Nestled in the narrow cobbled streets behind St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Four Sisters Townhouse is reminiscent of a secretive Victorian gentleman’s club. Stepping off the street and through the doorway is like passing into a mysterious hideaway where cares are left at the door and adventures can begin. Inventive, weekly-changing cocktails, beers, spirits, wines and delicious food capture the true essence of ‘Old London Town’ in elegantly dark surroundings.
The spirit of the city
Located on Groveland Court off Bow Lane, an area featured heavily in the writings of Charles Dickens, the luxurious interior features gilt-framed mirrors, beautiful Victorian floor tiles, ceilings adorned with gargoyle heads, dark oak paneling, flashes of boldly patterned wallpaper and original Victorian cast iron detailing. The atmosphere is further enhanced by walls filled with eclectic curiosities that feed the imagination and start conversations, a sophisticated library stocked with classics and plenty of plush banquette seating areas to relax in. A stuffed raven sits atop a skull alongside fascinating vintage paintings, lanterns and pinned beetles and butterflies in frames, while antelope horns and sculptures adorn the rich red walls next to antique wall lights.
Quench your thirst
Bar manager Andrei Marian offers a weekly-changing drinks menu using seasonal local produce as part of his ‘market-to-glass’ concept. Classic options sit comfortably alongside contemporary signatures that mix delicious and surprising elements to create truly unique libations.
Behind the stunning green marble bar, shelves brim with handmade bitters, tinctures, curds, foams, syrups, sodas and cordials to complement the unusual spirits on offer, including a global range of Amari and even one of The Four Sisters very own Amaros.
Stroll inside and you may find anything from the elegant Absolut-ly (Absolut vodka, lime, vanilla, lemongrass and jasmine foam), the sweet, sharp Beetnick (Beefeater gin, beetroot infused sherry, Granny Smith apple, cucumber water), or the delicious Johnny Be Good (Whitley Neil gin, lemon, Gabriel Boudier elderflower, Becherovka and rhubarb marmalade), to the fiery and flavoursome Kentucky Rhapsody (Jim Beam Double Oak bourbon, lemon, pineapple, pepper and scotch bonnet soda) or refreshing Swedish Summer Cup (Absolut vodka, lemon, rhubarb and ginger shrub served with basil).
Special lunchtime aperitif concoctions are available, Including Income Tax Spritz (Berto aperitif, Cynar, Double Dutch pomegranate and basil), Michelada (Sisters spice mix, citrus and Camden Gentleman’s Wit) and Negroni Sbagliato (Campari, Four Sisters Townhouse sweet vermouth blend with prosecco).
A selection of wines and champagnes, as well as Camden Town Brewery beer on draught is available.
Feed your soul
Providing sustenance throughout the day is a delicious lunchtime menu filled with light bites, artisan sandwiches, bar snacks, sharing dishes, grazing boards and more substantial mains that will sate any appetite.
Freshly-prepared artisan sandwiches include fillings of: seaweed-cured salt beef, dill pickles and mustard served on sourdough; Chalk Farm old cured smoked salmon, lemon dill and soured cream on soft granary, and Stilton with crispy bacon, roasted red onions and pickled walnuts on sourdough.
Flavoursome starters include: homemade Gressingham Duck liver parfait with fig and coffee chutney and grappa raisins; Goat’s cheese with oven-roasted red capsicums, baked tomato marjoram and Pernod dressing; and Morecambe Bay brown shrimps with pickled fennel cucumber on toast.
A selection of main courses feature 28-day-aged rump steak and thick, hand-cut chips; spelt grain risotto with salt roasted beets and crispy goat’s cheese rissole; Four Sisters marinated chicken Caesar salad topped with a poached Bantam egg; grilled plaice fillet served with brown shrimps, caper butter and thick-cut chips; and slow-roasted Suffolk pork belly, with Bramley apple and wild mushroom risotto.
Finish with a rhubarb Campari syllabub with ginger thins and lemon sable biscuits or darkly decadent bitter chocolate cake with fresh lemon curd.
As afternoon melts into evening, the menu shifts focus to nibbles and sharing plates. The artisan English cheese board is available for one to four to share, with fig and coffee chutney, biscuits and pear jelly, whereas the Butcher’s charcuterie platter provides a selection of cold meats, olives, pickles and watercress. The Townhouse Grazing Platter combines a wider range of cheeses, cold meats, seafood, peppers, olives and pickles. Smaller plates are also available, including the Londoner Scotch Egg and Pork Pie with a pot of mustard.