Cocktails

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Luca
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Wed Aug 23, 2017 11:08 am

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.
hectorm
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Wed Aug 23, 2017 4:00 pm

Luca wrote:A quick report from a short cocktails jaunt on Monday
Nice racconto. It scares me to think how your long Friday cocktails hoppings are. :D
lxlloyd
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Thu Aug 24, 2017 2:06 am

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 8)

I have seen people cheat for batch drinks and shake the egg separately and add it with a spoon.... which has to be cheating.
uppercase
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Thu Aug 24, 2017 2:33 am

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!!
Luca
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Thu Aug 24, 2017 12:16 pm

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.
Put forth a date, old chap… 8)
arch
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Thu Aug 24, 2017 1:55 pm

Forgive my ignorance but what does "B&TC" mean?
Luca
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Thu Aug 24, 2017 9:19 pm

arch wrote:Forgive my ignorance but what does "B&TC" mean?
I'm ashamed to admit it's a rather snobbish term :oops: , originating in NYC.

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.
DavidS
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Fri Aug 25, 2017 9:08 am

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Last edited by DavidS on Fri Dec 27, 2019 7:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
lxlloyd
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Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:38 pm

I'm going to pick one out of the air.... Thursday 7th?
Luca
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Tue Aug 29, 2017 2:50 pm

At present, I can't commit to 7 Sept., I'm afraid, but it's certainly a possibility.
DavidS
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Thu Aug 31, 2017 5:29 pm

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Last edited by DavidS on Fri Dec 27, 2019 7:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
lxlloyd
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Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:29 am

Luca wrote:At present, I can't commit to 7 Sept., I'm afraid, but it's certainly a possibility.
Your turn to propose a date my good sir :D
Luca
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Fri Sep 08, 2017 9:46 am

How about Wednesday, 13 September? Perhaps starting at the Beaufort Bar, as DavidS had suggested? I just made a speculative reservation for 18:30.
DavidS
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Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:07 am

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Last edited by DavidS on Fri Dec 27, 2019 7:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
hectorm
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Sun Sep 10, 2017 5:10 am

Luca wrote: Perhaps starting at the Beaufort Bar, as DavidS had suggested?
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.
Alexandra: if the gentlemen are buying (as I presume), be sure to order the Old Fashioned. :mrgreen:
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