Christina's at The Mondrian Shoreditch

Christina’s may sit inside the Mondrian Hotel in Shoreditch, but as an atmospheric venue to grab a drink, it completely holds its own. The first thing you need to know about Christina’s is that the concept is a little mish-mash, fusing a small food menu of Japanese-style sandwiches with an intricate list of cocktails, made from carefully-sourced from British ingredients.

The reason this comes off as slightly confusing is because the ambience and drinks menu is perfectly fitted to an after-work outing, but you might not fancy a sandwich for dinner. That said, we tried the sandos and they’re bloody delicious. Think buttery, sweetened bread filled with 110g of juicy Aussie Wagyu steak, smothered in black truffle aioli and spicy karashi for a zing of flavour. Or, the aubergine parmigiana filling, which is thick with melted mozzarella and rich tomato sauce for a comfort food feel. Alongside the selection of seven sandos there’s a range of side dishes, such as crispy, curry leaf fries which are addictively moreish, and melt-in-your-mouth fried cheesy tater tots.

If you consider yourself a cocktail aficionado, you’ll like the drinks menu which reflects flavours of the locality, rooted in foraged and sustainably-sourced produce like wild nettle and pine pollen. We enjoyed this back story and the enthusiastic waiters are only too happy to explain the tale behind each tipple. If you’re looking for an easy-drinker, the Wild Nettle Spritz is fresh, light and sparkles on your tongue. Christina’s take on an espresso martini comes with birch caramel which is sourced from tree sap and crafted in Scotland, giving the blend a sweet kick.

In terms of setting, Christina’s is relaxed and comfortable, but stylish enough to feel special. Large crittal windows offer a modern edge, while a painted leafy wall mural gives the space some personality. Banquette seating and low lighting contributes to cosy, glowy feel, which is just right for small groups.

Found at the sleek Mondrian Shoreditch (formerly The Curtain Hotel), Christina’s is a casual all-day restaurant and bar which specialises in Japanese-style katsu sandos, alongside a varied drinks list of coffees, cocktails and natural wines.

Located on the ground floor, Christina’s boasts double-height ceilings, a curved copper bar and
a large-scale hand-painted mural by British artist Fred Coppin which fills the clay rendered bulkhead above the bar. Open daily from 7am, Christina’s menu kicks off with traditional breakfast items including an assortment of sweet and savoury pastries accompanied by coffees and fresh juices - think a miso salted caramel chocolate ganache croissant or a savoury ham and cheese pastry.

Come lunchtime and dinner, the menu expands to include a range of sandos, which are made with a 72 hour slow fermented Tokyo milk bread. Fillings you can expect to find on your visit include spicy fried chicken, egg and mayonnaise, and deep fried mortadella. Big spenders can opt for the luxe Wagyu beef katsu sando (only a few are made each day), while veggie diners can chow down on an aubergine parmigiana variety. To end your meal on a sweet note, tuck into the fruit and cream filled sando which is made with matcha milk bread.

After dinner, you can head to Christina’s bar, where you can expect to find a run of innovative and unique house cocktails. Choose from the likes of an Oyster shell vermouth and martini in collaboration with Victory Distillery (the bar’s hero serve) or opt for interesting blends such as a Wild Nettle Spritz, a Yuzu Negroni, or a Wild Meadow Sour. Natural wines are also a big focus at Christina’s, with the wine list consisting of a range of organic and biodynamic varieties, with a particular focus on small scale producers and wines made with as little interference as possible.