tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41732233330539359822024-02-06T20:25:02.224-08:00London Bar SceneBar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-22148694306493579912014-04-22T07:30:00.000-07:002014-04-22T07:30:02.687-07:00Presenting... Whisky Sqaud Tasting #84<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a long time coming, but I finally attended my first
Whisky Squad tasting, run by </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQrxHJKqJwbhwoOXHEeFrbuHe-hhUze8GCTT56M1_rcn16KIPpzIbVFXAn8nheSvA_BqVfjNPOPKKh5gMYtL4QD8hW-eF4iDT2bv-2ODfsQ7gaKmfskPImKG85UAPwMIQzCaZ_9frSDs/s1600/2014-04-17+22.15.52+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQrxHJKqJwbhwoOXHEeFrbuHe-hhUze8GCTT56M1_rcn16KIPpzIbVFXAn8nheSvA_BqVfjNPOPKKh5gMYtL4QD8hW-eF4iDT2bv-2ODfsQ7gaKmfskPImKG85UAPwMIQzCaZ_9frSDs/s1600/2014-04-17+22.15.52+(2).jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">industry stalwarts Jason Standing and Billy
Abbott, at the King and Queen in Fitzrovia. 14 whisky aficionados got together
to discuss Non Age Statement Whiskies. So we started with a few ideas about
where they fit in, or if they do at all, quality and what lies behind them,
then started the tasting:<o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whisky #1: Prime Blue (Morrison Bowmore blend made in 80s
for Asian market)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Nose was fruity with marzipan and vanilla and
developed toffee with time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Palate was richer than the nose, more wood
influence, round in the mouth and was best without water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whisky #2: Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve (from Japan)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Nose was sour fruits, citrus, green apple and
nail polish, richer with time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Palate was sharp with a sweet finish then bitter
length, very highball style<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whisky #3: Old Pulteney Duncansby Head (Travel Retail)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Nose is very malty, almost hops and bleu meat,
gets sweeter with time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Palate is very spicy (46% abv), gets some round
buttery rounds and has some furniture polish on finish, develops coffee on
finish<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whisky #4: Talisker 57° North (NB very deep gold colour)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Sweet smoky bacon nose, described by others as
drinking “hot dogs”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->With water is develops Islay style bonfire notes
and germoline profile but it is from Skye!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whisky #5: Ancnoc Flaughter newly released peated range) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Lightly smoked like slow cooking lamb, sweet,
polish, green apple, another big 46% abv<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Sprightly little thing, smoke levels out to a
gentle finish<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->WINNER OF THE TASTING FOR ME<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whisky #6: Glenmorangie Companta (limited release, sold out)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Lino, rubber nose with banana underneath and polish
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Buttery bananas on the finish, metallic, nose definitely
better than palate, 46% doesn’t show</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Despite the newness of some of these whisky releases, NAS whiskies have been around for a while and will continue to lend another depth to an already fascinating range of age and vintage single distillery whiskies and blends too. I have found my favourite from this line up, try some yourself, especially fun on whisky "snob" friends who are rather too interested in age over liquid...</span></div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-85744006965929546562014-04-04T09:58:00.000-07:002014-04-04T09:58:00.064-07:00Presenting… Monkey Shoulder DIY Drinks Kitchen with The Bon Vivant <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R4-48Rw9oPDaRmjV_m7DgC5sqAjqfL_fA4ZUMbcgV_MYu3xG-MOikPvRWI6N_i8V1O5rX24o6DEe6tqkydrNlkh89C7rtMM-TAfJTWAodc39inotlSVVXfY5bHblw_yKggxkiVagxEE/s1600/1269324_591728770890465_1007688593_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R4-48Rw9oPDaRmjV_m7DgC5sqAjqfL_fA4ZUMbcgV_MYu3xG-MOikPvRWI6N_i8V1O5rX24o6DEe6tqkydrNlkh89C7rtMM-TAfJTWAodc39inotlSVVXfY5bHblw_yKggxkiVagxEE/s1600/1269324_591728770890465_1007688593_o.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I am honest, it was not the best start as this London
Cocktail Week pop up was running both a bar upstairs and a DIY kitchen event
downstairs and we were a bit confused which queue was which; most annoying when
it is also raining. But we got there in the end, and joined the crowd around three
large butcher block type wooden tables to enjoy an evening with The Bon Vivant’s
team from Edinburgh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now this was all the way back in October so I cannot
remember exact details, but I know there was:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Cured salmon and pear</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Smoked duck and fig</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">- </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Monkey shoulder infused Christmas cake</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And along with all this food we watched then tried to
replicate the cocktails we were taught, a mixture of stirred, shaken and then the
infused whisky straight. Here are some lovely pics to give you an idea of the
evening:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIlUtgWupILSO-toFWDHesseYC1Z9_fsv4KIloI6tMVn8E_-6d6A5ojBfudzbZs7Bq4sT_ConSWe6nAJn9ERgi-ASFFuy5vaQi81M_aIHr3ycVN7ug30DeqiVtbwzd359SUAFgxj4Pmw/s1600/2013-10-11+19.48.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIlUtgWupILSO-toFWDHesseYC1Z9_fsv4KIloI6tMVn8E_-6d6A5ojBfudzbZs7Bq4sT_ConSWe6nAJn9ERgi-ASFFuy5vaQi81M_aIHr3ycVN7ug30DeqiVtbwzd359SUAFgxj4Pmw/s1600/2013-10-11+19.48.12.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil41ThvsnIDjIMVrx0uqL2PRicpRCWJcPBGVuSUc5ncu8-9BF5Xxfeb_DlEDKB0TQu1VkZRAjvANwRbfpa2ppWVBT8T2rW5cvv_SrcbpP4x9rsIaLoVrzXi-tI2yxrHB5dmChW7gFufRg/s1600/2013-10-11+19.18.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil41ThvsnIDjIMVrx0uqL2PRicpRCWJcPBGVuSUc5ncu8-9BF5Xxfeb_DlEDKB0TQu1VkZRAjvANwRbfpa2ppWVBT8T2rW5cvv_SrcbpP4x9rsIaLoVrzXi-tI2yxrHB5dmChW7gFufRg/s1600/2013-10-11+19.18.48.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9bcL20hyGB5OvUg0PmUyOkYa4nzWJnNuGnPq0Rpuitycl1k-COcvtFrz8RIVyo5EHgPWtrizcVO4JD37mhqpXoTshXGz-3yfFqQNtRmJp819bvLncM-o96yy07D0_m0ucWycWiMyETY/s1600/2013-10-11+20.00.17+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9bcL20hyGB5OvUg0PmUyOkYa4nzWJnNuGnPq0Rpuitycl1k-COcvtFrz8RIVyo5EHgPWtrizcVO4JD37mhqpXoTshXGz-3yfFqQNtRmJp819bvLncM-o96yy07D0_m0ucWycWiMyETY/s1600/2013-10-11+20.00.17+(1).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolzycNecfhEJn9LhXp-5nWsADHIMhaheYSq8MbTWjjycmhCQVJ2PQsjByYzu0J5-tC-bAdwWfia63Fi_V7MqQOsxBw0tz0ZATKVHUABAnIecvmm3ZxvpGfGl4KCkNKRSexhkReJDmO-g/s1600/2013-10-11+20.38.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolzycNecfhEJn9LhXp-5nWsADHIMhaheYSq8MbTWjjycmhCQVJ2PQsjByYzu0J5-tC-bAdwWfia63Fi_V7MqQOsxBw0tz0ZATKVHUABAnIecvmm3ZxvpGfGl4KCkNKRSexhkReJDmO-g/s1600/2013-10-11+20.38.00.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was good, with a nice crowd of people and the cocktail styles
covered all palates. However, we were just starving – and tipsy – by the end
and the cake infused shot didn’t do it for us which was a shame – in theory it
should have been fab. All I do know is that every time you go to Edinburgh, you
should visit these guys. They really know their stuff. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-77045157831015938012014-03-27T05:00:00.000-07:002014-03-27T05:00:12.795-07:00Presenting... Vermouth Wars<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSVu6TSTBW0q3nMUIDNGaePeyOQ9vYBTwodmAn7oDm4YQ8ekpO4IBMXAkRArkSD63jyLdmFY4DE_7ae2Sv4hhQjZ-DccGPduoad_L3JanPqu3LIlNG63b1-BmwUMCy-esz1XyudXy2ME/s1600/bbsLogo-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSVu6TSTBW0q3nMUIDNGaePeyOQ9vYBTwodmAn7oDm4YQ8ekpO4IBMXAkRArkSD63jyLdmFY4DE_7ae2Sv4hhQjZ-DccGPduoad_L3JanPqu3LIlNG63b1-BmwUMCy-esz1XyudXy2ME/s1600/bbsLogo-2.png" height="33" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was quite a task that Andrew Scutts, of Boutique bar
Show, took on trying to organise a tasting from 4 different vermouth makers
from different importers/agencies, all for the industry. And I am glad he did
as I know very little about the category (apart from a TV show that visited Noilly
Prats last year) and this line up was fascinating.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just for those as ignorant as me: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wine + alcohol +
sugar + botanicals (always wormwood) = VERMOUTH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6adRVMqwgM_kmunc7N3_MBKfAMtMFdEtTW5n7Xsfv4T__h1qlaBWk800PZs-lFV0NzsoSChmsAh_b7b00csdZJqSWVe_LFq9tGwgy3nNl25Lx_80RwmVR_Sb9m0ULbppSvGz8Yv_mE2Q/s1600/download+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6adRVMqwgM_kmunc7N3_MBKfAMtMFdEtTW5n7Xsfv4T__h1qlaBWk800PZs-lFV0NzsoSChmsAh_b7b00csdZJqSWVe_LFq9tGwgy3nNl25Lx_80RwmVR_Sb9m0ULbppSvGz8Yv_mE2Q/s1600/download+(1).jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wormwood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And my, has the category come on in recent years! This is
due to countries out with the traditional France/Italy getting involved in
vermouth production, due to the rise of the classic cocktails and one producer
claimed making products without the mistakes of the long standing brands! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We tasted these in the order extra dry, dry, amber and red
and unfortunately I did not have time to stay for their signature serves;
however I am going to group them by brand. Starting with:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MANCINO (Italian)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Presented by the very personable Giancarlo, he started by
making much of his time behind the bar (with Salvatore and at The Lanesborough
amongst others) and his determination to make a vermouth ‘worthy’ of his
martinis. He assures us that his vermouths will last, open, for up to 6 months
if correctly stored due to the 9 months taken to prepare each batch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Secco: 1.87g sugar per bottle, 18 botanicals, trebbiano wine<br />
<u>Nose</u> sweetness like vanilla, some herbal notes<br />
<u>Palate</u> sharp, bitter yet clean as well with the lemon, orange and
lemongrass coming through<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bianco Ambrato: 200g sugar per litre<br />
<u>Nose</u> lots of elderflower<br />
<u>Palate</u> where the quinine really comes through, first that high sugar but
bitter finish <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rosso Amaranto: 39 botanicals including juniper, rhubarb,
vanilla, orange…<br />
<u>Nose</u> very light, delicate<br />
<u>Palate</u> same on the palate, very delicate. I like it by itself but not
sure how it would sit in a cocktail<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those with £150 spare there is also the Vecchio, only 60
bottles in the UK, and is an enhanced version of the Rosso with great balance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LA QUINTINYE ROYAL (French)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each expression has 12 base botanicals then different
variants have additional fruits and spices. This is the team also behind Ciroc Vodka
and G’Vine Gin, with an emphasis on the vine flower.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Extra Dry: pinot de charentes wine and cognac eau de vie<br />
<u>Nose</u> some earthiness, a bit chlorine? <br />
<u>Palate</u> a bit like Riesling, burnt toffee, some of that chlorine from the
nose?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blanco: 5 botanicals added to the base 12<br />
<u>Nose</u> elderflower but further chlorine, not getting along with these!<br />
<u>Palate</u> elderflower and a healthy dose of liquorice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rouge: there is some chocolate, maybe prunes, but sweet and
still…chlorine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unconvinced but perhaps these are better in cocktails<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CARLO ALBERTO (Italian)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An very old company, who have been producing vermouths from
Turin for centuries on and off, and have a recipe that went to the kings of the
day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Extra Dry: high quality DOCG wine base, 25 botanicals, master
blender ensures consistency of each batch<br />
<u>Nose</u> quite strange, fresh grass, mint?<br />
<u>Palate</u> smoky, almost bacon finish <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blanca: <br />
<u>Nose</u> like liquorice, bit sickly, wears off<br />
<u>Palate</u> balanced sweetness to floral notes, cinnamon, surprise FAVOURITE
of the group<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rosso:27 botanicals including orange, sherry, red fruit<br />
<u>Nose</u> wormwood<br />
<u>Palate</u> quite bitter, long finish, ok but not stand out<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SACRED (UK)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Ian and Hilary Hart producing their award-winning gin
amongst other products from their living room in Highgate. Very distinctly
different from other countries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spiced English Vermouth: three choirs English wine and 24
botanicals including plums, cherries and thyme<br />
<u>Nose</u> really blackcurrant jam nose<br />
<u>Palate</u> more blackcurrant, elderflower, well balanced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rose Hip Cup:<br />
<u>Nose</u> blackcurrant<br />
<u>Palate</u> really quite floral, bitter, not one for me straight but no doubt
great negroni twist<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UpfDDWlJVKu9aT3ZOyykeVzoB-qAvulykaUKDADxSNaKyFRrRvn1nSvNCiNvAcOvcTf05LstsyO_amhNOhkJgmnrACVfzwAeTITLc4I4Oa34xxMJib5iRK3WASrn4Iz5s4OnXh2IT0Y/s1600/Bjk9ZItIUAEdrOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UpfDDWlJVKu9aT3ZOyykeVzoB-qAvulykaUKDADxSNaKyFRrRvn1nSvNCiNvAcOvcTf05LstsyO_amhNOhkJgmnrACVfzwAeTITLc4I4Oa34xxMJib5iRK3WASrn4Iz5s4OnXh2IT0Y/s1600/Bjk9ZItIUAEdrOP.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A captive audience</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to the Bassoon Bar at The Corinthia for hosting, they
did an amazing job getting everyone in and seated! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-75191504978399489932013-11-17T03:59:00.001-08:002013-11-17T04:00:01.093-08:00Sager + Wilde, Hackney: 19/20<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Location: 193 Hackney Road E2 8JL</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Website: www.sagerandwilde.com </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit: From 5pm or 2pm for Sunday indulgence!</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Note: It's not just wines they do well, their toasties are fab!</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Scores</u></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ambiance 4/5</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Design 5/5</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drinks 5/5</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Staff 5/5 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I had been waiting for this opening for quite a while, not only after their pop up last Christmas on Old Street roundabout but also seeing their regular photos of the bar developing. And I was not disappointed; Located almost opposite the old QuiQuiRiQui mezcaleria, about a 5 minute fast walk from Shoredtich High Street, wooden venetian blinds and a simple SAGER+WILDE above the door cannot hide that the windows were already steamed up on a cold night and already half full just a few minutes after opening - the East End has been waiting for such a venue!</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUk8UHgDUfsHwd-UNdx040HB9FzUuYtSo6l3RlBxhp-0Mhr9ZaTyML7esAc9726E3k77gq6OPxoOZvraJn4j_cfa-uCI8GzhGGRaz_CeuZqSG95FBMOq2B1Rd3IeNKJte3dqHIQvkcgkg/s1600/sgrwilde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUk8UHgDUfsHwd-UNdx040HB9FzUuYtSo6l3RlBxhp-0Mhr9ZaTyML7esAc9726E3k77gq6OPxoOZvraJn4j_cfa-uCI8GzhGGRaz_CeuZqSG95FBMOq2B1Rd3IeNKJte3dqHIQvkcgkg/s200/sgrwilde.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">And yes, this is an East End establishment which means full beards, army surplus jackets and designer glasses abound but mixed in with a range of different ages, in couples, big groups or even locals having a quick glass and chat to the staff. To be honest if you have got a seat here you also have the right to look smug. It is not a cheap night but it will be a good one, especially if you nab a stool at the old street paving bar to get Mike (Sager)'s wisdom on wine choice. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">There are some sherries and vermouths but the wine is what you come for with a daily changing range of whites and reds by the glass and available to take away - often rather special - and if that is not enough the "special list" by the bottle as well. And the staff are well versed and most importantly passionate about their choices so come armed </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8HFHsDexRjL3MYdeQfvcfrJNNi1bGWOp-RtSclY0D2eUValjclVF4MHUiliaiWqb4_IJMMyMenwDvzVoPfoN3zTdsK2eovK4v0cHnbErEnUoUvQhmcNS_VdJruTHHoxfwLPmpaAjnrQ/s1600/sgr2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8HFHsDexRjL3MYdeQfvcfrJNNi1bGWOp-RtSclY0D2eUValjclVF4MHUiliaiWqb4_IJMMyMenwDvzVoPfoN3zTdsK2eovK4v0cHnbErEnUoUvQhmcNS_VdJruTHHoxfwLPmpaAjnrQ/s200/sgr2.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">
with just a few preferences (dry/sweet, fruity/full bodied etc) and let them be your guide. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">If you get hungry, their toasties are divine or opt for a cheese and meat board - they will also help you choose by the wine you are enjoying!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">This is a wonderful little addition to Hackney Road and one I hope to return to again and again. Well done Mike and Charlotte!</span></span></div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-42094205336497819742013-11-04T03:35:00.000-08:002013-11-04T03:35:23.933-08:00The Blind Pig, Soho: 20/20 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Location: 58 Poland Street, London, W1F 7NR</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Website: www.socialeatinghouse.com </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit: Every time you are free!</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Note: Enjoy some nibbles if you cannot get a dinner table downstairs</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Scores</u></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ambiance 5/5</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Design 5/5</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drinks 5/5</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Staff 5/5 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Blind Pig. From the minute I walked in (through the wrong door, take the wooden door to the right of the restaurant which has both a pig's head on it and is under the optician's sign) I felt like I may have found another of those gems on the bar scene - and the proof is that I keep going back.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUNAPxYNVhQku6bUUEYlsQEFz0Dj1KedPHq79B6atVHcGPaEalZXN0iaVIYHLC1C4r9ZBktwvunQb_gHu077PYKEV7243iYNx0YONKBb9zNoRJMNJ-4FsAjwH7L1_dmXdO6sDJQJQ55o/s1600/timthumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUNAPxYNVhQku6bUUEYlsQEFz0Dj1KedPHq79B6atVHcGPaEalZXN0iaVIYHLC1C4r9ZBktwvunQb_gHu077PYKEV7243iYNx0YONKBb9zNoRJMNJ-4FsAjwH7L1_dmXdO6sDJQJQ55o/s200/timthumb.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The decor is reminiscent of Hawksmoor with lots of leather and dark wood alongside burnished metal. (It is not a speakeasy by any standards but) the low lighting and cosy booths make this place feel wonderfully illicit, even if you are sitting on the exceedingly comfy leather bar stool watching the magic happen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDkEZQuUWZFUUVXJ4sAlVUWIueJDubOYzqunLcYzDJvpmph4hWsYtZj_U4JajHpnn3J2GmujIbUWhEQLtPGXmjZszvYG_16-GzxpX9h_kSeCn7TU9fADRQbbNlUZmvH77TrUpdWgyFB4/s1600/ATT54708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDkEZQuUWZFUUVXJ4sAlVUWIueJDubOYzqunLcYzDJvpmph4hWsYtZj_U4JajHpnn3J2GmujIbUWhEQLtPGXmjZszvYG_16-GzxpX9h_kSeCn7TU9fADRQbbNlUZmvH77TrUpdWgyFB4/s200/ATT54708.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The drinks - as group bar manager and legend Gareth Evans says - are already being copied elsewhere in the capital and we all know this is the sincerest form of flattery. In particular their thermo-nuclear daiquiri - though not a recipe that they can claim - is served with bio-hazard tape and a glow stick so look out for this serve! Cereal killer is served in a clear plastic milk carton and garnishes are divine. And the menu is well proportioned with all the bar staff working together to ensure a menu that covers the bases without overwhelming you. I have tried several drinks over my visits and the currently trending Slap and Pickle - yup, gin with pickle juice - still stays with me as both intriguing and worth another order! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of staff, these guys are polite and friendly, and under the tutelage of Gareth Evans (Diageo's World Class star 2012) are also knowledgeable in both spirits and cocktails. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cannot say enough good things about The Blind Pig; and they have followed up this success just a few months later with Berner's Tavern in Editions Hotel. It is barely 5 minutes walk away and utterly decadent - Jason Atherton's empire knows no bounds and long may this continue. </span><br />
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-88105593219943333062013-10-23T04:51:00.002-07:002013-10-23T04:51:48.214-07:00Presenting... Glenmorangie and Cigars at Boisdale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be honest. The title of this article is rather a gentlemanly pursuit. And yes, there was only one female. That does not mean that this was not a completely unexpected night of great times. It was fab!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOtDvR0fES-aKUoT4Vg6T9cJ0aZ1bW1PeKGnTC3f_rk7Hk3ZZKKSqw8Z198lJUx3b25npithb2dL4d_DCp6P26jDwOqdrmTHYZ94gDs9AH1LEWaFx-cDctJAk_X_OQ8T1wmpu2aXYIZw/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOtDvR0fES-aKUoT4Vg6T9cJ0aZ1bW1PeKGnTC3f_rk7Hk3ZZKKSqw8Z198lJUx3b25npithb2dL4d_DCp6P26jDwOqdrmTHYZ94gDs9AH1LEWaFx-cDctJAk_X_OQ8T1wmpu2aXYIZw/s1600/download.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, on a slightly shivery evening 10 of us, mainly cigar aficionados rather than whisky, sat down at Boisdale Canary Wharf's cigar terrace to get educated. Although mainly men, the average age was much lower than you'd expect, early thirties for most. Apparently, the trend for cigars is going the same way as whiskies; younger consumers are coming in both better educated and looking for more knowledge. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started with a fascinating break down of the cigar by Dan Pink of Hunters and Frankau, THE cigar wholesalers of the UK since 1790. He told us that the definition of a Cuban Cigar (still the world's best) is that </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(a) it is made in Cuba!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(b) it is hand rolled and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(c) it is long filled...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me explain. You take apart a cigarette or a cheap cigar and the tobacco inside is all chopped up into shreds. You take apart a Cuban cigar and there are ONLY 5 leaves running the length of the whole thing, amazing! So once Dan had shown us (me) how to cut and light the cigar, this was paired with Glenmorangie Whiskies from the Highlands. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(FYI The cigar was a Cohiba Madura 5 Genios)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was the Original, the Lasanta, Quinta Ruban and Nectar D'Or. What was really interesting was that each whisky was the Original with 2 years in an additional finish. So the Lasanta was 2 years in Sherry casks and that added the spicy, slightly lino-y notes. Quinta Ruban - my favourite - was 2 years in Port. This lent a depth of colour and a sweetness. And Nectar D'Or was 2 years in Sauternes casks which I think is too tame a wine to lend much but everyone had their favourites. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZAdtD6R1bH0A7aFC4mRh8-VbDKOx4kPFaAHNGQxbz6zm5-SSm83Ye0j_YYvcy_waszg8eQiPDgW3rd9G57qxIjrpZTX2PLjgVk7In49tzERe56Rqqr4Cj0hOzXRcWs8PjTcqcA2AIcQ/s1600/download+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZAdtD6R1bH0A7aFC4mRh8-VbDKOx4kPFaAHNGQxbz6zm5-SSm83Ye0j_YYvcy_waszg8eQiPDgW3rd9G57qxIjrpZTX2PLjgVk7In49tzERe56Rqqr4Cj0hOzXRcWs8PjTcqcA2AIcQ/s1600/download+(1).jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The surprise of the night was that the cigar - a "medium to full" - was really very enjoyable. Yes, I had to re-light it 4 times due to not drawing in smoke enough but as a first timer it was great! And Boisdale are far from the stuffy "Scottish" members club you may be imagining and is a modern airy space with great food and a stupendous bar with regular jazz to boot. Don't hesitate to book a (somewhat pricey) night here if any of this sounds appealing. You will not be disappointed. </span></div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-67804675965660339812013-10-16T04:26:00.000-07:002013-10-16T04:26:30.303-07:00Presenting... Sette Vie Liqueurs <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Kensington Place Restaurant, perhaps not the first place you would think of to host a "Cocktail Academy" but that is exactly what they are doing, once a month.<br />
<br />
We turned up in September to see what Sette Vie liqueurs were all about. The class started with a glass of prosecco, very civilised, and then we sat down on a big table and Paul Pavli of Boutique Brands explained how they first came across this family company and their shelved recipes, now restored and relaunched. All local herbs and flavours are used from their region of Abruzzo (for the wine lovers).<br />
<br />
Brief history done, we moved onto tasting where we started with my favourite of the evening and something I have not come across before - Ratafia. This is a cherry and almond liqueur that can simply be described as bakewell tart in a bottle. This was then made into a twist on the French 75 but we preferred it over ice. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVe4gmaNFdwB_aChlceEeH1bKs9-GkL5i0GNYUWisIY7qZfkfSRHOw1WFiYZRiItpv-NSylGPzJzc0HimBX9K5CpikYwYxUBP7zQvyQ8sC2a_POLAZ2_OhLILzfSRP-rwkghW0eXTNWHI/s1600/IMG_20130909_203144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVe4gmaNFdwB_aChlceEeH1bKs9-GkL5i0GNYUWisIY7qZfkfSRHOw1WFiYZRiItpv-NSylGPzJzc0HimBX9K5CpikYwYxUBP7zQvyQ8sC2a_POLAZ2_OhLILzfSRP-rwkghW0eXTNWHI/s320/IMG_20130909_203144.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
Christmas present for friends all round!<br />
<br />
Then came their amaretto, universally declared as better, more <i>real</i> shall we say, than the "biggest name on the market" and made a delicious Amaretto Sour (shake with lemon juice, gomme and egg white). This was topped with a Ratafia soaked cherry, yum.<br />
<br />
And lastly my nemesis of sorts as there are not many things I won't drink but Limoncello is one of them. I just think it tastes too much like cleaning product but no doubt this is a psychological block from my adolescent drinking experiences! However, mixed with vodka, lemon juice and sugar - I know, I also thought that would not work! - it became the best cocktail of the evening.<br />
<br />
This is a lovely way to spend a Monday evening and we stayed for excellent fish pie too. The next one is in November - Dalmore Whisky - and they fill up fast so pop onto the website and join Imants and his fabulous bar team as soon as you can! </div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-75363910250331047832013-10-11T06:42:00.000-07:002013-10-11T06:42:07.259-07:00London Cocktail Week: The Candy Store <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Callooh Callay + Colin Dunn = pure entertainment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And once again this dream team have come together to present Charlie's Chocolate Factory set in the Candy Store (that will also run in the Upstairs Bar until end of November).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 'room through the wardrobe' offers "alcoholic candy floss"; we chose rum and gingerbread, and a vodka, almond and cherry. They tasted...sugary... but were still a delicious treat. Tables were packed with strawberry laces, popcorn, bonbons, gumballs and boiled sweets to help yourself to. And the menu, specially developed for the installment with fabulous whisky cocktails, is innovative as well as offering flights of whiskies and chocolate pairings if you missed the classes this week. Oh and did I mention that its made of rice paper, so yes, its edible! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-t-L1croMeK0-yAJuIpIX7sdnR8VdWAQrcsEk_Vsc0OAOITo_YV5vGnbLOhIRwgLxdbL8wWTVK-vFjJUSSJiSQjMISEIlbPIvBJRTlp-3l3T_3h25MMVL433AGS4trfUf7LrirjUGP8/s1600/download+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-t-L1croMeK0-yAJuIpIX7sdnR8VdWAQrcsEk_Vsc0OAOITo_YV5vGnbLOhIRwgLxdbL8wWTVK-vFjJUSSJiSQjMISEIlbPIvBJRTlp-3l3T_3h25MMVL433AGS4trfUf7LrirjUGP8/s200/download+(1).jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt83FSluVxcNtq6EsmfxdEHkDHCNu40YIZ9IesMzhDppan7lqIqIegcrZY6bhP_BLPYHRs5h-9RWuFNankYS3OQP8hGqxVmg8ocjUveRw0eqElffWhKHIeJ_Eo_WnxMyGi_uMiGiLBnnA/s1600/download+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt83FSluVxcNtq6EsmfxdEHkDHCNu40YIZ9IesMzhDppan7lqIqIegcrZY6bhP_BLPYHRs5h-9RWuFNankYS3OQP8hGqxVmg8ocjUveRw0eqElffWhKHIeJ_Eo_WnxMyGi_uMiGiLBnnA/s200/download+(2).jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were then invited through the curtains and up the stairs to The Candy Store with its fabulous red and white striped wall paper and rows and rows of old sweet jars. The whisky line up was Johnnie Walker Black, Gold and Platinum and each was accompanied by a "bean to bar" chocolate morsel carefully considered by chocolatier Amy Woods. They were well matched, especially the last example which really added a biscuity almond element, but I have to say I would have enjoyed a good truffle more...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxo8ZgF_XL60oRo02Av1ePCunokbPiKWuofi4P2ijtpGWBx1ZGgVpbklM8tq3M1Mu_FKPlcN5ziErivEVFk51cSQ4m64KZBLWIBSDcl4ZQSeLZNhGEWnTNLZMy9M8UU9cZAry9NEsoig/s1600/download+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxo8ZgF_XL60oRo02Av1ePCunokbPiKWuofi4P2ijtpGWBx1ZGgVpbklM8tq3M1Mu_FKPlcN5ziErivEVFk51cSQ4m64KZBLWIBSDcl4ZQSeLZNhGEWnTNLZMy9M8UU9cZAry9NEsoig/s200/download+(3).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like these whiskies the "wrong way round" with Gold at the top, Black then Platinum. But it was a mere whiff of Lagavulin that got the most appreciation in the room and made my plus one immediately declare himself for Islay. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cocktail menu here is why you should visit, immediately. If it is possible, I think this may be their best one yet! </span><br />
<br /></div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-76960409556669888992013-10-10T09:07:00.001-07:002013-10-10T09:33:28.470-07:00London Cocktail Week: Disaronno Sour Station<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LCW 2013 is back for its third year, and its second year in its Seven Dials home. I headed to the Ketel One hub early afternoon on Monday morning (although they had opened the hub the weekend before to collect your wristband if you were organised enough). No big queues like last year, though this was late afternoon, and friendly staff on hand to get your registration through an ipad. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I grabbed the literature (a book of all the bars offering £4 cocktails, a trial Time Out card and a Seven Dials map) and fully intended to head away as I had an event on. However, any free space in the area has been packed out with treats like the Monkey Shoulder DIY kitchen, the Belvedere Martini rooms, Portobello's Gin Club and so so much more from cocktails in shops to a shave and a shot stopping by the Bacardi Brown Foreman classes en route!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in the street even there is Funkin Cocktails, Fevertree, Averna liqueurs and a Disaronno bike, pedaling (ha, get it?!) a simple citrus serve that tastes really very good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So you have 3 days left, make the most of it. An if you don't know where to go just pick any Seven Dials street and see what you come across! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV0ETcAx_zK8ba3FeaAnGigJuJwj89cWa6zhDuv5dJ0ot0MHGU6IYeXHJlf46iiBkg-jN8EVExeKsadEYwFNhLWGbSLNxxzutSHNy4h8hAkNVnLQ4hyoQN8kr8nq1w02iM3eHAeoj5g0/s1600/IMG-20131007-00607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV0ETcAx_zK8ba3FeaAnGigJuJwj89cWa6zhDuv5dJ0ot0MHGU6IYeXHJlf46iiBkg-jN8EVExeKsadEYwFNhLWGbSLNxxzutSHNy4h8hAkNVnLQ4hyoQN8kr8nq1w02iM3eHAeoj5g0/s200/IMG-20131007-00607.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXJaKdFMLYWRUwULUeNqUqlrypgg-5az_DkyFFGs46vnx11LGZkjA3kmR0kSrFrIDjykl9Z2eo_WIZBLRyROHiP97c2kbt1aalYkbszWhaGIbF-chTNOV3I-Q5vXJ48Wq2-xrSybrIr8/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXJaKdFMLYWRUwULUeNqUqlrypgg-5az_DkyFFGs46vnx11LGZkjA3kmR0kSrFrIDjykl9Z2eo_WIZBLRyROHiP97c2kbt1aalYkbszWhaGIbF-chTNOV3I-Q5vXJ48Wq2-xrSybrIr8/s200/download.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-34998513962360801422013-08-02T03:14:00.002-07:002013-08-02T03:14:36.109-07:00Presenting...Konik's Tail Vodka <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was first introduced to this vodka, unlike the majority of
people, by someone other than owner/maker/marketer Pleurat. It was a friend and
restaurant manager who said I had to try a martini with Konik’s Tail. It was
good but we’d already had a bit of gin by then and didn't think of it again. A few months later Pleurat
rocks up to Selfridges Wine Shop, pulls out a table and starts offering
tastings at the door. He certainly confused the other exhibitors who had waited
months for their slot!</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then he turns up at one of my tastings. And again. And again.
For one man, Pleurat is </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMxCidIlCkspm-8cSU6KE0OVdzd8XacEV3MrtRYU1tphW5x2pXicWy7gfXnBWYEFWXfsqnICNiWpT9BkW3awheNNZRUF8VbjXqbEZoUjXyK0QmMJ_MCoxZ5k-sBa2-dL_bFG0xN38uKU/s1600/Koniks+tail+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMxCidIlCkspm-8cSU6KE0OVdzd8XacEV3MrtRYU1tphW5x2pXicWy7gfXnBWYEFWXfsqnICNiWpT9BkW3awheNNZRUF8VbjXqbEZoUjXyK0QmMJ_MCoxZ5k-sBa2-dL_bFG0xN38uKU/s200/Koniks+tail+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">everywhere. So almost 2 years after I first tried Konik’s
Tail I was delighted to join Paul of Bespoke and Tonic to hear Pleurat tell his
story officially. And what a story it was.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were taken on a journey from his arrival in the UK in
1994, his first job at an Angus Steakhouse and apartment shared with his fellow
pot washers to his move into bar tending and from there an –unexplained – dip in
fortunes before he recreated himself, offered his expertise (on our sweeter
Western palates) to some bigger vodka brands and was soon judging at
competitions internationally all the while developing his own product ideas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The result – 17 yers later Konik’s Tail was born. It seems
that nothing was left to chance with dozens of waters tasted at every point
along the water source for minerals, hard/soft levels and, like Martin Millers
Gin, keeping it alive instead of stripping it of this character.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pleurat told us that he spent 2 months living in each of the
6 grain fields in a tent – and through tasting the grains at every time of day
and night in all weather – ended up choosing spelt, rye and wheat. These are
distilled separately then blended. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXRvvgMspkmsewQmmouZ59pNfS309GO8jE7wtG_bJZ0BdCMqSzT0rDjUERL1MFbv68AFT-Wi4C-Mznar4sG5WS7hFL07mq2WI6zvbo8dqiJgyTeQoMxanFOK3z36MTjoYmLpkMdZRpT0/s1600/Koniks+tail+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXRvvgMspkmsewQmmouZ59pNfS309GO8jE7wtG_bJZ0BdCMqSzT0rDjUERL1MFbv68AFT-Wi4C-Mznar4sG5WS7hFL07mq2WI6zvbo8dqiJgyTeQoMxanFOK3z36MTjoYmLpkMdZRpT0/s320/Koniks+tail+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then it was the turn of the distilling process, tasting the
consistency of all the brands he wanted to work with then negotiating to set up
his production in a small part of their distillery. 250 trips to Poland later and
4 and ½ years Konik’s Tail was bottled and tested on the UK market, individual
by individual until the recipe was declared perfect. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now there are 4,000 bottles made per batch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So to the tasting – first pour some in your glass, swill and
throw on the floor. We were in a basement with a low ceiling, it got messy.
Then, like whisky, take a mouthful and chew, get it everywhere and then enjoy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next came dry martinis and then a cocktail with pepper,
avocado and cucumber. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the verdict: I started my passion for spirits with vodka
on a night out in Leeds almost a decade ago. Since then, I have rather fallen
out of love with the product, and enjoy the smoothness of potato products over
anything else. I can certainly see the quality and interest in this vodka, with
a spicy rye finish and very clean palate but with a round mouth feel too. Drink
it over the rocks with a twist of lemon. Anything else and use another brand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cannot help but be drawn in by the passion. And there is
nothing wrong with that. Pleurat has worked tirelessly to get where he is now
and I think that alone deserves a toast for fighting back against the big boys.
Cheers. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-28389497775527137962013-07-12T03:41:00.002-07:002013-07-12T03:41:43.973-07:00Presenting... Aspall Cyder at The Grove <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7G5a8V1rx294kBETmj4gS1NF7Xlr1r0XIIsyogppNPUKY0ELGDdFjlQKxISCPdfc4EfZ544eHInSxQw3olL5VIywBBpWpATrSKXzY_QE2n5RGU2s3BcNQdmWp1fnmxcf4uC1yA_GbNA/s1600/2013-07-11+19.33.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7G5a8V1rx294kBETmj4gS1NF7Xlr1r0XIIsyogppNPUKY0ELGDdFjlQKxISCPdfc4EfZ544eHInSxQw3olL5VIywBBpWpATrSKXzY_QE2n5RGU2s3BcNQdmWp1fnmxcf4uC1yA_GbNA/s200/2013-07-11+19.33.51.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have all heard of wine parings, perhaps you’ve even been
to a cocktail and food event. However last night a compact group of locals
gathered to enjoy a rather unique event, Aspall Cyder pairing dinner. Now cider
is about the only thing I will not order but the other half is a fan and I am
always looking to learn so here is how it panned out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arrival drink: Aspall Cuvee Chevallier (the name of the
family who started Aspall’s back in 1728 and still run it today) served from a
champagne style bottle in flutes. Your mind says “Champagne” but the palate
says “cider”, which is weird. Nice and light. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIfocfLtp3tYgbG-qi4zDFOT3rJpYfBfpZlfjqQqU7Fbfcb75eKMIFQLQTREtqe2Eq09Dfgye4_2cbJ45i0lYNf2E45_9iE7ybWCMlj2D15lX0_Xf2MiOv8fDZkcI8Ihz-OimEL0I2Ik/s1600/2013-07-11+19.49.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIfocfLtp3tYgbG-qi4zDFOT3rJpYfBfpZlfjqQqU7Fbfcb75eKMIFQLQTREtqe2Eq09Dfgye4_2cbJ45i0lYNf2E45_9iE7ybWCMlj2D15lX0_Xf2MiOv8fDZkcI8Ihz-OimEL0I2Ik/s200/2013-07-11+19.49.04.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scallops with Aspall Lady Jennifer: named after the
grandmother who added apple juice or water to her glass to “keep up with the
boys”, the additional apple juice means this is a lighter 4% offering and has a
nice spritz. Works very well with the seafood (which was delicious, love the
edible flowers)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Duck with Aspall 2012 Imperial: bit of a beast at 8.2% and a
darker colour but this comes from the addition of Demerera sugar. I liked the
first few sips but then it became…cider. One to try though! The confit </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08d_EHtkkaoHSZ62A9IitDfrpGEkQfuoR0EEYE_1hOhpCsN7w2M_l2ZIyDqeiSqCtU6Ic7mktlv7HAlc3WVG4ucGZOKyafsxvt6UPxJhpN8hRBxu9gMb0E1NzvKrwEfLpSrJHIiMpDtU/s1600/2013-07-11+20.14.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08d_EHtkkaoHSZ62A9IitDfrpGEkQfuoR0EEYE_1hOhpCsN7w2M_l2ZIyDqeiSqCtU6Ic7mktlv7HAlc3WVG4ucGZOKyafsxvt6UPxJhpN8hRBxu9gMb0E1NzvKrwEfLpSrJHIiMpDtU/s200/2013-07-11+20.14.33.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">duck leg
that unravelled from the cabbage was a huge hit!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apple and Rosemary Tarte Tatin (with apple jellies, sorbet
and crisps) with Aspall Perronelle’s Blush (added Blackberry Juice): what can I
say, this blew me away. Not the cider but the dessert, delicious <i> and </i>the
chef gave us the recipe! The cider was a little lacklustre against the previous,
I would have enjoyed drinking more of the Imperial with this. However it was
suggested that you can use this as a cassis so top up with the Cuvee.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5c1u1QTQlZsS4I9clHs-cHvv9G2Bfo-eWiKvcGtSz7dJq_q4CG5YkozoAmQO8N6nnHgda_yL7fBsQx-eeNiRvZi4IPfwQDBsLWxKLJrOQuJHHkFl1wxqGlKe4Bkm6VcspLLfz23kJOc/s1600/2013-07-11+20.49.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5c1u1QTQlZsS4I9clHs-cHvv9G2Bfo-eWiKvcGtSz7dJq_q4CG5YkozoAmQO8N6nnHgda_yL7fBsQx-eeNiRvZi4IPfwQDBsLWxKLJrOQuJHHkFl1wxqGlKe4Bkm6VcspLLfz23kJOc/s200/2013-07-11+20.49.08.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what did I learn? Well a lot about cider, the (actual)
difference between White Lightening and “proper” cider beyond quality. A lot
about a family owned business with a lot of success. I met the lovely Nathan of
Aspall (thanks!) and now have a very valid alternative to Champagne which
some friends – for some reason – do not enjoy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(But as a Champagne Academy alumni I’ll stick to the real
fizz for the mo!) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Youngs are running several events with Aspall throughout the
summer and I urge you to go and learn and taste and then spread the word
yourself. The specialties are available in some Waitrose, Sainsburys but it never hurts to ask your local to stock something you want. #quackingcyder seems to be the twitter tag to follow, @nathansloane or
@youngspubs or @aspall </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2cZfzVDA-TJkD52rFsOp63w4VPdgUXHB10uxS5ydI_iUfAicES3xCE3H-ZH_5G03uVV4z86_muqDlWrr8MlgIfGrkbLVsWyM-cGlDzZbU37V-80ilHiUGgILyt5F0WtSyk20eTpTPR4/s1600/2013-07-11+20.16.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2cZfzVDA-TJkD52rFsOp63w4VPdgUXHB10uxS5ydI_iUfAicES3xCE3H-ZH_5G03uVV4z86_muqDlWrr8MlgIfGrkbLVsWyM-cGlDzZbU37V-80ilHiUGgILyt5F0WtSyk20eTpTPR4/s200/2013-07-11+20.16.32.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And thanks to The Grove (who I wrote about just before!) for great food and hospitality</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVSaZkbJNx68O93ivtNT6v4tR1ehZke_tgo460qlLLziicesiDTLuYkNiz3IgAcqC0db2VOMEMPXKACqbboY_TigytsDc7MmsXW5t6t9eidxs-8byriOmONpL-a_kq9JVH3VbDisy_t0/s1600/2013-07-11+19.52.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVSaZkbJNx68O93ivtNT6v4tR1ehZke_tgo460qlLLziicesiDTLuYkNiz3IgAcqC0db2VOMEMPXKACqbboY_TigytsDc7MmsXW5t6t9eidxs-8byriOmONpL-a_kq9JVH3VbDisy_t0/s200/2013-07-11+19.52.04.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMU7RQFW4j8vtju5Ekj_IfAT59LOb6nh_MnQ8tHVpTFo4czkpjgA768XOrnDS59o9sJk6FmWS6j5rTcXv61uQPaeWyzOW1Kzg72Q4xDa1moQG-rqq2Mj2ZXtKPiHVhCTJpAdLn7G8kS4Y/s1600/2013-07-11+20.52.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMU7RQFW4j8vtju5Ekj_IfAT59LOb6nh_MnQ8tHVpTFo4czkpjgA768XOrnDS59o9sJk6FmWS6j5rTcXv61uQPaeWyzOW1Kzg72Q4xDa1moQG-rqq2Mj2ZXtKPiHVhCTJpAdLn7G8kS4Y/s200/2013-07-11+20.52.40.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-73727773448856767422013-07-08T03:19:00.001-07:002013-07-08T03:19:09.675-07:00Presenting...Beer, with Melissa Cole<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was lucky enough at the Hampton Court Foodies Festival to attend
the beer masterclass run by someone I have followed on Twitter for a while –
Melissa Cole, Somm-ale-ier. And following my recent post on great pubs in my
area I wanted to follow with a little piece on beer itself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you know there are over 1000 breweries in the UK, and 43
of those are in London?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learnt was that <b>larger</b>
is a German word meaning “to store” or mature – and cheap larger, you know who I
mean, cuts this maturing phase out of production leaving a cheaper, less tasty
beer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I learnt that ale uses a different yeast which works
faster and at higher temperature for a fuller beer and with a little bit more
sweetness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, gypsum rich water, such as you find at Burton on
Trent, is best to make pale ales.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But most importantly what did we drink (lost my notes, from memory!):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Korev - a Cornish lager at 4.8% - nice, refreshing</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fuller's Bengal Lancer IPA 5.3% - another nice, refreshing IPA</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brains Boilermaker (Penderyn whisky cask finished) IPA 6.5% - not such a favourite but maybe</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vutr4-P9DPdm1DvjCfr6qlAAaa9OwrLGBv5SHO8-Xm3ysPnPDWip75ahjcSQ7QVLBwySIiK8LGKwNBFuO5ehgrlEFtGL1z3sD4yEvnekAiT7f5i9MhwLQjcaZQOC2Q4DkZCa9gk6ARw/s1600/2013-05-25+14.07.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vutr4-P9DPdm1DvjCfr6qlAAaa9OwrLGBv5SHO8-Xm3ysPnPDWip75ahjcSQ7QVLBwySIiK8LGKwNBFuO5ehgrlEFtGL1z3sD4yEvnekAiT7f5i9MhwLQjcaZQOC2Q4DkZCa9gk6ARw/s200/2013-05-25+14.07.41.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that is also a reflection of a big brewery trying to "do craft"! </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hogs Back RIP Snorter 5% - fruity </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eden Brewery (Bourbon Cask Finish) - all you need to know is THIS St Andrew's brewery <b>blew me away</b>, it tasted just like milk chocolate. In fact it was so good I went and bought an Islay finish and a rum cask finish too but the bourbon has to be my favourite- match made in heaven. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-24135000543715410662013-07-08T02:56:00.001-07:002013-07-08T02:56:24.605-07:00Pubs in Clapham: a mecca for "kicking it"!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beer. I love it. In a job where cocktail bar visits are a
must, the joy of an anonymous pint at your local cannot be underestimated. And
in my area I am spoilt for choice. Also, although I know this does not extends
cross all my “trade” friends, if you are interested in different tastes in
spirits and wines this tends to cover beer too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My love for beer started, as silly as this is, when I moved
to London. Unfortunately despite the brewing talent in Scotland the offerings
in pubs extend to Stella and Guiness only. So it is a delight to live near
three fab pubs: The Nightingale, The Avalon and The Grove.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>The Nightingale</u>
<a href="http://www.youngs.co.uk/pub-detail.asp?PubID=430">http://www.youngs.co.uk/pub-detail.asp?PubID=430</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, it is a Young’s Pub but they also have a whole range of
Meantime, both on tap and bottled. In my time I have tried everything from IPAs
to Porters and the highlight is always Tuesday pie night when artisan pies are
served with yummy fresh veg and paired to beers – genius. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I first walked past the pub I was a little afraid it
was your standard “old man pub”. You know the type, when you feel like the pub
might grow very quiet as you timidly push open the door. But that is not at all
true as this tardis manages to encourage a friendly prop-up-the-bar area at the
front where I have enjoyed friendly banter with the old timers, darts at the
back, tables out front for smokers and a huge garden at the back as well as a
fire for when the nights draw in. Winner all round with a brilliant land lord
and dogs welcome (to my other half’s delight). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>The Avalon</u> <a href="http://www.theavalonlondon.com/">http://www.theavalonlondon.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part of the Renaissance Pub Group these guys offer a more
upmarket option, especially when</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxgML5RzRLy4Sg6gLA8LjSAnwlpBSSR2CFCZeJZNUHTmaLHhwpK14HBy-rxKnJyUnjMGYHgqMLx6vrPn0jWMgnKo83nEJJ6oNFBClDdAPlbUwVZcDD0ywJ_1uV7p7wYiA0FXosahi3mQ/s1600/best-drinkng-area-256x220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxgML5RzRLy4Sg6gLA8LjSAnwlpBSSR2CFCZeJZNUHTmaLHhwpK14HBy-rxKnJyUnjMGYHgqMLx6vrPn0jWMgnKo83nEJJ6oNFBClDdAPlbUwVZcDD0ywJ_1uV7p7wYiA0FXosahi3mQ/s200/best-drinkng-area-256x220.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> it comes to dining. Another space of
extraordinary size, there is a front, side and back garden; all are huge. The
front half of the pub has the traditional sweeping oak bar with sport regularly
shown, the back extends into an upmarket dining space, worth looking out for
website deals and taste card offers as it can get pricey, gastro-pub style. They
think out their wine list well and the beers cover the basics, with a specially
brewed offering now to celebrate their 10 years. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although the crowd can be a little…boating shoes and chinos
at dawn kind of thing… it is friendly and a great Saturday night alternative to
a big night out as it never feels empty here but there are enough couches, to
go with the Victoria cornicing and high ceilings, to tuck yourself away if you
want. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>The Grove</u> <a href="http://www.grovebalham.com/">http://www.grovebalham.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fast becoming a favourite I am afraid to say, despite the
outdoor space around the edge of the </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4i-ojwCBnywsZsQJT_Df3fFMV9_H5cbV9G9jnu6K5NtkD1WYbpztL8fm2j15Yr4ea-QQaKYe-l-m43mpYu8w7k4NxxJV3UclhqcHTerkVFAlfgS-KZVYP_NQfPmMk_fIoRT4fUDAslPY/s1600/home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4i-ojwCBnywsZsQJT_Df3fFMV9_H5cbV9G9jnu6K5NtkD1WYbpztL8fm2j15Yr4ea-QQaKYe-l-m43mpYu8w7k4NxxJV3UclhqcHTerkVFAlfgS-KZVYP_NQfPmMk_fIoRT4fUDAslPY/s200/home.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">building seemingly developed in a wind
tunnel so perhaps more Autumn onwards! This pub offers everything from film
clubs to sport on the big screens, cookery classes and very good food better
priced than the above. Spirits are not the main attraction but the beers are
and especially their experiments with unfiltered beers, straight from large
casks at the bar (Meantime again). <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lay out is also brilliant with smaller tables at the
front (and another curved oak bar) leading to areas separated by draped
materials and filled with couches, perfect for larger groups and often
accompanied by children, then the bright back area is mainly set aside for
dining with a kind of “kitchen table” too but it makes a great viewing area too.
Free popcorn during their film if it helps.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clapham – it may not be pushing the boundaries of cocktails,
but to kick back with a beer there is nowhere better. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-22538766436682988332013-06-05T12:40:00.001-07:002013-06-05T12:40:56.242-07:00Presenting… World Whiskies (with Mark Thomson)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
You may already have heard of Dramatic Whiskies. Or at least
Drinking Classes; an initiative that has taken the UK by storm with small gin
masterclasses in London now happening on a regular basis across 20 cities and expanding
to cover whisky, tequila, rum and even aperitivos. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However Mark Thomson is now using his experience of the industry and making a bid for independence, running classes to his own
speciality – whisky – and on a smaller scale. Why? To ensure that the person
taking you through the class is a top class expert in their field. And this is
what I was invited to, on World Whisky Day, so no Scotch here but all international
offerings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpm0nXGW5QR2jbQwaq3uvSYd7DhBpGJoynGSMKvlDwTgdbKLhhLj-qUtpSMAzo3pB4_ZnCLpmBhiJXfEksmKcIEevqkEdDzmuFZi66ZG4i4VXcC-TEV3LZww2lcQlpaFiYPHELrsYaZE/s1600/world+whisky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpm0nXGW5QR2jbQwaq3uvSYd7DhBpGJoynGSMKvlDwTgdbKLhhLj-qUtpSMAzo3pB4_ZnCLpmBhiJXfEksmKcIEevqkEdDzmuFZi66ZG4i4VXcC-TEV3LZww2lcQlpaFiYPHELrsYaZE/s200/world+whisky.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The event took place in the back room of Match – revamped and
now led by the inimitable Andy Mil – and was a comfortable fit for about 30
people. Mark - jeans, t-shirt, brogues and stubble in case you are wondering if
this is your tweed clad brand ambassador of yore, it’s not – started off with
an extremely potted but enjoyable history of alcohol starting with the middle
Eastern origins of the word which funnily enough I had never considered. We
whizzed through the development in Scotland (and Ireland) of distilled spirits
and then quickly cracked onto a smell (only!) of new make spirit, a bit of peat
and a bit of cask to play with and an explanation of the process itself. The
audience was mainly men – shame – and although the level of expertise was mixed
Mark pitched this information in a fun easy-to-absorb manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So… world whisky #1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ichiro’s “The Floor Malted” from Chichibu, Japan<br />
3 years old and 50.5% at first it was just “different” though it was difficult
to say why, development in the glass <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>led
to pear and floral notes. Nice, not my favourite even after everything else was
tasted<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#2 Bain’s Cape Mountain from Wellington South Africa<br />
5 years old and 43% this stunner asserted my love for grains. It was toffee
flavoured, some cinnamon, oily and reminded me more of Irish that Scottish
whisky, developed Christmas cake and brandy butter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#3 Paul John “Brilliance” from Goa, India<br />3 ½ years old and 46%, this was the first UK consumer tasting
and was quite European with sherry salty notes, will only be released in UK for
now to develop "serious image"… interesting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#4 St Georges Chapter 11 from Norfolk, England<br />
3 years old and 46%, this just feels wrong; South Africa – fine. England – bad
form! The best I can say, despite prejudice, is that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this did not really impress. The exression was lightly
peated, a little sweet, but no one asked for a second
taste…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#5 Balcones Baby Blue from Wako Texas<br />
Butter popcorn, sweet but also remains fruity. Really liked this too but been
advised to look for the even better Brimstone so will report back!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#6 Limeburners Cask M98 from Albany South Australia<br />
60% at cask and only 123 bottles IN THE WORLD. This was thick with lots of
prunes and raisins but for the price against the day’s other winners (Bains,
Balcones) it didn’t convince. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks to Mark (and his assistant Rihana) for letting me taste such a diverse range of whiskies and opening up the world's offerings beyond Scotland. If you are interested in learning more visit dramaticwhisky.co.uk </span></div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-22523939815209823952013-04-30T04:15:00.002-07:002013-04-30T04:15:28.707-07:00Brixton Village #4: The Joint<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You sit outside The Joint, because this tiny little BBQ joint cannot hold any more than their kitchen! Tables and chairs are "upcycled" plastic crates and there is space for about...20 people. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Service is very efficient and very friendly with great advice through the short menu and a smile. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ss0SrzupZ6f5kCmhubLFZRu4Cb-UnR54umnPfKVrc-YKr3G5zcaXzQfAireluJFhvB76eBdi__1Dddbk49jQNG_PkKHdwOvhTDwBiPuQQZBl7VDXqDRNp9QpVEMs6TkoRtIg3IN4CFM/s1600/20130203_141412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ss0SrzupZ6f5kCmhubLFZRu4Cb-UnR54umnPfKVrc-YKr3G5zcaXzQfAireluJFhvB76eBdi__1Dddbk49jQNG_PkKHdwOvhTDwBiPuQQZBl7VDXqDRNp9QpVEMs6TkoRtIg3IN4CFM/s320/20130203_141412.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You basically choose whether you want a bun or a wrap, whether you want that stuffed with BBQ pulled pork or BBQ chicken and what slaw you want with that then await your mighty sized order. Starters are available in the form of wings or ribs for voracious appetites. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starting with spicy wings, not knowing how filling the main would be, they were deliciously flavoured but not quite crispy as I enjoy. Very nicely sized though (take note Wishbone!) and lucky there was tasty mint infused water though as the chili crept through. Then onto the main event, a tasty brioche type bun stuffed to the gunnels with pork (why bother with chicken?!) and a fresh coleslaw with crisp lettuce.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was all delicious, and everyone else around us seemed delighted at finding themselves at The Joint too. I would highly recommend this little place, bravo guys! </span></div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-34301059615617238192013-04-29T08:09:00.003-07:002013-04-29T08:09:41.652-07:00Brixton Village #3: Wishbone and Franco Manca <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Wishbone, Brixton</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On finding myself in Brixton – quelle surprise! – with 45
mins to eat and get back to The Ritzy and no preference on what type of food,
we decided to try Wishbone since we both agreed it was unfair to avoid a
restaurant on someone else’s bad review. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We sat just outside and managed to order from the friendly staff
just a minute before the kitchen <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZiKrITvOqx1zHTxwzX_xzVI5RHJUgT-g6OMfuwuGlVgfmKBlNhLt0mi0UZwjtTrDG7o99OL1lYky1t-4QX3qa8DC_1TpmDYIH1jBPs_EVyFu90gQtKfQLMgAv3XXRJxUjuzvbK4n53E/s1600/Lambeth-20130428-00225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZiKrITvOqx1zHTxwzX_xzVI5RHJUgT-g6OMfuwuGlVgfmKBlNhLt0mi0UZwjtTrDG7o99OL1lYky1t-4QX3qa8DC_1TpmDYIH1jBPs_EVyFu90gQtKfQLMgAv3XXRJxUjuzvbK4n53E/s200/Lambeth-20130428-00225.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet wipes (& dirty cutlery)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
closed.
We were going more for a “snack” so opted to share the Buffalo wings (with blue
cheese sauce) and the “spicy hash brown mess”. The cocktails looked tempting –
and similar in lay out to Seven just across the way – but we held off with 3
hours of viewing ahead so no comment there. (It did take 10 minutes to get
cokes but with apologies).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the food. The four wings were spicy. Really spicy. Like REALLY
painfully spicy. And I like spice. I described the blue cheese sauce – to my
cheese loving accomplice – as not for amateurs. He did not believe me and soon
declared it “too blue”. The wings were one big leg which you had to stickily,
difficultly, messily tear apart into three if you did not want wing over your
face. The hash browns were…hash browns, with jalapenos, and spicy sauce. They
were spicy. REALLY spicy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65i54kiip3QMrv5tVjK8NhoJ79c_wMt7-u5wE3XylFfmXuPgLXMltylvymKnkTBKA9VCX035G0Jlg9GV1SY68nthybngegkvWRAJsWY_8b1lD9tUq6BJoc9F2PjKTBZp-A9AS37HW1vk/s1600/Lambeth-20130428-00227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65i54kiip3QMrv5tVjK8NhoJ79c_wMt7-u5wE3XylFfmXuPgLXMltylvymKnkTBKA9VCX035G0Jlg9GV1SY68nthybngegkvWRAJsWY_8b1lD9tUq6BJoc9F2PjKTBZp-A9AS37HW1vk/s200/Lambeth-20130428-00227.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wings left, hash browns right</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be honest I ate quickly not only to get to the cinema but
to get through the pain and mess. They may have wet wipes on the tables but I think,
like a lot of the Meat Liquor franchise, this is a bit overdone. I will not
return but am not heartbroken either as I have been told local fav “Wings and
Tings” is the place to head and with more to explore I will continue my quest!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As an aside, got Franco Manca take-out pizza finally too. Under cooked dough, £1.95 for a scattering a mushrooms (and that is being
generous to them) and surly staff. Not sure this is one to hit again but
considering the queues may give it ago, perhaps its Northcote Road outlet.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-80647557043481412322013-04-25T03:16:00.000-07:002013-04-25T03:16:02.581-07:00City of London Distillery Bar, Blackfriars: 20/20<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Location: 22 - 24 Bride's Lane, London, EC4Y 8DT</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Website: www.cityoflondondistillery.com </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit: Any evening of the working week</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Note: Definitely a week night place so impress your work mates </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Scores</u></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ambiance 5/5</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Design 5/5</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drinks 5/5</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Staff 5/5 </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part of me
feels guilty that I have not reviewed COLD (City of London Distillery) before,
but the other part is glad I waited to see how it has evolved ; and that is from a
large space filled with ex-pub furniture to a home from home. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG427iZt6JfZoLcB2ulRE74ojFcwu2DvHIRGV3BV3WKGbM26Xut-W1xkyC-t3S-L4HlYpVdl5IQz0_gwrEvPkBCWZNDcE9BmrIkGGG6AhayUdDmE93yBa8HXN6MiAJLFn3mkGpva01Ek/s1600/COLD2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG427iZt6JfZoLcB2ulRE74ojFcwu2DvHIRGV3BV3WKGbM26Xut-W1xkyC-t3S-L4HlYpVdl5IQz0_gwrEvPkBCWZNDcE9BmrIkGGG6AhayUdDmE93yBa8HXN6MiAJLFn3mkGpva01Ek/s200/COLD2.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a
lot of PR out there about how COLD developed so I will keep it short but Jamie
Baxter – previously of Chase Distillery – set up small vodka and gin still in
this basement bar with owner Jonathon just a couple of hundred yards from
Blackfriars Bridge down a small side street and both distils and offers tours
here. And from that has developed COLD bar, taken over by the inimitable London
Bar Consultants and sporting 130 gins with various tonics, garnishes and
classic cocktails. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But you want
to know what you get here. Well dark green walls lend a warm feeling to this
bar and although it is a very large space, there are intimate cubbies with
couches at the back, large tables suited to groups that the City will inevitably
attract and best of all, plenty of seats at the bar. On top of that every time
I have walked through the door it has felt like a bar-hug. (Yes, it is becoming
difficult to visit without bumping into someone I know!) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4uEaCKpi5_-THyVffwLU7l8ZdINPpQm3uuiwrMoPpbLDD50UqzOo2COK8Djkr3RneGnvXPx3aH0HOLePNm7viAocbwp1EP7kFNV8o8zd55lzaEe19arQUIG23m-UCGl4TmS_435LNyM/s1600/City+of+London+Mnue+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4uEaCKpi5_-THyVffwLU7l8ZdINPpQm3uuiwrMoPpbLDD50UqzOo2COK8Djkr3RneGnvXPx3aH0HOLePNm7viAocbwp1EP7kFNV8o8zd55lzaEe19arQUIG23m-UCGl4TmS_435LNyM/s200/City+of+London+Mnue+(1).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The drinks
are presented in this lovely menu (see pic!) and break the gins into regional,
style but frankly the staff are SO well trained here just ask them, they all
have knowledge and different preferences or go for a flight. The cocktails are
beautiful and The Ford is still my favourite adapted from the late 1800’s and
showing the cocktail pedigree of the team behind the menu – Lewis and Nate. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But if it
wasn’t for the fact that COLD bar hugs you, if it wasn’t for the brilliant drinks
(and very generous platters of food) I would still come here for the service.
The team has been together from the start and it shows. There is great banter, camaraderie
and all underlined with total friendliness to customers. Nate often runs
classes there and will show various gins against their own gin, Alfie wears a permanent smile and is a sponge for gin knowledge
and Leon – just down from Manchester – is another welcome addition to a strong
team with several cocktail competition wins already under his belt. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTYeon7ClDVGkrBryfuBhvDQbabqrM61FRM3N0FK2WbgqBUPHh1ZCdtdJYjgK-DjHevZVjJSGeeodDIjrFdQLrEUqmhruL2Lr1N9UoiSM0UqSDU5nc8yfAVmDLdFOQ7K6ED4GAse5_AY/s1600/City+of+London+Mnue+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTYeon7ClDVGkrBryfuBhvDQbabqrM61FRM3N0FK2WbgqBUPHh1ZCdtdJYjgK-DjHevZVjJSGeeodDIjrFdQLrEUqmhruL2Lr1N9UoiSM0UqSDU5nc8yfAVmDLdFOQ7K6ED4GAse5_AY/s200/City+of+London+Mnue+(3).jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So all that
is left to say is, what are you waiting for?! And for once this space is large enough
that you do not need to worry about telling your friends, a nice benefit amongst
London’s ever increasing tiny basement joints. Oh and if you are looking for a
private party venue…look no further. Superb. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-35424617479822826252013-04-02T04:00:00.004-07:002013-04-02T04:00:57.627-07:00A Trip to Barcelona... Dry Martini and Eclipse (15.5/20) <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Dry Martin</b><b>i</b><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Location: Aribau 162, Barcelona 08036<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Website: <a href="http://www.javierdelasmuelas.com/eng/dry/barcelona/dry-martini">www.javierdelasmuelas.com/eng/dry/barcelona/dry-martini</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit: Thursday evening<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Note: The restaurant may look quiet but the bar is always
buzzing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKp1sPIHKr1H-65ErN0XCNmMIMi9xqSCe4zRjsG3i3FH7XzjKmm3LWoZdomZNX-Pq4nPVIHSP-F_Sc9PYTZXp2TqMBopInLReDWvsB7ZxwdBmBagTZ-KOD2Yr_In_OEocozOSbAtrVj_o/s1600/Barcelona-20130328-00157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKp1sPIHKr1H-65ErN0XCNmMIMi9xqSCe4zRjsG3i3FH7XzjKmm3LWoZdomZNX-Pq4nPVIHSP-F_Sc9PYTZXp2TqMBopInLReDWvsB7ZxwdBmBagTZ-KOD2Yr_In_OEocozOSbAtrVj_o/s200/Barcelona-20130328-00157.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Scores</u><br />
Ambiance: 3/5<br />
Design: 5/5<br />
Drinks: 3.5/5<br />
Staff: 4/5<br />
<br />
On asking a friend based in Barcelona for recommendations I got a 6 page
document and luckily hit upon the Dry Martini bar on a wander home one evening.
We looked dubiously through the empty restaurant but on turning the corner we
found the bar entrance and pitched up at one end of the long mahogany bar. The
walls were lined with old spirits and bottles and there were cabinets like
chemistry labs stating “the evolution of the martini”. Staff were pristine in
white coats and bow ties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yJURphuybaMtYpUumfjjTG87VWkzSjeuFK92lKFNhrmmhroBeysVxdAvUtSyzvxLEumsD9_vlWzgrFG8YTs0i8bP7FcgFtbjfkNzXIEBQ8JbcNmtEIroPe0FOOZptAmNQJc-0-Gzxwc/s1600/IMG-20130328-00156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yJURphuybaMtYpUumfjjTG87VWkzSjeuFK92lKFNhrmmhroBeysVxdAvUtSyzvxLEumsD9_vlWzgrFG8YTs0i8bP7FcgFtbjfkNzXIEBQ8JbcNmtEIroPe0FOOZptAmNQJc-0-Gzxwc/s200/IMG-20130328-00156.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They do not have a menu, however our charming bar tender
simply asked what spirits and flavours we liked, long or short, and got to
work. My companion had a long ginger and whisky drink and my gin fizz was fine,
a little diluted perhaps. The downside of having no menu = no prices. But we
were pleasantly surprised to see the drinks came in at less than €10 each.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The crowd seemed to be a mixture of locals, ex pats and a
few tourists but there was a constant hum and overall a bar you could happy
wile away a few hours if you are looking for a quieter evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Eclipse at W Hotel</b><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Location: Placa de la Rosa del Vents, Barcelona 08039<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Website: <a href="http://www.w-barcelona.com/eclipse-bar">www.w-barcelona.com/eclipse-bar</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit: Friday evening<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Note: Get there before 7.30 or book ahead, the evenings
kick off about 11pm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Scores</u><br />
Ambiance: 3/5<br />
Design: 5/5<br />
Drinks: 3.5/5<br />
Staff: 4/5<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Set in the windsurf sail styled building at the end of the
harbour and up 26 floors, the Eclipse is </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUv8boCUba3xoPewYuTiap7hekoBVT85DiEObPOLT0Cy6oK0D0t3xjCx1mrf5eoY6p372WpfwBf4icToLp71RUPaS2iT7_KJV_wj_FfDiO0hnFDN3dBPu0udCXHec4fDhfzpPXjhq61c/s1600/Barcelona-20130329-00162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUv8boCUba3xoPewYuTiap7hekoBVT85DiEObPOLT0Cy6oK0D0t3xjCx1mrf5eoY6p372WpfwBf4icToLp71RUPaS2iT7_KJV_wj_FfDiO0hnFDN3dBPu0udCXHec4fDhfzpPXjhq61c/s200/Barcelona-20130329-00162.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">accessed by its own lift from the lobby
of W Hotel. We arrived at 7pm as it opened so grabbed a window seat and watched
over the next hour as the sun set and the view changed till the lights inside
reflected attractively on the windows. Eventually we could no longer see the
private beach and pool directly below the bar but watched as the lights of
Barcelona lit up everything from the Park Guell to the lighthouse, all
contained within the mountains. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The crowd had a fair few tourists, this is after all set in
a hotel, but also some glamorous locals and most importantly friendly staff who
were stopped every few minutes to take photos! Even if you do not get a window
seat, others may prefer to take a sofa that runs down the middle to look out
over the harbour from a comfier position. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaDneamT8dZ3dh9EujVV5IsydlR-cxRBQJJAeoDzl3kCh6oPeq8pwNEYb4xTxR-zy41AoQKJT7OtIA_dXHBo4f-lBi9fN5_zT44eUNmrIJd6DLYViXGTo3zrDcq6SPUNSpFSJiJBjY0s/s1600/Barcelona-20130329-00160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaDneamT8dZ3dh9EujVV5IsydlR-cxRBQJJAeoDzl3kCh6oPeq8pwNEYb4xTxR-zy41AoQKJT7OtIA_dXHBo4f-lBi9fN5_zT44eUNmrIJd6DLYViXGTo3zrDcq6SPUNSpFSJiJBjY0s/s200/Barcelona-20130329-00160.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cocktails were about €12 - €15 as expected in a bar like
this, and you have to pay for water too! However I was impressed by my tequila
and wasabi creation even though the barman insisted that mine was the passion fruit
one. We swapped after he had left. My companion’s drink – with the passion
fruit – missed the mark a little tasting sweet and fruity and not much else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An hour later we headed for dinner (up another tower down
the road) but if money was no object I would happily spend an evening in W, especially
as I heard the lift hostess answer that things got pretty buzzy around 11pm… </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-53754154727552015352013-03-08T08:54:00.000-08:002013-03-08T08:54:06.787-08:00A trip to Bristol and two gems… Hyde and Co (20/20) and The Woods (19/20)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let’s start at Hyde and Co, the top of a steep hill for
ladies in heels!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Location: 2 The Basement, Berkley Cresecent<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Website: <a href="http://www.hydeandcobristol.net/">www.hydeandcobristol.net</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit: Various mid-week evenings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Note: It is “speakeasy” but following the address is easy
and buzz to be let in<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Scores</u><br />
Ambiance: 5/5<br />
Design: 5/5<br />
Drinks: 5/5<br />
Staff: 5/5<br />
Extra LBS star: I’ll stick to top marks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienpxubBQlWDN8zXBvFtheuMgRhAZNII1AJzM64gh7sM-6E4B9S_QhYjfzApoA_vDtiGVVT6ehLAyegwpXJbBqvxKGSuSBeCJG8n68YuqQelUUErC3-Hedpk1jM78QA0lBrzOv1rrfQy4/s1600/Hyde+and+Co.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienpxubBQlWDN8zXBvFtheuMgRhAZNII1AJzM64gh7sM-6E4B9S_QhYjfzApoA_vDtiGVVT6ehLAyegwpXJbBqvxKGSuSBeCJG8n68YuqQelUUErC3-Hedpk1jM78QA0lBrzOv1rrfQy4/s200/Hyde+and+Co.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now as I was writing up the scores I found I really could
not fault this bar. And that is even taking into account how everyone I’d met
told me how great the bar scene in Bristol is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once inside (a buzzer outside flashes the bar lights so you
will not be disturbed once in) the space is nicely designed to feel like you
can curl up in a corner for a tete-a-tete or pull up a chair at the bar and
enjoy the skills of the bar staff. Lighting is subtle and comfy couches sit
alongside low antique tables and large mottled mirrors; You know the style. The
music is jazzy 20’s style but I would describe Bristol as “speak easy” by
necessity. It is the spaces that offer themselves to this concept rather than
bar owners going out to create a speakeasy. If that makes sense…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfXeHQYA0vPRSHpbWwwHflNyJbzXutTsXJhpCj8EcawmAzjsO24ANZWphp3rIeq1KKJ9On0u1Xw1rzqwjz0QGNeXDRRxr181W_DbqJYSx54t7EqUlbMTHTy4TCq2k19FOB5FLl39Nz2U/s1600/Glenrothes+cocktail+at+Hyde+adn+Co.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfXeHQYA0vPRSHpbWwwHflNyJbzXutTsXJhpCj8EcawmAzjsO24ANZWphp3rIeq1KKJ9On0u1Xw1rzqwjz0QGNeXDRRxr181W_DbqJYSx54t7EqUlbMTHTy4TCq2k19FOB5FLl39Nz2U/s200/Glenrothes+cocktail+at+Hyde+adn+Co.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spey Honey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bar manager Mark is an absolute star handling drink orders
with panache, never breaking off a conversation <i>and</i> he treated me to a tasty nip of aged Tapasita tequila, friend
for life! The menu is intriguing enough to have a read rather than going
off-piste and I would seriously recommend the Spey Honey made with Glenrothes
whisky and plum liqueur – a favourite ingredient of mine. And whilst Mark makes
the drinks the floor staff flit from table to table ensuring you have enough water,
drinks and are generally content. Which everyone is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, one not to miss and onto…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Woods<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Location: 1 Park Street Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Website: <a href="http://www.thewoodsnbar.co.uk/">www.thewoodsnbar.co.uk</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit: Various mid-week evenings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Note: Another
steep hill ladies but not so long!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Scores</u><br />
Ambiance: 4/5<br />
Design: 5/5<br />
Drinks: 5/5<br />
Staff: 5/5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mh3bY0CUBZ-iXIFx4L7dzTfcjAVQwfLRWfQn5bZmOBFiKtzg6zMGvoa-99d-9YPrX2VP-kfrKtsliIlNzWOfmZ6YbSuEf531NfTczrU_EJ1DfFnJ9OMbrusJl097Fx2ke2MAWMkaKkY/s1600/578968_10151154846597886_873918683_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mh3bY0CUBZ-iXIFx4L7dzTfcjAVQwfLRWfQn5bZmOBFiKtzg6zMGvoa-99d-9YPrX2VP-kfrKtsliIlNzWOfmZ6YbSuEf531NfTczrU_EJ1DfFnJ9OMbrusJl097Fx2ke2MAWMkaKkY/s1600/578968_10151154846597886_873918683_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think if I get to revisit The Woods in summer, this will
easily be a 20/20 with a courtyard to enjoy the warmer weather in. As is, this
reminds me somewhat of Milk Thistle in Bristol (sister to Hyde&Co) with a
grand country house style, dark green walls, the bar on the ground floor and a
wooden balcony above overlooking this ground floor room and its walls lined
with some interested skulls. Similarly
the seating is either leather couches or pull up a high stool at the bar. (I
was also told that this venue <i>really</i>
picks up later on with the ground floor packing out for dancing).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their cocktail menus tend to go walk about so best just to
have a chat with the very competent staff, and come armed with sweet/sour,
long/short and a base spirit; let them do the rest. And if your base spirit is
whisky or bourbon all the better because with over 100 you are spoilt for
choice. I tried an oooold Bruichladdich as a special treat then their recommended
– current – favourite bourbon, Rock Hill Farm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Staff were very happy to chat between making drinks whilst
also being aware of other customers, the music etc, basically a well-run joint.
So why the point off? As I mentioned I was not here at the right time, and a
group of friends, half of whom were doing shots of Patron Café in the corner,
seemed a little odd for a Wednesday 9pm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another one to hit for a boogie once you have had your quiet
chat at Hyde & Co.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall, Bristol has a lot to offer with Milk Thistle,
Goldbrick House and Hausbar all pushing boundaries and great restaurants (try Cherry
Duck) helping too</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-67342519966453614592013-02-09T07:32:00.002-08:002013-02-09T07:33:52.724-08:00New Bar Opening: Mizuwari, Soho<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Location: 16 Old Compton Street, W1D 4TL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Website: </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">www.bincho.co.uk/whisky-joint </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To Visit: Open as restaurant, every day between 5pm and close. No
bookings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To Note: Walk past the charcoal grill and its delicious smells towards
the back then down the stairs <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Mizuwari, which translates as “mixed with water”, has officially opened
its doors; or at least the stairs that lead down from the back of Japanese
grill restaurant Bincho Yakitori. Situated beside LAB on Old Compton Street,
you need to walk to through the restaurant to the stairs to find this “1950’s Japan”
inspired whisky joint. The room can hold about 40 people and is kitted out with
low wooden tables and stools to match the wooden screens on the walls, set off
by large swords as decoration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRrJKlkAPddTN04HHlMH63SoWJGqcXaXOpsv2aSLVss1B9M9vt4JiJfR-U4t_YG-wAT-nUeFBq0QI7ZoE-ccmOz4nrz8un0vpJnA5X54lT7KO6GhPIswVbDPQIsJq7ctNSta1yDGuqvQ/s1600/suntory-bincho-PWF-0312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRrJKlkAPddTN04HHlMH63SoWJGqcXaXOpsv2aSLVss1B9M9vt4JiJfR-U4t_YG-wAT-nUeFBq0QI7ZoE-ccmOz4nrz8un0vpJnA5X54lT7KO6GhPIswVbDPQIsJq7ctNSta1yDGuqvQ/s200/suntory-bincho-PWF-0312.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This is the work of Suntory, and shows off their three expressions Yamazaki,
Hakushu and Hibiki. And this is all they will be serving. But if you think that
whisky is not “your thing” think again as their list of cocktails is very
impressive from a simple twist of elder-flower and soda to a tea-ceremony type
drink with wasabi paste. And if you are whisky-mad and this is your “died and
gone to heaven” place, why not consider their bottle keep service? Buy your
bottle now and it will be waiting for you with your name on each time you
return. Just try not to over-do it with the most expensive option at over £500
a bottle! They also have decanters of water purified to an ancient recipe with
high grade Japanese charcoal, the same as used upstairs, to water down some of
those high abvs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGE8YE49Afbp_IzJoZLBZeHqKDS2OPH72Hjm7DB2OluL7YGGhWEpHFtnYv_JW2qgTE0ATbNZWxTDz6rNE48esMVaab5tU3VcB7q88JOs_mvvJEyBkVgnchyB3o5otk8TEO-xLdf1YoRO0/s1600/suntory-bincho-PWF-0529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGE8YE49Afbp_IzJoZLBZeHqKDS2OPH72Hjm7DB2OluL7YGGhWEpHFtnYv_JW2qgTE0ATbNZWxTDz6rNE48esMVaab5tU3VcB7q88JOs_mvvJEyBkVgnchyB3o5otk8TEO-xLdf1YoRO0/s200/suntory-bincho-PWF-0529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So if you are a fan of whisky, if you are a fan of cocktails or even if
you are just a fan of some innovative (in London) Japanese cooking don’t forget
the newest hidden drinking den. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">(<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pictures courtesy of 360 Communications, the brill PR team behind Suntory UK</span>)</span></div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-26266743217885832492013-01-30T07:36:00.000-08:002013-01-30T07:36:58.388-08:00No 3 Gin : The Making Of (For Gin Geeks!)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzz6MMdoU7NnQh_GI75nQz-SSAoFkswhYYtxp4XayReCsMH1wzZ4D5NPU6SGPgSGlw_WgxNmhyphenhyphenn2uqc3AFef-QHU4DDC5k9X3k0TnaUYj7C6ZLAlUicVLdXAXU70i9aVwK9V10OYsNQU/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzz6MMdoU7NnQh_GI75nQz-SSAoFkswhYYtxp4XayReCsMH1wzZ4D5NPU6SGPgSGlw_WgxNmhyphenhyphenn2uqc3AFef-QHU4DDC5k9X3k0TnaUYj7C6ZLAlUicVLdXAXU70i9aVwK9V10OYsNQU/s200/008.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So these are the botanicals for No 3 Gin; the 3 fruits are juniper (ok, its a cone!) grapefruit peel and orange peel then the 3 spices are cardamom, coriander seed and angelica root</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7_o5dgwea-UHPaAIHB41f_prx_FL12GvNxQR3QsxLSn7lB4CpkLXZlf8U5uD_XfKTNpoInpveVAafjd0zJmFJYLDQ5-kvTSh-4_67qJGZVPxBOPTTd8EHdD_h_ONy-3DWR9DdowzVP4/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7_o5dgwea-UHPaAIHB41f_prx_FL12GvNxQR3QsxLSn7lB4CpkLXZlf8U5uD_XfKTNpoInpveVAafjd0zJmFJYLDQ5-kvTSh-4_67qJGZVPxBOPTTd8EHdD_h_ONy-3DWR9DdowzVP4/s200/033.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They go into the still, like this</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzPL7O4fJ2hNSkmNov8Z_Sz6XhWxLam9nDtKujXuWNVuq_tiYmndjDWJSXjmQeaoaPck9JHj9_me_6TDwFaTpD9lGAd3M_OWIbjsbEPRKvIwKc8vJLPD54p2sMgbi4_Tf8_4TCO51CXM/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzPL7O4fJ2hNSkmNov8Z_Sz6XhWxLam9nDtKujXuWNVuq_tiYmndjDWJSXjmQeaoaPck9JHj9_me_6TDwFaTpD9lGAd3M_OWIbjsbEPRKvIwKc8vJLPD54p2sMgbi4_Tf8_4TCO51CXM/s200/009.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Vk-kdiE2ZSStAnjj5rLEeT-A4WFDgi_AkDCezWmq7DglyjtYbcjE8nqlc_Brlhelue-JzXt1sCsrY-30mVhWuRyk6STNAtZ4ajrqmz5Rqfc1u-SfvoiVjj2lPCQZoNwPi7MvrFOlFIc/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Vk-kdiE2ZSStAnjj5rLEeT-A4WFDgi_AkDCezWmq7DglyjtYbcjE8nqlc_Brlhelue-JzXt1sCsrY-30mVhWuRyk6STNAtZ4ajrqmz5Rqfc1u-SfvoiVjj2lPCQZoNwPi7MvrFOlFIc/s200/017.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The copper helmet gets bolted on</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fred, a one man show, hand crafts the gin, attaching the swans neck here</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakKhHK-D7q27d6Y5Z0IFnYGgQPxbbDpealEROdeVcP6VdeozhhcN9DrehgV9m1BiAm7lQ0oKO2Igd_ZO7gWvedNEp1jIVa34z4HyJTDn8W39WOnoRu-2CtDRg1euEDzUH8qbK5WVCWD4/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakKhHK-D7q27d6Y5Z0IFnYGgQPxbbDpealEROdeVcP6VdeozhhcN9DrehgV9m1BiAm7lQ0oKO2Igd_ZO7gWvedNEp1jIVa34z4HyJTDn8W39WOnoRu-2CtDRg1euEDzUH8qbK5WVCWD4/s200/038.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvajb8IZcz52L9Svml6JhTV9reEApYxAzQ0tdUh_FJqf8S6CRwqt1CT_dqDwG0ME8B181Mt6ZsJuk41D72TIeAl3zJIjJ2K1ZtYFxpfmHdLuphgFBqdf8ctCrseO_Ag3BXv0kjnmOf3E/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvajb8IZcz52L9Svml6JhTV9reEApYxAzQ0tdUh_FJqf8S6CRwqt1CT_dqDwG0ME8B181Mt6ZsJuk41D72TIeAl3zJIjJ2K1ZtYFxpfmHdLuphgFBqdf8ctCrseO_Ag3BXv0kjnmOf3E/s200/037.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrm-r8YY2TDX0D_pu3Pxo2N2P556qM8dkawn6M7npUhReczWR3vOtf70RekLkmxLdYB3BcbfNJ4fdeuBhzyPR7304aQVrQJWx8wFDrG3cyHOpwJikj86abz4i7aTlOh0ZiIhL8nH8Hoo/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrm-r8YY2TDX0D_pu3Pxo2N2P556qM8dkawn6M7npUhReczWR3vOtf70RekLkmxLdYB3BcbfNJ4fdeuBhzyPR7304aQVrQJWx8wFDrG3cyHOpwJikj86abz4i7aTlOh0ZiIhL8nH8Hoo/s200/021.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The condenser </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1r42hZX5_13oTUvC2zkl7WQytH1Wjt5H88XVqKvJ42_yxwCCaY6H5nGPO0XJ99Oa2Rb9aqxfez7g8QOzL1zoZIuWqyxB6sLlUEMKcPcly9LCBB9fqCghpQSAzaBPwZVwK1WBQVKpoto/s1600/FRONT+dark+master+750ml+HR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1r42hZX5_13oTUvC2zkl7WQytH1Wjt5H88XVqKvJ42_yxwCCaY6H5nGPO0XJ99Oa2Rb9aqxfez7g8QOzL1zoZIuWqyxB6sLlUEMKcPcly9LCBB9fqCghpQSAzaBPwZVwK1WBQVKpoto/s200/FRONT+dark+master+750ml+HR.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And all for this...No 3 Gin. The final word in a dry martini.</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-10727413963316257962013-01-27T06:13:00.003-08:002013-01-29T06:29:59.212-08:00Kyoto meets Edinburgh: Burns Night Japanese Style<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all know that the Japanese do whisky. And they do it
well. So I was more than delighted to be invited to join Hakkasan CEO Niall Howard along
with successful Scottish business (wo)men and “celebs” (courtesy of <i>360 Communications </i>and<i> Bacchus PR</i>) for a Burns Supper with a
unique Asian twist hosted at <b>Chrysan</b>.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uYG9fu7wOp22CDRrMu_zbToZ6NkFD9iRSwVOfyka_DKkjDG3PdG6FL9RidKPjcsmMPDDvbGiF-gqnOcsjCRcj4KWHZcK7HtSKN-YoB-Oo6Q97-HVmWMArOxK0II0iR94wcOtjK4okj8/s1600/download+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uYG9fu7wOp22CDRrMu_zbToZ6NkFD9iRSwVOfyka_DKkjDG3PdG6FL9RidKPjcsmMPDDvbGiF-gqnOcsjCRcj4KWHZcK7HtSKN-YoB-Oo6Q97-HVmWMArOxK0II0iR94wcOtjK4okj8/s200/download+(4).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcomed with traditional bag pipes – the Scottish ones, I
know that the Japanese have their own version too – and a glass of Champagne, I
opted for a non alcoholic drink (thank you Worship Street Whistling Shop for my
boozy early evening!) and received a deliciously tropical <u>Iced Tea</u> with
an orchid on top. I have to say this was a good call as what was to come was a
real education in taste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid58GEy854OoGPVOINGGMet9uIhyphenhyphenNvr6B8Uy6RvHKZUPI7WFIEZbr94-Q3dwQdezr_oXRVJwBBEWqRgL1th52X3-CPdq9Cnl05ycbjQECbwnI6kWG_WwY3INXeFzpr4-SSNU0e42plia0/s1600/download+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid58GEy854OoGPVOINGGMet9uIhyphenhyphenNvr6B8Uy6RvHKZUPI7WFIEZbr94-Q3dwQdezr_oXRVJwBBEWqRgL1th52X3-CPdq9Cnl05ycbjQECbwnI6kWG_WwY3INXeFzpr4-SSNU0e42plia0/s200/download+(3).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A mere two minute welcome speech led us straight into the
meal, starting with a small “dish” that has sake poured into it. Well they said
it was sake, it tasted like warm lychee tea and was the perfect palate cleanser
with the warm flannels too. (I opted for a hand wipe, my neighbor went for a
full facial wipe down!) Next was <u>Tori Leekie soup</u> (chicken, leek and
ginger) with Suntory<u> Hakushu 12</u> yr old and soda; this is very popular in
the East as an introduction to whisky and palate cleansing too. The soup was
fabulous, so was the whisky with a smoky hint coming out too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdm7ShORY6TdmdwKVo6Wh2iJVlxRGtlBI_yMtiibdMgTonO8AqsYckAG3-1b-p0QxiVaqp6XNJNOxEQMa_TGvJbgxH6qvqRlHALpG-u-bJzxp6NYvQO_RaKAkWDNJX-bwH9XuwDREwmbc/s1600/download+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdm7ShORY6TdmdwKVo6Wh2iJVlxRGtlBI_yMtiibdMgTonO8AqsYckAG3-1b-p0QxiVaqp6XNJNOxEQMa_TGvJbgxH6qvqRlHALpG-u-bJzxp6NYvQO_RaKAkWDNJX-bwH9XuwDREwmbc/s200/download+(1).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next was <u>Nabe Burns</u> – “Japanese haggis”, dashi turnips
and wasabi potato salad – served with Suntory <u>Yamazaki 18</u> yr old. Now,
the Japanese do not have Haggis. However Niall had taken the ingredients to
chef </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daisuke Hayashi</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and with some Japanese spice and magic it become a delicious plate of
nummy – official term - which was wiped clean. And the whisky? Something about
the hand carved ice ball had a profound effect on the whisky beyond dilution.
It was incredibly approachable and disappeared worryingly quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtDj8JsAjuPUOn-NTvezo6MjNJqGmAxAQ_I-kZUsJUdnSQFNLhn3Huvh135dnOeOpfKe8GytBqU2JhW4NPpnvVUi8eM0QcGf-XBKg1fFVBXZVVOBmjY-WWe30BUapaB_NnjnHvhCIQ90/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtDj8JsAjuPUOn-NTvezo6MjNJqGmAxAQ_I-kZUsJUdnSQFNLhn3Huvh135dnOeOpfKe8GytBqU2JhW4NPpnvVUi8eM0QcGf-XBKg1fFVBXZVVOBmjY-WWe30BUapaB_NnjnHvhCIQ90/s200/download.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And lastly, one of my food nemesis’ – <u>Cranachan</u>. If
you don’t know it, it’s like we took Eton Mess, swapped the meringue for oats
(?!) and threw in whisky and honey – hideous. Yet this was transformed – or
deconstructed I should say. Firm whipped cream was encased in oats and topped
with raspberry coulis, accompanied by macha ice cream, Hibiki soaked
raspberries and honeycomb pieces. Drooling yet? This was accompanied by the
star drink of the night – Suntory <u>Hibiki Old Fashioned</u> which my brother
and dining partner had finished before dessert arrived!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coffee was short and strong, toilets were heated and
complicated to the point of fear. I loved both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best thing about this evening is that although Burn’s
celebrations are over for another year, this was a trial run for Chrysan's larger plans next year to celebrate the --- anniversary of Kyoto and
Edinburgh’s city twinning, So in about 11 months’ time when you start thinking
about how to celebrate, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chrysan </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">may well be doing something a little special
and a lot tasty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slainte.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwDZgtFW60tzAdViBtlJsAIQroKLwSn_QTCBqsAIWb9w0sFw-8OCAQYo-fweDyHr36047UQJuT2ym-WMsKaVXdd0Wbp5A60jrh6SCAE0Kcv-x0LMkqBICdbzse79-0m8a6iyCEx8i57Q/s1600/download+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwDZgtFW60tzAdViBtlJsAIQroKLwSn_QTCBqsAIWb9w0sFw-8OCAQYo-fweDyHr36047UQJuT2ym-WMsKaVXdd0Wbp5A60jrh6SCAE0Kcv-x0LMkqBICdbzse79-0m8a6iyCEx8i57Q/s1600/download+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-67154608005578538902013-01-17T03:18:00.000-08:002013-01-17T03:18:56.054-08:00January Offer - £5 House Cocktails at Dabbous<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1X0wixUcFvn7yuETK-P_c7lkewyAAbJ4UdiGoCA586jB51Tbg4I6phimXCq4vF3Po9jl85RDSs3xlb9YWNv6WS93OAQHhjTaLhJDsTMw0AQA2Hplp6A5g9beUlhdOcxmd-nRbY1CKgU/s1600/20130115_184226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1X0wixUcFvn7yuETK-P_c7lkewyAAbJ4UdiGoCA586jB51Tbg4I6phimXCq4vF3Po9jl85RDSs3xlb9YWNv6WS93OAQHhjTaLhJDsTMw0AQA2Hplp6A5g9beUlhdOcxmd-nRbY1CKgU/s200/20130115_184226.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood and Sand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have long been a fan of Dabbous (Whitfield St) and the genius of Oskar behind the bar, but for some reason that I cannot fathom I had not visited in many a month. So with the announcement that it was back open after a THREE week break I headed off to prop up their bar. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here is the best bit - get yourself down there in January to enjoy their house cocktails at just £5. £5! This bar is already excellent value with most drinks coming under £10 and being totally delicious. So what should you drink? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXpSF1uCuXn_vJQEBPUeTbqM09Ricjr6k7BAmHvm4ZP2s1GLEoQp5-lip8pJ1bQMWQnA-9xO0_ztyYPnKjb0-Lecrxkp4v1ab6mCriyqH2cBAMv_4V7yrGEpBmKepwAcMQr4_EyseL10/s1600/2013-01-15+18.05.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXpSF1uCuXn_vJQEBPUeTbqM09Ricjr6k7BAmHvm4ZP2s1GLEoQp5-lip8pJ1bQMWQnA-9xO0_ztyYPnKjb0-Lecrxkp4v1ab6mCriyqH2cBAMv_4V7yrGEpBmKepwAcMQr4_EyseL10/s200/2013-01-15+18.05.48.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="150" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pump Up The Jam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Mellow Yellow is a curious mix of smoky whisky and yellow pepper. Order it, but make sure your friend orders something different so you can share as this is so complex you'll need a breather. The Bulletproof was staggeringly good - if impossible to lift - with bourbon, greengage and gooseberry all coming together with mint and citrus. The Dewars 12yo used in the Blood and Sand adds a lovely smoked note to the drinks. And the Pump Up The Jam is one for the girls. No denying it when this pink flower topped vanilla and pumpkin jam concoction turns up with an added twist of whisky bitters. Men, you have been warned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, get down there and enjoy a £5 cocktail, then stay for the food, music, ambiance and everything else. </span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-10658680694801045652013-01-04T05:44:00.002-08:002013-01-04T05:45:26.910-08:00Happy 2013!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome back</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year etc etc</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, what were your 2012 bar highlights?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead of looking back I am going to look ahead. Antico, Bermondsey Street, is revamping their bar - a plus to have a bar to wait for a table in their fab restaurant but never quite got the feel right - and is re-opening the second week of January. Dray Walk off Brick Lane is going to be the foodie haven for 2013. My own little project with The Table in Southwark is almost at take off point, watch this space for a soft launch on their cocktails menu. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And my personal ambition - hitting those 5* hotel bars. Now I have the money (work allowance), motivation (our brands are well placed for these venues) and time (with just one full time job to run!) I look forward to drinking well and making new friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also vow to visit Callooh Callay on a regular basis, do not make enough of my Jub Jub status and I apologise! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have any suggestions or you'd like to know if I've been somewhere just drop me a note. And if you fancy a review just let me know where you are, but no free drinks accepted, that's bribery...</span></div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4173223333053935982.post-81347852772448286542012-12-04T08:09:00.000-08:002012-12-04T08:09:26.373-08:00Presenting...Patron Naughty or Nice <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIdrAyEEUy11OXqT_mhAtUyBU_IIm3631ljJdZW4Wl2Ctx5PBwV0dtcwlSUQA1pcnuwrrGYddbGTQFmOBn1AJMW7LJ-vkTDxsS33bGZOScXWR634gxdF6FgzxYauOa3WtcBGl8O3gK9U/s1600/Islington-20121203-00181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIdrAyEEUy11OXqT_mhAtUyBU_IIm3631ljJdZW4Wl2Ctx5PBwV0dtcwlSUQA1pcnuwrrGYddbGTQFmOBn1AJMW7LJ-vkTDxsS33bGZOScXWR634gxdF6FgzxYauOa3WtcBGl8O3gK9U/s200/Islington-20121203-00181.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">House of Wolf opened its doors to a huge Patron Tequila party last night, and its only running for two more nights (Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th). I wish I could say hurry to buy your tickets but the advance ones are sold out so head to the doors about 10pm and hope that someone will drop you you to squeeze in. Its runs till 4am so chances are pretty good! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPufGRh0QXe32HJKM9jYvJ1Gum0Yu-fqHnCBHaxzA3U9twaENQNYSTnMx-n7dN7TusZE7OQgcW_Rv5V9t3fT3dBlszGbuyaRIF5YDfsZex7VAt6yyksWrbzIMKwmDzpFp1lFfAkMinCBo/s1600/Islington-20121203-00182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPufGRh0QXe32HJKM9jYvJ1Gum0Yu-fqHnCBHaxzA3U9twaENQNYSTnMx-n7dN7TusZE7OQgcW_Rv5V9t3fT3dBlszGbuyaRIF5YDfsZex7VAt6yyksWrbzIMKwmDzpFp1lFfAkMinCBo/s200/Islington-20121203-00182.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started in the naughty room - obviously - where we had a Tequila Sunset with a pomegranate yolk, a Chilli Stimulant (espresso martini style) and a Chocolate Apaixonado before sneaking behind the pigeon holes for a quick fortune telling. Apparently I will be in the Himalayans in 4 years time and will be collected and taken to Vegas in a golden helicopter...cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1J7ejbRaCmb__UpuVUyG8Eamz5MBQ-9zSURxGjssV43OzUU6JZOubTVI1VRWFrzfK4L3lBna9Qnk_3aJfaeHyZH88vCVvk6MT2bu7_unpUVMF_-Q-mrAJqcWWaETrDd6oKg0Lk1EK9A/s1600/Islington-20121203-00186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1J7ejbRaCmb__UpuVUyG8Eamz5MBQ-9zSURxGjssV43OzUU6JZOubTVI1VRWFrzfK4L3lBna9Qnk_3aJfaeHyZH88vCVvk6MT2bu7_unpUVMF_-Q-mrAJqcWWaETrDd6oKg0Lk1EK9A/s200/Islington-20121203-00186.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we were allowed to be nice where in a spacious upstairs bar we had Juan Collins and Mexican 75s, not as good as downstairs I do not believe but interesting canapes including hay-infused potatoes (?) and ceviche sea bass with tequila jelly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JLN6nyo8jToOTkEiFmtqYQwzsSYwsm0kqWSRpvuVaqolXz6PYWbUoGnWKq5eTV9Z_gvRTkQMcsNYHaSw-QL-VjyffQuqwL13N4MXKPc2_4UwKasRfK1mgRwPotNKiaQ4xQ0b92ps73A/s1600/Islington-20121203-00184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JLN6nyo8jToOTkEiFmtqYQwzsSYwsm0kqWSRpvuVaqolXz6PYWbUoGnWKq5eTV9Z_gvRTkQMcsNYHaSw-QL-VjyffQuqwL13N4MXKPc2_4UwKasRfK1mgRwPotNKiaQ4xQ0b92ps73A/s200/Islington-20121203-00184.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the live music started at 10pm we headed all the way to the ground floor and enjoyed my favourite drink of the night, Black Mexicans, with Mexican Mules and good ol' fashioned rock and roll. Yes, I was the idiot dancing all night, so shoot me. I enjoyed myself! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great night, great drinks, great team (360 Communications) and great friend Sarah for allowing me to be a part of it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtpx7q_GO3OQMpj-UjBWl865-PAozBcJ9817v43XtvzmaYjvB2GBxnbrXZ5oZBeMy7kXnoGHLt1RN_r9GEy3GRsF99oV-JSw9VYZzOcVa-uQOpBt1ZwTAagUkYke_z5zwrZS9HWyRKwA/s1600/Islington-20121203-00198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtpx7q_GO3OQMpj-UjBWl865-PAozBcJ9817v43XtvzmaYjvB2GBxnbrXZ5oZBeMy7kXnoGHLt1RN_r9GEy3GRsF99oV-JSw9VYZzOcVa-uQOpBt1ZwTAagUkYke_z5zwrZS9HWyRKwA/s320/Islington-20121203-00198.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Bar Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702592276830826705noreply@blogger.com0