Kaso Rooftop Bar & Kitchen

Captivating Rooftop Views Offer Unforgettable Backdrop

Ah, a rooftop bar—truly the darling of urban escapism in a city persistently hugged by clouds. Nestled quaintly on the seventh floor, this particular establishment aims to whisk you away as surely as its spiraling menu ambitions. Let’s address the pièce de résistance right out of gate; the view is an absolute show-stealer. Watching a crimson sun melt into the jagged silhouette of Shoreditch from this elevated altar almost makes you forgive any of the mortal indiscretions down at ground level. They even have menu options that tiptoe delicately into Middle Eastern territory, evoking a sense of culinary travel with a side order of actual physical view-comfort. Alas, not all those dramatic promises of hospitality joyritten on the vista and first cocktails manage to efficiently leap over the surprisingly low bar set by an understaffed front-of-house team cultivating a distinctly anxiety-inducing demeanor.

But back to those noteworthy positives. The cocktails arrive, after brief, yet memorable, adventures in miscommunication with the staff, wearing their fanciest flavors—sometimes excessively so, depending on whether their delivery gets backtracked with apologies or ongoing confusion. The infamous falafel, regrettably overshadowed by mere smatterings of seasoning (perhaps in respect for minimalism), serves only as a prelude to the sinfully enjoyable French toast which kicks life once again into mundane small portions while occupying evenings with delightful high spirits. Small enough tables line the terrace, perfectly engineered for cozy dates rather than rowdy social tapestries—after all, heartbeats take center stage here, both human and urban. Should your reservations land you indoors near the frosty embrace of the entrance, remember—even sunsets can't warm frosty toes. Yet, turn to the staff like Sean or Aman, they may throw you a lifeline humbly dressed as a perfect spritz. Indubitably, as with everything lately, awaiting the moment where concept harmonizes with execution becomes as part of the experience as sauntering through expectations itself. A rooftop diversely charming for its vantage but urged forward by the service—it dangles just out of reach of real excellence but nonetheless hugs closely to fond exploration. — Penelope Savory