E Mondo
Intrigued by this James Bond-style secret lair approach to café culture, The Skinny went along to see how the transition worked.
| 13 Oct 2006
Espresso Mondo has existed as a coffee shop on Lothian Road for a year now, but recently took the unusual step of opening as a cocktail bar in the evening. Rather than compromise their previous identity they came up with a new one, and now transform into E Mondo in the evenings, complete with alternative bar ware, visual projections, and exchangeable outdoor sign. Intrigued by this James Bond-style secret-lair approach to café culture, The Skinny went along to see how the transition worked.
The result is a slick though slightly jumbled atmosphere; a cocktail bar with a friendly mood and approachable feel. The cocktails themselves are excellent, from fruity martinis and mojitos to an outstanding Basil Grandé, however the tapas is a little light to serve as a substitute meal, but delicious as a drinking accompaniment. The anchovy and sun-dried tomato combination is recommended, though a mix chosen by the friendly staff is probably the best bet. [Rupert Thomson]
The result is a slick though slightly jumbled atmosphere; a cocktail bar with a friendly mood and approachable feel. The cocktails themselves are excellent, from fruity martinis and mojitos to an outstanding Basil Grandé, however the tapas is a little light to serve as a substitute meal, but delicious as a drinking accompaniment. The anchovy and sun-dried tomato combination is recommended, though a mix chosen by the friendly staff is probably the best bet. [Rupert Thomson]