Attend : Armani / Deli

Armani/Deli @ Armani/Hotel, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, UAE

 I had a fantastic lunch at Armani/Deli when I was in Dubai recently. Ever since the world's first Armani/Hotel opened here in 2010, I've wanted to visit and see what all the hype was about.

Armani/Deli is situated in the lower floors of the hotel, at the base of the Burj Khalifa (The world's tallest building at 829.8m) The interior is as slick and stylish as you would expect from Armani, a black and cream minimal place.

The menu was traditionally Italian with a modern twist - we both had our 'go to' signature dishes - 'Spaghetti Lobster', and 'Black Truffle Pappardelle' - needless to say they were absolutely delicious.

Armani/Deli is, naturally, set out like a deli, with a large seating area. The seated section has beautiful calm views over the Dubai fountains along to The Address hotel. The deli section features freshly prepared dishes, cold cuts, deserts, and a bar / coffee counter.

 We had a great lunch here, it was a cool place to chill, away from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Dubai - The service was immaculate and the prices surprisingly reasonable.

 I'd now love to visit some of the other food and beverage outlets in the Armani/Hotel, maybe next time I'm in Dubai!

Armani/Deli - Website

Burj Khalifa - Website

Must try : Champagne

Newly discovered Champagne

 Discovering some new Champagnes; 'Beau Joie' - a copper armor clad bottle of a Champagne, and the new trend of White label Champagnes - 'Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial' and 'Lanson White label'.

'Beau Joie' is a relatively newly launched Champagne, and yes it's mainly about the show off bottle; a copper wrap that is claimed to keep the Champagne cool out of an ice bucket, but really I think it just looks incredible.

 On the actual Champagne side, it is a 'grower' Champagne, and a 'zero dosage', both of which are emerging trends in the Champagne market (as I discovered at 'Battleground Champagne')

The other emerging trend is the new 'White Label' -
 Moet & Chandon were first of the mark with 'Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial' designed to be drunk over ice from a balloon glass. Exclusively available poolside, so I've yet to find this in a shop
 'Lanson White Label' is described as fresh, zesty and refreshing - a more informal style of Champagne, again recommended to be served in a wine glass rather than a flute, it's more suitable for day drinking (I like!) and ideal for the addition of fruit, to further enhance the flavors.

 Hopefully I'll write more when I've tried them!

Links:
Beau Joie Champagne
Moet & Chandon
House of Lanson

Construct : Cocktail Sunday

Cocktail Sunday : Classic Champagne Cocktail

 A simple, yet elegant and impressive cocktail - that depends purely on it's ingredients. Champagne, A sugar cube and Bitters.

 An elegant Champagne I discovered whilst in France : Canard Duchêne - Grand Cuvée Le Victorieux - Charles VII. An impressive bottle; a complex, refined and elegant Champagne.

 
 Bitters: A great travel kit to ensure perfect cocktails on your travels, containing 5 different bitters. I used 'Jerry Thomas Bitters' - these bitters reveal citrus and dried fruit aromas which unite with the spicy flavors of cloves, angostura bark and cinnamon.

 Classic champagne cocktail recipe in 'Make - Guides & Recipes'

 Champagne
 Website : Canard Duchêne 
 Bitters
 Website : The Bitter Truth
 Stockists
 Website : Selfridges
 

Japanese Garden : Afternoon Tea at Blakes, South Kensington

Afternoon Tea : Blakes Hotel, South Kensington

  Blakes hotel has a much quoted USP: that it is 'The World's First Luxury Boutique Hotel',

 Created in 1978 by the renowned designer Anouska Hempel and occupying a group of Victorian house, Blakes is hidden behind an imposing, painted black facade, on the corner of Roland Gardens in London's South Kensington.

 The lobby throws light on the design principles of the hotel : a seductive journey through distant lands, with inspiration taken from India, China, Indonesia, Egypt and London.

 Afternoon tea is served in the Chinese Room or in the calm, outdoor Japanese Garden.

 Finger sandwiches, homemade scones with strawberries & cream and indulgent cakes are served alongside a selection of teas and a glass of champagne.

 A very modern and stylish cocktail list is shown in the Chinese Room's bar. A dark, opulent base for a modern take on a classic cocktail: 'Chinese Mojito', 'Shiso Cosmopolitan' and 'Gimlet Royale' to name a few...

 (Sadly, as the cocktail list was newly prepared, the cocktails weren't up to scratch to photograph. However, this has given me a new task of recreating these cocktails on this blog - coming soon)

 Blakes Hotel
 33 Roland Gardens, London, SW7 3PF
 Web: Blakes Hotel

An evening of Burlesque at 'The Beaufort Bar'

Cocktails & Cabaret at The Savoy hotel, London

Sunday 22nd April 2012

 Hosted by 'The Beaufort Bar' resident chanteuse, Holly Penfield and very special guest Dusty Limits, The Savoy hotel successfully resurrected the golden era of cocktails and cabaret circa 1929.

 Set in the unashamedly, decadently deco surroundings of 'The Beaufort Bar'; an interior that is all about jet black and burnished gold.

 The center piece is an extravagantly stocked framed bar which stands on the hotel's former cabaret stage (The bar offers one of London's most extensive choices of champagne by the glass). 

 This now makes for an intimate performance stage for cabaret's latest reincarnation. It's fitting that this space was once graced by luminaries such as Carroll Gibbons, the Savoy Orpheans and George Gershwin.

Your hosts: Holly Penfield & Dusty Limits

 Holly Penfield and Dusty Limits introduced burlesque stars Miss Polly Rae, and Kitty Bang Bang for some glamorous entertainment...

Burlesque star: Miss Polly Rae

  Suitably glammed up, It felt very decedent to be sat on a Sunday night in this prestigious bar that is steeped in cabaret history. At first it felt almost naughty that such an event was happening, and the audience was clearly a touch nervous to start out – but Holly and Dusty had a way that relaxed people and encouraged them to soak up the atmosphere and get involved (and to buy more expensive cocktails)

  

 The burlesque was interspersed by unusual cabaret acts; a abstract piece involving ‘The Blue Lady’ performing a mega-mix of all songs containing the word ‘blue’ - which just cannot be explained, but was a fantastic piece. Circus acrobalancer Stephen Williams put on an astonishing display of balancing, and was pure muscle – some of the moves he made were simply unbelievable.  

Circus acrobalancer: Stephen Williams

 To be in the same space where all the greats have performed, to hear the historical anecdotes from Holly Penfield, and to sip on the specially created cocktails from this amazing bar was simply divine.  

 We were all on a high as we left The Savoy:

 "An amazing evening, please keep the Burlesque Cabaret at The Savoy. It was mind-blowing and very special, felt truly honored to experience such a magical evening."

Future dates are set for May 20th and July 1st. 

Savoy Cabaret: http://www.savoycabaret.com

phone: 02074202111

Holly Penfield: http://www.hollypenfield.com/

The Savoy Hotel: http://www.fairmont.com/savoy