Fusion fare is popping up all over the city, combining delicious cuisines across the world to create exciting new menus. Among the most ambitious combinations out there is The Last Talisman restaurant and cocktail bar near London Bridge, which specialises in pan-Asian cuisine but also aims to perfect the classic British Sunday roast - but do they manage to pull it off?
The Last Talisman reviews all celebrate the gorgeous interiors here - and they're not wrong.
After a short stroll down the pleasant Bermondsey High Street, we headed into the enticing dark interiors, which are full of intriguing knick-knacks that speak to their largely Asian eats. We were seated in the first of three picturesque sections, decked out in dark green leather booth seating, hanging red paper lanterns and vases lining the wall. Our table was in a raised area that felt quite exclusive, with pleasant smells coming from their open kitchen right around the corner. To make the atmosphere even better, they were also playing throwback 00s tunes while we dined.
Though we were here to sample their culinary delights, this venue is also a gorgeous cocktail bar - with an extensive drinks menu to back it up. My first choice was the Frose (£12), a frozen slushie-style blend of Axia mastiha, rose wine, raspberry and lemonade. This bright pink concoction was deliciously sweet and fruity, transporting me from a chilly March afternoon in London to a summer's day in Spain. My dinner date opted for the equally sugary-sounding Princess Of Beijing (£11.50), which combines vodka with cranberry, lemon juice and cotton candy syrup, topped with a fluffy pink piece of candy floss. The glittery pink appearance of this drink was impressive, but unfortunately we both agreed that the cotton candy taste was a little too overpowering here and created an overly sweet mix.
Who knew that a pan-Asian restaurant would offer one of the city's best roast dinners?
Shortly after, we tucked into an absolute feast from The Last Talisman menu. As we were here to try their Sunday offerings, we both chose a roast dinner, which came with roast potatoes that were perfectly fluffy with a pleasing crispy exterior, alongside glazed carrots, parsnips, savoy cabbage and a doughy Yorkshire pudding that took up a sizeable portion of the plate. All of this was coated in a flavourful house gravy with the ideal consistency - thick, but not excessively so. As for the main component of these meals, I chose the vegetable wellington (£16.95), a huge piece of vibrant orange butternut squash on a bed of wilted baby spinach and sauteed mushrooms, encased in a buttery, flaky layer of pastry. The vegetarian offerings on a Sunday menu can often be a little uninspiring (nut roast, I'm looking at you) but they really pulled it out of the bag with this one, and even offered a vegan version as well. My partner decided on the half roast chicken (£17.95) instead, which was absolutely massive. While the meat was juicy and tender, its skin was crispy with a slight spice to it that added a nice textural element to the meal.
We couldn't resist adding some sides onto our dinner, and this spot has a cracking selection to choose from. We shared a small bowl of cauliflower cheese (£4.95), a gorgeously creamy mixture that was topped with a firm crust of golden cheese and breadcrumbs, as well as the tenderstem broccoli (£4.95). This second dish was grilled and served sprinkled with flakes of fried onion, and of course we had to add on an extra Yorkshire pudding (£2.95) to top things off.
Prepare to be wowed by The Last Talisman drinks menu.
As we were far too stuffed to even contemplate dessert, we finished off with another round of cocktails instead. I went for the El Lichi (£13.50), a gin-based drink that was mixed with St Germain liqueur, lychee, lemon juice and soda. This refreshing tipple came in a tall glass with plenty of ice, topped with a theatrical flaming lychee shell with brandy and brown sugar inside to stoke the fire. Equally focused on presentation, my boyfriend's drink was the Lemon Drop (£12), combining vodka and limoncello with fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup for a sour kick with slightly sweet aftertastes - served with a heart-shaped red lollipop on top.
The DesignMyNight Digest
Pan-Asian cuisine, killer cocktails and a spectacular Sunday roast - The Last Talisman in Bermondsey really has got it all. With elegant interiors that transition from day to night and a soundtrack to match, this destination is a winner for date nights, a hearty group meal and everything in between. They offer all you could possibly ask for from a roast here, with side dishes that allow you to customise the meal any way you want, and I would particularly recommend this place to anyone looking for a decent vegetarian option in the city.
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💰 The damage: £97 for four drinks, two mains and sides. 📍 The location: 171-173 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UW. 👌 Perfect for: A high-quality yet affordable roast dinner. ⭐ Need to know: This spot doubles as an Asian-inspired cocktail bar. |
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