You can’t beat sitting down and being served something so groan-inducingly good that you swear an oath to return for it in future. At Ruba, the smart ground-floor bar in the 4-star Hilton Tower Bridge hotel, this moment doesn’t come when sipping on one of their studiously created cocktails, it actually comes when you tuck into their chicken satay, a sensational version of the dish that will bring a tear to the eye of even the best Thai chefs.

The Venue
Hotel bars are, by their very nature, transient affairs. They’re also a cocoon of sorts, protecting inhibited travellers from having to explore the city and, in terms of their design, you can sit in one and just as easily be in London as you could LA. Hilton have good form for creating bars and restaurants that appeal to non-residents and Ruba Bar, located on Tooley Street by the More London development, appears to do the same, with its plush surroundings, deferential service and good-quality food and drink. It’s an open plan, ground-floor space, offering plenty of expensive sofas to lounge in as well as huge glass windows, which are protected from the outside world and prying eyes by swathes of muslin netting.

The Atmosphere
Tourists, business people in for after-work drinks and those holding meetings are all out in force. It’s hard to pinpoint an exact demographic as it’s made up of people of all ages, but it’s pretty safe to say that it attracts a fairly affluent crowd. Staff are consummate pros and you’d imagine they’re more than happy conversing in several languages.

The Food
A bar menu is on offer although you can head to the hotel’s restaurant, The Larder, if you want a more formal sitting. A selection of snacks ranges from £7-£13. Some dishes appear overpriced – a bowl of edaname beans with a sweet chilli dip, for example – especially when you consider that three fat skewers of chicken in a glorious satay sauce cost the same amount. The chicken is chunky thigh meat and it is covered in the sweet, nutty, aromatic sauce. Fresh coriander is in the mix, as is a little chilli, and the peanut flavour is intense and lip-smackingly good. The dish is so enjoyable you have to suppress the urge to pick the bowl up and lick up every last bit. In addition, the salt and pepper squid is light, grease-free and served with freshly chopped red and spring onion and a sweet chilli dip, which adds to the enjoyment even if the undulated service plate is a pain in the arse to eat off. Another good choice for those sharing a selection of plates is the assortment of sausages (£9.75) with dips. Garlicky mini-chorizos, chipolata-style herbaceous Cumberlands and a third sausage that tastes of minced, spicy lamb are all good-quality. Burgers, salads (£7.50-£11.50) and a selection of wraps (£10.75) are also on offer, as are desserts (£6.50 each).

The Drink
Glasses of wine, a long list of premium spirits and bottles of beer are on offer but it’s the cocktail list where the real action lies. Costing around £9.50, they’re not cheap but the attention to detail and dedication to using fresh ingredients is clear to see. A standout blend, the Indian Mojito, is a special that should be added permanently to the menu. Adding sliced and diced apple and ginger to the traditional Mojito, this is a beautifully balanced drink that’s thirst-quenching and a joy to sup on. Equally big on the fresh fruit is the Caipiberry, a twist on the Caipirinha that includes a preponderance of sharp, tangy muddled berries into the mix. Not all the drinks are so successful – the Mango Ginger Spice looks like a winner on paper but is ultimately let down by a weak, diluted flavour and a lack of fresh fruit.

The Last Word
Ruba is the sort of bar you’d be pleased to have access to as a resident of the hotel and one that is very useful if you live or work in the area and need somewhere to hold court. Those not nearby might not want to cross town for the pleasure but, if there’s one reason to visit, it’s the chicken satay all the way.

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