The Steeple Times

Tag: tipple

  • A Wine Winner

    A Wine Winner

    Half price bottles of wine at The Enterprise during January; price per bottle starts at £9.98 per bottle

     

    The Enterprise in Walton Street, Chelsea is an institution that locals know and love. The staff and management are charming, the atmosphere is fun and the food and drink superlative.

     

    For the whole of January, this popular neighbourhood bar and restaurant is offering its entire wine list at 50% off list price per bottle for those buying lunch or dinner. With everything from an Australian shiraz for £9.98 a bottle (normally £19.95) to Château Margaux le Pavillon Rouge for £137.50 (normally £275), there is something for everyone and we most definitely say cheers to that!

     

    The Enterprise, 35 Walton Street, London, SW3 2HU. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7584 3148.

     

    Follow The Steeple Times on Twitter at @SteepleTimes.

     

  • More gin, vicar?

    More gin, vicar?

    As Public Health Wales claims drinking spirits is bad for you, we rebut their frankly stupid study

     

    On Tuesday, The Telegraph reported that a completely unscientific study by an organisation named Public Health Wales had found that spirits are more likely to “trigger bouts of depression and unexpected weeping.”

     

    Said also to cause an increase in negative feelings and levels of aggression, spirits also are said to boost confidence and energy levels and make people “feel sexier.”

     

    Whilst The Telegraph’s article about the study focused on the spirits category in general, today The Guardian moved the focus to gin specifically. In a feature titled: ‘Spirits down: proof that gin makes you sad,’ the paper mocked the survey and rightly pointed out: “Other things that make you sad include literally everything that has ever happened in the world over the past decade.”

     

    They are right, but we’d go one stage further and suggest this: “Drink whatever makes you happy and if you can’t have one at eleven, have eleven at one.”

     

    Cheers!

     

    Follow The Steeple Times on Twitter at @SteepleTimes.

     

  • A $20k Gobble

    A $20k Gobble

    New York hotel offers a Thanksgiving dinner complete with gold-flaked turkeys and bottomless champagne for £15,100

     

    Late last week Guest of a Guest reported that a New York hotel is to offer a Thanksgiving dinner with a difference.

     

    Priced at £15,100 ($20,000, €17,000 or درهم73,500), HGU New York at 34 East 32nd Street’s “luxurious holiday dinner experience” includes the services of a personal event planner, butler service, a 5-piece jazz band, and two king hotel suites. Two gold-flaked turkeys, liquid gold hot chocolate and bottomless champagne form part of a “curated meal” by executive chef Keith Geter also.

    Those with pockets deep enough to book should email [email protected]

     

    Follow The Steeple Times on Twitter at @SteepleTimes.

     

  • Little Nigella

    Little Nigella

    Clubbable sorts will love the opportunity to live like Nigella Lawson above Little House Mayfair

     

    When the flatform trainer loving cook Nigella Lawson first split up with Charles ‘The Throttler’ Saatchi back in 2013, she took up residence in an apartment above the Little House private members’ club in Mayfair’s Queen Street.

     

    Little Nigella – Club Apartments at Little House Mayfair, 2 Queen Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5PA, United Kingdom – Clubbable sorts will love the opportunity to live like Nigella Lawson. £28,600 per month through Savills.
    Nigella Lawson arriving at her apartment at Little House Mayfair in 2013

     

    Now, one of the club’s four apartments has recently become available to rent at price of £6,600 per week ($8,600, €7,200 or درهم31,800 per week) or £28,600 per month ($37,500, €31,100 or درهم137,600 per month). Featuring two bedroom suites and a third ‘bunk room’ that could be converted to provide a gym, the second floor space on offer also has a double aspect reception room, is accessed by lift and comes with full club access.

     

    Savills have the listing and the website for the apartment complex and club – which was previously used as a bank – notes it comes with a “fully stocked kitchen or we’ll do it for you.” No wonder Nigella felt at home.

     

    Little Nigella – Club Apartments at Little House Mayfair, 2 Queen Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5PA, United Kingdom – Clubbable sorts will love the opportunity to live like Nigella Lawson. £28,600 per month through Savills.Little Nigella – Club Apartments at Little House Mayfair, 2 Queen Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5PA, United Kingdom – Clubbable sorts will love the opportunity to live like Nigella Lawson. £28,600 per month through Savills.Little Nigella – Club Apartments at Little House Mayfair, 2 Queen Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5PA, United Kingdom – Clubbable sorts will love the opportunity to live like Nigella Lawson. £28,600 per month through Savills. Little Nigella – Club Apartments at Little House Mayfair, 2 Queen Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5PA, United Kingdom – Clubbable sorts will love the opportunity to live like Nigella Lawson. £28,600 per month through Savills.Little Nigella – Club Apartments at Little House Mayfair, 2 Queen Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5PA, United Kingdom – Clubbable sorts will love the opportunity to live like Nigella Lawson. £28,600 per month through Savills. Little Nigella – Club Apartments at Little House Mayfair, 2 Queen Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5PA, United Kingdom – Clubbable sorts will love the opportunity to live like Nigella Lawson. £28,600 per month through Savills.

  • Moron of the Moment – Sir Philip Green

    Moron of the Moment – Sir Philip Green

    ‘Sir Shifty’ filmed in debauched incident in Mykonos; he would do better to sip rather than spray his beverages

     

    Sir Philip Green will forever be remembered as a man whose former company, BHS, collapsed with the loss of 11,000 jobs. At that time, in The Steeple Times, the actor and producer Steven Berkoff compared him to both Shylock and Al Capone, but now ‘Badly Behaved Boozy Brit Abroad’ can add be added to this slug-like individual’s roster after he was spotted dousing fellow diners with champagne in Greece.

     

    Filmed by someone named Sarah Nazari and shared on her Instagram page, the minute long clip shows Sir Philip at a beach bar-restaurant named Nammos Mykonos. Alongside other revelers, the business tycoon was pictured hosing other guests down with £109 ($141, €120 or درهم517) per bottle “spraying champagne.” He didn’t look like he had a care in the world and perhaps, just maybe, his daughter’s new jailbird boyfriend, Jeremy Meeks, had provided him with inspiration to behave like a reprobate.

     

    Of antics more befitting of a 20-year old than a 65-year old, an unnamed source told The Times: “You couldn’t be in this club if you aren’t rich, so he wasn’t impressing anyone. He just looked like a sad old man trying to play with the pretty people.” Spot on: ‘Sir Shifty’, at his age, would do well to sip rather than spray.

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ep_PrxAZE4

     

  • Marmalade in Mayfair

    Marmalade in Mayfair

    Matthew Steeples visits Boisdale of Mayfair with restaurateur Nicky Kerman – and samples a marmalade infused gin cocktail (or three)

     

    Though most will recognise Boisdale for its tartan décor, traditional cuisine and fine malt whiskies, this live music restaurant group’s most recent opening, Boisdale of Mayfair, is a place as well suited to afternoon drinking as anywhere in a locality stuffed to the brims with many a salubrious spot.

     

    An afternoon visit late last month with the legendary restaurateur Nicky Kerman – himself involved in Boisdale of Canary Wharf but best known for his involvement in the heydays of both Drones and Scott’s in the era of Nigel Dempster and the late Diana, Princess of Wales – was a revelation. Whilst I rightly anticipated the most civilised of times, Nicky promised something he knew I’d love nearly as much: The email suggesting our meeting place, in red, enlarged capital letters was accompanied by the caption: ‘GIN’.

     

    On arrival, we were guided to a most pleasant terrace outside this converted stable building just off Park Lane and there followed not only gin and tonics made with gins from Scotland and the South Coast but also a cocktail, pictured above, named the ‘Lady Marmalade’ (£9.50). This mix of marmalade infused Beefeater 24, Solerno blood orange liqueur, Mandarine Napoleon liqueur, fresh lemon juice and sugar was described to us as a “belting summer cocktail oozing fruity deliciousness” and boy indeed it was.

     

    Boisdale of Mayfair, 12 North Row, London, W1K 7DF. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 3873 8888.

     

  • Politics With The Pun

    Politics With The Pun

    David Pun gobbled his way through General Election 2017 and was captured on camera by a Mail on Sunday reporter

     

    Mail on Sunday reporter Ned Donovan secured the photo of the evening on General Election night 2017 in capturing party crasher extraordinaire David Pun at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall, London in the early hours of 9th June.

     

    In the image, shared on Twitter, Pun – whose claims to his connections at both Harvey Nichols and Peninsula Hotels frequently astound those he meets and whose position on a roll call of ‘shoppers’ in Queensway brought laughter to readers of The Steeple Times in April this year – is pictured raiding a tray of bacon baps as Lady Nugee (AKA Emily Thornberry MP) looks down from an overhead television screen.

     

    Whilst Pun’s voting preferences got no mention, sadly nor did where fellow liggers Denis Doble and Sandra Shevey ended up on that night’s rampage. Whether they got trolleyed with ‘Team Theresa’ at Conservative Central Office or naughty with Nigel Farage at 5 Hertford Street, no doubt canapés aplenty were snaffled.

     

    #Puntastic #NoPunNoParty

     

    Politics With The Pun – David Pun spotted on #GE2017 night – Party crasher David Pun gobbled his way through General Election 2017 and was captured on camera by Mail on Sunday reporter Ned Donovan.

  • Jobbing Wine

    Jobbing Wine

    A dream job for wine lovers; get paid to drink and drive your way across America

     

    An Oregon winery is seeking a ‘Canbassador’ to join them on a roadtrip across America to hawk their range of wines – including their ‘pinot in a can’.

     

    The Union Wine Company, founded by Ryan Harms in 2001 with the aim to create good wines at affordable prices, are looking for an individual to join them in their 1972 Citroën mobile wine bar as it tours US music festivals, store openings and outdoor events. The position encompasses 30-40 hours per week in terms of time commitment, 4-6 months per year and as Guest of a Guest reported last week, here is a chance to “drink and drive the legal way”.

     

    Applicants must be over 21, be able to drive large, manual transmission vehicles with trailers and have good navigation skills. Naturally, they must also have “an appreciation for wine”. A salary is not specified on the company’s website but it will be “commensurate with experience”.

     

    To apply, email [email protected]

     

  • Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’

    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’

    As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?”

     

    Last May, the acerbic Spectator columnist Taki wrote a brilliant opinion piece bemoaning the ghastly affair he believed New York’s Metropolitan Museum Gala had become. It perfectly summed up the vulgarity of an age where Kardashians have replaced Vanderbilt Sloanes and where Anna Wintour and her condescending ‘club’ have seized the mantle. This week, Primates of Park Avenue author Wednesday Martin took the debate one stage further and asked: “Is it time to say bye-bye to the black tie charity ball?” in an article for Town & Country magazine.

     

    Whilst Martin quoted a “titan of finance” as saying: “No one really wants to attend a gala”, she also suggested that “showing up feels somehow retro, tangible, genuine”. Society is still forced into the routine of putting on black tie and parading out in both America and Britain yet in reality, everyone would most likely rather be down their local spit-and-sawdust.

     

    Aside from the rubber chicken (and vomit inducing wine), the likelihood of being stuck with nine crushing bores and the inevitable raffle of rubbish, such affairs are now mostly the preserve of a club of Z-listers and desperados. At such gatherings, you’ll find trolleyed trailer trash like Dawn Ward of The Real Housewives of Cheshire clucking with titleless tosspot twits like David Furnish and each and every Friday’s ES Magazine bears testimony to this fact. The black tie bash deserves to come to its natural end, but what on earth will replace it?

     

    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    The inevitable rent-a-crowd that now dominates at black tie gatherings in Britain these days is focused on daytime TV presenters and obscure reality wannabes
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    Tamara Ecclestone and husband Jay Rutland (pictured with Donna Air behind them) might be moneyed, but where’s the class?
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    Stephen Fry and husband Elliott Spencer are a duo willing to turn up to the opening of an envelope
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    If you really want to lower the tone, invite champagne swiller Dawn Ward and her ex-footballer husband
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    Alexa Chung is the ultimate guest if you want to make it to the ‘ES Magazine’s’ party pages (in spite of the fact she’s actually pretty pointless)
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    No party is complete without legendary crasher and shopping aficionado David Pun; last night he was spotted lingering outside the entrance to the opening night of the 2017 London Motor Show and given his antics he even has a Twitter account named in his honour
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    Anthea Turner and Grant Bovey used to host an annual ball in their garden; their marriage is now toast and the ball, for them at least, is most definitely over
  • Marked by Mice

    Marked by Mice

    Scott’s in Mayfair to reopen after closing due to a mice infestation; Montpeliano remains open in spite of receiving a Food Standards Agency rating of zero out of five

     

    Today, Scott’s restaurant in Mount Street, Mayfair reopens after having been closed for six days for what they called “a spring clean and revamp”.

     

    The restaurant, which is owned by bouffant haired Richard Caring, in fact, actually received a food hygiene rating of 1/5 – which indicates a “major improvement [is] necessary” – on 13th February and was especially criticized for standards of cleanliness and management of food safety. In particular, according to the Mail Online’s Shari Miller, the report highlighted: “During the inspection it was noted that there was a significant issue with mice activity throughout the premises”.

     

    Of this development at a restaurant loved by many, a spokesman for Scott’s told the Mail Online:

     

    “We are shocked that the council found a reason to reduce our rating despite 10 years with a spotless record”.

     

    “The issues identified were dealt with immediately and we pushed for Westminster Council to return and regrade us before we closed for a long-term planned refurbishment of the restaurant”.

     

    “We are more than happy for them to come back when we open as we are totally confident of retaining our five-star rating”.

     

    “[This was a] wake-up call… And a reminder that for us to maintain our exacting standards, we must put in our own intense checks on top of outside agencies”.

     

    Elsewhere, Knightsbridge’s Montpeliano retains a rating of zero on the Food Standards Agency website. Awarded the truly dreadful score on the 21st September 2016, this “garden style restaurant” opened in 1974 and describes itself as “the place to go for dressy, classic Italian cooking”.

     

    Marked by Mice – Scott’s restaurant at 20 Mount Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 2HE to reopen after mice infestation – Montpeliano at 13 Montpelier Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW7 1HQ still open after receiving a Food Standards Agency rating of 0/5.Marked by Mice – Scott’s restaurant at 20 Mount Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 2HE to reopen after mice infestation – Montpeliano at 13 Montpelier Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW7 1HQ still open after receiving a Food Standards Agency rating of 0/5.