Last Updated on June 26, 2024
Bringing something unique to Bermondsey Street
As a die-hard foodie, I cannot believe I’ve never experienced the delights of Bermondsey Street until recently. Renowned as one of London’s trendiest culinary neighbourhoods, it truly lives up to its reputation with a seemingly endless selection of acclaimed restaurants, charming cafes, and lively artisanal market stalls at every turn. And just a short stroll from London Bridge station, nestled clandestinely at its heart, lies the Last Talisman Bar & Asian Grill.
The restaurant is the brainchild of The Breakfast Groups’ founder Eric Yu and offers an element of refined fun and uniqueness to Bermondsey Street. Think tantalising cocktails curated by mixologist maestro Dré Masso and a concise, affordable yet innovative menu from the new head chef Francesco Braccino all sitting against a trendy and eye-catching backdrop of modern art that transports you to the Far East.
Set within a stylish and modern interior, the venue caters for every occasion. The lively central bar area features high-top tables, and plush leather sofas while the open-plan restaurant creates a more intimate setting. Encircled by dimly lit booths, the Japanese hibachi grill takes centre stage, giving diners a front-row seat of the chefs in action. The focus is on grilled meat, fish and vegetables served small plate style, all designed for sharing. And just when you think you’ve got a hang of it, there’s even a bar within a bar – Mala Madre – which is ideal for private events.
It was a Friday evening on the day of our visit, Bermondsey was buzzing and so was The Last Talisman. When a restaurant’s bar is packed at 7 pm, you know their cocktails should be taken seriously. Needing no encouragement we enjoyed two cocktails from their signature menu. The Nemesis Margarita, comprised Ocho Blanco tequila, Ojo De Dios mezcal, hot sauce, vanilla, lime & chilli worm salt. If you’re looking for a punchy hit this drink will certainly get you in the party mood. We also tried the Ojo de Spritz made from Aperol, Ojo de Dios Hibiscus mezcal, pink grapefruit soda & prosecco which was a light, fragrant and delightfully easy cocktail – a real winner for my Aperol Spritz fans out there.
On to the food. The menu was refreshingly easy to navigate, neatly categorised into small and large plates, sides and desserts. We began with the Yellowfin Tuna Tostada, a fusion of tuna, siracha mayo and spring onions, elegantly presented on a bed of Vietnamese rice sesame crisps. The pairing of rich tuna with the zesty sauce was a heavenly combination and a clear testament to high-quality ingredients. The addition of sesame crisps provided an excellent textural contrast and I thought it was the perfect light yet flavourful starter.
Next, we enjoyed the Crispy Pork Belly which was beautifully cooked and in our eyes, the winning dish of the evening. Each slice had a smoky, fatty exterior giving way to wonderfully tender and succulent meat, accompanied by tangy pickled cucumber and a slightly sweet BBQ sauce.
Having spied two rather glorious looking pisco sours on our neighbouring table, we were keen to try one ourselves (it was a Friday after all) and I was very glad we did. The drink was velvety, well-balanced and not overly sweet, allowing the natural flavours of pisco and lime to shine.
Moving on to the large plates we chose the Salmon Teriyaki and Grilled Duck Breast. The salmon was fabulously meaty, cooked to perfection with a thin layer of salty skin on top that paired beautifully with the homemade teriyaki. I don’t often order salmon but I was pleasantly surprised by this dish.
Next came the duck which was slightly overdone to our taste, although there was no denying its gently gamey flavour and gorgeous crispy skin which we especially enjoyed with the hoisin sauce and fried shallots.
On the side, fresh and crunchy tenderstem broccoli, coated with a sambal sauce added warmth to the broccoli without overpowering its sweet and nutty flavour. And a sumptuous bowl of fluffy, warm coconut rice.
If you’ve indulged in a number of small plates, you may not be interested in dessert, but it’s worth knowing that at The Last Talisman there are only three options on the menu in favour of quality over quantity. To avoid food envy (or because we are greedy), we tried a combination of all three. The Chocolate and Kumquat Spring Roll, infused with glorious dark chocolate ganache and jam, the cooling Mango Mochi and creamy Coconut Panna Cotta, with a fresh strawberry and balsamic reduction. While all irresistibly moreish, the mango mochi was my personal favourite.
Whether you’re in the mood for a quick drink, to dabble in some small plates or unwind over a full meal, The Last Talisman has got you covered. Hidden on one of London’s most mouth-watering streets, it’s quite unlike anything in the immediate area and guarantees a fun and thoroughly satisfying dining experience. There’s even a bottomless brunch on the weekend for £35 per person or you can opt for the magical brunch experience for £39 and watch the resident magician Yollin, handcraft a truly special show.
Would we come back I hear you ask? Absolutely.
Address: 171-173 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3UW
Phone: 020 8189 9546
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