Hang out
A hidden bar and restaurant full of secrets and seriously good food, what’s not to love? Lost Property is a real retreat. It’s a swish speakeasy and it’s unlike anywhere we’ve been before. With no shop front, signage or exterior restaurant features, you really have to be in-the-know to unlock this little gem.
Once you’ve found the entrance and you make your way inside, it really is something special. It’s a place where guests can enjoy each and every taste and tipple with no time restrictions. Time seems to stand still here, we could spend hours sampling cocktails and sharing platters in this little hideout.
Decked out
A contemporary elegance and a striking charm fills the small space. It’s dark, candlelit and there’s no connection with the outside world. It’s just you, your company, the cocktails and the perfect platters to choose from. The vibe is very chilled, music plays in the background as the ‘secret’ space fills up on this chilly Tuesday evening. A combination of school-style wooden chairs and soft benches make up the main decor, while the bar boasts copper hues and bold brass decorations. It’s true to it’s word and it’s tastefully designed.
Sip
You’ll find everything from speciality whiskeys to beers, wines, spirits and handcrafted cocktails here. We dive straight in with the cocktail menu. For myself, the Kissing Cousin (£7.00) – packing a punch of tequila, campari, pink grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave syrup and sparkling blood orange. It’s a fruity concoction with the bitterness of lime, grapefruit and tequila zipping through it. For my pal it’s the lychee rum punch special (£7.00), taking her from bar to beach in just one sip. From the moment you enter the room, your imagination just takes off here and one sip can take you somewhere worlds away from working life.
As the menu clearly states, “should your preferred tipple not be available, if we’ve got the ingredients for your poison we’ll get it mixed right up!” Nothing is an issue here, you get that feel as soon as you step inside.
Food matters
Is there anything better than a hearty platter? Sharing your favourite nibbles whilst enjoy a tipple or two in good company, just perfect. If sharing food isn’t your thing, speakeasy diners can choose from the small plates where you’ll find tapas-style dishes to suit all tastes and preferences. Meaty, cheesy, vegetarian… there’s plenty to choose from when it comes to selecting your perfect platter, but if you’d prefer to come up with your own creative combo, that can be done too.
We ate
We opt for the meat and cheese taster platter (£19.00) to pick at as we make our way through the colourful cocktail menu. The combo platter suggests choosing three meat and three cheese dishes, and after much debate and decision making, we’re thrilled to hear our waiter tell us he’ll bring us a selection of everything. The platter comes with house chutney (to die for), fresh fruit, house pickles, crusty bread and crackers.
We’re feeling hungry, so for the occasion (it’s Tuesday after all), we order a couple of small plates. The Moroccan marinated lamb skewers (£7.75) served with Harissa spiked goats yoghurt and citron vodka tempura veg is a perfect combination of savoury spice and punchy, meaty flavours. The truffle dipping egg with asparagus soldiers (£6.75) is the perfect veggie addition to our fine, foodie feast.
If it’s not the candy cane cosmos that are going to win you over here, it’s the sensational sharing boards. If it’s not the vibe that takes you far away from your everyday woes, it’s the swish staff who will help you relax, retreat and loose yourself in Lost Property.
You can only find Lost Property by taxi, we recommend Joe Maxi’s Cabs – their office is in 135-137 High Street, Yarm…
