Sometimes the best duo comes from the least suspecting places. Saicho’s Cold Brew Sparkling Tea and Angelina of London are masters at bringing forth the most unassuming elements to create something relievingly original…
It was a warm Wednesday evening when I was invited to visit London restaurant Angelina to celebrate and sample the sparkling cold-brew tea Saicho. The partnership of Saicho and Angelina was a match made in heaven and with each rotating plate, I was given a delicate and chilled non-alcoholic treat to complete the adventure.
Angelina is located in the lowkey yet strikingly hip neighbourhood of Dalston, and is a restaurant that properly takes the vibe of the community to the next level. It is a local hub for those who regard food as something more than a necessity. It is a restaurant for those who want a true culinary experience.
The courses served at Angelina are strictly chef’s choice, Omakase. You’re guaranteed to taste an innovative dish each time. But that’s not the only remarkable element that drives people into Angelina; the restaurant creates dishes that pull from both Japanese and Italian cooking techniques and flavours. If you’re thinking that sounds original, wait until you try it.
During my visit, the 4-course Omakase Menu kicked off with plates of milk bread with ricotta and moromi; hamachi topped with gooseberries, ginger and yuzu; lamb paired with mustard and salsa verde, and of course the Darjeeling brew from Saicho. Served in a beautiful and large white wine glass, I didn’t miss the alcohol for a second.
Natalie and Charlie, the founders of Saicho, realised an opportunity to create something that could take the place of wine pairings at the dinner table. Too often faced with the ultimatum of drinking alcohol as a way to complete an evening out (turning bright as a tomato in the process), or skipping out and feeling unsatisfied with water, Natalie worked with her husband Charlie to create Saicho. And what a creation it is.
My entree featured an Unagi Risotto that was pulled together with the rich umami flavour of burnt soy butter. This was served beautifully in a warm toupe dish and topped with herbs and spices that are still an alluring mystery to me. The Hojicha sparkling tea was excellent with this richer dish as it was slightly sweeter than the opening tea. This pairing was completed with a petite serving of Mackerel, chard and tomato.
With plenty of time given to chat and enjoy the candlelight evening, I was already completely swept away. Dessert, however, brought my favourite Saicho tea – the Jasmine sparkling cold brew. This tea perfectly integrated the familiar flavour of Jasmine while still remaining dry, in the way the subtle tannins of Sauvignon Blanc leave a refined linger in your mouth. To complement the final pour I was served Kinako bread pudding with a sweet portion of peach, mascarpone, a fresh and fruity ice topping and other crunchy bits and pieces. Angelina and Saicho joined forces to make an Omakase that ended on the perfect note and checked all my boxes for what a sublime meal should entail.
The single-origin Saicho tea comes after two years of Natalie and Charlie tasting hundreds of teas. The three brews they have selected for Saicho were done so with deep consideration to their mission of creating something that would excite dining tables in any setting. Saicho comes in a beautiful tall glass bottle that makes for a surprising change to the traditional wine bottle in hand. Appropriate for high-end dining or a lovely meal at home, Saicho teas will follow suit of their namesake’s history. Destined to inspire an excitement for something avant-garde yet entirely classic.
Saicho was an impeccable accompaniment and showed you can have a truly veritable alternative to alcohol with a meal. It shows just because you aren’t sipping wine, you don’t have to feel any less sophisticated or that you are missing out. The flavours of Saicho leave you feeling as though you’re having a real treat – plus you have the added satisfaction of waking up feeling fresh and without any inkling of a sore head!
The evening was a truly remarkable one where I was treated to both unforgettable food and drink in an unrivalled atmosphere. Saicho will also be a no-brainer on my list the next time I am looking to throw a dinner party, to indulge in something sparkling during the week, or when I am wanting to just enjoy a tasty tipple and relax.
Available in both the 750ml and 200ml, the Saicho teas are available to order in a collection or individually.
Place your Saicho sparkling tea order at their webpage, https://www.saichodrinks.com/
ANGELINA London
56 Dalston Lane
London
E8 3AH
