The rumour going round luxury Parisian bars is official. Christopher Gaglione, former barman-chef at Prince de Galles Hotel, has moved to the other side of the river with his newest address. Slap bang in the middle of the left bank, a few steps from Jardin de Luxembourg, Gaglione is a man with a mission: to become the go-to mixologist in an area that has long suffered from a haut-gamme cocktail drought. The décor flirts with the chic and the classic, with exotic touches on the walls. And he’s pairing his cocktails with food, a concept that has rocketed since Dersou started doing it.
To quench your thirst, there are several signature cocktails (€11), full of vim like the Prince de la Ville (“for the young and ambitious” supposedly), a mix of flowery G’Vine, Campari, blood orange juice, lime juice, cane sugar syrup and bitter tonic; of the Belize (Blackwell rum, strawberry purée, lime juice, mint leaves, elderflower cordial, pineapple juice and ginger beer). The welcome is warm and everything is order for having a good time.
Much like the Castor Club in the 6th arrondissement, Gaglione has well and truly triumphed in proving that it's worth crossing the river for a boozy adventure.
TRANSLATION: MEGAN CARNEGIE
