Cocktails
A quick report from a short cocktails jaunt on Monday (yeah, I know…)
-> The ‘pop-up’ of NYC watering hole ‘Dead Rabbit’ (voted the world’s best bar is one of those silly compilations) is being held at Claridge’s. One is meant to book but it was fully taken on a Monday… in August… Walk-ins were encouraged to wait (at 6:20 PM we were told it would be until about 10-=10:30 PM…) in a rather ordinary little squashed ante-room bar. You won’t’ be surprised to read we exited immediately.
-> The Fumoir bar, next door, still in Claridge’s, was full (tables and barstools) and the foyer bar was also. They suggested the bar at Fera (a highly praised restaurant in Claridge’s) but they weren’t open yet…
-> Another place we tried was closed for August.
-> We adjourned to the Connaught’s bar which had a couple of free tables. Clientele still somewhat ‘blingy’/B&TC for my tastes. Our waitresses (two, apparently competing to garner orders, albeit not pushy at all, just attentive) were both v. attractive and wearing mini-skirts. I had a competent Vesper and a v. good Sazerac indeed. Drinks are about 20-22 GBP per.
My observation is that, even considering that some joints were shut for August, retailers that cater to the 5% are doing quite well.
BTW, Bellamy’s was open. What a nice, old-fashioned, ‘proper’ restaurant with such friendly service.
-> The ‘pop-up’ of NYC watering hole ‘Dead Rabbit’ (voted the world’s best bar is one of those silly compilations) is being held at Claridge’s. One is meant to book but it was fully taken on a Monday… in August… Walk-ins were encouraged to wait (at 6:20 PM we were told it would be until about 10-=10:30 PM…) in a rather ordinary little squashed ante-room bar. You won’t’ be surprised to read we exited immediately.
-> The Fumoir bar, next door, still in Claridge’s, was full (tables and barstools) and the foyer bar was also. They suggested the bar at Fera (a highly praised restaurant in Claridge’s) but they weren’t open yet…
-> Another place we tried was closed for August.
-> We adjourned to the Connaught’s bar which had a couple of free tables. Clientele still somewhat ‘blingy’/B&TC for my tastes. Our waitresses (two, apparently competing to garner orders, albeit not pushy at all, just attentive) were both v. attractive and wearing mini-skirts. I had a competent Vesper and a v. good Sazerac indeed. Drinks are about 20-22 GBP per.
My observation is that, even considering that some joints were shut for August, retailers that cater to the 5% are doing quite well.
BTW, Bellamy’s was open. What a nice, old-fashioned, ‘proper’ restaurant with such friendly service.
Nice racconto. It scares me to think how your long Friday cocktails hoppings are.Luca wrote:A quick report from a short cocktails jaunt on Monday
Have we got any further planning these cocktails? I am getting rather bored with everyone I know seemingly being on holiday at once. I suppose that is August.
Regarding egg froth: I concur, dry shake with the other ingredients (acidity helps like cream of tartare in a meringue) then add the ice for a last shake to cool it down. The proteins bond better warm. And I have never yet had to resort to a miniskirt to make my cocktails worth drinking
I have seen people cheat for batch drinks and shake the egg separately and add it with a spoon.... which has to be cheating.
Regarding egg froth: I concur, dry shake with the other ingredients (acidity helps like cream of tartare in a meringue) then add the ice for a last shake to cool it down. The proteins bond better warm. And I have never yet had to resort to a miniskirt to make my cocktails worth drinking
I have seen people cheat for batch drinks and shake the egg separately and add it with a spoon.... which has to be cheating.
Yes. That is the question in dispute to get a good egg white froth : dry shake first or last.
I do both and do not get very good results from either.
Maybe it is the temps of the egg whites as hectorm suggests.
I do also enjoy a nice pisco sour.
A white lady is also nice : just gin, Cointreau or some triple sec, lemon juice. And egg white for the froth.
Luca's adventures bear watching. Although I would guess that if one is lucky enough to live in London vacinity, that there are more adventurous and interesting choices of bars than the famous hotels. I suppose though that it depends on where you are at the time.
Cheers!!
I do both and do not get very good results from either.
Maybe it is the temps of the egg whites as hectorm suggests.
I do also enjoy a nice pisco sour.
A white lady is also nice : just gin, Cointreau or some triple sec, lemon juice. And egg white for the froth.
Luca's adventures bear watching. Although I would guess that if one is lucky enough to live in London vacinity, that there are more adventurous and interesting choices of bars than the famous hotels. I suppose though that it depends on where you are at the time.
Cheers!!
Put forth a date, old chap…lxlloyd wrote:Have we got any further planning these cocktails? I am getting rather bored with everyone I know seemingly being on holiday at once. I suppose that is August.
Forgive my ignorance but what does "B&TC" mean?
I'm ashamed to admit it's a rather snobbish term , originating in NYC.arch wrote:Forgive my ignorance but what does "B&TC" mean?
The "Bridge-and-tunnel crowd", meaning suburban folks who are perceived to be less sophisticated than downtown types and bring a more self-conscious, at times reverse-snobbishness vibe to a place.
In London the expression used to be "up West" as in someone who did not frequent the (then) more sophisticated West End habitually but did on a special occasion.
Last edited by Luca on Tue Sep 12, 2017 2:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Last edited by DavidS on Fri Dec 27, 2019 7:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I'm going to pick one out of the air.... Thursday 7th?
At present, I can't commit to 7 Sept., I'm afraid, but it's certainly a possibility.
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Last edited by DavidS on Fri Dec 27, 2019 7:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Your turn to propose a date my good sirLuca wrote:At present, I can't commit to 7 Sept., I'm afraid, but it's certainly a possibility.
How about Wednesday, 13 September? Perhaps starting at the Beaufort Bar, as DavidS had suggested? I just made a speculative reservation for 18:30.
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Last edited by DavidS on Fri Dec 27, 2019 7:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I hope the Beaufort is the one for the wives. I couldn't find the chronicles of which one was which. You tell me later.Luca wrote: Perhaps starting at the Beaufort Bar, as DavidS had suggested?
Alexandra: if the gentlemen are buying (as I presume), be sure to order the Old Fashioned.
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