I work here. And, despite the website, it is actually a rather wonderful establishment. We make fantastic drinks and, furthermore, since there are only three bartenders who work there, I can safely say "we" and guarantee you great cocktails. You can't always say that. However (and here is where I stop sounding like a living, breathing, honest-to-goodness human ad-board) for the paltry membership charge of nigh on five hundred smackers it's somewhat overpriced.
"Of course it's overpriced!" you exclaim undestandably. "Could that kind of membership fee ever be worth it?!"
I agree. Except that we don't often get people trying so desparately to be cool. The bars tagline is "disappear here," and you can indeed do just that at 43 South Molton. And get intent, not overbearing service; good conversation with interesting people; great drinks from knowledgable chaps such as myself; all set in a well designed, mansion-in-the-country-but-a-bit-Lynch surroundings.
But 475?!
As you can see, the love-hate stage already appears. It begins to irk. Irk-some, let us say.
Friday night was a perk. Busy night, cocktails all evening, tiring, under-tipped... but then I got to taste some of the finest whiskies that have ever graced these lips of mine. Truly. A sensational Scotch, an unsatisfying Irish (but aren't they all?), a bewildering Bourbon. All epithets heartfelt...
(Thank you for bearing with me.)
****
clover club
50ml Plymouth gin
10ml grenadine (home-made rasberry syrup works a treat too)
25ml lemon juice
15ml egg white (which can be substituted or omitted)
"Shake lit ike a rapist on your mother's back!" as a fellow bar-tender once advised.
Double strain (i.e. with a strainer over the base of the shaker, and then through a fine-meshed sieve) into a chilled martini or coupe.
Honestly one of the most pleasant gin cocktails out there.
Q1. What's your favourite tipple, cocktail, or bar-call?
(And "Hey cutie!" does not qualify as a "bar-call," 'kay?)
"M'lady. Sire." (Nods to each) "What is it you desire?..."
****
Dedicated, if only initially, to Fanny
interview guidelines for crush applicant
It is desired that all applicants aspire to the virtues and qualities as outlined below. Observations shall be rendered through interaction and social communion in the satisfaction of the ancient and trustworthy trials of conversation, coffee, alcohol, dessert, or substitutes thereof, over as many sessions as is deemed necessary.
- Does not raise her eyebrows and shift/lean away at the mention of the words 'vegetarian', 'dairy-free', 'soya' or 'de-caf'.
- Demonstrates appreciation of the finer things in life. This is to include such wonders as bourbon, rum, sleep, literature, film and music, intellectual debate and discussion, and physical exercise (including sex, dancing, and ice-cream consumption, as well as combinations thereof).
- Intrigues, captivates, interests and generally wows (i.e. is pleasing on the eye and the brain).
- Makes my skin tingle, my eyes hurt, and my mouth wet (not to be confused with the onset of illness).
... Of course that is on my pickier days. There are always those occasions of "Pulse?" "Check!" but that's not really an interview. And that seems to be happening a lot less anyway...
Q2. Am I really asking too much?
Q3. Did I miss anything out?
****
Tonight I watched Festen, followed by Before Sunrise.
Having never seen the former, Now I can only recommend it. "Absolutely great," surely isn't much of a review, but I think the impact of this incredible, honest, inspirational movie hasn't really settled yet...
Before Sunrise, meanwhile, is an adorable, heart-warming tale which I am certain you have all seen. At times naive, philosophical, touching, sweet... The early sexual tension is palpable, shifting between cringey, adorable, and hot, whilst the parting scene manages to be thick with inspiration, bittersweet semi-tragedy, and simple, good ol' fashioned romantic hope.
For tomorrow morning I have Night On Earth to set off my (eventful) Monday. I love my video store.
****
Some fucker has my wallet. From the (administratively unhelpful) San Moritz Club, thus marring an otherwise great night out!
All my ID, my now-cancelled bank card, the last 25 of my hard-earned tips, and just a shit-load of useful scraps of paper. Grrrrr.
Still: Easy come, easy go. Such things are simply not worth losing sleep over.
Updating here, however, is. Ahhh... blessed 2am...
A parting question, then:
Q4. I seek inspiration and a few worthwhile moments. What is your favourite:
album cover, funeral track, line of poetry/prose, and photograph?
Go on and make it two parting questions then (I value your input to my life):
Q5. Where's your sweet spot?...
Read a book. Tell someone about it, and lend them yours.
saint adatha,
patron saint of slow-roasted peppers, chainmail ethics,
recycled beginnings, and book-pushing.
xxx
"Of course it's overpriced!" you exclaim undestandably. "Could that kind of membership fee ever be worth it?!"
I agree. Except that we don't often get people trying so desparately to be cool. The bars tagline is "disappear here," and you can indeed do just that at 43 South Molton. And get intent, not overbearing service; good conversation with interesting people; great drinks from knowledgable chaps such as myself; all set in a well designed, mansion-in-the-country-but-a-bit-Lynch surroundings.
But 475?!
As you can see, the love-hate stage already appears. It begins to irk. Irk-some, let us say.
Friday night was a perk. Busy night, cocktails all evening, tiring, under-tipped... but then I got to taste some of the finest whiskies that have ever graced these lips of mine. Truly. A sensational Scotch, an unsatisfying Irish (but aren't they all?), a bewildering Bourbon. All epithets heartfelt...
(Thank you for bearing with me.)
****
clover club
50ml Plymouth gin
10ml grenadine (home-made rasberry syrup works a treat too)
25ml lemon juice
15ml egg white (which can be substituted or omitted)
"Shake lit ike a rapist on your mother's back!" as a fellow bar-tender once advised.
Double strain (i.e. with a strainer over the base of the shaker, and then through a fine-meshed sieve) into a chilled martini or coupe.
Honestly one of the most pleasant gin cocktails out there.
Q1. What's your favourite tipple, cocktail, or bar-call?
(And "Hey cutie!" does not qualify as a "bar-call," 'kay?)
"M'lady. Sire." (Nods to each) "What is it you desire?..."
****
Dedicated, if only initially, to Fanny
interview guidelines for crush applicant
It is desired that all applicants aspire to the virtues and qualities as outlined below. Observations shall be rendered through interaction and social communion in the satisfaction of the ancient and trustworthy trials of conversation, coffee, alcohol, dessert, or substitutes thereof, over as many sessions as is deemed necessary.
- Does not raise her eyebrows and shift/lean away at the mention of the words 'vegetarian', 'dairy-free', 'soya' or 'de-caf'.
- Demonstrates appreciation of the finer things in life. This is to include such wonders as bourbon, rum, sleep, literature, film and music, intellectual debate and discussion, and physical exercise (including sex, dancing, and ice-cream consumption, as well as combinations thereof).
- Intrigues, captivates, interests and generally wows (i.e. is pleasing on the eye and the brain).
- Makes my skin tingle, my eyes hurt, and my mouth wet (not to be confused with the onset of illness).
... Of course that is on my pickier days. There are always those occasions of "Pulse?" "Check!" but that's not really an interview. And that seems to be happening a lot less anyway...
Q2. Am I really asking too much?
Q3. Did I miss anything out?
****
Tonight I watched Festen, followed by Before Sunrise.
Having never seen the former, Now I can only recommend it. "Absolutely great," surely isn't much of a review, but I think the impact of this incredible, honest, inspirational movie hasn't really settled yet...
Before Sunrise, meanwhile, is an adorable, heart-warming tale which I am certain you have all seen. At times naive, philosophical, touching, sweet... The early sexual tension is palpable, shifting between cringey, adorable, and hot, whilst the parting scene manages to be thick with inspiration, bittersweet semi-tragedy, and simple, good ol' fashioned romantic hope.
For tomorrow morning I have Night On Earth to set off my (eventful) Monday. I love my video store.
****
Some fucker has my wallet. From the (administratively unhelpful) San Moritz Club, thus marring an otherwise great night out!
All my ID, my now-cancelled bank card, the last 25 of my hard-earned tips, and just a shit-load of useful scraps of paper. Grrrrr.
Still: Easy come, easy go. Such things are simply not worth losing sleep over.
Updating here, however, is. Ahhh... blessed 2am...
A parting question, then:
Q4. I seek inspiration and a few worthwhile moments. What is your favourite:
album cover, funeral track, line of poetry/prose, and photograph?
Go on and make it two parting questions then (I value your input to my life):
Q5. Where's your sweet spot?...
Read a book. Tell someone about it, and lend them yours.
saint adatha,
patron saint of slow-roasted peppers, chainmail ethics,
recycled beginnings, and book-pushing.
xxx
VIEW 19 of 19 COMMENTS
rainwolfkin:
Re: my friends thread: if you are interested, it would be nice to see you at the viet lunch i'm sort of organizing (at the request of those that are apparently too busy to organize...). yeah, anyway, its close to your home i think, cheap and tasty, and why wouldn't you want to spend an hour with the most sloppiest eatters in the northern hemisphere? or not, just a suggestion, a nudge, but no hair pulling.
tarqu1n:
Thanks man. Plans are no plans, like most days, just dinner with good people and make the most of a blustery Indian summer eve...