Filling the upper level of Epocha restaurant, Hannah's is a proper European-style bar built for afternoons filled with gin and games of backgammon. Every table is printed with a board. We’ve got no idea how to play, but we like that we could.
It’s a beautiful set-up. Everything’s served in antique silverware and etched coupettes and murals of constellations and naked ladies stretch across the ceilings and walls.
They do good cocktails here and are keen on the classics. Score a seat on the massive balcony overlooking Carlton Gardens and party like it's 1930 with a Charlie Gibson – that’s a sort-of super dry gin martini with a pickled onion. Or they muddle up a pretty great fresh raspberry soda if you’re abstaining.
We're inclined to get a bottle of wine and stay all night. You can’t go wrong with Angie Giannakodakis’ carefully curated list of Spanish, French and Greek gear, but ask for a recommendation anyway. The waiter here is known on staff as Bedroom Eyes (you actually can’t look at him for longer than three seconds) and he describes the chenin blanc as being “like sitting in a room of pillows and being handed a cup of tea.” It’s not, but it's pretty to think so.
Hungry? Summon yourself some crunchy pigs ear scratchings and a big scoop of satiny duck liver pâté. They’re even doing tiny crumpets (crumpettes!) served with butter a chunk of honeycomb. Those and a little Ella Fitzgerald is just about the best cure for winter blues we know.