NEED TO KNOW
La Popote in northern England debuts the U.K.’s first water menu with seven premium optionsCreated by water sommelier Doran Binder, the list highlights unique flavors and food pairingsThe rising trend of water menus aligns with declining alcohol consumption, as more diners seek elevated non-alcoholic choices
A French restaurant is joining the small ranks of eateries that offer an assortment of waters for diners to choose from, beyond the standard tap or sparkling options.
La Popote, located in northern England, known for its nearly 140-item wine selection, is adding another notable feature to its repertoire. According to CNN, the restaurant will be the first venue in the U.K. to offer a water menu, joining the likes of The Fulton by Jean-Georges in New York City, Ray’s and Stark Bar in Los Angeles and the Water Library in Bangkok.
The La Popote menu, created by water sommelier Doran Binder, debuts on Friday, Aug. 22, and will offer four sparkling water options and three still water options — alongside complimentary tap water.
Binder, who’s certified by the Fine Water Academy and is already a supplier of the restaurant’s “house water” under his Crag Spring Water brand, proposed the idea of the specialized menu to the co-founders of La Popote Chef Joseph Rawlins and Gaëlle Radigon three years ago.
A water menu posted by the the bearded sommelier Doran Binder; A water bottle posted by certified water sommelier Doran Binder.
Doran Binder/Instagram
At first, the duo was not sold on the lineup. “I initially thought it was a ridiculous idea,” Rawlins told CNN. However, after a visit to Binder’s water bar, they were convinced of its necessity.
“It was mind-blowing,” Rawlins said, recalling the tasting, where they tried five to six different varieties with food pairings. “We did a second tasting with exactly the same waters, but we paired them with certain foods – like Manchego cheese, Comté cheese, chocolate, Parma ham, olives. Like with a wine, the taste just changed.”
Like any other drink offerings, the waters also come with descriptions and notable qualities for diners to weigh against each other. For instance, the six-time award-winning Crag Spring Water is listed as having a “smooth, creamy, silky” mouthfeel, whereas Vichy Celastins has a more “delicate, sweet” taste with a “light natural carbonation” mouthfeel.
La Popote did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Stock image of people toasting with water glasses.
Getty
The decision, and seemingly growing desire for the unique menu type, is on par with recent drinking trends. As reported by Gallup, only 54% of Americans say they drink alcohol, a historic low for the poll that began tracking this information in 1939.
The percentage has also been steadily declining since 2022, when 67% of Americans reported drinking. In 2023 it fell to 62% and then to 58% last year, giving rise to more water menus.
Dining and Cooking