp, cool water is oh-so soothing. But now you and plumber are both soaked from head to toe...

HA! Dream on. Firstly, this is London. Heat is almost a luxurious commodity. Secondly, tall: until I put my heels on. Dark: only when the lights go out. Handsome: after a few too many.

When I hear the word aqua, I immediately replay this plumber fantasy in my mind. And so it was, in this fantastical frame of mind, that I lured a friend to join me at the West End bar and restaurant(s), Aqua.

It was a girls’ night out for drinks, and knowing it was a rather classy affair, I wore my favourite frock. Aqua is a very new bar - and two (!) restaurants - having been born into the world in September 2009. So, on the approach of Aqua’s 1st birthday, it’s quite timely to assess whether or not she has suitably passed the teething stage.

Having discerned my surroundings and matched them with my standards perfectly well thank you very much, we took our seats. I felt comfortable in the mysterious lighting, revealing only what was needed to be seen. Perhaps I was nostalgic for my teenage years of not wanting that ever-so huge zit publicised under the glaring lights. Or perhaps I liked being less obvious when staring at the couple kissing in the corner. Either way, somehow there was a seduction to be experienced. The bar and restaurants are separated by gauze – a nice touch for those eating and drinking, and for those just drinking. There is a real life Statue of David standing guard between the two, and as I walked past, I was delighted to hear him comment on how gorgeous my dress was. Blush blush (and not to mention the strut to follow).

Delightful fragrances of Japanese cuisine wafted through the gauze from the restaurant. Squizzing at the menu, my friend and considered having a bite to eat, but as it was the end of the month (it’s always the end of the month for me), we thought we’d stick to drinks (until pay day). The food is definitely for the more prosperous of persons but it’s certainly nothing to look down your nose at, as from what I could see, the quality was good.

From there we walked down a long passage, which looked like something out of Ripley’s; mirrored walls and floors so shiny you could move with your own shadow. We walked towards the Spanish restaurant, Aqua Nueva. Having travelled to Barcelona, I’ve know real tapas and I was pleased to see the menu was authentically Spanish. The lighting wasn’t as mysterious as that of the bar, so we shuffled our way outside to the gorgeous balcony to join the dozens of young ladies with their fake eyelashes, giggling over their equally grandiose boyfriends, many of whom work in the fashion industry. I’ll admit, I was a little jealous.

Right, the drinks: served with flowering rose buds, the Rose & Li is simply divine. I won’t give too much away as it’s so delicious it needs to be tasted to be understood; the Aqua Kyoto is gin with sake, served in a clay vase-cum-jug; and the Nueva Sangria is something not to be missed, either. The menu reflects perfectly the mix of Spanish and Japanese themes. There’s also an incredible mix of non-alcoholic cocktails, which, in my opinion, are just heavenly health drinks. I would have them for my breakfast if I could!

Aqua, ahhhh. PSSSSHHH. You can’t lose whatever season. The drinks will cool you in the summer and warm you in the winter. And in the words of terminator, or a very friendly plumber: I’ll be back....read more