Fellow Wine Lovers,
“Smart Casual” it said on the invitation. So there we were sitting on the tube, smart jackets on, cycling jackets left at home, as we eagerly anticipated a glass of something suitable on a Monday evening. Now, as many of you know, Wayne regards Monday night as ‘professionals’ night in terms of a glass of wine or two; sadly, we felt anything other than professionals when we realised our tube had been rerouted, just as the doors shut.
A quick study of the map found us choosing the Piccadilly line as a suitable alternative, only to hear the dreaded words “severe delays on the Piccadilly line” as we went to alight. Rerouted again, we discovered Victoria to be a busy place at 7pm on a Monday evening (we don’t get out much!). Finally, we arrived in Bloomsbury Square, our tunnel tour finished and only the guest list to negotiate.
We entered the 1920’s ballroom, a glass of bubbly thrust into our hands, and discover a Gypsy Jazz band playing on stage belting out a distinctly Charleston styled number. Looking around us we also discovered “Smart casual” means many things to many people. What do the lady in the tutu and her friend in the velvet jacket wear if they need to dress up we wondered, or that chap with the tweed suit we thought, suddenly feeling a little underdressed.
We needn’t have worried though, we definitely had an invite and weren’t sporting double denim. It turned out we weren’t the best shop in London (which didn’t surprise us) but that the voters seem to think we were the best shop in Wimbledon (which did surprise us).
So flushed with success (or was that the wine?-Ed) we left the party in full flow, surprised to have won anything, puzzled as to how Time Out found us, and with a certificate that is now proudly sharing the window with Hepple Gin.
Talking of Glamour, Glitz & Parties
Two of our neighbours on Arthur Road – vintage fashion shop Fraubraun and Thom Kirby Hair – are organising a festive event on Wednesday 2 December.
A selection of timeless and elegant Fraubraun dresses from the 1930s – 1980s will be on display in the salon and the team at Thom Kirby are offering hair-styling advice to complete your look. There will also be a raffle which gives you the chance to win one of three bottles of our fabulous Mimi Sparkling Rose. So do stop by for a glass of Prosecco and the chance to discover the ultimate Christmas outfit! We’ve taken the liberty of attaching their invite.
Tasting This Weekend
Given that Movember is in full flow, Thanksgiving is on the horizon, and more importantly, we fancy a drop, we shall open Cabaret Frank (£9.79). It is a delicious Cabernet Franc (see what they did there?) from California, with nice ripe fruit and a satisfying finish. The importers are making a donation to Movember for every bottle they sold during the month too. In the white corner, we’ll splash a drop of Seifried Riesling (£13.99) into your glass, a delicious mouthful from Nelson in New Zealand.
Lastly, we were much amused to read about a chap called Mike Bloomfield (no relation, Wayne swears, not even distant). He has named his baby son, without consulting his wife, with the un-arguable logic “If Beckham can call his son Brooklyn!”
What his wife commented on discovering their son had been named Bermondsey Millwall Den is unclear at this stage.
Lovely weekend folks, get the furry ear-warmers out!