Tag Archives: prohibition

Prohibition Afternoon Tea, Quaglino’s, Mayfair

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It feels like every hotel and every restaurant in London has an afternoon tea offering, in fact it is the most searched thing to do in the capital on Google. Needless to say I had begun to get a little bored of the usual format. And then last week I experienced a mysteriously magical tea unlike any other.

Renowned Mayfair venue Quaglino’s has recently undergone an exciting renovation and is looking more glamorous and glitzy than ever before. This restaurant and bar has always been iconic but now feels even more exclusive and prestigious. Beyond the front door the walls are decorated in a dynamic geometric pattern, it is a vision of black and gold.

We followed the staircase down to the main room, which unfolded like a scene from the Great Gatsby. Staff wear sophisticated dresses and tuxedos, and I felt annoyed with myself that I hadn’t got out a vintage dress for the occasion. On a Saturday afternoon the venue was quiet and we had a choice of any table. We settled into a space in the bar area, sinking into the plush velvet banquettes and sipping our cups of tea.

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This afternoon tea is decadent and delicious, perfect for a girls’ celebration or party. We chose the Cocktail Tea (priced at £29.50) though there is also an option with champagne. I adored my ‘Scofflaw Twist’ cocktail which was made with Bulleit Bourbon, lime juice, orange juice, orgeat syrup and Pedro Ximenez. The complex mix of ingredients worked well together to create a balanced and smooth drink with woody undertones. For a lighter and more refreshing drink, opt for the Draft of an Angel, a creamy texture with Green Chartreuse and plenty of fresh mint.

The food is the perfect selection for the ultimate sweet-toothed addict – a beautiful array from macaroons to marquise, frangipane tart to coffee choux. Each sweet mouthful was balanced carefully on the circular stand. I loved the savoury treats too, the freshest smoked salmon rosti and delicious cured ham grissini. The sandwich on offer was chicken and basil – simple but classic. I was a little disappointed with the scones, which were a bit dry and lacking in currents.

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For just £29.50 a person (including a cocktail) I think this characterful afternoon tea is one of the best I’ve tried in London. And with private rooms that can host private parties of up to 30 people, the Prohibition tea will really make an afternoon tea experience feel like a special occasion.

The Prohibition Tea continues until 30th September. More information and book here.

Evans and Peel Detective Agency, Earl’s Court

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I’m having trouble remembering my experience of Evans and Peel, the basement bar “detective agency” in Earl’s Court serving up mean drinks. My evening in this dark and mysterious venue feels like a distant, hazy dream. Hidden down an insignificant side street in West London, this prohibition style bar expresses its theme without compromising. Find the door, wander downstairs and ask for an appointment to see the detective. If entrance is granted, you will be taken through the dusty bookcase to discover an atmospheric bar area. Once inside you can drop the pretence and enjoy your drink without the silly acting!

Food and Drink is available and guests can sit at the bar or further back at the proper tables. Naturally I chose the bar stools, keen to see the mixological activity. ‘The Smoking Kitchen’, as it is known, offers an appealing menu of plates, sliders and full three course dining options. Three or four generous sized plates (priced between £4 and £7) was plenty to satisfy us at dinner time. The food is seasonal and homemade on site, using traditional techniques and their very own custom built smoker. I can recommend the Mac’s cauliflower cheese made with white wine sauce, macaroni pasta, swiss cheese blend and cauliflower, utterly indulgent, gooey and delicious. The E & P wedges are twice cooked, perfectly Southern States seasoned and served with a divine speciality aioli-like dip. I also loved the Go Ho Hoat’s Cheese Fritter: cold smoked chèvre, breaded and fried with maple syrup reduction. The menu changes regularly.

To drink we tried a few of the most popular Evans and Peel developed cocktails. They are strong and inventive, and many rate these barmen among the top cocktail connoisseurs in London. Our favourites were ‘La Petite Mort’ and ‘Auntie May’s Pisco Sour’. The first combines both sweet and sour elements with a clove and almond base, complimented by lemon juice and rum; a few drops of Angostura Bitters complete the drink. This cocktail is perfectly balanced, and as the the ice begins to melt, the flavours loosen and change. Auntie May’s drink is a take on the classic Pisco Sour, with apple & lemon curd sweetening the spirit, simple but very tasty.

It’s rare to find such a special cocktail bar in West London, with most located around the Hoxton or Soho areas, so I am wary of telling too many people about this little gem. Evans and Peel offer drama, creativity, brilliant food and cocktails all under one roof, it is a special discovery.

More information here.

 http://www.evansandpeel.com/

The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town, Spitalfields

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The Major of Scaredy Cat Town is a secret worth knowing… a mystery I should be keeping to myself, but I can’t resist telling you all about this thoroughly titillating and enticing cocktail bar.

Prohibition-esque cocktails bars in London are a craze akin to the wine bars of the past. Sugary concoctions lure boys and girls alike to dark dungeons all over London, and the more secretive the better. When I heard about the Breakfast Club’s hidden bar… concealed downstairs at the Spitalfields branch, I knew I had to check it out immediately. With my favourite cocktail gals in tow, I stepped into the quiet Breakfast Club full of anticipation.

Just like C.S Lewis’ ‘Lion, Witch and Wardrobe,’ what you’ll discover behind the mysterious door at the Spitalfields Breakfast Club is beyond your wildest imagination. Just ask to see the Major and you will be escorted through a Smeg Fridge(!) to a thrillingly cosy little bar serving up innovative cocktails and snacks. To prevent suspicion in the restaurant a separate exit door is used by guests leaving the bar… so no one will ever know where you’ve been.

I loved the whole experience though I must admit the drinks weren’t exemplary. Groups of friends huddle round dimly lit tables perching on stools and laughing apparently without a care in the world. We tried the most daring concoctions, a risk I would, in retrospect, not advise taking. They just all seemed to have a little too much of some weird ingredient, and become too bitter or too herby. Your best bet is to order a classic, or if you insist on trying something different (which I always do) opt for the Red Lady – a sweet, frothy and comforting drink served straight up with Bombay Sapphire Gin, Grand Marnier, lemon juice, raspberries and egg white.

Reluctantly we left the Major and went upstairs to the real world. Looking back at the solitary orange fridge it is impossible to imagine the fun and frolics that go on every night behind that unlikely doorway.

http://www.themayorofscaredycattown.com/