A bit of the best

[storeynicholas]

Michael,
The trouble with Brazilian neighbours (lovely people that they are), is that they don't oblige by arriving on time and it would, therefore, be difficult to rely on other than pot boiling. this is because pit roasting, I believe, involves optimizing the heat of the oven, for the point of introduction of the fare; whereas, with pot boiling, you can let it simmer until they arrive - which could always be tomorrow. On the specific points that you raised: the Billecart-salmon '59 was from the year of my birth and I do wish that my God parents had set down a case for me. I've only had the Billecart-Salmon N/V - the brut rose (sorry don't know where the accents are on this), made popular in London by Oddbins and very good it is too. I assure you that I couldnot tell you a VCPGD 1945 from a Billecart-Salmon 1959 - they are, for a few lucky people, maybe once in lifetime experiences (and trust to luck not corked!). However, I would still like to have the '45 - because of the extraordinary circumstances of its making.

Whiskies - there are many good places for this - Berry Bros & Rudd or Justerini & Brooks will get you anything you crave. Otherwise, there is Oddbins (a good chain) and a specialist shop in WC2 called Cadenhead's - which sells all whiskies. On types - I favour Irish whiskies - Jameson Midleton; Bushmills' Black Bush but of scotch, I find Laphroaig 30 yr tremendous - however, none of them, to my mind, is in the same league as some pre-first world war Armagnac which I had a couple of years ago, at Crockford's and some 1898 Armagnac which, many years ago, I had in the old Grill Room of the Cafe Royal - an ethereal experience - like drinking bottled sunbeams from the world before it went quite mad.

Gene Tierney - strangely enough, Spencer Tracy might have agreed with you - because he had an affair with her while he was with Hepburn - and we will not agree on everything - but I will keep with Hedy!!
best,
Nicholas.

[Algernon]

Best opera to blast out urban noise (Puccini)

Anyone doing anything to celebrate the 150th anniversary? Any favourite works? Butterfly for me, I think, or at any rate the Freni - Pavarotti - Karajan rendition thereof.

Best wishes,

[storeynicholas]

La Boheme and Manon Lescaut for me ('strange how potent popular music can be'). I am sure that opera houses around the world will do something to mark the occasion.

However, on Michael's 'Gene Tierney raise' - I have thought a bit more about this - and come up with the following - obviously each would be in her prime -
Ellen Terry;
Gladys Cooper;
Gloria Swanson;
Kay Francis;
Greta Garbo;
Greta Scacchi.
best,
Nicholas.

[alden]

Callas singing Vissi D'Arte

Bjorling singing anything by Puccini eg Ch'ella mi creda

We have become a little to Anglo-centric with our list so I will have to counter with

Virna Lisi and Laura Antonelli

Cheers

[storeynicholas]

Fair enough. Moreover, now we each have two choices who are actually still alive!!
best,
Nicholas.

[Algernon]

Callas singing Vissi D'Arte

Yes, that is glorious. Listening to Puccini performed by considerable artists one is reminded how much more than a tunesmith he was...

Best,
William.

[hangthree]

Best shave: Taylor's of Old Bond Street


Would also nominate them for best shave cream : Eton College scent