While France is famous for its exquisite wines, a restaurant in Northern England is making waves with an innovative twist to its menu.
La Popote boasts a diverse selection with around 140 wines. However, they’ve decided to implement something quite unique: a comprehensive bottled water menu for those who don’t drink alcohol or simply prefer to stay refreshed in a stylish way.
Starting this Friday, patrons at La Popote will have the option to choose from three bottled water types, four sparkling varieties, and complimentary tap water.
The concept was introduced three years ago by Dolan Binder to co-founders Jose Florins and Gael Lu Radigon. Binder had been supplying the restaurant’s “house” water through his brand, Crag Spring Water.
“I honestly thought it was a silly idea at first,” Rollins mentioned to CNN. “I laughed it off.” But after tasting a variety of waters at Binder’s “water bar,” they became intrigued.
They sampled multiple waters and even did another tasting paired with foods like Manchego and Comté cheeses, chocolate, and olives. “It was quite eye-opening,” Rollins admitted, realizing that “there’s more to it than just water.”
La Popote marks a pioneering venture in the UK, with its curated water menu being among the very few globally.
The Water Sommelier carefully put together this menu, highlighting selections from various European regions, including the UK, France, Spain, and Portugal.
Binder explained that the mineral content in water significantly influences its taste. This is quantified through total dissolved solids (TDS). For context, he noted that distilled water has a TDS of zero—great for cleaning but not suitable for drinking—while seawater stands at around 30,000-40,000 TDS.
La Popote offers a wide TDS range, featuring options like Lauretana Sparkling Mineral Water from Italy at 14 TDS and Vichy Celestins from France, also at 14 TDS.
Interestingly, Rollins noted that French water can have a salty profile, but pairing it with a salty dish like Parma ham creates a pleasing balance.
How water is served matters too. “I recommend serving it at room temperature with ice and lemon slices,” Rollins shared, emphasizing that, similar to wine, temperature can affect taste.
The pricing for the water menu runs from £5 ($6.80) for a larger bottle of Iwayama brand water to £19 ($26) for the Palace of Vidago sparkling water from Portugal.
By launching this new water menu, La Popote is tapping into the rising trend of lower alcohol consumption. This offers diners a fresh experience, something Binder appreciates. “There are many out there like me who don’t drink alcohol. When I dine out, I often find myself handed the wine menu right away,” he said. “Now, with the water menu, I’ve unlocked an entirely new revenue stream, appealing to restaurants and those who are increasingly focused on health.”
