Please note, Vintage Salt has now changed names to Forest Restaurant and Bar. Time Out Food & Drink editors, Apr 2016.
Every summer now, the folks behind Q Grill kit out the Selfridges roof terrace above Oxford Street with a new theme and menu. But visit just for cocktails at the Drift Bar to take full advantage of 2015’s tongue-in-cheek seaside theme. The look is brighter than a stick of rock, with the roof dressed with beach balls, deck chairs, fishing nets and adorable seaside huts straight out of St Ives. Postcards pinned to the walls show dreamy Cornwall climes for an overall nostalgia hit.
There’s not much to see from the bar side of the roof terrace – the views are reserved for restaurant goers. But for people watching, it’s good for in-the-know shoppers and media types from businesses nearby hoping to escape the throngs of Oxford Street tourists. The service on our visit was warm, friendly and occasionally even funny.
The drinks menu is enticing in range as well as seeming almost reasonably priced when compared with the offerings at other rooftop spots. Most cocktails cost £10 or just over, and use on-trend spirits and in-season flavours. The G&Tea in the Afternoon (£11) sees a generous dollop of gin and tonic sorbet floating on the top, blended perfectly with cold earl grey tea, lemon and gin. Sipping from a cup and saucer doesn’t feel out of place in this twee British setting. For absolute refreshment from a shopping trip down below, order a Champagne popsicle for £7.