The name comes from Clint Eastwood's character, and the room commits to the bit. Cream panelling, warm lamps, a dark wood bar and a sound system playing vinyl: the old Milk Beach site on Lonsdale Road now looks like the set of a film that has never been made, and it is better for it.
Who is behind it
Elliot Milne founded Milk Beach, which opened in Queen's Park in 2018 and later in Soho. His co-founder is the sommelier Alexandra Price, formerly head of wine at Plates, with time at the Birley Clubs and Caprice Holdings behind her. Alastair Walling is head chef and Alexander Busca executive chef.
The room
About 45 covers, designed with Macaulay Sinclair around mid-century furniture. Spotted velour on the bar stools, patterned banquettes, and tables inlaid with backgammon and chess boards, which is the right kind of trouble for a wine bar. Original spaghetti-western posters and film stills share the walls with a commissioned work by Lucy Robson, and Ryan Stanier of the Other Art Fair chose the art. There are DJs, poetry, guest speakers, chess nights and tastings on the calendar.
What to drink
Around 160 bins, in four sections named for creative roles. The Writer holds rare and historic grapes. The Actor goes to inventive winemaking and independent producers. The Architect covers classic and contemporary styles. The Director is for the grand estates and singular cuvées. It is a clever way to choose: the table can argue about a role before anyone argues about a price. The Grappa Manhattan has been singled out among the cocktails.
What to eat
Italy and the south of France: bar snacks, small plates, fresh pasta, dishes from the grill. Named dishes include Maldon oysters with champagne mignonette, Wagyu bresaola, fazzoletti with Devon crab, paccheri alla vodka with nduja and pecorino, and monkfish tail with mussels and samphire. Save room for the red Mayan chocolate mousse.
Before you go
Book through SevenRooms, and check the bar's website or Instagram for current days and hours.
- The vibe
- Cream panelling, warm lamps and a Spaghetti Western soundtrack on vinyl.
- The food
- Italian and southern French: pasta, grill, crab and oysters.
- The drink
- Around 160 bins in four sections named for creative roles.
- A tip
- Book through SevenRooms; check the website for current days and hours.
